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Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Repulsive'; ‘obscene'; ‘genocide': Dáil voices rise in unison over Israel's slaughter in Gaza
Slaughter, streaming now on your chosen platform. 'Innocent children, they don't know what's going on, starving with the hunger ... This is reality, this is what's happening in front of our eyes and we can see that on the news every morning, noon and night, and worse and worse it's getting,' said Danny Healy-Rae. Annihilation, as it happens. 'We are witnessing a genocide being live-streamed on our hand-held device,' said Labour's Eoghan Kenny. READ MORE The destruction is undeniable. We see it every day. 'One of the greatest crimes against humanity is playing out before our eyes in real time,' said Sinn Féin's Mairéad Farrell. Speaker after speaker, making the same point during three hours of Dáil statements on the unfolding catastrophe in Gaza. How can this be happening when the obscene reality is there for all to see? How can the Israeli government escalate its eradication crusade in Gaza while the big western powers hang back and look on? In angry, heartfelt contributions, TDs held out little hope that this week's harrowing scenes of children starving to death would deflect Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu from his remorseless campaign against the Palestinian people. If the world's increasingly flaky bulwarks of democracy won't act, this doesn't mean that Ireland cannot make a stand. There was understandable consensus when it came to condemning Israel for its campaign of genocide in Gaza. Nobody quibbled with the use of the word. The differences came in the interpretation of what has been done and what should be done to force Netanyahu to end the war. The Government pointed to the lead it has taken internationally when most of its EU partners have been dragging their heels. The Opposition, while acknowledging the actions taken by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, accused them of doing too little too late. But given the sheer horror of what the suffering innocents are enduring in Gaza, the lengthy Dáil session didn't descend into the usual political tit-for-tat. Apart, that is, from an unnecessary swipe at the Taoiseach early on from Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, who talked about her party's Bill to end the sale of Israeli war bonds through the Central Bank. It's an 'obscenity' completely at odds with Ireland's position on humanitarian standards and international law. 'And yet, when I raised this with the Taoiseach yesterday, his response was to call our legislation repulsive,' said Mary Lou. 'That's the word he used.' Micheál Martin swiftly intervened to reject the assertion. 'What is truly repulsive is allowing the Irish Central Bank to oversee the sale of Israeli war bonds that are funding this genocide,' she replied. Micheál wasn't letting this go. 'The Deputy is misleading the House. That's not right, now.' Mary Lou moved on. If his Government is really sincere and serious about 'ending the clear barbarism we watch every day in Gaza', it will back their Bill. Micheál repeated his objection. 'I said no such thing,' he said, in a quiet, level voice. Given the seriousness of the debate it was not good enough for her to 'falsely make that assertion. I did not say that and you know I did not say that. I would ask you to withdraw it.' The Leas-Cheann Comhairle turned to Mary Lou. Well? 'I cannot withdraw it because the record of this House will reflect the fact that the word that was used across the Chamber to me was the word 'repulsive'. Check back on it, persisted the Taoiseach. 'Because you said the Government was funding a genocide and I said that phrase was morally repugnant. At no stage did I say the tabling of legislation in respect of the Central Bank was repulsive,' he said, addressing Mary Lou slowly, asking her again to withdraw her words. 'You know that. Why did you conflate the two to make a false statement?' She turned to the chair. 'Sorry. Why is the Taoiseach using our speaking time with this nonsense?' Micheál wanted that withdrawal. 'I am not withdrawing it,' insisted the Sinn Féin leader. 'It was a smear, it was a smear against me.' 'I am not withdrawing a remark that you made.' The Leas-Cheann Comhairle moved on. 'We'll leave it at that.' 'No sincerity,' murmured the Taoiseach. So, what happened the previous day? During Questions on Policy or Legislation, Mary Lou spoke about the slaughter in Gaza and her party's forthcoming legislation about Israeli war bonds. 'What people might not know is that the Irish Government has made Ireland complicit in funding this genocide,' because the Central Bank oversees the sale of these bonds which are directly used to fund Israel's war against Hamas. 'Taoiseach, work with us. Ireland cannot be complicit any longer in genocide.' [ Air strikes kill dozens in Gaza as international criticism of Israel grows ] He said what is happening to innocent civilians in Gaza 'is beyond any moral compass' and it was 'very regrettable' that she would say the Irish Government is funding genocide. 'I can't really comprehend why you say things like that. I would argue you do it for politics but it smacks of that only. It lacks sincerity ... But I think it's fundamentally wrong of you actually to take the tack that you're taking. 'I find it morally repulsive as well.' Mary Lou was right in one thing – he did use the word 'repulsive'. But it was fairly clear that Micheál was angered by the suggestion his Government was facilitating genocide as opposed to Sinn Féin tabling a Bill. But for the most part, this lengthy session was memorable for a strong show of unity from across the political spectrum against the reprehensible war crimes being perpetrated on defenceless babies in Gaza. Yes, there were strong speeches from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, but the depth of feeling from TDs of all stripes was compelling. All of them, including Coalition TDs, called for more action from Ireland as they denounced the Israeli government – not the Israeli people. There were many passionate speeches. Netanyahu 'has shown himself to be a monstrous leader and his government a monstrous authority', said the former ceann comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Not only have they slaughtered women and children in Gaza, but they have done much damage to their own country. 'The State of Israel has a right to exist. I respect and love the Jewish people but I deplore, detest and reject Netanyahu and his people.' Deputies condemned the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas for the unspeakable atrocities it committed on Jews in a raid on Israel two years ago which led to the war. But, as Fine Gael TD Barry Walsh said, their 'barbaric and disgusting' action does not justify what is happening in Gaza now. 'It is murder, pure and simple,' said Independent TD Paul Gogarty, shouting the number 'fourteen thousand' at the top of his voice. That awful figure, repeated time and again in the House. The number of babies who may die from malnutrition by the weekend. 'It appears that things have got so horrific that even the EU may be waking up,' he said. It was late in the afternoon, a good two hours into the statements, when Galway-based Independent Catherine Connolly rose to speak. 'I've attended many, many protests, as all my colleagues have done, and there was a time when I was most uncomfortable with the chant that Israel is a terrorist state ... I have no such reluctance now, and I'm ashamed that I wasn't comfortable with that, because Israel is a terrorist state. 'It's out of control. It's a rogue state, and it's got that far because it has done everything with immunity from the big powers that be, including Europe, America and many, many other countries,' she said. But what she heard in the chamber was heartening. 'You know, the speeches that were made today by the backbenchers were wonderful. They were absolutely wonderful. I was near to tears with the passion,' she said. 'I wish they had made those speeches earlier when we were appealing to you to stop Israel with getting away with impunity. 'And we're here today, now, and we're looking at 14,000 children about to die in the next 48 hours.' Unimaginable. 'And words. What words will we now use? We have set the lowest bar for telling ourselves we're very good.' She talked of troops allowed through Shannon. Of increased trading. Of the failure to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. 'And we learn now tomorrow, in the face of 14,000 children about to die, that a memo is going to go to Government. 'Shame comes to mind, embarrassment, but most of all, let's act and show leadership.' During her speech, she held up a printed statement. 'And we're here today, and we've just learned that a delegation from 22 countries in the EU over looking at the refugee camp in West Bank has been shot at, and we're told that the delegation deviated from the route. The only deviant here is Israel. They have deviated from international law.' Then word came that two of those delegates – the State's representative in Palestine Feilim McLaughlin and his deputy Sorcha Lowry – are Irish. And the real time everyone was talking about came just that little bit closer.
Irish Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Driving test ‘amnesty' ruled out for experienced learners
Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney has ruled out an 'amnesty' for experienced learner drivers to allow them to drive unaccompanied until they are called for a test. But he said 'all options' are under consideration to address the backlog in waiting lists. 'The service is not right and it needs to be rectified.' Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae made the call as he pointed to the increasing waiting times for learners in his Kerry constituency, now averaging 23.5 weeks. Mr Healy-Rae said it is particularly difficult in rural areas 'where there is no public transport option. Driving is the only option. Many young people cannot take up job offers, apprenticeships or college courses as they would have to have a parent, or brother, sister or grandparent to drive them to and from wherever they need to go, with their L-plates displayed.' READ MORE The target maximum waiting time for tests is 10 weeks and Mr Healy-Rae said if the Road Safety Authority (RSA) cannot meet that, 'surely the candidate who has done the driver theory test, the 12 lessons and all that is required, should be allowed to drive and given an amnesty until the test comes'. Mr Canney said 'I hear the Deputy's suggestion of giving an amnesty but under current regulations and rules that may not be feasible. 'I assure the Deputy all options are being considered to help to address the backlog that is there.' Sanction was given in September last year for an additional 70 permanent driver testers which would double the number to 200 by the end of the year, and the first tranche are now being deployed into service. Mr Healy-Rae who raised the matter as a topical issue said: 'Holy God, where are the 70 testers.' He raised the same issue a year ago and 'the situation is getting worse day by day'. During transport questions, Fianna Fáil Clare TD Cathal Crowe said there was 'no shortage' of driving instructors and suggested they could be seconded to conduct tests as part of efforts to cut waiting times. The Minister said that 'nothing is off the table. In the past we have used private instructors.' He had met the RSA last week and instructed the authority to return in two weeks 'with sustainable proposals which will provide a faster resumption to the service level agreement of 10 weeks'. [ Learner drivers paying for internet 'bots' to 'game' driving test application system Opens in new window ] Fine Gael Cork North-West TD John Paul O'Shea asked about driver tests in Cork and said that 20,000 people are waiting for tests in the county. He cited the case of a constituent starting an apprenticeship in September who would not be able to commute to work because he cannot get a test date. Fine Gael Cork North-Central TD Colm Burke said a constituent was given a December 22nd date from an application this week, while another was given a January 5th 2026 date, which was 'outrageous'. He said there 'appears to be no plan' to deal with the problem and 'it will probably take about three years but a clear plan should be set out'. The Minister said he understood people's frustrations and that every TD had similar cases. He cited a constituent in his Galway East constituency whose son had had his test postponed eight times. He said the number of testers in Cork rose from 9 to 16 and will increase to 18 by end of year. The Minister also hit out at 'no-show' cases, where last year more than 8,000 applicants did not cancel their test but failed to turn up. 'It is very selfish of people not to show,' given the demand for tests, he said. As the crisis intensifies it emerged that some Irish drivers are understood to be travelling to Georgia for tests following a licence exchange agreement with the Central European country in June last year. The RSA said 'a person taking up residence in Ireland cannot drive on a Georgian driving licence for any period of time and must exchange it immediately if they wish to drive in Ireland. 'The Georgian driving licence authorities may have residency requirements to be satisfied before they issue the driving licence.'
