St. Patrick’s Day Visits: Message for Gaza
Full Transcript: Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. On 14 February I wrote to the Tánaiste and other Ministers and Ministers of State. The letter was cosigned by a number of my Green Party colleagues. In the letter we called on Ministers to take the opportunity afforded by St. Patrick’s Day to reiterate the position of the Irish Government, supported by the Irish people, on Gaza. We have three asks, namely, that there should be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire with a pathway to a lasting peace, that all participants in the conflict should be held to account for their actions under humanitarian law and that there should be an immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza.
Ireland has always been a powerful voice for peace on the international stage. This is an opportunity very few countries of our size have to carry that message to the centres of power. I have received letters of acknowledgement, but I have not received a substantive response from the Tánaiste’s office or from any of the others. I take this opportunity to encourage the Government to use St. Patrick’s Day to bring this message to the corridors of power all across the world.
The Tánaiste
To be fair, the Government’s position is unequivocal. I have communicated to the US Government our position on the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. I have no doubt the Taoiseach will do likewise. Obviously, we will see what the position is on St. Patrick’s Day. There must be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and all parties must be held to account. The Government has already said this publicly. We have participated—–
Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Will all Ministers bring that message with them?
The Tánaiste
Yes, there will be a message for all Ministers in every jurisdiction.
They will have a clear message from the Government on what to articulate and the Government’s position and Ireland’s position in regard to holding Israel to account on what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank, holding Hamas to account in respect of what happened on 7 October, and of course the immediate release of hostages, which we have called for consistently since 7 October. Generally speaking, people should not be held hostage or shot. It is an appalling crime in itself.
