Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I have no difficulty with much of what the Deputy has said in terms of the events that have happened which, when taken together, undermine the prospects of a peaceful settlement. I share Deputy Higgins's objections to the proposed oath of loyalty which is provocative and counter-productive to the peace process itself. It is wrong. What is clear is that there are forces within Israeli society which do not perhaps want the talks to succeed, just as on the Palestinian side there is Hamas and others externally who likewise do not wish to see a successful outcome.

I made the point when I met in New York with Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, and members of the Arab League that we must create space to give the talks a chance. The Quartet, the United States and Mr. Tony Blair, as the Quartet's envoy in the Middle East, have been at pains to point out to us that the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, is essentially the only person in government at this point in time who can deliver a deal from the Israeli side. Moreover, it has been communicated to us by all involved that he sincerely wants an agreement, just as it has been communicated to us that the Palestinian President, Mr. Abbas, seeks an agreement. Efforts are continuing in that regard and I am pleased the Arab League has given at least a month to see if something can be worked out informally in order to allow the talks to continue.

I take on board Deputy Higgins's final point in terms of the capacity behind the talks and the need for continuity. What has tended to happen in regard to the Annapolis process is that when an Israeli Prime Minister retires or whatever, the entire process stalls.

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