Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In addition, EU Foreign Affairs Ministers will be discussing the issue immediately after the weekend. Every effort should be used by all countries that have diplomatic relations both with Israel and Palestine. At the end of the day the attempt at a ceasefire, which is being brokered by Egypt and is assisted by the UN, is the most important way of ending the bloodshed and dreadful deaths, particularly of children. We all know that living conditions in the area are very difficult.

Going back to my own time as Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development, I was involved in initiating and expanding the programme of assistance into Palestine and the territories. That was followed by successive Governments, including Fianna Fáil Administrations. I want to acknowledge the Deputy's concern about the matter.

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