Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)

This situation in the area, not just in Gaza, is absolutely despicable. It is a wasteland where thousands and thousands of people have been murdered by the Israeli army. I do not call it the Israel Defense Forces anymore because this is not a defensive action. Let us not forget about the West Bank and what is happening there, with attacks by settlers supported by the Israeli army, and the ongoing brutal attack on Lebanon, and not just south Lebanon. We have seen an expansion of that and bombings in northern Lebanon. We must recognise, as the Deputy and I do, the need for all hostages to be returned and again condemn the reprehensible action of Hamas on 7 October 2023.

I will pass this on to the Cabinet for discussion. The Tánaiste has been actively engaged, as the Deputy is aware, with Senator Black. He is in Paris today in connection with the situation in Lebanon. I expect that if the Bill goes to Committee Stage in the Dáil, it would be a select committee. I assure Deputy Bacik that post her intervention today I will speak directly to the Tánaiste and get that clarification for her.

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