I condemn the attack at the synagogue in Manchester. I express our solidarity with all of those affected. On behalf of the Social Democrats, I express our horror at the actions of the Israeli military. Last night, they illegally boarded the Sumud flotilla in international waters, and effectively kidnapped humanitarian activists, including at least 14 Irish citizens. They took this action not because the flotilla posed a threat or because anyone on board was dangerous, but to stop humanitarian aid reaching a starving population in Gaza. This is a population that is enduring a genocide being perpetrated by Israel. This is a population that has been relentlessly and mercilessly abused, tortured and murdered for nearly the past two years. Not only did Israeli forces illegally board the vessels in the flotilla, but they aggressively targeted them and put them in harm’s way. According to reports, one vessel was deliberately rammed. The vessel's communications were jammed, and passengers were ordered to throw their phones into the sea. This was all to ensure that peaceful humanitarian volunteers could not be contacted. This happened before they were rounded up, manhandled, detained and treated like criminals. This Government was asked to do something to support the flotilla. A simple request was made to send personnel to observe it, to bear witness to what was being done and to deter Israel from further action. However, there was no action by the Government despite the fact that so many Irish citizens were being endangered and threatened by Israel for taking a stand against a brutal occupation, against an apartheid state and against 24 months of genocide. The Israeli Government has acted with brutal impunity in Gaza for nearly two years. Every day we hear reports of dozens of people in Gaza being killed or starved to death, but virtually no sanctions have been imposed on Israel. Israel is so emboldened by this lack of sanction that it feels it can get away with anything, even kidnapping citizens of this country and dozens more from a humanitarian mission on the high seas. What is the Government going to do about it? I am not hearing from what the Tánaiste has said that sufficient is being done. There are strong words of condemnation and I support the Tánaiste on that, but nothing indicates that those strong words are being followed up with concrete actions. I know the Tánaiste is personally disgusted by what Israel is doing, and so are others in the Cabinet and Government backbench TDs, but I cannot understand why these feelings of disgust and horror are not spurring the Government on to more concrete actions. I cannot understand why the Government's action in response to the citizens on the humanitarian flotilla, who have been threatened and now kidnapped, has not been sufficiently strong. I cannot understand why this Government is slow walking the occupied territories Bill. I cannot understand why the Israeli settlements divestment Bill has not been enacted. I cannot under why munitions destined for Israel are being allowed to go through Irish airspace.
Sentiment score: -0.23
I cannot under why tens of millions of euro worth of dual-use products are still being exported to Israel. I cannot why Ireland's sovereign wealth fund is still investing in companies that are trading in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. I cannot understand why the Central Bank had been facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds to fund the genocide. I cannot why Ireland and the EU are still trading normally with this murderous regime. I cannot understand any of this, and the Irish people cannot understand any of this. When Irish citizens were coming under attack on the flotilla last week, why did the Government not send personnel to observe what was happening and try to help to safeguard those citizens? Why did the Government not act at that point?
Sentiment score: -0.13
Given that Irish citizens were engaged in this humanitarian mission with massive support from the Irish people, and in light of the fact that a flotilla had already been attacked in international waters, does the Tánaiste not agree that sending some personnel would have shown the support of the Government, would have put additional pressure on Israel and would have been warranted?
Sentiment score: 0.20
It would have sent a message. It would have been important and I think the Tánaiste knows that.
Sentiment score: 0.10
When is the occupied territories Bill going to be enacted?
Sentiment score: 0.00
The Tánaiste has been telling us for quite some time that he will be bringing the Bill forward very shortly and that he will be meeting the sponsor of the Bill. He has met with the sponsor of the Bill several time and that is welcome. When is it actually going to be brought forward? Surely at this stage, given everything that has happened, the Tánaiste can actually give us a firm commitment and timeline on when he is going to bring it forward.
Sentiment score: 0.28
When will the Tánaiste take action to stop munitions destined for Israel going through Irish airspace?
Sentiment score: -0.30
With respect, that is the same answer we have been getting all year. We are told that the Minister is investigating, has gotten reports and is looking into it. Munitions that are being used in a genocide are going through our Irish airspace and the Tánaiste needs to act to stop that from happening. Enough of the excuses about looking at reports, investigating and so forth; when is he actually going to act to do something about this?
Sentiment score: 0.05
Prosecute them.
Sentiment score: -0.40
When is the Tánaiste going to stop our sovereign wealth fund from investing in companies that are trading illegally in occupied Palestinian territories?
Sentiment score: 0.25
The Minister for Finance in a recent reply to me stated that €5.6 million of taxpayers' money is still being invested in companies operating in the occupied territories. The Tánaiste has absolutely no mandate - none whatsoever - to use our public money to invest in these companies. How can he justify this? Will he put an immediate end to this gross misuse of public funds? Will he instruct the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to stop using our money to invest in these companies?
Sentiment score: -0.24
I am not looking for more information about this. We have information from the Minister for Finance. I want the Government to act. Our public money is being invested against the wishes of the Irish people in companies operating illegally in the occupied territories. You are the Tánaiste of the Government. Will you pick up the phone to the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and tell them to stop using our money in this way? Nobody supports it, and nobody wants it. Will you act?
Sentiment score: 0.04
You will not act.
Sentiment score: 0.00