Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think we have had a good discussion on this matter. I agree with the approach outlined by the Minister of State. At the outset, I also condemn unequivocally the barbaric acts undertaken by Hamas in Israel and the atrocities that have been carried out there.

Over the weekend, I was very taken aback by the statements on withholding development co-operation funding or EU humanitarian aid. I am delighted that has been clarified. I note that the mission of the state of Palestine in Ireland tweeted thanks yesterday to Ireland for blocking the plan to suspend financial aid to the Palestinian Authority. It was blocked by Spain, Denmark, Ireland and Luxembourg. The Minister of State might say something about that.

I presume that was at the meeting of the EU foreign ministers yesterday. It highlights, however, how the EU just cannot seem to adopt a common approach on this issue. This is extremely disappointing. It is important that Ireland continues to articulate our policy at EU level in respect of displacement and resettlement and all that is happening in the West Bank and the occupied Palestinian territories. I implore the Minister of State, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, to recognise that we need to continue, at an EU level, to try to get consensus, achieve the famous two-state solution and initiate a peace process. In particular, I refer to highlighting the injustices continually being imposed on the Palestinian people. I despair that we just cannot seem to get a common position at EU level concerning these matters on an ongoing basis. I implore that Ireland would continue to do what it is doing and try to recruit new member states to its point of view.