Deputy Mary Lou McDonald- speech from 3 Mar 2026

Taoiseach, the US-Israeli assault on Iran is an act of aggression that threatens to set the entire Middle East ablaze. A sovereign state has been bombed, its leader assassinated, 185 innocent schoolgirls killed. These are not defensive actions. They are the actions of powerful states acting in defiance of international law. Let me state very clearly, the Iranian government is brutal and repressive. It's crushed protesters, oppressed women and jailed dissidents. That merits the highest of condemnation. But the brutality of one government does not license another to set aside international law and engage in military aggression. Israel, already pursuing a genocide in Gaza, has widened its murderous campaign. Israel has no interest in peace, in compromise or in negotiation. And the United States has backed and enabled this escalation. This represents military aggression over diplomacy. This confrontation has already spilled into Lebanon and across the Gulf. Taoiseach, the UN Charter is explicit. Force is prohibited, save in the case of imminent self-defence or UN security authorisation. And neither is demonstrated here. Pre-emptive is not a substitute for legality. And yet, your government's response has been limited to expressions of concern and calls for restraint. Teesha, calling for restraint on all sides blurs the reality of who initiated this aggression. Only days ago, you spoke of Ireland being able to, and I quote, stand militarily with states engaged in conflict. This language undermines Ireland's neutrality. And neutrality matters precisely at moments like this. It means we don't align ourselves with aggression. But more to the point, it means we robustly defend international law consistently. And of course, we're already seeing the consequences of all of this here, with fuel prices rising sharply in recent days. The price gouging has already started. This Taoiseach needs to be stopped in its tracks, and you need to drop any notion or plan of increasing carbon taxes in the coming weeks. Thank you very much. So, can I ask you directly, Taoiseach, will you condemn the US-Israeli strikes without qualification? Will you state clearly that they are in breach of international law? Because Irish neutrality demands that the Taoiseach is unequivocal on both these questions. First of all, Ireland is in favour of a multilateral rules-based international order, and have consistently advocated for the same. And we believe in immediate de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, and particularly in Iran. And we believe these issues ultimately, in terms of a sustainable resolution of this, has to be via the diplomatic channels. And diplomacy ultimately is the only route that can sustainably bring about a lasting peace. But it has to be also said that the multilateral order has been dysfunctional for quite some time. And you referenced the UN Security Council. It has been paralysed, and it has been powerless for quite some time, in terms of prevention of war and prevention of conflict. And indeed, in terms of holding repressive regimes to account, or in any way intervening in terms of those regimes. And for a long time now, Iran has been a very malign influence in the world, and in the Middle East. And in terms, as you yourself have acknowledged, in terms of its repression of women, of the LGBT community, the execution in their thousands of Iranians, by the regime, for advocating for freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, and for seeking change through democratic channels. The international rules-based order, if we're honest about it, was absolutely powerless, and paralysed in terms of intervening there, to protect execution of thousands and thousands of people. And we do believe in a multilateral-based order. But we have to see reality, too, in terms of the full picture in this. And remember, Iran, for years and decades, has sponsored Hamas. They've sponsored terror all over the Middle East. Sponsored Hezbollah, armed them, supported Assad, and were key in keeping Assad and the brutal regime of Assad in power for a long, long time. And sent drones to the Russian military to kill innocent Ukrainians. Now, these are realities that you've glossed over. And I know you don't support Ukraine. And you opposed the, you opposed, you referenced Ukraine. It's the truth. Because you opposed the European 90 billion loan to Ukraine. And if we were to follow your advice on that, it is tantamount to saying to Ukraine, please surrender now to the Russians. Because there's no way on earth that Ukraine could sustain itself, either budgetarily or in terms of defending itself, if it was not to get that 90 billion from the European Union. And Putin was delighted. And if everybody else took the Sinn Féin view, the happiest man globally would be Putin. And that is your contribution to trying to resolve injustice and conflict in the world. And we would say, and when I reflect on all of this, and we've had this in other parts, in Africa and so on, when democratic governments have been overthrown and people have been powerless in the Sahel and so on. So there are issues, no question, in terms of where we are. There was no UN mandate for this action. No one is saying there wasn't. There wasn't. But it's impossible to get a UN mandate for even peacekeeping now. So paralysed and dysfunctional is the Security Council. So we are in a very serious and dangerous situation globally. Very serious and dangerous position. And if I could say, I think history, in reflecting on this period, will see October the 7th as a disastrous catalyst for the uncertainty and instability of the work that we did. Time is up. Thank you. Deputies, please, before Deputy MacDonald resumes, I'm sure Deputy MacDonald is capable, as the leader, of answering in leaders' questions. Now, if we're to make progress here today, we need to cooperate on both sides of the House without interruption. Deputy MacDonald. The rhetoric we have just heard from you, Taoiseach, is very, very dangerous. Hear, hear. You have effectively offered a defence and a rationale for the indefensible and brazen breach of international law. You see, these strikes were launched while negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme were reportedly making progress, while diplomacy was underway, and while talks were described as constructive. And now, instead of dialogue, we have missiles. Instead of dialogue and negotiation, we have assassination and we have dead schoolgirls in large, large numbers. So, why is it that you will not call out this aggression and name it for what it is? You express concern, you call for restraint, but you notably stop short of condemning those that have launched this attack. And the question is, why? Ireland's neutrality or commitment to international law mean absolutely nothing if they disappear when powerful states are involved. Why are you shrinking away from stating the obvious? Why will you not speak clearly? Why will you not name the actions of Israel and the United States as illegal, dangerous, in breach of international law? First of all, I'm very clear, I'm a multilateralist. I believe in peace and the Pacific resolution of all conflict. And I believe this conflict should be desiccated as quickly as possible and we should get back to the negotiating table or those involved should get back to the negotiating table and resolve this through diplomacy. It's the only, as I said earlier, sustainable way and you can put whatever spin you like on my contribution but I'm very clear in respect of those basic principles in terms of the conduct of international affairs. But what I have said cannot be contested in terms of how the Iranian regime not only suppressed its own people but was responsible for the deaths of many innocent people across not just the Middle East but globally. It has sponsored terror and you looked the other way for years on that. You looked the other way for years and also, if I may say so, you know, you're accusing me of lack of clarity. You've been a supporter, your organisation has supported the Republican Party in the United States for decades now in terms of financial contributions to Republican candidates to MAGA candidates across the United States. Deputy Ivana Batchik, Deputy Ivana Batchik, Deputy Ivana Batchik is on the...