Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

The Minister's discussions with the Israeli ambassador appear to have dealt only with the flotilla. Did he also discuss the issue of passports? Today's news of the partial lifting of the blockade is welcome. It will allow more humanitarian aid, which is badly needed, into Gaza. The Minister was in Gaza previously. Will he return there as one of the foreign Ministers who will supervise this?

The Minister answered a question about the Rachel Corrie. I appreciate that the issue is complicated, but how soon would the Minister expect the ship to be out of the dock?

Did the Minister bring up, in his discussion with the Israeli ambassador, the issue of settlements in the West Bank? I understand the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, and the US President, Mr. Obama, are discussing that today. Given that the freeze on the construction of settlements in the West Bank is due to expire in September, did they discuss the possibility of an extension?

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