I thank the Minister for her clear and constructive decision-making over the past number of days. I also acknowledge the staff and all those who have been working around the clock to ensure Irish citizens feel safe in unsafe circumstances and have been reassured the State is there to support them. As we gather here today against the backdrop of a conflict that has inflicted profound suffering across the Middle East, the escalating civilian loss, the displacement of families and the destabilisation of an already fragile region demand not only our attention but our collective moral responsibility. Moments such as these require leadership, collective leadership and, above all, responsibility. At moments like this, Europe must not speak in fragments but with one unified voice, firm in principle, clear in purpose and unwavering in its commitment to human dignity. De-escalation cannot be a slogan; it is an necessity. Every day that this conflict continues, the humanitarian toll will deepen. The first duty of the European and similarly minded international communities must be to halt the cycle of violence. That means pressing for an immediate cessation of hostilities, ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access if and when needed, and insisting that international law is upheld by all parties. De-escalation is the only path that prevents further loss of life and creates the space for diplomacy to function. De-escalation alone is not enough. Europe must act as a coherent block and not a collection of states responding at different speeds and with different priorities. Our credibility depends on unity, our influence depends on consistency and our values demand that we stand together when peace and stability are at stake. A co-ordinated diplomatic, humanitarian and strategic European approach is essential if we are to steer this crisis towards resolution. In tandem, we must also look beyond the present moment. When the bombs fall silent the work of rebuilding will begin and it will be immense. Post-war recovery cannot be an afterthought. It must be planned now, with the same urgency we bring to calls for de-escalation. The repercussions of this war, whether it lasts a few days, a few weeks, months or years will be felt for far longer than the war itself. We will not be left rebuilding only buildings but also relationships that have been fractured and potentially broken. Our world has changed and we must accept this and forge a path with those who share our same values. When the war ends, who will pick up the pieces? Europe has a responsibility to support reconstruction that is sustainable, accountable and rooted in the needs of the people most affected. This means investing in humanitarian relief that transitions into long-term development. It means supporting governance structures capable of delivering stability and justice. It means ensuring that displaced families can return home safely and that communities shattered by conflict have the resources to rebuild not only their infrastructure but their trust in a peaceful future. Crucially, it means recognising that lasting peace requires political solutions and not merely the absence of violence. Europe must be ready to facilitate dialogue, support inclusive political processes and help to create conditions in which grievances can be addressed without resorting to arms. Europe must be ready to lead. The Middle East has endured too many cycles of destruction followed by fragile calm. If we are serious about breaking this pattern then our actions today must be guided by clarity, compassion and collective resolve. Europe cannot control every outcome but we can choose to be a force for stability, for humanitarian protection and for a peace that endures. Europe can say "enough is enough". How Europe chooses to approach this crisis will say much about our values, our position in the world order and how we will deal with future international issues. Unchecked power leads not to peace but only to further crisis, moral decay and tyranny. Let us choose unity, let us choose diplomacy, and let us choose to help rebuild a future where the people of the region can live not in fear but in hope.

Sentiment score: 0.09