Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Israeli and Palestinian conflict, and the Middle East peace process, are issues of enduring concern to the Irish public, and have been a foreign policy priority for successive Irish Governments for many years. Ireland is an active and vocal participant in discussions on the Middle East at EU and UN level, as well as directly with the main players in the region. I have made two extensive visits to the region as Minister for Foreign Affairs and I hope to return again.

There has been a renewed effort this year, led by President Obama, to bring the Israeli and Palestinian sides together to begin a final negotiating effort to reach an overall settlement. Both in Ireland and the EU, we have been concerned to give every possible support and encouragement, and, indeed, space, to this process, which is being actively pursued by Secretary of State Clinton and Special Envoy Senator George Mitchell, in both of whom we here in Ireland have every confidence.

The issues, the difficulties and how Ireland and the EU can try to play a positive role are frequent subjects for discussion here in the Oireachtas as a glance at the questions listed on today's Order Paper shows. Issues relating to the Middle East are examined regularly by the joint committees on foreign affairs and on European affairs. As the Middle East appears on the agenda of the great majority of external relations Councils, I also have the opportunity to discuss these issues almost every month with the Joint Committee on European Affairs, when we meet prior to each Council. We also examine it in the context of Irish Aid's long-standing and substantial commitment to assist the Palestinian people and my Department engages extensively with non-governmental organisations and members of the public concerned about the conflict. There is, perhaps, no other foreign policy issue, with the exception of the Lisbon treaty, on which I have engaged in more public discussion.

Given the amount of time the Oireachtas already devotes to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, I assume the Deputy's question refers to a public forum. I would be happy to consider any detailed proposal for an Irish forum which the Deputy might wish to put forward.

While public fora of this nature can help spread awareness of complex issues, it is important to point out that they themselves can become a focus of conflict, particularly if they come to be dominated by interest groups with extreme views. They also require scarce resources of time, energy, personnel and finance if they are to work.

In the case of the Middle East, both domestically and internationally, what is needed is not new architecture but to concentrate our efforts with a firm focus on pressing ahead within the structures we already have.

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