Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses; we have met previously. Deputy Crowe and I are also members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. In that capacity we met another Palestinian delegation yesterday. Some of today's discussion adds to what we heard yesterday. Yesterday was about looking at how the Good Friday Agreement can act as an example or model. It is very obvious that certain elements are missing in the Palestinian situation. Here a number of governments were involved - our Government, the British Government and the United States Government. They took a very personal involvement in it. In addition our diaspora in the United States were influential. The United States will not be an ally to the Palestinians in this case. Is there an alternative that can be that driver in the way that the United States was the driver that contributed to bringing about peace in our country?

I have been in Palestine a few times, most recently in September, and have had the opportunity to meet some political figures from both Fatah and Hamas. We discussed how that political vacuum has led to so much more humiliation and indignity, and so much more settlement building. Everywhere I went I was struck by the extent of the settlement building and the indignity brought about because of the wall and the restrictions on travel.

It was good to hear that just after that a ceasefire was called, and Fatah and Hamas are working on reconciliation, a political plan and a vision. I ask for the witnesses' comments on the need for a really strong political movement in Palestine that can be the driver of this.