Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

That is the key problem at the moment. We will do everything we can to ensure Gaza remains a key priority in the wider issue of the Middle East process. In the early months of last year, as a result of renewed optimism about the prospect of talks, people may have taken the view that Gaza would be unlocked once the talks process was unlocked. This has not occurred and, if anything, the position in Gaza has become worse.

At meetings of Foreign Ministers, most recently in December, we have consistently raised the issue of Gaza in discussions on the Middle East as a key humanitarian consideration and one which demands immediate action. Ireland was influential and partially responsible for the strong conclusions of the December meeting on Gaza.

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