We all condemn Vladimir Putin's war of aggression on Ukraine and its recent intensification. It has resulted in a considerable loss of civilian life and many reprehensible attacks on civilian infrastructure. It represents the largest land conflict in Europe for nearly 80 years. Progress towards a ceasefire has been extremely slow. We all hope for a peace, but one that is sustainable. What is the Tánaiste's current understanding of the situation?
Sentiment score: -0.14
Obviously, it is incredibly frightening when you are dealing with the reality of underground schools. There is huge desire internationally for peace but the fear is Vladimir Putin is just playing along. The Ukrainian Government obviously has a desire for peace, but I imagine it would have to be on a sustainable basis. It has an appetite for real negotiations. We have seen attacks on energy infrastructure, civilian infrastructure and on the home city of President Zelenskyy, Kryvyi Rih. We all condemn these attacks and it is difficult not to be somewhat cynical about the attitude towards peace of Vladimir Putin. During a recent set of peace talks in Istanbul on 16 May, Russia sent a low-level delegation. How serious are they? We have many issues with the US Administration but it was previously inclined to offer latitude to Russia. It seems to be running out of patience. Does the Department have an expectation of what may come from the next round of negotiations on 2 June?
Sentiment score: -0.03
I welcome the Tánaiste's criticism of Russia's warmongering and cynical approach to peace talks. It is important that the international community escalate pressure in that regard. The Irish position has been that Ukraine must be at the negotiating table. There is an absolute logic to that. The European Union needs to be at that negotiating table also. Does the Tánaiste believe more is required from the EU to build international pressure on Russia? That means moving on whatever sanctions can work. I assume the United States will take a position. We will deal with many issues where we are in no way happy with how America is operating in the world but it can play a decent role here. There are means by which the European Union, America and the international community can build a peace process and a sustainable peace.
Sentiment score: 0.10
We are watching genocide on a daily basis. It is incredible to many of us that there remains business as usual in trade, even preferential trade, between the EU and Israel. Too many countries have failed to raise their voices, as the Tánaiste has already mentioned to some degree. We have seen movement but we need more. We need the humanitarian conditions that exist in the EU-Israel association agreement to be put in play. If that is the will of many of the people of the EU states in question, then we need the states to follow through.
Sentiment score: 0.03
At this point, there is considerable urgency. We see what people are facing in Gaza. We are talking about the starvation of one in five people. More than 54,000 people have been killed. The most recent figure was 3,924 deaths since the so-called ceasefire. This is a terrible term to use, but Israel okayed 800 truckloads of aid last week. We hear that only 500 made their way in. It is obvious what Israel is doing. We welcome the fact that we are now talking about a clear majority but we need a timeline for this review. We need to see the appropriate measures the Tánaiste has spoken about as soon as possible. We must ensure we do whatever we can. I agree that there is an issue with these clauses. There needs to be a better means of dealing with these issues into the future but the people of Gaza do not have time for us to get better rules. We need to deal with what we have in front of us at the moment. What is the Government's plan? What is the plan of the European Union? Does the Tánaiste foresee this happening in a reasonable timeline? I do not know what "reasonable" means in this context.
Sentiment score: 0.05
In fairness, we have to put whatever pressure we can on the EU-Israel association agreement but we also have to deal with what we can domestically. On the occupied territories Bill, when will the scheme be sent to the committee? It is anxious to do the pre-legislative scrutiny, but the committee is not permitted to schedule scrutiny until it has received the Bill. The Tánaiste is well aware of the appetite that exists for the Bill to be enacted by the summer recess. On what date will the committee get the Bill from the Tánaiste and his Department? He keeps talking about legal issues. He says he is open to there being delivery on the issue of services, but we need this expanded upon. What are the legal issues? I do not want to revisit Tuesday's debate. We tabled Israeli war bond legislation. A large number of people have an issue with the Central Bank facilitating the sale of those bonds. We got the OPLA to do look at the Bill. If the Government disagrees with the Bill, is there another means of dealing with the matter so that we can ensure that our Central Bank is not facilitating this?
Sentiment score: 0.00
We have seen further highly provocative statements by the US President. Some of this is calculated, I have to assume, to spook and bully. We have obviously seen an element of a timeline further down the line with regard to us facing tariffs but it seems, unfortunately, we cannot dismiss them. What is the latest position with respect to engagement with the EU on countertariffs?
Sentiment score: -0.06
We all get the idea - tariffs and trade wars are bad for all concerned. What has been proposed by the President of the United States could fold a huge level of world trade. It would not be beneficial to America, Ireland or the European Union and would have a huge impact on the global economy, none of it good. I do not think anyone has come up with a way to win a trade war. I agree that we need cooler heads to prevail but a large number of people work in the multinational sector. Some of those sectors invested in the US market, and they will be very concerned. My primary question relates to the EU's response. Could we get more of an update on what this retaliatory package would look like? We all welcome that areas such as pharma and dairy would not be included. I accept that the European Union, like any other outfit, is going to come up with something that would impact America. We would obviously like to protect whiskey businesses and whatever, but when we are talking about 50% tariffs, there is not going to be a whole pile of protection for everybody. We just hope that it is more bluster than it is reality.
Sentiment score: 0.17
I will accept that there will not be clarity on the question of what exactly the package is going to look like. I have no doubt about that but I will ask the question. We are making the case for those sectors we would like to protect but every other state in the European Union is making the same arguments. It is necessary that we represent Irish views, needs and wants. We also have to deal with the fact that we have to build up our indigenous sector. We know the issues as regards the failure to invest in infrastructure and, some would say, our excessive reliance on tax incentives. It is vital that we engage with the EU on key products and exports, that we explore new markets, develop supports for jobs in sectors under threat and tackle energy costs that are undermining our business and competitiveness. We know the issue that exists with respect to housing - the Tánaiste hears it from ISME, IBEC and others - and then investing in our infrastructure. Will the Tánaiste give an outline of the state of play regarding preparations for supports for businesses and diversification and any engagements there are with those sectors, particularly medtech and pharma, as well as others we believe will be impacted?
Sentiment score: 0.13