Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)

I return to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and continue to express our concerns for the human atrocities being perpetrated there. We have moved to a point where we are not talking about women, children and men dying of starvation. We are talking about them dying of thirst. Water is something we take for granted. I reiterate our criticism of the division within the EU in its approach to tackling this war. I appreciate that the EU is unified in its commitment to a ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid and unified in its commitment to address these atrocities with Israel, but the situation is beyond tolerable. I believe the EU must move to suspend its agreement with Israel. These are not words I say lightly but it is beyond tolerable for any of us. The most recent EU-commissioned report said that Israel is perpetrating indiscriminate attacks, starvation, torture and apartheid. What is being perpetrated is inhumane and the EU must move to suspend its agreement with Israel.

I read with great annoyance and disgust the announcement in the papers that the Minister for Health has moved to name the new children's hospital with complete disregard for this House and for the public support for the naming of the hospital after the great Kathleen Lynn. The Deputy Leader will recall that, during the previous term, this House passed a unanimous motion, which is not a common occurrence, proposed by me and supported by all of the Senators to name the national children's hospital the Kathleen Lynn National Children's Hospital. The Minister needs to come to this House and explain why she is ignoring that motion, which was unanimously passed by this House, and the action she is going to take to rectify the situation. It is unacceptable.

I commend Senator Nelson Murray on the work she has done raising the issue of insurance premiums, an issue I have also raised. We have heard about a proposal that is going to go to Government to increase personal injuries guidelines by 17%. Small businesses, clubs and charitable organisations are crippled by insurance costs. We cannot have it and we must bring the Minister in to address it again.