Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has tonight renewed calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in a speech to hundreds of his party members in Dublin.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs also criticised the "brutal savagery" of Hamas which he said had "no justification".
But he also told the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis that "Israel has a fundamental obligation to respond within the boundaries of international humanitarian law. Civilians must be protected".
He said: "This terrible conflict is achieving nothing but death and misery. It needs to stop."
On Ukraine, Mr Martin said: "We also stand resolutely with the people of Ukraine as they fight against Putin's attempt to destroy their independence and impose a new Russian empire."
In a wide-ranging speech, the Fianna Fáil leader flagged a concern about the economy, following falling corporation tax receipts and said that "Ireland’s economic success cannot be taken for granted".
He also highlighted the rising cost of living and repeated this commitment to "reduce pressure on people facing major price rises today, and work to make key services more affordable on a permanent basis".
On housing, he committed to "more affordable housing, more social housing and direct support for renters".
But he also criticised Sinn Féin, which he said was consistently negative towards homeownership.
He referenced plans by Minister for Education Norma Foley aimed at discouraging parents of primary school pupils from buying smartphones for their children.
The Tánaiste said: "We will be expanding guidelines and controls on smartphone access in schools – and every family and school will receive guidance on how to navigate this challenge with their children to keep them safe and healthy."
He told the Fianna Fáil members that "tough decisions" were required on climate action.
Read more: Martin's address relayed party's view to Fianna Fáil faithful
"As we have seen in recent weeks with terrible flooding and through the year with record temperatures, climate change is not a threat for the future, it is happening right now," Mr Martin said.
On Northern Ireland he said: "We believe passionately that the brightest future for all would be for us to be united."
He added that the first priority was to "build understanding, respect and engagement between communities that have too long drifted apart."
And he also referenced the Brexit vote in the UK.
"We can see in our nearest neighbour the damage which unchecked anti-EU politics can cause. We respect their right to leave, but we must never, ever allow euroscepticism to go unchallenged."
Expelling ambassador would undermine efforts – Martin
Speaking to reporters before his address, the Tánaiste said that expelling Israel's ambassador to Ireland would undermine efforts to get Irish citizens out of Gaza.
Mr Martin was responding to a call from Sinn Féin, which claims Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza has rendered Ambassador Dana Erlich's position in Dublin untenable.
He said that 35 Irish citizens and their dependents are in Gaza and the Government is working to get them out.
