Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Boyd Barrett as ucht an Bhille seo a chur os comhair na Dála. We are here on the 78th anniversary of the Nakba. I have just come from the audiovisual room where I met Lubnah Shomali, who reminded those on the left in these Houses that our demands are far too moderate and that we should be looking for the world. In May 2024, Ireland finally formally recognised the State of Palestine. Then Taoiseach, Deputy Harris, said then that a two-state solution was the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security. The Minister said the same earlier in her lovely flowery speech, but the killing and maiming of innocent Palestinians has not stopped since then. Men, women and children are still being murdered and families are still being wiped out. The so-called peace deal ultimately has become political cover for the State of Israel as it continues with its genocidal campaign in Gaza and the West Bank. According to ACLED, which tracks Israeli attacks in Gaza, Israel has escalated its attacks in Gaza since it stopped its bombing campaign in Iran. A total of 120 people have been killed since 8 April, 13 of whom were children. Still the international community responds with statements, hand wringing or silence. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael love to tell us all about what they are doing for the people of Palestine and how deeply they care. Certainly, the recognition of Palestine two years ago was welcome. It was overdue, but it was welcome. However, it came far too late. I had a Palestinian family with me who said they felt some kind of healing, and after they had escaped the war in Gaza, I felt it was not my place to take any of that healing away from them. What has the Government done since then? Recognition without action is meaningless. While Israel has continued to do what it pleases, acting with complete impunity in Gaza, Ireland, along with the rest of the international community, has stood by and allowed it to continue. It is precisely that silence that has emboldened the Israelis. Our silence has consequences. Silence lets them know they can get away with their most evil deeds. Our silence tells them that international law is optional for them, that no consequences will come from their actions, that they can bomb refugee camps, starve civilians, flatten hospitals and schools and still maintain normal diplomatic and economic relationships with Europe. When there are no consequences for their war crimes in Gaza, why would they fear consequences for bombing Iran or invading Lebanon, levelling villages in south Lebanon to resemble Gaza, or attacking UN peacekeepers, including our own? The passing of this Bill would be a strong stance for Ireland to take on the international stage to tell the world Ireland will not be complicit. It would be a demonstration to other nations that individual countries in the EU can and must stand with the people of Palestine. It would impose a series of comprehensive and lawful sanctions on Israel for its continued flagrant violations of international law. International law is clear. It places clear obligations on third states not to aid, assist or maintain economic relations that sustain serious violations of international law, including genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation. Ireland and other states have legal and moral obligations to act. When will we finally stand up and meaningfully punish this sort of behaviour? The Opposition has repeatedly put forward measures of real substance. Every week we see on our email of Dáil business for the following week that Sinn Féin and the Opposition are opposed to the absence of the occupied territories Bill. It still has not been enacted. Deputy Brady's Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill has still not been enacted. Today we have People Before Profit's Sanctions against the State of Israel Bill 2025. These are not just symbolic actions, they are Bills with real teeth. The Irish public overwhelmingly supports sanctions on Israel and meaningful action in solidarity with Palestine, yet the Government continues to stall, delay and hide behind pathetic excuses. I do not care if there is an issue with the Bill. I really do not care if we end up upsetting trading partners. I really do not care about the Government's pathetic excuses. This is the Government's legacy. It will forever be known as the Irish Government that sat on its hands during an on-screen genocide. It will go down in the history books - history books our grandchildren will read - as a Government that chose cowardice over courage, a Government that mastered the word salad of sympathy while refusing to take the action real sympathy would demand. The Minister gave us another helping of the word salad today. It is spineless. The Government cannot stand up to its colleagues in Europe and speak up for what is right. It has failed the Palestinian people, and the Irish people because the Irish people do not like this. I take absolutely no pleasure in telling the Minister that.

Sentiment score: -0.07