Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the ambassador for addressing the committee. To what does he attribute the failure or breakdown of the peace talks? Was it a lack of commitment on the part of any one or more of the bodies in the negotiating groups? Was there a lack of support from or a commitment on the part of the international community? Was there evidence of manipulation of any of the participants by people outside the immediate negotiations? What does the ambassador see as a prerequisite for the restoration of the peace talks on an ongoing basis? When is that likely to happen?

There is another question related to the activities of ISIS or related bodies in the region of the Golan Heights, from where we have heard reports in recent times. To what extent does the ambassador believe such activity is influencing the issue between Israel and Palestine? To what extent does that influence extend beyond normal boundaries?

My last issue has also been raised by others and involves the two-state solution. Are all of the constituent bodies committed to the two-state solution? Is everybody on board and is there a wish for the two-state solution to succeed? Have some people come to the conclusion that it will not work or be achieved and that there is no use in pursuing it?