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

I congratulate the Minister on his address to the committee. I also congratulate him on his promotion as this his first appearance before the committee as Minister. I wish him well in a very interesting Department, both nationally and internationally, and I have no doubt that he is more than capable of dealing with the situation as it presents itself.

I wish to mention the Ebola virus and how it is being contained. Last week the ambassador for Nigeria attended here and indicated that the situation is being contained in his area. Unfortunately, it is not being contained as successfully in other areas. I have a question on the availability of appropriate aircraft in the event of having to airlift people out of affected areas in an urgent situation. Are fixed wing aircraft or helicopters required? To what extent can such craft be accessed or sourced at short notice? An airlift operation may be needed if the situation deteriorates.

For a long time I have heard that the two state solution is the only solution for Gaza and I am worried about its progress to date. For a variety of reasons it has been held out as the only option available. It may well be the only one available but my own view is that the longer we go on without achieving any degree of success the less chance the solution has of being successful in the long run. Many other contributing factors may also impact upon that solution. For example, a disillusionment on the part of all subscribers which is based on the premise that if it has not succeeded so far then it is unlikely to succeed.

Has it been possible to follow a line pursued by a former member of this committee who is now President Michael D. Higgins? I refer to the extent to which a permanent structure has been set up in the region whereby all opposing factions could address their grievances. As we know from previous discussions, there are more than just two grievances. If so, to what extent has the European Union addressed the possibility of such a structure? We have discussed it here in the past and I am sure we will discuss it in the future. Has any progress been made?

Are there wider implications if there is recognition of the Palestinian State by one member of the European Union? What is the view of the rest of the Union? What is the consensus of opinion within the Union at present on the matter? Has that opinion been progressed? Are there wider implications if ISIS pursue a Palestinian state? Such a development would mean something totally different and would extend the concept of recognition now envisaged. Do other issues exist? If so, have they been discussed at European level, etc?

To what extent are efforts being made by the international community, both by the US, the European Union and all constituent bodies, to bring about a discussion along the lines that I have referred to? Is it being done with a view to identifying the better process of having dialogue rather than renewed confrontation and violence? The most recent intrusion into Gaza is a repetition of Operation Cast Lead which took place a few years ago. It has brought everything back to where it was before and set the peace process back several years. In order to ensure that we are not all talking about something but doing little, or are accused of doing little about it, is the EU committed to getting down to brass tacks? Is there a commitment to encourage, for want of a better description, the various opposing parties to come to talks?

The Chairman will be glad to learn that I shall draw my remarks to a conclusion shortly.

A question has been raised as to whether the EU is prepared to deal with produce from the occupied territories by way of sanctions. It has been talked about on the margins but has not been put forward as a realistic proposition to encourage direct negotiations. Has there been any indication from either side involved as to whether there is a willingness to recognise each other's right to exist and co-exist? Without that recognition, any progressive discussion is going nowhere.

As regards Iraq, ISIS and Libya, may I ask the degree to which control of oil-producing facilities has been commandeered by jihadists or ISIS, with a view to identifying the full extent of their funding capabilities? Economics come into all these things and if a source of funding has been seized, requisitioned or identified by such forces, they are likely to continue on that path for a long time because they will have a source of funding readily available to them.

I hope the foreign policy review which is taking place will be successful. It is no harm to review foreign policy at this particular time. There are many issues affecting respective countries' foreign policies all over the globe at present. It is essential that our influence is seen, felt and recognised in that debate.