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

I welcome the Minister. I also welcome his statement on Ibrahim Halawa, which was very forthright. He said he would continue to advocate and try to influence circumstances to bring about his release, which was a priority for his Department. Again, I express our collective thanks to the Irish Embassy in Cairo for its interest and advocacy on behalf of Mr. Halawa. The Minister says the eligibility of Mr. Halawa for release under a presidential decree is unclear. When will the position become a little clearer? I have a difficulty about the system of due process in Egypt. I do not think people get a fair trial when there is a mass trial, but I am not expecting the Minister to respond to this. However, I welcome his statement and hope he will use the forthcoming meeting to inform his colleagues and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, about the case.

I raised the matter of the situation in Ukraine with the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, yesterday. We know that the United Nations has stated 5,600 people have been killed, but the number is possibly far higher. There is, however, potential to find a pathway to peace. Some civic society representatives and parliamentarians visited Ireland to look at the Irish peace process. Is there anything this committee can do in that regard? We have said one of our priorities should be examining the situation in Ukraine. Would it be helpful for the committee to visit the region to give an Irish perspective on how it might be possible to move forward? One of the dangers is that military offensives in the area have always happened during the spring. The British Government has stated it will send 76 troops to train Ukrainian personnel, while the United States has spoken about sending a battalion. The lesson we have learned in Ireland is that we need demilitarisation of a conflict rather than militarisation. What is the Irish position on EU countries supporting Ukraine militarily?

We all condemn Russia's military involvement, but direct military intervention, particularly by NATO states, is counterproductive. I refer to a statement from the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, that the EU should establish its own army to show Russia that it is serious about defending European values. I do not think this is helpful to the situation. The German defence Minister stated that there would be a European army in the future. Does the Minister agree with the wishes of Mr. Juncker, or has Ireland a different view? During the discussion on Russia at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, will the Minister affirm Ireland's opposition to joining any EU army?

I welcome the Minister's visit to Gaza and the Middle East. Not one single house has been rebuilt. I recently met a woman who has been traumatised by her visits to the region. She spoke about the health situation resulting from the conflict. For example, unknown microbes have been identified in people's bodies and people were dying from simple cuts. She had seen people who had lost limbs who could not reach their apartments on upper floors. The most basic elements are not available, such as electricity for the lifts or wheelchairs. Electricity is only available for four hours a day. There is a lack of clean water and there are food shortages. The people have no work and there is a lack of hope. The Minister said the EU must step up to the plate and make concrete proposals. I ask him to outline Ireland's proposals for resolving the conflict and lifting the siege on the people of Gaza. The main concern for many of us is that the conflict will resume. The basic requirements such as food are not getting into Gaza. There is nothing happening to arrive at a peace agreement on this side of the elections. The situation in the region is getting worse.

The motion to recognise Palestine was passed in both the Dáil and the Seanad. Will the Minister bring this suggestion to his colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Council? I refer to the ban on goods from the illegal settlements, but these goods are coming to the EU. In our view, such a ban could provide the potential for movement in the area. New settlements are being proposed and constructed in the occupied territories.

I welcome the announcement of €18 million in direct and indirect aid to be provided to deal with Ebola. The crisis seems to be under some form of control but the big worry is food insecurity. Is the Department monitoring this situation? I refer to newspaper reports about food shortages resulting from the fact that people are unable to go to the fields to cultivate crops.