What will happen on 8 February?

Does the Tánaiste agree that the fundamental problem with the DUP and Sinn Féin in the build-up to a settlement is that neither will move on something fundamental and important if they feel that there is any segment of their own party who will not move with them? Others, particularly in Northern Ireland, took risks to move matters along, but those parties in particular seem determined to ensure that they will not lose any of their base. That is a perennial issue. Until we spell out a consequence for inaction, the s…

Is Question No. 75 not included in the grouping?

It is on the same issue of the legal case against Israel by South Africa in the International Court of Justice.

Is it?

Thank you.

I would first make it crystal clear that while the litany of abuse against the Palestinian people is decades long, shocking and horrible, there is no excuse whatever for the wanton murder carried out by Hamas on 7 October. My question is directly in relation to the provisional measures that will hopefully be announced tomorrow. One of the calls relating to those measures relates to an immediate ceasefire. If the provisional measures include a legal demand for a ceasefire from the International Court of Justice, wha…

Georgia engaged a lot with us.

One international issue dominates the thoughts and concerns of most Irish people and of all right-thinking people across the European Union. The ongoing carnage in Gaza is unconscionable and horrifying. It is now clear to the entire world that the Israeli Government feels it can act with complete impunity and exactly as it wishes. A country that Ireland regards as a member of the community of nations has decided that it is not bound by international law, the rules and conventions of war or even the basic moral cons…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I will ask the Minister of State three questions. Briefly, the voices that have been very clear on every side of the House, including from the Government backbenches, calling for Ireland to join with South Africa in its case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Can the Minister of State in very clear terms spell out what the Government's position is and the timelines he expects, not when it is mindful to or considers its position, but when a definitive pos…

I have one further supplementary question regarding the two-state solution. The Israeli Government, as currently composed, has set its face against the latter. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said something that, had somebody from the Palestinian side said it, would be a criminal offence in Britain. He said that there must be one state from the Jordan to the sea, meaning the extermination of the prospect of a Palestinian state. If a two-state solution is not possible in the context of the current Israeli Government, I…

I welcome the establishment of a tribunal of inquiry. It has been a long time coming. It comes due to the tireless and courageous work of the Women of Honour group, who have campaigned relentlessly and effectively to have this statutory inquiry put into place and who have been since joined by others, whom those of us who attended the briefing in the audiovisual room yesterday heard. A tribunal of inquiry has two fundamental requirements. First, the terms of reference need to fully address the issues demanded by tho…

It is accepted.

We can indicate to them------

Yes. It is important that they be formally represented from the beginning by counsel without fear of residual legal costs. Regarding the status of the Defence Forces, it is important that the House acknowledge the pride we all have in our Defence Forces. As a member of the Government during the decade of commemoration, we were proud of the way our Defence Forces represented the nation in every part of the country and of the incredible service they gave and continue to give, often at the cost of their lives overseas…

We know the answer to that: they were not.

Hear, hear.

I am very proud to second Deputy Bacik's proposal for this really important legislation. It is important for this House and for each of us to fully understand the impact of the pain and trauma caused by pregnancy loss. Many of us, and I include myself in that, have not fully empathised with those women, men and families who have endured such loss. It is only when you have experienced it directly or have been close to those who have that you can fully understand and comprehend the impact of early pregnancy loss. Tha…

The European Council meeting next week will discuss several important items. In my judgment, though, and I think probably in the view of this House, none of these is more urgent than the situation in Gaza. The ongoing carnage in Gaza is unconscionable and illegal. We have watched with horror the complete destruction of northern Gaza. What was to be a response to a cruel and vicious attack by an illegal organisation, Hamas, has morphed into a campaign of destruction of the Palestinian people. There is no other way o…

I welcome this debate and thank the Sinn Féin Deputies for tabling a comprehensive motion involving a number of important issues which this House should debate. In truth, it should not be up to the Opposition to use scarce Private Members' time. There should be an open-ended debate on fundamental issues like this, which the Government should facilitate by setting out a clear position paper that we can debate. The motion before the House contains a number of parts. I wish to deal with each of them. One is the curren…