EU-Israel Association Agreement: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-28
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Fiona O'Loughlin (FF), Administrative Panel

I did not realise when we were working collectively on this motion that today marked two years since we recognised the State of Palestine. It is important to acknowledge that and to state that as it did set an example to other European countries, it is unfair and incorrect to say that the work that has been carried out by the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and the Government does not have any repercussions in a positive way because it clearly does.
What the Minister of State said in relation to the Government distinguishing between the policies of the current Israeli Government and the Israeli people is correct. Senator McDowell also referred to that. The Netanyahu Government has led to such a level of antisemitism around the world. It is shocking and what he stands for is most certainly not what the vast majority of Israeli people or, I should say, Jewish people, stand for.
I thank those who support this Bill. I thank Senators Ahearn and McDowell.
In response to Senator Andrews, this Bill is not about the occupied territories. It is clearly something completely different. It is wrong to come in and just speak about the occupied territories Bill and there is action on that. The Cabinet discussed it on Tuesday and the Minister has stated that we will deal with it before recess. I thank Senator Black for all of the work she has done in relation to that.
If we succeed in getting the EU-Israeli agreement suspended, it will have a far greater impact than the occupied territories Bill. We are trying to work and act in a meaningful way across a number of different areas but this is an important motion.
I meet the Palestinian ambassador on a regular basis, as do many of us. In fact, I am meeting her tomorrow night. She consistently talks about the support that she and her people are getting from the Government and from the Irish people. That is a fact, and I want to state it in this House.
I am surprised that Senator Andrews did not mention the flotilla and the 14 citizens that were caught up on it considering that he was caught up-----

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:01+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-28