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with their children's remains in bits in plastic bags, but still, we cannot look away. There must be a full and immediate ceasefire. We condemn the commentary of Benjamin Netanyahu about the ceasefire, when he said that the Israeli military will enter Gaza "with full force". Jesus … regime and do everything. We must never stop, never look away, and never rest and say this is enough until there is a ceasefire and until the people of Palestine can begin to rebuild their lives

obligation, when we talk in this House about what more can we do, is to illustrate what that can be. Yes, the immediate ceasefire has to be our top priority and every pressure needs to be brought to bear. I commend the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on their … Arab peacekeeping force with engagement with Israel to ensure Israel's security. It is not just good enough to seek a ceasefire; we have to seek a long-term possibility for peace within this region. That will require us to ensure the people of Palestine and the people

only an existential issue for Ukraine, but also a major challenge to the security of Europe. European Union leaders agreed that a ceasefire can only take place as part of the process leading to a comprehensive peace agreement and that any such agreement needs to be accompanied … guarantees for Ukraine that contribute to deterring future Russian aggression. Ireland will continue to engage with partners on ongoing efforts towards a meaningful ceasefire, how we can support that ceasefire if and when it comes and how we can contribute to bringing about a just and lasting peace

forgetting Sudan. There is appalling violence in Sudan, and huge displacement of people, starvation and hunger. We also want a ceasefire in Ukraine. The evidence is that Russia does not seem to be up for a ceasefire right now. It is continuing to bomb … belated conditions to the latest announcements around the potentiality of a ceasefire

This is a defining moment for Ukraine but also for the security of our Continent. The US-led efforts to arrive at a ceasefire agreement, if accepted by both parties and followed by genuine negotiations for a just and lasting peace, would be a welcome step forward. Last … East, most pressingly in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon. The Israeli strikes on Gaza this week must be utterly condemned by all and the ceasefire, however fragile, must be honoured so that there is an end to violence, all hostages released and humanitarian aid can flow at scale

ceasefire in Gaza has been abandoned by the Israelis. It has not just been breached; it has been blown to pieces. They never wanted a ceasefire and have now abandoned negotiations on an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Netanyahu says the negotiations will only take place under fire … domestic position is weak and he relies on the far-right ultranationalists to keep his Government afloat. Those ultranationalists did not accept the ceasefire and now the price for their support is dead Palestinians, so that a budget can be passed by the Knesset and an election avoided

homeland. It needs to be said, by the way, whether you like it or not, that President Trump played a role in the ceasefire. I read several accounts of what transpired in terms of getting a ceasefire. Our focus must be on copper-fastening and consolidating that ceasefire

dependent on staying silent on genocide. An economic policy which requires that is a flawed one. When the Taoiseach refers to consolidating the ceasefire, what Trump has announced does not consolidate a ceasefire. Rather, it makes it much more likely that the right-wing Zionists will not keep … ceasefire because Trump has opened up the prospect of taking over Gaza, which something they have always wished for. The diaspora is very important. I never mentioned once that we should not meet the diaspora worldwide. I said that we should make links and show solidarity. Does

touched on this briefly. It is a grave situation. The Israeli Prime Minister is threatening to end the ceasefire and reopen a conflict that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Hamas is threatening not to release hostages. Both threats are to be condemned … question relates to the West Bank. I invite the Minister’s commentary in relation to that because off the back of the ceasefire there was almost a sense that the world was looking the other way. Much has been happening in the West Bank that is unacceptable

term security guarantees to Ukraine. It is also crucial that the EU continues to step up pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and engage in meaningful negotiations while also undermining its ability to wage war. Work is continuing on the 21st package of sanctions against Russia … meeting in June, European Union leaders expressed concern about the lack of progress by all actors in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and again called on Israel to allow immediate, unimpeded access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza

unpredictable the situation in the Gulf remains, we were handed that stark reminder today with the news that Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire deal with Iran over and has launched fresh attacks. Everyone in this Chamber and everyone across the country hopes against hope that some semblance … ceasefire can be maintained but we must be honest with ourselves. Hope is not a strategy. Hope is what we rely on when we have no control. It is not a substitute for prudent economic planning. There is zero certainty here. There are no guarantees that the Strait

homes. Obviously, that is disrupting access health care. Humanitarian workers and officials need access to provide that support now more than ever. A ceasefire is a medical necessity and is urgently needed in order to support the provision of life-saving care, protect health workers and strengthen security … Irish Government to do all it can at diplomatic level and through the EU to make all efforts to ensure that an immediate ceasefire is brought about. Is there an Irish connection with or presence of any kind in the region

specific injuries and where the view is very clear that they have been targeted directly. Importantly, and more horrifically, it suggests that post ceasefire, this action is still happening. It is absolutely devastating and has to be investigated further. We would fully support any further investigation … disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza and all of these reports that suggest what we thought and somewhat knew was happening prior to the ceasefire is unfortunately still happening on the ground

actions they are taking have increased significantly in recent years. They were not voted on at the time. There was a ceasefire even though we know that the ceasefire is not being held and that there are significant issues with it, not least the lack of humanitarian

every Council meeting I have attended since being appointed in November. We know there is no meaningful peace in Gaza and no real ceasefire in Lebanon while civilians continue to live under threat and violence continues. We urgently need de-escalation, diplomacy and a path towards a lasting … state solution. Since taking office, I have also taken a number of concrete actions which I will outline today. Although the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 offered a moment of hope and relief, the reality for civilians in Gaza remains unbearable. Since that agreement began, 834 Palestinians

appalled as the Deputy is. I think everyone in this House is equally appalled. We have what is supposed to be a ceasefire. Having visited the region and having been to Rafah only at the beginning of the year, it is clear to me that the terms … ceasefire are not being adhered to in many instances. It is clear that what is happening in the West Bank is only escalating further. The level of settler violence is increasing. The level of destruction of homes and communities is increasing. It is for that reason that Ireland

half years into an accelerated genocide carried out by Israel against the Palestinians. There is a so-called ceasefire now, but people in Gaza are being murdered every single day. Documented killings in Gaza now stand at over 72,000 people, with 21,000 children, which … those nightmarish figures when the truth comes out. Israel has resumed its slaughter of civilians in Lebanon. It is breaking its ceasefire there on a daily basis too. What is the European Union doing about any of that? Nothing. Nothing to sanction the State of Israel

would separate East Jerusalem from the main Palestinian population centres." We all understand the genocide that was carried out in Gaza and a ceasefire that is not really a ceasefire. We have seen the attacks by Israel in Lebanon. We have seen how it has dragged the United

fully aware of the limits and obligations of the uniting for peace resolution. However, we are in a desperate situation. The ceasefire is Gaza is a ceasefire only in name. Bombardments continue. People continue to be killed daily. Aid continues to be blocked. Earlier this week, three planned

October 2023 in supposed solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. The destructive war that followed was finally halted - not completely, but largely - by the ceasefire of November 2024. Since then, Lebanon has been making a real political effort to turn a new page, establishing a new Government, revitalising … repercussions of this war on the wider region, we think of the most vulnerable. In Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire. The fragile ceasefire in place for almost five months has not delivered the surge of humanitarian aid expected and demanded. On Saturday, Israeli authorities announced the closure

Israel has committed a genocide, as far as I am concerned. It has attempted to wipe out Gaza. We have a so-called ceasefire in which hundreds of people have died since it began. It is hard to see it as a ceasefire and I am not sure

within the framework of the Council of Europe. Leaders agreed that it is important to maintain pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and engage meaningfully in peace negotiations. Ireland has consistently supported robust targeted sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal war of aggression in Ukraine … this year during Ireland’s Presidency. The European Council assessed the situation in Gaza as implementation of the comprehensive plan continues. The ceasefire remains fragile and the humanitarian situation continues to be very difficult. We welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on the establishment

this Government to make it a priority. Gaza is still very much under siege. In the past two months, we have seen the ceasefire, which now seems to be an empty phrase, become deadlier and deadlier for Palestinians still in Gaza. In parallel with this, settler violence … Israeli state that is in breach of the human rights clause in the EU-Israel association agreement and yet, because of a ceasefire where children and innocent civilians continue to be bombed and shot, we are refusing to suspend the agreement and continue to let Israel benefit financially

absolutely. When there is a ceasefire and a peace agreement in Ukraine, Ireland is fully prepared to play a real part in that. Just two weeks ago, I was in Colombia, one of 13 Irish Aid countries, and our programme work there is solely in relation to peace … people of Ukraine. We want to make sure that real peace comes to Ukraine and that this happens through an absolute ceasefire as soon as possible

point peace plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which was endorsed by the UN Security Council on 17 November. I welcome the ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza as an important step on the road to peace. Our focus is now on preserving the ceasefire