Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on the legal advice given to people who may be subject to a demolition or an eviction order. East Jerusalem is the most recent area where evictions have given rise to violence. The committee heard last week from an international lawyer, Ms Natasha Hausdorff, who was very unambiguous when she stated that the title to the lands in East Jerusalem were never actually given by the Jordanians to the Palestinians. How does that tally with the legal advice members of the consortium or other human rights organisations would give to people in East Jerusalem? Have the courts on any occasion sided with the Palestinians? Are we dealing with planning law or strict conveyancing?

It struck me from listening to people last week that this is an open-and-shut case and that there should never be any dispute as to title within East Jerusalem. Nevertheless, earlier speakers and Ms Moran mentioned the importance of the legal advice. Is it more than just an exercise in futility?