Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. I will ask the Minister of State three questions. Briefly, the voices that have been very clear on every side of the House, including from the Government backbenches, calling for Ireland to join with South Africa in its case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Can the Minister of State in very clear terms spell out what the Government's position is and the timelines he expects, not when it is mindful to or considers its position, but when a definitive position will be arrived at?

Second, on the two state solution, the most egregious thing that has happened in recent times has been the very clear declaration of a policy we have known has been Netanyahu's for years, which is that basically there should be no Palestinian state. I suggested that we really need now to have the international community insist that the two state solution must happen. What initiatives is the Government taking in support of the Arab initiative?

Finally, can the Minister of State answer the question I put earlier about the funding for Ukraine, the money which has stopped. Can the Minister of State give the House his opinion on the chances of there being agreement at the Council meeting in February to provide that absolutely urgent funding?

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