Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In regard to the Mercosur talks, Ireland led the food safety agenda on the last occasion when these discussions were taking place and we have continued to make the point that for European farmers to compete we must obtain a level playing field. Ireland has been to the fore in these matters. It is not just about putting forward, as has been suggested, some type of protectionist measure; it is about the European model of agriculture providing the best possible guarantee to EU consumers as to the safety and healthiness of our food. We saw last year with the pig scare the impact of sectoral events on consumer trends almost overnight if sufficient and corrective and remedial action is not taken to re-establish confidence in the sector so as to regain commercial outlets and be in a position to continue to sell into markets both domestic and international. We have been very much of the view that health and safety issues are fundamental to ensuring EU consumers can be reassured that in a free trade situation, these types of matters are attended to adequately in the negotiations. We will continue to make these points as we have in the past.

The Deputy's second point is what happens in the event of our not getting an international inquiry. The Security Council called for it yesterday. The Israelis have in the past - I do not believe there was then or is now any basis for this - tried to suggest they will conduct an inquiry and that this will satisfy international opinion as to its objectivity and transparency, which is absurd. That will not suffice. What Israel must consider, as it has had to do in regard to its original ideas in regard to putting people into detention and engaging in a domestic deportation process, is its response to international pressure that this was not a runner because these people had been brought forcibly to Israel. The idea that one needs to be deported from a country to which one has been forcibly brought is absurd. We must maintain pressure on all aspects of the motion as passed here and by the Security Council of the United Nations.

On the basis that this incident took place in international waters, Israel's contention that its action was justified as it constituted an act of self defence must be rigorously and independently tested and examined. I am confident, based on the facts as they are emerging, that this was a totally disproportionate act and was, in my opinion, an illegal act. The defence which Israel seeks to suggest to legitimate what it did does not in my opinion hold water. We must find a means by which this can be established and verified internationally so that international law is seen to be respected.

I note what the Deputy has said in terms of the predictable initial response from the Israeli Government that it will not agree to an international inquiry. We must maintain pressure on it to ensure its standing in the international community is in no way enhanced or maintained by the taking of that position. It needs to consider carefully how, if that is to be the position it is to maintain into the future on this, this will play to its interests. I do not accept that this should be regarded as its final position although I note that is what it has said.

International fora will have to consider its response in terms of what we regard as appropriate if the Israeli Government is not prepared to co-operate in any way with an international inquiry to ascertain the facts of these matters. That is a matter for future discussion. This does not suggest that there is no action that can be taken rather, it suggests we must first press to the fullest possible extent for the various aspects of the motion passed here, which reflects similar motions passed and presidential statements made in the UN Security Council. We must not take Israel's first answer as being its final answer on this matter. Further diplomatic pressure needs to be applied. Arising out of this, what further action is deemed necessary, collectively working with others, is a matter for consideration.

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