Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste referred to events in Ukraine, about which we are all concerned. The European Union appears to have adopted a zero sum position where the Ukraine must agree to the complete package if progress is to be made. Could anything else have been done in this process? For example, should the European Union have engaged in simultaneous negotiations with the Russian Federation?

Ukrainians face the possibility of facing freezing winter conditions without gas and power supplies because they may be cut. There is also a concern that a state of emergency will be called, which would give the authorities repressive powers. Ukraine has been unstable since the jailing of Ms Yulia Tymoshenko on politically motivated charges. There are tensions in the country between pro-EU and pro-Russian sides. Is it possible to bridge this gap? Many people believe the wider region has the potential to become a bridge between the European Union and Russia but the countries of the region are in a difficult position. Could the European Union do more in this regard? Buildings are being occupied and the police are being attacked in Ukraine, which is in a state of unrest. At the same time, the EU is taking a strong line requiring the country to agree to everything before anything is agreed. That is how the position appears to an outsider in any case.

The Tánaiste confirmed that the Geneva II talks on Syria will take place. The situation in Syria is deteriorating. One issue that is being overlooked is the role of the Kurdish people who make up 15% of Syria and is primarily concentrated in the north east and north west of the country. The Kurds have largely stayed neutral in the conflict, which is a positive development. Will the Tánaiste support giving a seat to a Kurdish delegation at the Geneva II talks, rather than having the Kurds lumped in with the wider opposition? The Kurdish aspect of the Syrian issue has not been adequately discussed.

The Tánaiste referred to the positive news on Iran. Is he concerned by the Israeli Prime Minister's extremely critical reaction to the agreement and his statement that the world is being fooled by Iran? Could his position have a destabilising effect?

On the talks on Israel and Palestine, there is some disagreement among Palestinian representatives. Just yesterday, a Palestinian parliamentarian visited the House to discuss the ongoing difficulties in the region. To what extent does the continuation of settlement building during the negotiations undermine the credibility of those taking part in the talks and the entire negotiation process? We hear stories from the Occupied Territories about refuse trucks in Gaza running out of oil, power shortages in hospitals affecting people on dialysis, etc. Problems of this nature are bubbling up outside the talks and we have no idea whether the negotiations are essentially for show or will lead anywhere. The United States Administration has expressed confidence that progress is being made. I am worried about the impact of the expansion of settlements on the process.