This is critical and it should be seen very much as the first step in Ireland taking meaningful action that sends a clear message to the Israeli state and its supporters that we uphold international law and that we will not allow the State or any other entity to profit from breaches of international law. The Minister stated, as has been mentioned a number of times, that the UN database is not comprehensive, meaning other companies that are profiting from illegal settlements' activities may not be included. Perhaps …

Hear, hear.

A Government-commissioned report back in 2017 described the undergrounding of the North-South interconnector as feasible. Indeed, it said it was a credible option, but that part of the report has been ignored and, instead, EirGrid and the Government are proceeding with a plan to erect pylon-supported overhead power lines through five counties. EirGrid and its agents are currently trying to engage with landowners across counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath but we are told that the overwhelming majority of landowners a…

No, the Government did not.

There was a review of previous reviews.

The current approach is not working.

Under Standing Order 83(3)(b) I propose that the vote be taken by other than electronic means.

Hear, hear.

The story of Ireland is a story of migration. Irish people have been forced to move to every corner of the world during periods of famine, hunger, conflict and poverty. Countries have been made richer because of the positive contribution that Irish emigrants, their children and grandchildren have made. Today our migration story has evolved. Thousands of our young people leave Ireland and continue to enrich other parts of the world with their work ethic, positive disposition and sheer grit. Too many of those who lea…

I move: That Dáil Éireann: expresses its deepest concern at the continued deterioration of the situation in Gaza and the resulting catastrophic humanitarian disaster with over 25,000 killed, thousands missing, almost two million people displaced, and massive destruction of housing and vital infrastructure, including hospitals and education facilities; deeply deplores the major food insecurity on a massive scale, with United Nations (UN) agencies warning of imminent famine which will affect 400,000 people, the near …

Changing "do" to "do not".

If this were not so serious, the Minister of State's play on words would be entirely laughable. To suggest that the Government's amendment is simply some small linguistic textual changes to our motion is, as I said, laughable, but also inexcusable. The Sinn Féin motion calls very clearly on the Government to make a declaration of intent that it will join the South African case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. The Government amendment includes the word "consider" before that demand. It is this equivalen…

It is not agreed.

I move amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 2: A. In the paragraph beginning "expresses its deepest concern" Substitute: ‘killed’ for ‘dead’ B. to insert the following after "including educational facilities" ", as a result of the Israeli bombardment and airstrikes;"; C. After the words “condemns the ongoing bombardment of Gaza” to insert the following: “and demands an immediate and permanent ceasefire” D. After "the hearings last week involving the parties to this case” to insert the following: “and commends South Afr…

I thank the Taoiseach for his update on the discussions at the European Council in December. I note that a considerable part of those discussions centred around the continued need for the EU to support Ukraine, particularly with the latter in the midst of another winter of brutal assault and aggression from Russia. I welcome that the Council recommitted to addressing the needs of the Ukrainian people. I note the reference to member states providing “assistance to ensure the resilience of [Ukraine’s] energy sector t…

Hear, hear.

Tánaiste, that remark was entirely unbecoming of you, if I may say so. Your approach on this issue has sometimes been found wanting. Every single time Sinn Féin has tried to secure an initiative from the Government we have liaised with the Government. On the contrary, the Tánaiste's approach is to announce at 12 noon through the media that he is going to bring forward a motion and then give it to Opposition Members at the very last minute with about a 20-minute window to make amendments. That is not a government se…

The Tánaiste has had enough time, he has had 20 minutes, and I am going to outline what is a very unfair characterisation by him of genuine attempts of Members of this House to ensure Ireland takes a stand and that Ireland shows leadership-----

-----in defence of international law, in defence of international humanitarian law and in defence of the UN Charter.

The question people are asking now, quite rightly, is "How many more?". How many more debates do we need to have, how many more statements do we need to have, how many more motions do we need to bring before this House? More importantly, how many more Palestinians need to be murdered because currently we are at over 25,000? That is essentially 1% of the entire population of Gaza. How many more women and children, because they make up 70% of that number? In fact, children make up over 10,000 of those Israel has murd…