An Ghéarchéim Cógaisíochta!

The Pharmaceutical Crisis!

Background

The pharmaceutical industry is the backbone of the Irish economy, contributing significantly to employment, investment and innovation in the country. Many years ago, the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) lured pharmaceutical and technology companies to Ireland with an offer they found hard to refuse, namely a very favourable tax regime compared to their domestic tax regimes in the United States of America (US) and the European Union (EU). It is no surprise, then, that Ireland has been heavily criticized for its tax system by the US and the EU (particularly France and Germany) and the United Kingdom (UK). In response to this international pressure, the Irish government has overhauled its tax system, abolishing the complex scheme known as the ‘Double Irish’ (in 2020) and adopting a global minimum tax rate (in 2021) set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Unfortunately, these significant changes have not silenced its critics. Trump raised the issue with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Oval Office of the White House on 12 March, saying: “You have taken over our pharmaceutical companies and other companies… The US pharmaceutical industry is completely in the hands of this beautiful island of 5 million people.” He threatened to impose a 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals imported from Ireland to the US. Was President Trump right?

The Problem

President Trump made a good point, and that is a cause for concern, as the Irish economy is heavily dependent on exports to the US, but particularly pharmaceutical exports. In 2024, Ireland exported €224 billion of goods to other countries; of that €72.6 billion of goods to the US, and of that €58 billion of pharmaceuticals. That is a significant number, when you put it in context. The three largest exporters to the US in the EU last year (2024) were Germany (€161 billion), Ireland (€72 billion) and Italy (€65 billion). What is going on here? It is money laundering, albeit legal.

A Couple of Examples

  1. Intellectual Property (IP) & Royalty Payments

Imagine that the company ‘Drugs’ creates a new drug in the US called ‘Relief’. Instead of registering the patent in the United States, Drugs registers the patent under its subsidiary in Ireland, Drugs Ireland.

Now, every time Drugs (US) sells Relief in the United States, US Drugs must pay a royalty fee to Drugs Ireland for the use of the patent. Needless to say, the royalty fee is intentionally very high. Therefore, profits are lower in the United States (because of the royalty fees), and higher in Ireland (where the tax is lower).

  1. Price Manipulation

Drugs Ireland makes Relief for $10 per pill. Instead of selling the drug directly to customers, Drugs Ireland sells it to US Drugs for $200 per pill. US Drugs then sells the pill in the United States for $220 per pill.

In this case, US Drugs reports a profit of $20 per pill in the United States, while Irish Drugs receives a profit of $190 per pill, which is taxable at a lower rate in Ireland. This keeps most of the profit in Ireland (where tax is lower).

Implications?

Many of the world’s pharmaceutical companies are based in the United States. There is a huge market for prescription drugs, and high prices have long been a controversial issue there. This is a political and economic concern in the United States, and puts pressure on its government’s pharmaceutical policies. The Irish government is receiving money that should have been paid to the US government, and the American people are having to pay for that shortfall in the form of higher pharmaceutical prices. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says this is a scam.

“We have to try to tackle the tax scams that are going on. Ireland is my favorite. Ireland had a $60 billion budget surplus last year. So [America] loses two trillion and they make $60 (billion). What do they do? They have all our intellectual property for our great technology. Our big tech companies and great pharmaceutical companies - they put all their intellectual property there because there is low tax to pay, and they don’t pay the US at all. So that’s over,” the secretary said.

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on drugs coming from Ireland to the US – up to 200%. That would have a huge impact on the Irish economy and a deep recession in the country.

Solution?

It is clear that Trump (and Lutnick) are serious and in the absence of any other solution, they will most likely continue with steep tariffs on drugs coming from Ireland.

It is essential to put strategic policies in place to avoid such a crisis. The above schemes need to be implemented, and a plan needs to be devised and shared with the US government to phase them out in stages. If adopted, this will give us more time to find a long-term solution. The government needs to invest in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors, to create a business environment in the country, that will provide opportunities to people to set up companies, and attract qualified employees to them. Ireland has the appropriate expertise to reduce our dependence on the US as quickly as possible, and to diversify the economy which would be of great benefit to the country in the future. It is late and it is difficult, but we have no other choice now!

 

 

 

Olltoghchán 2024 – Scamaill dhorcha ag bun na spéire!

2024 General Election – Dark clouds looming!

 

Now that the general election is over, and the bargaining is in full swing, I think it’s time for a post-mortem examination.

If you were to take a quick look at what happened in the general election, you would think that the people of the country are quite happy. The main parties in government – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – were not thrown out, but they won more seats in the 2024 general election – 86, than in the 2020 general election – 73. It will be easier for them to reach 88 seats this time and form a coalition. 

Vote of Confidence?

Is it a vote of confidence in the current government? That is the big question, in my opinion. To discuss it, it is necessary to look behind the results.

Firstly, only 59.7% of the electorate in the country voted, one of the lowest percentages ever. This is not a good sign, as it reflects the dissatisfaction of those who are not involved in the process. When that percentage is falling, as it has been in this case, it would appear that democracy is deteriorating, and people have less confidence in that system.

Secondly, the electorate had no choice but to return Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to power. Incidentally, the Green Party was a scapegoat and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael blamed them for any harsh criticism the current government received – especially regarding the government’s green policies, even though they were obliged by the European Union to implement them. The Greens lost 11 seats in the general election, and as part of that defeat, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, lost her seat and her Ministry. Any minor party will be afraid to enter a coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael from now on!

Although you would have thought that Sinn Féin would be in the running this time, they lost support for the first time in 35 years. They certainly made a few mistakes. And they were slow to recognise that a large proportion of their supporters was not happy with Sinn Féin’s stance on immigration. They lost support from people who had a negative view of immigration, and who wanted strong immigration policies in place, to limit the number of immigrants coming into the country. Some of these seem to have moved towards right-wing parties – Aontú or Independent Ireland, for example. In any case, Sinn Féin is not in a position to form a coalition, mainly because it is unlikely that Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael would join them in coalition. So, it is clear that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have not received any kind of mandate from the Irish people, and that they will remain in power despite the important problems that they have not yet resolved, after one or both of them have been in power for a long time. There are major crises and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are still talking about them and saying what they will do – but there is not much progress to be seen, in reality. I am talking basically about housing, homelessness and health issues, not to mention immigration issues. The government cannot be excused for its inaction on these ongoing crises that have not been resolved for more than a decade. We are a wealthy country, with a trade surplus for years, not to mention the windfall tax (€13 billion) from Apple that is due to hit the exchequer soon. It is hard to imagine that people would be happy with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, given their terrible political record.

Against the grain

It is clear that the majority of people around the world are not happy with their democratic governments. In 2024, most parties in power were weakened or ousted. This happened in America, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Argentina, Ecuador, Japan and South Africa. But this did not happen in Ireland, and it is an exception. As I said earlier, people did not have a viable alternative, in contrast to the countries mentioned above. In those countries, people were able to express their discontent politically, because there were other strong parties available to them as options. This is not yet the case in Ireland, but it is not difficult to imagine the emergence of a charismatic leader who would be able to speak directly to those who feel they have no input into the political process. That person would likely be on the right wing, with a vision very different from the parties in power. If that happens, and if such a person and his party win a mandate in the country’s general election, it is likely that a restructuring of government would follow. Without a doubt, democracy as we know it would be in trouble in that case. Look, for example, at what is happening in the United States, which was the world’s beacon of democracy until 2016. With Trump as President of America, it will be difficult for the country to save democracy. And we all know how the dictator’s story ends!

Recommendations

It is not over until the fat lady sings, and we still have a chance in Ireland to avoid an oppressive government. Members of government need to go out into their constituencies among their constituents, and they need to listen to them about the problems they have that the government could solve. Then, they need to formulate policies to address those problems and deliver on what they say. It is high time for the government to be proactive, and they already know about the important ongoing problems that still exist and are getting worse. It is vital that we as voters put pressure on our TDs to deliver on their promises, as our representatives must be held accountable to us.

If the government does not change its approach and implement its policies without delay, as well as addressing any other issues facing its constituents, it is likely that they will be out of a job after the next election. Unfortunately, such incompetence would be a major opportunity for the right wing to attract voters in their direction, and this must be avoided at all costs.

 

 

 

 

 

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Olltoghchán 2024 – Scamaill dhorcha ag bun na spéire!

2024 General Election – Key Issues and Party Proposals (FF,FG,SF)!

2024 General Election – Key Issues and Party Proposals (FF,FG,SF)!

The general election is almost upon us! Politicians are making their promises liberally on traditional and social media, and the parties have published lengthy manifestos online. How can we separate the wheat from the chaff?

Manifestos

I have read the manifestos published by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin, and they are incredibly detailed. It was not easy to compare the policies of the parties, as all the manifestos have different structures. Worse, even after finding certain policies in the three manifestos, you are still comparing apples and oranges. Every policy should have a budget, an objective and a deadline, but often it is just ambitious goals, without the details. The Sinn Féin manifesto is better than the others in clearly stating their policies.

Anyway, after reading the manifestos, I summarised the main issues in the election and the plans of the three parties to tackle them. I will share it with you here, and you may find it useful.

Summary: Main Issues and Proposals of the Parties (FF,FG,SF)

  1. Cost of Living: The cost of living is a major concern, although falling interest rates and the €10.5 billion budget package may ease the pain.
  • Fianna Fáil: Increase the State Pension to at least €350 a week; cap childcare fees at €200 a month.
  • Fine Gael: Raise the threshold for the highest tax bands by €2,000 each year; increase primary tax credits by €75 each year; changes to reduce the Universal Social Charge (USC); changes to reduce inheritance tax; cap childcare fees at €200 per month.
  • Sinn Féin: End USC on the first €45,000 of income, saving €1,100 per year; €1,000 rent relief; temporary mortgage relief up to €1,250 per year; €10 per day childcare.
  1. Housing Crisis:According to a poll last year, 61% of respondents said the housing crisis is one of the worst problems in Ireland. It is no wonder that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin have made housing a top priority in their manifestos.
  • Fianna Fáil: Expand housebuilding to 60,000 per year by 2030; prioritize affordable and social homes.
  • Fine Gael: Build 300,000 homes by 2030, with a budget of €40 billion.
  • Sinn Féin: Build 370,000 homes by 2030, including 125,000 social and affordable homes by 2029; three-year rent freeze.
  1. Healthcare: In ainneoin barrachas buiséid de bheagnach €2.2 billiún, léiríonn daoine a míshástacht leis an gcóras cúram sláinte, go háirithe maidir le plódú ospidéil agus liostaí feithimh fairsinge.
  • Fianna Fáil: Reduce waiting times by expanding hospital beds, consultants and GPs; provide new Rapid Access Outpatient clinics; reduce health fees; free medical cards for all children under 12, and specialist services for cancer care and women's health.
  • Fine Gael: Expand healthcare capacity with 5,000 new hospital beds, six surgical centres, and four elective hospitals; extend free GP care to under-18s, and cap prescription costs at €50.
  • Sinn Féin: Universal healthcare with free prescriptions; 5,000 new hospital beds, and four elective hospitals in place by 2031; expand GP services; improve mental health care and supports for people with disabilities; recruit 40,000 healthcare workers; invest €15 billion in infrastructure, and save €1 billion through effective reforms, ensuring equitable and modern healthcare.

And the Irish Language?

Here are the main proposals proposed by the three parties regarding the Irish language.

  1. Government Leadership and Policy
  • Sinn Féin: Create a new position in Government for a Senior Minister for the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht, to prioritise Irish language and Gaeltacht issues.
  1. Funding and Investment
  • Sinn Féin: Establish a dedicated Irish Language Capital Programme to create Cultural Centres and develop Irish Language Quarters in urban areas.
  • Sinn Féin: Provide an additional €50 million in current funding over five years and €75 million in capital expenditure specifically for the Irish language and Gaeltacht development.
  1. Education
  • Fianna Fáil: Increase the number of Irish-medium schools and Gaelcholáistí, improve teacher training, and expand the Gaeltacht Schools Recognition Scheme.
  • Fine Gael: Strengthen Naíonraí within and outside the Gaeltacht, and expand Irish immersion education for primary school children in the Gaeltacht.
  • Sinn Féin: Provide free Irish language books to all children and teenagers, once during primary school and once during secondary school.
  1. Cultural and Community Support
  • Fine Gael: Work with housekeepers and summer colleges to support Irish language immersion programmes.
  • Sinn Féin: Develop cultural centres and create Irish language Quarters with additional funding for language planning.
  1. Labour and Legal Rights
  • Sinn Féin: Make state websites bilingual; extend language requirements to print and online advertisements.
  • Sinn Féin: Achieve 20% bilingual public servants by 2030, with a B2+ Irish language proficiency requirement for state roles.

Conclusion

I hope the above comparisons give you a better understanding of the differences between the plans of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin in relation to the policies that are most pressing for us as citizens, and as Irish speakers. But that’s only part of the story. Making a promise is one thing, keeping it is another.

According to the polls, it looks like Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will be able to form a coalition government with the support of another party (the Greens for example).

The most important thing is to have a conversation with the political candidates in your area and let them know what you want from them. If they agree to do your bidding, get their commitment to that before casting your vote for them. If they are elected, be sure to keep putting pressure on them to keep their promises – especially on the Irish language!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Agóidí Síochánta sna hOllscoileanna!

Peaceful Protests in Universities!

Although some of them have been broken up by the police, many camps are still located on university grounds around the world, as a measure of solidarity with the people of Gaza, and to peacefully protest against the merciless slaughter that is wrought by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the people of Gaza. It is estimated that at least 35,000 people have died and 78,000 were injured as a result of this horrific fighting. The war began with surprise terrorist attacks by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed and 250 people were kidnapped in that attack. The Israeli government consequently promised to eliminate Hamas. Israel began a ground attack in the Gaza Strip on October 27, 2023, and they are not finished yet. Unfortunately, the civilians of Gaza are the most affected by the war. There are not many buildings left standing in the strip, and there is now a shortage of food. More than a million people, or half the population in the Strip, do not have enough food or clean water. That is a major disaster as it is, and the people of Gaza are facing even more disaster - especially if the IDF attacks the city of Rafah, now home to more than 1.5 million people, most of them refugees from elsewhere in Gaza.

Unconditional support

The Hamas attack shocked countries around the world, and all countries understood that there would be a strong response from Israel. The United States and the European Union stood firmly with Israel and understood that Israel had the right to defend its country and to counterattack and subdue Hamas. They also understood that the punishment should fit the crime, and that Israel had an international duty to avoid killing innocent civilians. But the IDF carried out attack after attack indiscriminately, and on average, a child dies in Gaza every ten minutes. This is unacceptable and in all likelihood Israel is breaking international law. But despite everything, the United States and the European Union are too slow to move their position and withdraw their support until Israel fulfills its international obligations. The United States is still supplying Israel with offensive weapons, when they know full well what will be done with them. That approach does not sit well with the view of the majority of the western public.

Public Protest

When there is a significant difference between the government's policies and the public's point of view, the public shows its displeasure and often takes to the streets in protest and organizes protest marches. It is now the case regarding Gaza, and large protest marches take place in Ireland, the United States and many other countries, demanding an end to the terrible violence taking place there.

A protest movement is also emerging in universities around the world, with students setting up camps on their university grounds. The students at Columbia University were among the first to set up camps, and that movement spread to campuses across the country, from California to Ohio to Georgia. Then, it spread around the world, including to universities in Ireland and to Trinity College in particular. The students have issued a list of demands, asking their universities to issue a statement criticizing Israel and to stop dealing with Israeli companies, and especially those companies involved in human rights violations against the Palestinian. On the Columbia campus, the students took over the university building (Hamilton Hall). On account of that, the president of the university called the police. They entered the campus and closed down the camp and arrested more than 300 people. A total of 2200 people were arrested across the country on university campuses. A few universities in the United States - including Brown University, Northwestern University, Rutgers University, University of Minnesota, UCLA and the University of California at Riverside - have said they would take steps to divest.

Ray of Hope

Over 40 tents were erected on the Trinity College campus on May 3, and therefore, a meeting was organized between the university and the protesters on May 6. The university has yielded to several demands saying it will stop investing in three Israeli companies that are on the United Nations Human Rights Council's list of companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements. The university also promised to establish a task force to investigate Israeli institutions, and to provide eight scholarships to Gaza students . Although the university did not give in to all the demands of the protesters, and although the protesters did not stop their campaign, it is a good sign that the two parties are talking and making progress together. As this article goes to press, President Biden has just intercepted a large shipment of bombs from Israel – 1,800 bombs weighing 2,000 pounds and 1,700 bombs weighing 500 pounds. That's a step in the right direction, and it's quite possible that the peaceful protests, including in the universities, had a significant impact on President Biden's decision. If so, it shows how powerful peaceful protests are against unrestrained violence!

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Stoirm Pholaitíochta

Political Storm!

It is a coincidence that I recently had a column entitled 'Unbridled Greed', discussing the abuse of power in various fields - including the political field. I read some news recently that shocked and appalled me - the leader of the DUP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, had resigned, accused of 'historical' sexual allegations. My first thought was 'unbelievable'! But then, the subject of my column came back to me, and then I thought maybe it wasn't so incredible after all. Things like that happen often in the United States, and usually, after politicians deny the charges, for the most part they end up being convicted. Although Jeffrey Donaldson's case doesn't look too good, let's leave it to the court to work out if he is guilty. Regardless, politicians in the North will soon have to contend with a new political landscape, and perhaps forge a new vision in the process. Political stability will be in the balance, and it is now quite difficult to predict what will happen. In the interim, who is Jeffrey Donaldson, and what are the implications of the new DUP leadership?

Jeffrey Donaldson

In 1968, as front bench spokesman in the British Government, Enoch Powell gave a controversial speech about 'Rivers of Blood', inciting his followers to hate people of color. As a result of his speech, he was sacked as speaker, but he remained an unwelcome member of the Conservative Party until 1974. In October 1974, Powell found refuge in the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) with the loyalists describing him as a prophet, and then he was elected as an MP in Down South. Powell said in one speech that all political careers eventually fail – something he himself knew well.

Jeffrey's cousin, Samuel Donaldson, was killed in an IRA bombing in 1970, while working for the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). That inspired Jeffrey Donaldson to political life.

Jeffrey Donaldson began his own political career some 40 years ago as a constituency agent for Enoch Powell from 1983 to 1985. In 1985, he began working as a personal assistant to former Ulster Unionist Party leader James Molyneaux.

In 1997, when Mr Molyneaux resigned, Jeffrey Donaldson succeeded in taking the Lagan Valley seat. In 2003, amid opposition to the Good Friday Agreement and David Trimble's leadership, he left the UUP and joined the DUP with Arlene Foster. He was appointed as DUP leader in 2021, after Edwin Poots resigned after just three weeks in the role.

As leader of the DUP, Jeffrey Donaldson led a two-year boycott of Northern Ireland's political institutions in Stormont, in protest at post-Brexit trade arrangements. After long negotiations, the DUP agreed to return to Stormont in February, 2024, having secured a new agreement and a series of declarations regarding the constitutional position of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. The serious allegations occurred when Jeffrey Donaldson was at the top of his game. As for what his mentor, Enoch Powell said – that all political careers eventually fail – the prophecy might well come true in the case of Jeffrey Donaldson.

What can be done now?

When the allegations came to light, DUP party officials suspended Jeffrey Donaldson from the party and unanimously appointed deputy leader Gavin Robinson as interim leader. Mr Robinson is the MP for East Belfast and became deputy leader of the DUP in June 2023. He is a former Lord Mayor of Belfast and was first elected to parliament in 2015. His political stance is almost identical to Jeffrey Donaldson's stance, and he ran a successful leadership campaign for him in 2021.

According to Sinn Féin and the DUP, there is no risk to the political stability of the North. Although I don't believe that to be true, I understand that that is the best thing for them to say. The political ecosystem is now fragile, and easy to break. The ink is not yet dry on Jeffrey Donaldson's decision to end the Stormont boycott, a decision for which he did not have strong support in the DUP. There is a good chance that those who are against that decision would take the opportunity to reopen it and take a step back. On the other side of the argument, there is a lot of pressure on the DUP not to go back to a dysfunctional system in the North, a system where everyone suffers, including their own supporters.

Let's all hope that all political parties in the North and especially the DUP will have a little sense and concern in this hour of decision, and in that way peace will prevail. As we all know, we can never take the political situation for granted, especially in the North!

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Tuairisc ó Mheiriceá – An Searmanas Seamróige!

Opinion from America - The Shamrock Ceremony!

Opinion from America - The Shamrock Ceremony!

Many people in Ireland were demanding that the meeting between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the President of the United States Joe Biden be canceled as a protest against the support given by the United States of America (USA) to Israel during its horrific attacks in Gaza. More than 30,000 people were killed there, most of them civilians. Around 250 people are killed on average every day in the Strip – six times more than in the war in Ukraine. There can be no excuse for the destruction and looting that is going on in Gaza - including the Holocaust. It needs to be stopped immediately. This is an unmitigated shame, and the USA is indirectly to blame, as they are a facilitator. In addition to financial and military aid, the US also provides large-scale political support to Israel. The US has vetoed 83 UN Security Council resolutions. 42 of those were against criticizing Israel and the most recent one (on October 18, 2023) against a humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip.

After thinking it over, Varadkar decided to make the visit to Washington, instead of turning his back on Biden. He was determined to express a strong position to Biden, criticizing the policies of the genocide that are being implemented by Israel, and that it is unacceptable for the western world to support Israel in relation to the same policies.

The Shamrock Ceremony

Varadkar attended the events celebrating St. Patrick's Day. An important part of the celebration is the visit of the Taoiseach to the White House to chat with the President of the United States, face to face. That is a great privilege, and no other country, especially a small country, is able to have such a chance, year after year. As important as it is, I was very pleased that Varadkar did not cancel that annual meeting. Also, isn't it better to have a difficult conversation, instead of a boycott?

The two had a private conversation at first, discussing many topics. Biden and Varadkar then gave speeches. Varadkar bluntly said that the problem for the Irish people is that the US is still giving military support to the Israelis, despite what the Israeli military forces (IDF) are doing in Gaza. At the same time, he accepted that the US was working hard to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza. It's interesting that Biden agreed with everything Varadkar said, but actions speak louder than words, and Biden's words and actions are in disagreement so far.

Here are a few excerpts from Varadkar's speech:

“Almost 250 years ago, we Irish were in the American War of Independence. Exactly 100 years ago, the United States became the first country to formally recognize the newly independent State of Ireland and establish diplomatic relations.”

"And tonight, let us all reflect on the words of President Kennedy when he urged us to do 'the most important work of peace' to protect the weak and the small, as he said in the Irish Parliament: ' from Cork to the Congo, from Galway to the Gaza Strip'.

"Mr President, as you know, the people of Ireland are very worried about the disaster that is unfolding before our eyes in Gaza. As I travel the world, leaders often ask me why the Irish have so much compassion for the Palestinian people. The answer is simple: we see our history in their eyes. A story of displacement and dispossession, national identity questioned and denied, forced emigration, discrimination, and now - hunger.

So we support your work and the work of your administration, to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire and to create space for lasting peace.

The people of Gaza are in desperate need of food, medicine and shelter. But especially they need the bombs to stop. This has to stop. On both sides. The hostages taken back home. And humanitarian relief allowed to come in.

Israel must reverse its rash decision regarding the ground invasion in Rafah.

And after 100 years of violence, as you said, the only way forward for security is to have two peaceful and sovereign states, side by side.

Ireland is ready to recognize a Palestinian state with like-minded partners at the right time in terms of peace.

Mr. President, we also see the history of Israel in our eyes. A diaspora whose heart was in Ireland generation after generation. A revived nation-state. And the revival of the language.

I believe that it is possible to be pro-Israel and pro-Palestine and I believe you believe the same.

Because the life of a Palestinian child has the same status as the life of an Israeli child.

And that the ambition of the Palestinian people to have their own homeland, a full-fledged State in the land of their ancestors, is on par with having a state for the people of Israel.

I also believe that there are lessons that can be learned from our own peace process in Ireland. A concept of equal respect and the importance of relationships in particular.

And also the vital role of America, personified by the chairman of our peace talks, Senator George Mitchell. There was a permanent secretariat based on American trust and oversight.”

Conclusion

The Taoiseach's speech tells its own story, and I think we all agree with what he had to say to Biden. I think things are going in the right direction but at a snail's pace. But I also think it's no coincidence that more is happening after the meeting between them than before. That is a small beacon of hope, and maybe there is a small chance that there will be a ceasefire in Gaza before long.

As a final word, Varadkar has announced that he will be stepping down from his role as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael. "After seven years, I'm not the best person for the job anymore," he said. I wiish you well in your endeavours, Leo!

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