Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

Is the Minister of State concerned about the use of the name of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, in dismissing the Goldstone report? The media responses from the Israeli side have suggested that former President Robinson, a distinguished international jurist, declined to participate in the exercise on the basis that the terms of reference were not acceptable to her.

Leaving that aside, Professor Goldstone is a very distinguished scholar who has made enormous contributions towards peace building and so forth, and a number of questions now arise. He has suggested a set of actions which should follow the report. For the sake of economy I will put my questions into two brief categories. He has drawn attention to the fact that the materials which were approved by Israel two years ago, for example, which were worth €29 million and have not been executed by way of building and repair because of the blockade. The other projects which UNRWA would seek to develop could provide employment and shelter and they are valued at approximately €1 billion. Mr. John Ging has welcomed the Goldstone report and particularly those aspects which would free up materials to help the people of Gaza immediately.

On the legal side of the Goldstone report, it has already been bad-mouthed. There is the suggestion that if there is no compliance, the matter should move on the UN Security Council and the International Criminal Court. What is the position of the Government on the suggested strategy in the short term with regard to humanitarian aid, and in the medium term with regard to legal strategy?

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