Today I and my colleagues are setting in motion the recall of Seanad Eireann to debate in detail the terrible humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to ask the Government why they saw fit to abstain on a vote at the UN which called for a full independent inquiry into certain Israeli actions against innocent civilians in Gaza. I deplore the indiscriminate firing or rockets by Hamas into Israel, but I must say that the actions of the Israeli government and their army are tantamount to collective punishment of the people of Gaza and are totally disproportionate. I have copied below my full statement which I issued today and will keep you informed of progress Fianna Fáil Set to Have Seanad Recalled to Debate Gaza Fianna Fáil is set to have Seanad Éireann recalled for an emergency debate on the ongoing slaughter in Gaza and the deteriorating situation in eastern Ukraine. The party is confident that with the support of Independent senators, which is being sought this weekend, the Seanad can be forced back into session and the Minister for Foreign Affairs can be brought to the Oireachtas to answer questions on Irelands activities to date and our failure to support action in support of Gaza at the United Nations. FF Leader in the Seanad Darragh OBrien commented, All across Ireland, people are outraged by what they are watching in both Gaza and eastern Ukraine. The only place where such debate and views cannot be heard is in our national parliament. As the Taoiseach has the sole discretion to recall the Dáil during recess and it appears less and likely that he is going to do so, Fianna Fáil has decided to take direct steps to force a recall of the Oireachtas in the Seanad. We successfully used this mechanism during the recess last year for a critical debate on organ donation. Given the cross party revulsion at recent events, I am confident that we will be able to do so again. Ireland has had a proud tradition of strong independent foreign affairs policy over the decades and in our view that tradition was betrayed last week with the decision of Ireland to join with other European countries in turning away from what is happening on the streets of Gaza and abstaining from what should have been a simple decision. The Minister for Foreign Affairs needs to take political responsibility for that decision and account for it in the Oireachtas. I have spoken to a number of Independent senators over the course of the last 12 hours and I am confident that we will have the numbers to succeed where the Taoiseach is failing and allow the Irish people see a public debate on these appalling developments in their Oireachtas. -Ends-
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 14:49:12 +0000
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