Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Government is extremely unhappy with regard to the situation that has developed. I and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, have already made clear our condemnation of yesterday's attack by Israeli military personnel upon the humanitarian flotilla sailing towards Gaza. These actions, which resulted in at least nine people being killed and approximately 30 being injured, were completely disproportionate and unacceptable. It is clear that the incident took place in international waters. The legal basis for the action of the Israelis is at the very least open to serious question.

Ireland fully supports the many calls which have been made by the international community for the holding of a full, independent and impartial inquiry, preferably under UN auspices, into the events of yesterday and the circumstances surrounding them. Earlier today, the UN Security Council added its voice to calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards.

The Government's immediate priority is to secure consular access to those Irish citizens unjustly detained by Israel and bring about their unconditional release. The Minister for Foreign Affairs met the Israeli ambassador yesterday evening and impressed these points upon him. This morning, Ireland's ambassador in Tel Aviv, met two of those detained, Shane Dillon and Isam Ben Ali. Mr. Dillon is due to be deported back to Ireland today.

The Government has also formally requested that the Israeli Government allow the Irish-owned ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, currently sailing towards Gaza to be allowed to complete its journey unimpeded and to discharge its humanitarian cargo in Gaza. Yesterday's events can be directly attributed to the ongoing and completely unacceptable blockade of Gaza which has been in place for some three years. It is imperative that Israel now takes immediate action to end this blockade and to open up the border crossings into Gaza to normal commercial and humanitarian traffic. International opinion on Gaza is increasingly coming into line with Ireland's long-standing position that the blockade is immoral and counterproductive and should be ended. The European Union yesterday referred to the blockade as "unacceptable and politically counterproductive", while the UN Security Council has stressed that the current situation in Gaza is simply not sustainable. Israel must listen and respond to the clear concerns of the international community on this issue. To do otherwise will only serve to reinforce the position of the extremists on both sides and jeopardise the hope of achieving urgently needed political progress in the region which the current proximity talks represent.

The position is that our ambassador has made consular contact with two of those detained. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the remainder; we call for the MV Rachel Corrie to be allowed to proceed unimpeded in order to bring its humanitarian cargo to Gaza; and we call on the Israeli Government to respond properly and appropriately to the UN Security Council's statement on this matter.

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