Seanad debates
Thursday, 2 October 2025
Global Sumud Flotilla: Statements
2:00 am
Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming to Seanad Éireann on short notice for an important debate comprised of statements on the flotilla. He will speak for ten minutes, all group spokespersons have seven minutes and all other Senators have four minutes each, and the Minister of State will then reply after the debating concludes. Anois an tAire Stáit.
Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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To clarify, do I also have a closing speaking slot?
Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanad os rud é gur chur na Baill an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo ar an gclár ar maidin, the Global Sumud Flotilla, an Loingeas Domhanda Sumud. Is cabhlach de 50 long é an flotilla cúnamh daonnúil a thabhairt go Gaza. The global flotilla wants to deliver humanitarian aid - we all do - and establish an open and sustained humanitarian corridor to Gaza.
We all have been looking closely at reports on the interception of the flotilla by the Israeli navy. We have confirmation that at least 14 Irish citizens are among those intercepted and detained. There may be two other citizens detained as well. We are still verifying the presence of those two citizens and expect to have confirmation in the coming hours. I am very aware that that cohort includes our colleague, Senator Chris Andrews. Our Dáil colleague, Deputy Barry Heneghan, is also participating in an associated flotilla which is continuing its progress through the Mediterranean sea. In this situation, the clear priority for all of us is to ensure the safety and well-being of our colleagues and citizens.
I understand the Tánaiste convened a meeting this morning with senior officials in our Department, including Ireland’s ambassador to Israel, to respond to the latest developments. He will also remain in contact with his EU counterparts. That shows that, notwithstanding any major difficulties we have in relationships with other countries, it is important to keep diplomatic channels open, particularly for situations like this.
Officials from across the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including those in the embassy in Tel Aviv, are actively engaged with the situation. They are providing consular assistance to those affected. Department officials are also in direct and ongoing dialogue with a designated point of contact for the flotilla. The Department has established a point of contact for the families of those affected with the relevant contact details shared with the flotilla co-ordinators. That is a very important aspect because it must be an extremely worrying time for those families. The embassy in Tel Aviv remains in direct contact with the authorities in Israel and the embassy staff are seeking consular access to the detainees as soon as possible, mindful that today is a religious holiday in Israel. The detainees are entitled to consular assistance and we are certainly demanding that. Our embassy is well resourced to support our citizens. Our consular team in Dublin is also supporting the efforts on the ground in Israel.
In terms of next steps, our understanding is that all detainees will now be transferred to Ashdod Port for processing, and from there to a detention facility south of Tel Aviv, where they will have access to medical teams. We expect this to take most of the day today. It is our expectation that those who have been detained will be given the option to leave immediately and, if not, they will have a hearing within 72 hours. Given that today is Yom Kippur, we expect that processing time may be impacted. We remain in constant contact with our consular team on the ground. They are working to establish the precise whereabouts of every single Irish citizen to ensure their safety and dignity, and to secure their swift release. This is an evolving situation. All Senators will know it is an evolving situation because they are following the situation on social media. We continue to closely monitor the situation and, indeed, we keep the many Irish citizens involved, including our friends and colleagues, Senator Chris Andrews and Deputy Barry Heneghan, in our thoughts.
The Tánaiste is also taking steps to co-ordinate with EU and international partners. This morning, the Tánaiste was in direct contact with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and spoke to Mr. Albares Bueno, the Spanish foreign minister, on how we take a co-ordinated EU approach and, fundamentally, and this applies throughout, to also uphold international law. This will follow a joint statement that Ireland signed in recent weeks which recalls that any violation of international law and human rights of the participants in the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability.
It would be remiss of me not to highlight that our solidarity must also extend to the people of Gaza and the horrific man-made famine and genocide that has been taking place there. Given the appalling scenes that we continue to witness, it is unsurprising that many feel moved to take action in response to the situation.
I take this opportunity to assure families and friends who are following events with understandable anxiety and, indeed, the colleagues of Senator Chris Andrews in this House, and the colleagues of Deputy Barry Heneghan in the other House, that the Government remains deeply and continuously engaged on this issue, at all levels. At a political level, diplomatic level, Civil Service level and international level, we are working tirelessly to safeguard the welfare of our citizens. All citizens are entitled to be treated properly and they are entitled to consular assistance. We want to continue the engagement to make sure that that happens and is the case.
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to share time with Senator Alison Comyn.
Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail)
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We have already had an opportunity to discuss this issue briefly this morning. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State made himself available to come to the Seanad Chamber to discuss this. Even though he has a heavy schedule, he changed other commitments in order to come here because he appreciates, as we do, that this is a very important area of discussion and we need to have the loudest voice possible in terms of supporting those civilians who are on the flotilla and condemning the actions of Israel. It is with a very heavy heart but a strong and resolute voice that I stand here on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party to condemn the recent Israeli attacks on the humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza. There is no doubt this has absolutely shocked the international community and, more than that, it has violated the very basic tenets of international law. The flotilla was no threat to Israel or anyone else. It was a lifeline. It was carrying medical supplies, food and humanitarian aid. It was bringing not only these, but also hope, support, love, concern and compassion. It was met with force and aggression. Ireland, perhaps because of our history, has long stood for peace, diplomacy and the protection of human rights. It is important to call out what has happened as a breach of international norms. Let us be very clear that, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, civilian vessels in international waters are protected from hostile engagement. The use of force against unarmed humanitarian volunteers is a flagrant breach of maritime law and an absolute violation of the Geneva Convention.
We stand here to reaffirm Ireland's commitment to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in conflict zones. Sometimes, unfortunately, Opposition parties can try to turn this situation, or similar situations, into a matter of taking sides. It is absolutely not about taking sides. This should be, and is, about taking a stand for human rights, law and dignity. We want to send a message not only to Israel but to the world that Ireland will not tolerate the targeting of humanitarian missions. Our neutrality is not passive. Our voice has always been heard when injustice occurs. Let it be heard this time.
I acknowledge what the Minister of State has said about the ongoing efforts being made by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the relevant Departments with Israel and the families of those on the flotilla. I encourage this. Be assured that every single thing that can be done is being done by Ireland and the Government to ensure those civilians who have been taken by the Israel Defense Forces will be treated with compassion and will be released as soon as possible to continue their humanitarian mission.
Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)
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I wholeheartedly support everything my colleague Senator O'Loughlin has said and, I have no doubt, what will be said today in the House by Members of all parties and none. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. Earlier, I spoke about this matter. I am encouraged that this is being taken very seriously by everybody. What has happened over the past 24 hours is atrocious in the absolute sense of the word. All of the things that have happened in the past couple of years have been atrocities during a genocide.
Our thoughts are really with the 14 Irish citizens. As I mentioned this morning, they include my colleague Senator Chris Andrews and, of course, Independent TD Barry Heneghan. They are a small part of what is a huge effort to try to bring humanitarian aid to people who are in dire need of it. I have not been a politician for very long. I was a journalist before then, so it is not as though I am unaware of what has been happening over the years. I was a massive history buff in school. We looked at our history books and thought this kind of thing could never possibly happen again, but here we are still talking about it. Action has got to be taken. We had citizens trying to bring comfort and supplies to those in need of them and they have been stopped. I hope we have a safe return for everybody on the flotilla and that there will be an end very soon so we can bring whatever aid can be brought and we can bring comfort to these people.
I will support any assistance that will stop the suffering of the people in Palestine and right across the Middle East. There have been 66,000 deaths in Palestine and almost 170,000 people wounded. Let us not forget the innocent Israelis also, with 1,200 deaths and more than 6,000 wounded. There are no winners in this. We must make whatever effort we can to end the suffering.
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I will share time with Senator Kelleher.
Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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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.
Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael)
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Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach, go háirithe nuair nach raibh sé ag súil leis an díospóireacht thiubh. Chomh maith le mo chomhghleacaithe eile, tá imní orainn faoin méid atá ag tarlúint. Like Senator Kyne, I am deeply concerned about the interception of the flotilla. As my colleagues, Senators Comyn and O'Loughlin, have alluded to, this is of deep concern. I am happy that the Tánaiste, the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and those in the Department of foreign affairs are doing everything in their power to ensure the Irish citizens involved are returned safely. I would like to express my solidarity with our colleague, Senator Andrews, an Teachta Heneghan, Tadhg Hickey and all of those involved.
What has happened with the interception, as referenced by Senator O'Loughlin in her citation of maritime law, is a clear breach of international law. The Israeli response and the publicity around it are very unhelpful, in particular referring to the flotilla as a Hamas flotilla, which it is not and which is veering into the area of propaganda. It is a misrepresentation of those involved, who are doing their level best to provide humanitarian assistance during what has become internationally recognised, and recognised by the United Nations, as a genocide. The efforts of those involved to get humanitarian assistance, aid, food and essential medical supplies into Gaza are to be commended. As Senator Kyne said, it highlights the vital need for the opening-up of humanitarian corridors into Gaza to allow people much-needed help and humanitarian assistance.
We had a visit earlier from the German ambassador, organised by the Cathaoirleach. It is important to use all of these opportunities to link in with our EU neighbours to see what more we can do, as a group of countries collectively, to bring an end to the violence and the atrocities that are taking place in Gaza. As we approach the day of German independence, and the celebration of the reunification of Germany and what has been achieved peacefully since, we look upon international conflict resolution success stories as an inspiration.
To conclude, I reiterate my solidarity with those involved. I thank the Department of foreign affairs and the Ministers for the work they have done. I wish all those involved, particularly the Irish citizens, a safe return.
Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for being here. It is important that we have these statements today to discuss what happened to the occupants of the Global Sumud Flotilla last night and this morning, and to call it out as a crime against international law. I want to start by commending all of those who were on the Global Sumud Flotilla. I send solidarity and greetings to them and hope they are safe and okay. I want to particularly send them to the Irish citizens aboard, including my comrade and friend, Senator Chris Andrews.
As Members have stated, this flotilla was bringing hope and inspiration, not just to the people of Gaza, but to the people of the world who are looking on at this situation and feeling helpless. The people on the flotilla represented the best of us. They were there representing the voiceless, which the international community has failed to do so far. They were bringing food and aid to beleaguered people who are desperately in need of it. Those people are suffering a man-made famine and a genocide created by Israel. It has been done in front of the eyes of the world for the past two years but nothing concrete has been done about it.
I do not know if other Members saw the videos of the Israeli ships surrounding the flotilla, shining blinding lights on the occupants, spraying them with water and then boarding the boats. They told people to drop their phones in the water and we lost communications. Communication with Senator Chris Andrews was lost last night. It was a time of worry for all of us because we did not know what was happening to him or where he was, and even his family did not know. He has since been kidnapped or abducted. I do not think “detained” is the correct word because he was in international waters on a peaceful mission. He was not a threat to anybody else, nor were any of the other occupants. They were doing what was right. They were trying to break an illegitimate blockade and get vital food and other aid to the people of Gaza.
The Israelis had no right to do what they did. Their propaganda is outrageous. They have been at this for weeks in trying to paint the flotilla as anything other than peaceful, and trying to tie it to Hamas is another example of that. It is totally wrong. I note the Spanish Prime Minister called it out today as a breach of international law and has called for the EU to break off all relations with Israel right now. I agree with him. As a country, we should be doing the same.
The Minister of State mentioned that there is another flotilla that includes an Teachta Barry Heneghan. Will the Irish Government send observers or any sort of support to that flotilla? Will we encourage other members of the international community to do the same and ensure they are safe to get through? Countries need to come together in a much more forceful way and not just leave it to the civilians of those countries. Governments also need to put together aid and try to break the wall that Israel has set up. We cannot allow this to continue in the way that it has. As a country, we need to issue a public warning to Israel that the actions taken overnight against the flotilla are unlawful. It has no legitimate right to create a blockade to stop humanitarian aid from entering Gaza.
We also need to sanction Israel. We need to use every lever of power available to sanction it, and that includes the occupied territories Bill in its entirety. It has been delayed and delayed for years. It needs to be enacted. We need to support the arms embargo. We need to stop weapons from travelling through our airports and airspace. They are going to Israel to kill Palestinians. We are complicit in the genocide if we do not stop that. It needs to be stopped without delay.
I am concerned by a message I have received about some of the participants who have been abducted and brought to Israel. It is reported that the immigration authorities have already begun conducting hearings on their deportation and detention orders in Ashdod port. These proceedings were initiated without prior notice to their lawyers and are denying participants access to legal counsel. I do not know if that is true, and perhaps the Minister of State can establish if it is. I do not know if it involves participants from other countries or is relevant to all of them. That is a very serious violation of the rights of those participants. They are entitled to legal aid and advice, and they should be granted access to that.
I want to see the safe return of all of the participants, although I would rather see their right to continue with the flotilla and to create that humanitarian corridor into Gaza. I do not think that is going to happen right now. However, as was said, there is another flotilla on the way there. We need to see what can be done to ensure the aid from that flotilla gets through. We need to keep on trying to break the barrier that Israel has put up and to help the people of Gaza.
Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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I thank the Leader and the Minister of State for facilitating the discussion and adding this to the schedule today. It is extremely important that we can communicate clearly and be transparent, especially for all of the families who want to know what is going to happen, how their family members are going to be protected and what actions our Government will take to ensure the safe return of their loved ones. In the Chamber today, we are joined by some of those family members. We have Tracey Douglas, whose father is part of the mission. We have Pat Dolan and Miriam McNally, whose daughter, Naoise Dolan, is en route on the next flotilla. That is very concerning when we see what was met just ahead. They have to deal with the anticipation and waiting, knowing there is another flotilla on the way that their loved one is on.
We must ensure we do not take our eyes off what is coming. Obviously, there is so much commotion due to what is happening now. We need to make sure we take the long-term view that these waves of flotillas are going to keep coming because these people are not going to stop.We therefore need to have a long-term action plan about how we will support those flotillas to break the siege and sail alongside them with humanitarian aid boats. We do not need to use humanitarian aid trucks. It is a legal route by sea. It is supported by the ICJ. Imelda Graham, whose daughter Caitríona is part of the mission, and Jenna Almai, whose mother is also part of the mission, are with us today. So far, nine people have been confirmed abducted or kidnapped. They are the correct terms to use. It is essentially piracy. Someone has entered international waters, broken the law and taken people who are not committing a crime to a land they did not intend to go to. That is clear to most people and it is good for us to keep saying that over and over again to ensure no one tries to change that language or diminish or dismiss what is happening and how it is happening.
Sometimes, I see commentary online relating to the last flotillas or this one, where people ask what the participants expected. When I think about that, I bring it back a step and ask what the Palestinian people have expected for the past 100 years. What did they expect when they brought their children into the world? What they expected was to work their land, travel, see their children grow and watch their children play. They never expected to hold the lifeless or limbless bodies of their children in their arms. They never expected to have to look to other countries and beg them to act.
It is fair to answer, when people say there is no monopoly on who cares the most, that there is a monopoly on the ability to make decisions. When we ask our Government and the European Union or any government that has any kind of global capacity to act, we are not saying that people do not care. Rather, we are asking what more we can do. How can we create sanctions on Israel? How can we end trade? How can we bring the genocide to an end? We are asking what more we can do, not saying others do not care. If we can put that to the side, people will be able to think about what other steps we need to take.
We ask what we expect, as citizens, politicians or anyone. What we expect is for the flotilla not to exist in the first place, that people would not have to get on boats and leave their families. That is what people expect. In the face of the fact that flotillas have had to happen, what we expect is to ensure we can take actions to hold Israel to account. The fact is that Palestine does not have the military force to be able to withstand or fight a war. That does not exist. What do exist are economic sanctions. As the military power is not there, we need to create a scenario where Israel feels a loss from what it is doing. That will be economic and every government has the power to create that economic sanction.
What do we expect? We expect to be able to break the siege. We want our loved ones and friends to come home safely, but we also expect, beyond the embassies and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade making sure the representation is happening, to end the genocide. That is why the flotilla exists in the first place. While we look for humanitarian corridors and the safe return of Irish citizens, including our colleagues, we also expect that to be matched with sanctions, with more than words.
Israel is beyond shaming. The world is shaming Israel and it does not curb its actions in any sense of the word. If anything, its language and how it goes about its business has just become more and more morally corrupt. It loses its humanity day by day. When people are that far removed from their humanity, words will not penetrate anything. It is beyond that.
What we want to see today, beyond the protection of our citizens who are currently or will be detained, is concrete action. What we expect is that our Government and the European Union will use every possible lever they have to bring about an end to this genocide. That is what we expect and it is what we would like to hear. We do not want to be here in six months wondering how we will get more colleagues, citizens or activists home. We expect an end to what is happening in Gaza. Despite what any of us think, we have the power to do that. Instead of people getting defensive and thinking they care as much as anyone, we need to think about what else we should and can do, what sanctions we need to bring and how we can liberate Palestine so that Palestinians can fulfil the things they expected in their lifetimes, which are the same things we expect in our lifetimes, that is, to put our heads on a pillow at night and not hear bombs raining down around us. That is what is expected.
I hope that, in his response, the Minister of State will outline what actions will be taken beyond diplomatic relations to ensure there is an end to the genocide in Gaza.
Shane Curley (Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht teacht isteach ar gearrfhógra. Táim buíoch de. I commend Senator Ruane on proposing the amendment to the Order of Business today to enable us to have this debate. I am glad we are talking about this. I wish there were more of us in the room on both sides of the House. I am not pointing fingers; this is serious.
What Israel did last night was smash international law. Not alone did it smash international law relating to protections for boats on international waters, but it prevented food going to people who were starving and medical supplies getting to people who really needed them. It is systematic and deliberate and it is total brutality. That needs to be said.
I often hear people say the European Union is the greatest peace project of all time, that we achieved peace on a continuous basis - until the Russian invasion of Ukraine, perhaps, looking at it a different way. However, at least in the European Union, there has been constant peace since the end of the Second World War. That notion has been undermined by the inaction of the European Union against Israel. In contrast with what it did with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and what it is doing now, there is hypocrisy at European Union level. I am not blaming our Government. What the European Union is doing is hypocritical. I am very disappointed as a person who is proud to be an EU citizen - I engaged in LYMEC debates and went to the European youth debates in Brussels - that the EU has been so lethargic and there has been so little action.
Irish citizens are in IDF custody as we speak for no justifiable reason and the European Union needs to act now. I commend the Kinvara Palestine Solidarity Group, the Loughrea for Palestine group, the Athenry for Palestine group and Gort Palestine Solidarity Group. They are four local groups in Galway that have kept constant pressure going and kept the flag flying on a constant basis. They are the best of what Galway has to offer and have been consistent in their support and advocacy. I commend them. They have never given up.
We need three things now. We need sanctions straight away. We need education on how we got here in the first place so that, when this is over - I hope it will be soon - we never get here again. Conversations in classrooms all over the world must make sure this is dialled down and this hatred and this brutality never happen again. Politicians around the world need to dial down the rhetoric about military complexes so we are not obsessed with defence spending and arming ourselves to the teeth in order to carry out the level of brutality we are seeing in Palestine on a daily basis. I hope we will see that soon.
Frances Black (Independent)
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Freedom of navigation is central to the law of the sea and, as such, the flotilla is entitled to sail unimpeded in the Mediterranean Sea. Any harassment or stopping of the flotilla in the Mediterranean Sea's international waters is therefore a clear violation of international law. The participants, as we all know, were all peaceful, unarmed civilians and posed no threat to Israel. They therefore had the right to innocent passage through the territorial waters under the law of the sea. Really, what Israel is doing is piracy. It is breaking international law.The world is watching.If it were Russia, everybody would be up in arms. I cannot get my head around the fact that there is still nothing being done about what Israel is doing.
Crucial to this is the actual location where Israeli forces intercepted and boarded the flotilla vessels. The flotilla boats were intercepted between 70 to 80 nautical miles from shore, well beyond Gaza's territorial sea. As we all know, the occupation of Gaza by Israel is totally illegal under international law, as reaffirmed by the ICJ in July 2024. As I have said here many times, it states:
The sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying Power, through annexation and an assertion of permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continued frustration of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful.
This illegality relates to the entirety of the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in 1967.
UN General Assembly Resolution 68/235, adopted on 20 December 2013, reaffirms "the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and of the population of the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources, including land, water and energy resources".
It is essential, therefore, that the Irish Government condemn this act by Israel in international waters, illegal under international law, and demand the immediate and safe release of all Irish citizens who were illegally kidnapped and abducted by Israel. Ireland should also demand from Israel compensation for the illegal kidnapping of its citizens. Further, the illegality of the occupation of Palestine, and therefore Gaza, by Israel under international law should be condemned, along with the ongoing perpetuation of genocide by Israel, as concluded by the UN this month, and the continuous disregard for human rights law. Effectively, Israel is acting in total disregard for international law and must be made to face the consequences of this.
We have to take the lead in pressing the EU to immediately suspend the EU–Israel co-operation agreement and rapidly move forward on areas where it has domestic powers, such as my occupied territories Bill, the control of the export of dual-use items to Israel, the inspection of civil aircraft carrying weapons of war, and a total divestment from all Israeli companies and institutions.
I heard what Senator O'Loughlin said this morning but we need to get the occupied territories Bill passed as soon as possible, and we need it to include services.
Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I did not mention that.
Frances Black (Independent)
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I was referring to what Senator O'Loughlin said this morning. I said to her that we need action.
It is vital that the occupied territories Bill be passed as soon as possible and that it include services. I will meet the Tánaiste next week to discuss this with him. The Bill's passage would send an unbelievably strong signal to the Palestinian people and the human rights activists, including those in Ireland. These are amazing people who are doing unbelievable work in this area. We have to get going and act quickly on this.
I am surprised the EU has not made a statement regarding the illegal interception of the flotilla. I have not heard anything yet. We in Ireland need to put pressure on the EU to make a statement and say what has happened is absolutely unacceptable.
Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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We absolutely condemn this and we have called for the immediate release of everybody who has been taken by Israel. We have never said anything else. We could not be clearer about that, just like Minister Albares, who was quoted earlier. We have worked very closely with Spain and other countries for the past couple of years on these issues.
I completely echo the sentiments of Senators across the House. I welcome the family members in the Gallery. I will be happy to engage with them after this debate. The depth of feeling, in Ireland and, I have to say, across Europe, is very clear. Irish men and women have sought to deliver aid and act upon their consciences, and they find themselves in uncertain and potentially dangerous circumstances. The Taoiseach said this. I urge people who have not yet got as far as the Global Sumud flotilla to reflect on what he said because it reflects the reality of the situation.
Israel is not a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, for example, although it has certain associations. It has an association agreement with the EU and is subject to a human rights clause. There was a determination by Kaja Kallas and her team that there was a breach of that clause. What is the difficulty with that? This is where Senators have a role to play. The difficulty is that not all member states agree with the determination or want to take action as a result of it. I have been engaging with a number of member states over the summer on this. I said publicly in July, when I was at the Foreign Affairs Council, that the European Union has leverage and must use it, but we can use it only if the Council of Ministers, the Foreign Affairs Council, takes a decision. Unfortunately, for many decisions we need unanimity, and for others we need a qualified majority to agree. My assessment at the moment is that there is not a qualified majority but a blocking minority of member states. What can Senators do about that? I would certainly encourage them to talk to their colleagues in Germany and Italy, engage with them and ask why they are not on the same page as Ireland, what assurances they need and what needs to happen for them to change their opinion. That opinion is changing in some of these countries.
We saw Italy and Spain provide ships and a level of protection. We cannot do that because we have a legal provision called the triple lock. We do not have the capability either. What is said about breaking the siege and all that will not happen. In fact, the Italian and Spanish ships stopped short of where the flotilla is, as I understand it.
Lynn Ruane (Independent)
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A legal observer boat does not go all the way. It looks for human rights violations to a certain point.
Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State, without interruption.
Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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We are keeping in contact with our Spanish colleagues. We have a very close connection with them but the idea that an Irish ship would go to the location is simply not tenable, neither practically nor under the law. It never was possible and would not happen. In fairness, our Spanish colleagues have been keeping in very close contact with us.
For quite some time, Ireland has been seeking the suspension of the association agreement with Israel, which is what the Senator is asking for in light of the fact that agreement establishes the main relationship between Israel and the EU. That is now on the agenda but it does need a qualified majority of member states to agree to it. I strongly urge the Senator to engage with her colleagues in member states that do not agree with us to try to get them to change their minds.
The problem is not the Irish Government, because it has been leading the way. I am not saying this to boast but it is a fact. Ireland has been working with the Spanish – the Senator quoted the Spanish Minister – to try to get the EU position to change. Ms Kaja Kallas, as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and effectively the spokesperson on foreign policy for the member states, is the person who speaks on behalf of the EU on these matters. The Tánaiste was in touch with her this morning, presumably making some of the same points the Senator made, including to the effect that the EU should be speaking out on this. Her constraint is that she has to make sure she represents all the member states. To be fair to her, she has been quite outspoken on this issue, and it was her office that made the determination on the human rights violation. Therefore, she has been engaging on this; however, again, she is subject to the constraints that the EU has. Those are constraints that we have supported over the years. With foreign policy, we do not want qualified majority voting; we want to have unanimity. We have all fought for this in various referendums. Unfortunately, there is a constraint that I wish were not in place in this instance. However, at EU level we have seen progress and developments. We have settlement goods legislation, following from Senator Black's proposals some years ago. Other member states are now looking for this. They are also looking for action on it at EU level.
We thought we had sanctions agreed against a number of Ministers and violent settlers. One or two member states stopped those sanctions last week, but the discussion and engagement continues. This is happening every single day in the Council building in Brussels, where we are trying to reach agreement with other member states. I assure the Senators that our voice is as strong as any in persuading other member states to adopt our view and implement the various measures, some of which President von der Leyen set out in her state of the Union address and in the proposals that the Commission came up with some weeks ago. We are working really hard to try to persuade other member states in this regard.
Ireland's voice is really strong and will continue to be so. It reflects the public view in this country. I assure everybody that we will continue to express it. I completely agree that what is happening is illegal. While I realise it felt like the diplomatic efforts to protect our citizens, which is our fundamental duty as a State, were pooh-poohed, diplomatic efforts on the ground in Israel are very important. So too are our connections with the Spanish and other governments and EU offices to ensure we can protect, to the greatest extent possible, the safety of our citizens.I assure the House that the Government is doing absolutely everything to achieve that.
That work will continue and I wish safety for everybody. Essentially, we want to get Senator Andrews and all those colleagues home. That is the first thing. The rules are not the same there. They do not follow the type of rules we have in our Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights; they are not the same. That is why the Taoiseach suggested the other day that it was dangerous. We want to make sure we get people out and get them home, and yes, as Senator Ruane called for passionately, to put an end to this genocide, put as much pressure on as possible and to use the leverage the EU has, and which it has demonstrated it has. I strongly urge Senators to engage with members of the upper house in other European countries that are not on the same page as us and to try to persuade them to persuade their governments. Those governments are feeling pressure, particularly from young people right across their countries and the European Union, and opinion is changing in some of those countries. That pressure has led to some progress around the European Union table but nowhere near enough.
That work continues and I certainly hope everybody who is on the various boats and vessels can get home safely. The Irish Government will do absolutely everything in its power to make sure they do.
Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
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That concludes the statements. When is it proposed to sit again?