Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Ireland, together with its EU partners, is committed to a negotiated and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East, with a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at its core.

Ireland strongly supports the Annapolis process, launched under US auspices in November 2007, aimed at reaching agreement between Israel and the Palestinians by the end of this year. While it is clear now that this deadline will not be met, it is understood that some progress has been made in the discussions, which have been led by out-going Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The priority now must be to ensure that this progress is carefully preserved for immediate resumption of talks once a new administration is in place in Washington, and after the upcoming elections in Israel.

As Deputies will be aware, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni — who succeeded Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as leader of the Kadima Party on 17 September — has been unsuccessful in her efforts to construct a coalition and, on 26 October, she requested President Peres to dissolve the Knesset. It now appears highly likely that a general election will take place early in the new year, perhaps around mid-February.

The Government remains seriously concerned about the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza, which has effectively been isolated since the Hamas takeover in June 2007. We have consistently called for an end to the isolation of the people of Gaza, in particular through the re-opening of crossing points for the movement of people and goods. Despite a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas, in place since 19 June 2008, Israel has continued to maintain the closure of all border crossings for the movement of people, with limited exceptions. Rafah international crossing point, the only border crossing via a country other than Israel, also remains closed since June 2007, with very limited openings.

The Government agrees with those who state that the effective isolation of Gaza constitutes collective punishment and is illegal under international humanitarian law. While Israel argues that essential supplies are being allowed into Gaza, there is no doubt that the population of 1.5 million has been facing unsustainable conditions of daily life. Ireland will continue to work with EU partners to ensure that our concerns about these matters are conveyed to the Israeli Government at every appropriate opportunity.

I deeply regret yesterday's violent incidents which saw the deaths of six Palestinians and the firing by Hamas of numerous rockets. I hope these will not derail the ceasefire, and I fully support the efforts being made by Egypt to have it extended beyond the official expiry date of 18 December.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

More generally, I welcome the improved security situation in the West Bank, and hope that it will result in the urgent lifting of restrictions on access and movement for ordinary Palestinians there, facilitating greater economic activity and growth. However, the continued construction of Israeli settlements remains of serious concern. We have called for decisive action by the Israeli Government to freeze all settlement construction and dismantle outposts, in line with their commitments under the roadmap for peace in the Middle East.

I support and commend efforts being made by Egypt, on behalf of the Arab League, to advance reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. Success in these discussions is greatly in the interests of the Palestinian people, and can only help to underpin efforts to secure a lasting peace.

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