Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

I will, yes. In 2006, it was party to a decision to terminate payments and support aid to the Palestinian Authority because of the presence of Hamas. Will the Minister of State agree that that decision was short-sighted, that it led to an appalling humanitarian situation in Palestine, strengthened the hand of Hamas and has effectively driven Fatah out of the Gaza region? Those were the actions of the European Union in tandem with the actions of Israel in withholding payments of taxes due.

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