Taoiseach comes under fire over Fine Gael support for Ursula von der Leyden
Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to the media at Government Buildings, Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless
The Taoiseach came under fire this afternoon over Fine Gael's support for Ursula von der Leyen as she seeks a second term as European Commission president.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly raised the issue in relation to Palestine saying that Fine Gael is supporting someone who "stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Netanyahu".
"She has expressed no regret about that while arms from Europe, including from her own country of Germany, and France, America and other countries are responsible for the genocide that is happening while we sit here and calmly and coolly talk," said Ms Connolly.
"Talk is over; it is time to take action."
Simon Harris claimed that there has been a serious misrepresentation of the views of Ms von der Leyen, adding that some people were guilty of doing so for political gain during the European elections.
Mr Harris said that although Ms von der Leyen "has not got everything right", she has shown leadership on humanitarian aid and UNRWA and has clearly called for a ceasefire.
He also said that many find it convenient to lay the blame for things at the feet of Ms von der Leyen.
The Taoiseach attended an informal meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Monday where talks included appointments in top roles following the recent EU elections.
He said that he has not yet heard any country within the EU actively propose another name for the top role.
Continuing to question Mr Harris during Leader's Questions, Ms Connolly asked whether Palestine came up in conversation with US President Joe Biden on Monday.
Mr Harris spoke on the phone with President Biden for the first time since becoming Taoiseach two months ago.
"When the Taoiseach spoke to President Biden yesterday, did he ask him to stop the export of arms that are responsible for the genocide in Palestine?
"Did he ask him to take action on that?"
Mr Harris said that Ireland has and will continue to raise the issue of Palestine at every international forum and every opportunity and his conversation with Mr Biden was no different.
Also raised in the Dáil today was the case of Noah Donohoe, a 14-year-old who was found dead in a storm drain in Belfast in 2020.
Aontú's Peadar Tóibín noted that this week will mark the fourth anniversary of the teenager's death and the family have yet to get justice for Noah.
The schoolboy's inquest is due to begin in September and could last up to six weeks. It had originally been scheduled to take place last year but was delayed.
Noah's mother, Fiona, is hoping that she will be able to get answers to questions surrounding both the death of her son and the inquest process.
"CCTV footage, recorded 14 hours before his disappearance, was only revealed by the PSNI to Noah’s mother Fiona Donohoe two years after her son’s death. We don’t know when the Coroner learned about the CCTV footage," Mr Tóibín told the Dáil.
He also noted that the Northern Secretary has allowed certain police information into the boy's death to be redacted.
"What pressure will you bring to bear on the Northern Secretary to ensure all documents from the case that remain outstanding are given to Noah’s family?" Mr Tóibín asked the Taoiseach.
"As a co guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement Surely you have a responsibility to ensure the rule of law is delivered in the north of Ireland?”
Mr Harris responded to say that he will look at the situation and do his best to meet with the family.
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