Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy on the issues he raised in regard to the increasing and deepening of the settlements. We were surprised but welcomed President Bush's condemnation of the settlements and his clear indication that the US was of the view that they should not continue. If a two-state solution is ultimately to be found, these creeping increases in settlements will leave the issue of borders that bit more difficult to solve given the fact that people have moved in.

I accept fully that the Israelis have significant issues in regard to what is emanating from Gaza but Israel has engaged in collective punishment of the people of Gaza. There are ways and means of addressing the difficulties that arise in Gaza but to mete out punishment on one of the most populous areas of the world is unjustified. These issues point to the need for a greater focus on this area. I do not say Deputy Higgins's suggestion of a permanent secretariat for the Quartet should not be considered. Perhaps it should be given even greater consideration in light of the significant number of international envoys — Tony Blair not least among them — present in the area.

The simple lesson to be learned from the Irish peace process is that there can never be a military solution to the problem, which is something the Israelis and Hamas must understand. This realisation confirms the view we have always expressed, namely, that the only way to deal with this matter is through engagement involving moderate Arab states, the US, the EU and the Palestinian people and the Israelis.

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