Taoiseach Micheál Martin has defended Government's actions over the situation in Gaza and has told protesters who say Ireland has not gone far enough, to "go and ask the Palestinian Authority, ask the Palestinian people".
Speaking to reporters at an event in Galway this afternoon, during which a pro-Palestine protest took place outside, the Taoiseach was asked for his response to their calls for Ireland to do more.
In response, Mr Martin said: "My comments are in the Dáil during the week.
"I take issue with people who are trying to cause division in the country on this issue, the Irish Government has led from the front in respect of the Middle East," he added.
"In respect of Gaza, I would say to the protesters go and ask the Palestinian Authority, go and ask Palestinian people around the world, go and ask people in the Middle East, in Egypt and Jordan.
"They will tell you how they believe the Irish Government has been leading for justice and fairness and also trying to get other countries to come on board in respect of trying to get a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and also a massive surge in humanitarian aid," Mr Martin said.
The Taoiseach continued that while he believes "people have a right to protest", in his view "democracy in Ireland is alive and well" and that people organising events "should be allowed to do their business as well".
"I will not be deterred from doing what we are doing in Government, we've done a lot, a lot of people acknowledge that," he said.
Mr Martin then addressed what he said is "the real issue, the Israeli government" which he said "has been acting in an appalling manner in my view".
"There are elements in that government [the Israeli government] who have been very clear in articulating a desire to destroy Gaza in its entirety.
"Ireland has intervened in the case before the International Court of Justice, on the South Africa case, before that the Genocide Convention, so at every international level we have intervened for fairness, justice and in line with the United Nations Charter, and will continue to do that," he added.
Asked for his views on the situation in Gaza and for the Palestinian people who are living there, the Taoiseach added: "It's shocking the degree to which people are being starved in Gaza, the blockade was absolutely unacceptable and continues to be unacceptable.
"It is a violation, a war crime to deny people, in particular children, the very basic necessities of life.
"I can't comprehend how any government can preside over that," he added.
Mr Martin said "the international community needs to get together and put as much pressure as possible on Israel to stop this," adding that this includes measures in relation to the EU-Israel trade agreement.
The Taoiseach said he wants an "agreement to suspend that", saying, "that will be challenging and difficult, but Ireland will push for that."
