Sharon Keogan decries violence in Palestine, welcomes Metrolink order
Sharon Keogan addressed recent events in Israel and the humanitarian impact on Palestine, invoking Yom Kippur and calling for reflection on killings and alleged genocide. She also welcomed the Metrolink railway order announced that morning, while raising concerns about the allocated £2 billion and how it will be spent.
Reflection on Yom Kippur and accountability
Sharon Keogan noted that the speech coincided with Yom Kippur, describing it as a holy day of atonement. She said the scriptural injunction to be purified should prompt those responsible for "these killings and the genocide" to reflect, regardless of which God or prophet they follow.
Comments on activists and colleagues
She associated herself with remarks referencing Senator Chris Andrews and Deputy Barry Heenan, and praised the character of people who undertake activist missions. She said those who go on such missions are "true to who they are as individuals, as activists" and willing to go to lengths to act in what she called "this madness."
Praise for the Metrolink announcement
Keogan welcomed the Metrolink railway order announced that morning as "a fantastic piece of infrastructure" that the country has sought for 25 years. She noted the project will deliver 19 kilometres in length from Swords to Dublin City and congratulated the government and the minister on putting the project on the books.
Concerns about funding and delivery arrangements
While supportive of the scheme, she warned that the allocated £2 billion must not be "eaten up" and urged clarity on spending. Keogan highlighted the establishment of a dedicated state delivery body for the Metrolink and called for parameters to be set on how the funds will be used to ensure timely construction.
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Thank you very much, and I too want to be associated with the commas in relation to Senator Chris Andrews and also our independent colleague in the Dáil, Deputy Barry Heenan, who's also on one of the Fotillas as well. It says a lot about the character of people that actually go on those missions. It says that they are true to who they are as individuals, as activists, and they are willing to carry out and go to whatever lengths it takes to try and do something in this madness. And today and yesterday, actually, is a very holy day, believe it or not, in Israel. All the Jewish people, they celebrate the Yom Kippur. And I want to reflect on that. That is one of the most holiest days in their calendar. It's a day of atonement, and it's actually yesterday and today. And it says in Leviticus, For on this day he will forgive you, to purify you, and you will be cleansed for all your sins before God. And I certainly hope that those that have caused all these killings and the genocide will reflect on what they have done, no matter what God and what prophet they follow. I think it's been an absolute horrific what the people of Palestine are going through. And indeed, all the genocides throughout the world, whether it be in Sudan, the Congo, there are too numerous to mention. So today, I want to actually thank the government for something else. The Metrolink railway order came this morning. It is absolutely a fantastic piece of infrastructure that this country has been looking for for the last 25 years. I think it was first muted in 2001, and it's been announced this morning. And this will deliver 19 kilometres in length from Swords to Dublin City. But I'm really concerned about the £2 billion that's been allocated for it, because the state, as just said, they're going to be establishing a dedicated state delivery body for the Metrolink. And I don't want that £2 billion to be eaten up. And I hope they set out some parameters in relation to how they're going to spend that money and get on with just building it. So, well done this morning to Minister Dara O'Brien, and well done to the government for putting this project on the books to get done.
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