Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I take on board what the Deputy said about the situation on the West Bank where the policies run counter to facilitating a pathway to peace and a political settlement. The government of Mr. Salam Fayad and the Palestinian Authority has been weakened and undermined by the issues about which he spoke. In many instances, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, Mr. Fayad and others have been endeavouring to develop a governmental system with the support of the people, but that support is constantly and consistently undermined by the actions on the ground of the Israeli forces and the wall. It is paradoxical and contradictory in terms of what the ultimate objective should be. All policy should be directed towards facilitating and supporting moderate opinion to triumph in the Palestinian world and emerging with credibility in the machinery of government they are establishing. That is a concern.

We endeavour to have our voice heard in international fora, particularly the European Union. We have been very consistent all along that our overall developments in the Middle East process must be taken into account in considering our relationship with Israel. With the new Israeli Government, we are very clear that there must be recognition of a two-state solution and that the European Union must use its influence. The Union contributes very significantly to dealing with the situation in the Middle East to ensure both the Israeli Government and those on the Palestinian side realise that, as far as we are concerned, it must be a two-state solution. That is fundamentally linked with our relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government. Clearly, the Union is a key implementer of policy as a member of the Quartet. This figures in our engagement with the United States. As I outlined, President Obama met the key people. Again, there is a consistency in the international community around the two-state approach. We want to give the new players who have come onto the scene an opportunity to engage and chart a way forward. We have been very strong in our continuing communication and engagement with the Arab world and leaders who have a significant role to play in facilitating the brokering of a peace initiative and have significant influence on players. That has been useful and effective and we will continue on that pathway.

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