Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

-----and this is absolutely relevant. Why did the Government not seek to name Israel and to address the issues and charges that can be directed at that regime in the statement agreed yesterday by the Foreign Ministers?

I will conclude as I do not wish the Ceann Comhairle to get into consternation as it is already tough for him. With regard to the relationship between the European Union and Israel, and in recognition of the fact that the people of the Gaza Strip have been left without the necessities of life, such as water, sanitation, food, medication and even the materials to rebuild their homes and schools, which were devastated in the Israeli air attacks over last year, will the Taoiseach now urge at European Union level that the preferential EU trade agreement with Israel be lifted, to impress on that regime that its conduct towards the Palestinian people is absolutely unacceptable? Will the Taoiseach give the lead in that, given that I believe the overwhelming majority of the Irish people hold that view?

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