Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

Arising from the Minister's reply, does he agree it would be valuable to have a secretariat established to solve the road map? For example, with regard to the peace process in Northern Ireland, the fact there was continuity and a continuing interest from the major participants was invaluable. It is one of the singular features of the road map proposals that it lacks such.

I noted from the press accounts of the Minister's visit that he visited Bethlehem. I am sure he and I agree there has been a destruction of the economy of Bethlehem on foot of the wall which the International Court of Justice has condemned. Does he condemn that wall and its effects on the communities surrounding Bethlehem, Beth Sahour and Beth Jala?

With regard to East Jerusalem, would it have been valuable if the European Union had held off a confrontation with the Hamas Government? Would it not have been valuable if more attention had been paid to the expansion of settlements beyond East Jerusalem? The housing permissions granted illegally totally exceed the number of people who withdrew from Gaza and at the same time in the Occupied Territory there is widespread demolition of Palestinian homes.

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