Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I wish to ask the Taoiseach a question arising from his reply to Deputy Kenny and I am allowed to do so. In his reply to Deputy Kenny, the Taoiseach stated this was a bilateral matter between Ireland and Israel. I wish to pursue the matter a little further. I realise the Minister for Foreign Affairs has raised this with the Israeli authorities and the Israeli Foreign Minister. However, I heard the Israeli Foreign Minister state that he had no knowledge and could not give any information about whether these passports were used or misused. Does the Government accept that explanation, or does the Taoiseach believe it is necessary to pursue this issue with the Israeli authorities with more vigour? The use of the passports and the way in which they were used is a matter of very serious concern for the people whose passport numbers were used, in terms the degree to which their freedom of movement is compromised, by the degree to which their personal safety may be put at risk and by the damage that has been done generally. The Irish passport always had a great reputation. It was one of the best passports in the world and it is very damaging to find that they have been used in this way now. Will the Government pursue this with more vigour with the Israeli authorities or is that it? Does the Taoiseach accept what the Israeli Foreign Minister has said?

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