Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-03
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Mary Lou McDonald (SF), Dublin Central

The rhetoric we have just heard from the Taoiseach is very dangerous. He has, in effect, offered a defence and rationale for the indefensible and brazen breach of international law. These strikes were launched while negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme were reportedly making progress, while diplomacy was under way and while talks were described as constructive. Now, instead of dialogue, we have missiles. Instead of dialogue and negotiation, we have assassination and dead schoolgirls in large numbers. Why is it that the Taoiseach will not call out this aggression and name it for what it is? He expressed concern and called for restraint but notably stopped short of condemning those who have launched this attack. The question is: why? Ireland's neutrality and our commitment to international law mean absolutely nothing if they disappear when powerful states are involved. Why is the Taoiseach's shrinking away from stating the obvious? Why will he not speak clearly? Why will he not name the actions of Israel and the United States as illegal, dangerous and in breach of international law?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-03/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-03