Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The direct talks which began in Washington on 2 September continued in two further sessions, in Egypt and Jerusalem, on 14 September and 15 September. The talks involved Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, with very restricted teams on both sides. The United States, usually through Senator Mitchell personally, is present at all sessions as a broker, but not a direct participant. The other members of the Quartet - the United Nations, the European Union and Russia - fully support this effort.

It is the intention of the parties that the progress of the talks should be kept as restricted and confidential as possible, and I respect that as an essential measure if they are to succeed. There has been a serious threat to the continuation of the talks due to the resumption of Israeli settlement construction. It is hoped this can be resolved and that the talks will continue, but this is not yet certain. I dealt with this issue in more detail in reply to the priority question on this subject.

The key issues to be settled are borders - including in respect of Jerusalem and settlements - and security, refugees and water. The initial talks are between Israel and President Abbas as leader of both the Palestinian Authority and the PLO. To reach a comprehensive settlement, Syria and Lebanon would also have to become involved in due course. The question of Gaza, currently under separate Hamas control, would have to be taken into account.

It is intended within one year to reach a framework agreement, with full details being elaborated subsequently. This timetable is ambitious but entirely feasible if there is genuine will on both sides. An outline agreement on borders, which would indicate which settlement blocks might remain part of Israel, would go a long way towards defusing the current serious difficulty over settlement construction. This should compel both parties to make every possible effort, and show all possible restraint, for the comparatively short period required. The prize of lasting peace is of vastly greater significance. I again urge the Israeli Government in particular to renew the moratorium on settlement construction.

See this speech in context