Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I accept that there has been a clear lack of continuity in the various talks which have taken place throughout the years. We have had this discussion before. The situation of such a secretariat or where it would be located would require the agreement of both parties but it would represent an important value-added contribution to the process. Previously, it has been explained to me that the initiative of one Israeli Prime Minister may, in essence, die if that Prime Minister moves on and is replaced by another. The bones of an agreement are well known to all sides. Political will is required. We have been assured of the positions of those involved by many interlocutors during the past 12 months. The US Secretary of State, Ms Clinton, made it clear at the General Assembly, when she met EU foreign ministers, that President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu were both personally committed to a deal. This has been put to us emphatically by several people and I must take this in good faith. Ultimately, that is the only guarantor because it is not possible to get a deal if the political will is not present. People know the parameters of a deal.

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