Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit chuig an Teach chun na ráitis éigeandála seo a dhéanamh maidir leis an méid atá ag tarlú in Gaza agus sa Mediterranean. The purpose of the flotilla was to bring emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is much-needed aid that the vast majority of people in the world want to see delivered. With its journey on the seas in recent days, the flotilla and the publicity it has received have highlighted its necessity and the reasoning behind it, which is to deliver emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza. This publicity has to be welcomed.

I acknowledge all of the Irish citizens and everybody else on the flotilla, particularly our Seanad colleague Senator Chris Andrews. The welfare of our Irish citizens is of paramount importance. I think of the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, extended families and loved ones of all of the Irish citizens on the flotilla who are worried about their loved ones today. I welcome confirmation from the Tánaiste of the establishment of a dedicated point of contact for the families of those who have been detained on the flotilla.

I acknowledge the diplomatic efforts of the Department of foreign affairs, our diplomatic network and our European partners. It is clear that good diplomatic relations are very important at all times and particularly in situations such as this. From time to time, due to various issues, we hear people calling for expulsions of ambassadors. It is important to note that diplomatic relations are very important in all situations and this is no different. The interception of the flotilla in international waters is a breach of international law and it should be recognised as this. The Tánaiste and everyone else in the Houses are calling for the safe return of all those in the flotilla or for the flotilla to be allowed to proceed to its destination and to deliver the aid to Gaza.

This has highlighted the situation in Gaza in recent days. Unfortunately, there are certain people in the world who are not listening and who are turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to what is going on. I particularly wish that there was a stronger message of condemnation from the United States on the situation in Gaza. This is a humanitarian crisis. As we read about the Second World War, this is something that future generations will read about, but we are living through it. We are here now and it is important that we condemn what is going on and that we urge all partners in Europe and in the United Nations, and all the countries of the world, to condemn what is going on and to provide safe passage for aid and the release of aid, which in some cases is over the border from Gaza, and to allow humanitarian aid to flow to assist those people who are dying of starvation.

It is hard to believe that, in this day and age, we are talking like this about a situation not so very far away from our shores. We have solidarity with those on the flotilla and with what they are trying to do, and solidarity with the people of Gaza.