When I was first elected to the House 18 years ago, I opened my record here by speaking on behalf of the LNG project on the Shannon Estuary which, all those 18 years later, is still battling its way. I know my Green Party friends have been very opposed to it. I think at this stage the courts have adjudicated on this matter. There are a huge number of jobs at stake for my region, a region which has suffered greatly from emigration over all of those years. I wish it well during my final comments in this House. It str…

I am pleased there was a decision in the High Court yesterday regarding the Shannon LNG project in Ballylongford in north Kerry. The decision by An Bord Pleanála not to give the go-ahead for that project was overturned. I had the pleasure of proposing this project. The year before I became a Senator, when I was mayor of Kerry, almost 18 years ago now, I proposed that project. It was put on what is called "fast-track planning", but we are still dealing with it. Of course, it has been bedevilled by all kinds of objec…

Members will have received a statement today from the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI, which represents 34 local radio stations across the country. These radio stations, as Members are well aware, give a fantastic service to communities, especially in rural Ireland. However, they are not being treated fairly under the recent announcement regarding State funding. We all know that RTÉ has been given an open cheque book, while the print media have also benefited greatly from the recent VAT changes. There is a…

We will always have, and excuse me Cathaoirleach-----

Every time I open my mouth, Senator Gavan has tried to silence me.

I want to tell Senator Gavan that he will not silence me.

The Senator will not bully me.

There is a lot of bullying going on.

Senator Gavan was silent before he went for Europe. He got his answer.

The Cathaoirleach must protect me.

It is only because I am being interrupted.

On a point of Order, Cathaoirleach-----

I am making a point of order.

On a point of order, I wish to say that almost every time I have brought up my personal opinion on the atrocities of Hamas and Hezbollah, I have been interfered with in my speech from one of the pro-Hamas pro-Hezbollah brigade in this Chamber. That is not acceptable to me.

I thank the Chair.

I am conscious that I am somewhat of an outlier in this House in my opinion on what is happening vis-à-vis the Hamas-Israel war. I regret that it has become necessary for people in my position to immediately preface any remark they wish to make with a statement that they do not condone, as I do not condone, the level of force and damage to life and property that is being waged by the IDF. If I do not do that, I will be immediately, and have immediately been, accused of being genocidal. That is what happens if one l…

I did not interrupt anybody in this House; I never do. I am entitled to speak as well. I want to conclude with a word of sympathy to the Jewish community living in this country and in this city. We know what they are enduring. We know the worries and fears their children have going to school. I want to say this. I never talk about the other House of the Oireachtas but I totally disagree with the recent statement by Uachtarán na hÉireann with regard to antisemitism in Ireland.

I have got it on record. I believe that many people disagree with what he said. I totally agree with what the Israeli Chief Rabbi had to say on the matter.

Next Tuesday.

I support Senator Dooley's call for a debate on recent developments in the Middle East in the context of the unprecedented attack by Iran against the State of Israel, which has been highly condemned all over the world. The fact that the onslaught did not result in widespread death and injury does not lessen the significance and enormity of what Iran did. That there were no widespread fatalities reflects the type of defence mechanism the Israeli people have been forced to put in place to protect themselves from a wi…