Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Deputy can take it that the Tánaiste has a particular interest in seeing that the Middle East situation, in so far as Israel and Palestine is concerned, becomes more the focus of concentration of the European Union. When I was on the other side of the House I brought several of my Deputies out to Israel and Gaza and I found the trip a revelation in many respects. I had a long conversation and a fruitful meeting with John Ging, who, as the Deputy is aware, was working in Gaza. This is a political issue that deserves concentration in so far as we, as a State and a member of the European Union, are concerned. The Deputy can take it that the Tánaiste will see to it, in so far as he can, that this receives a high level of priority. I cannot say that I have any fixed intention of visiting there in the near future although, personally, I am keen to go back and review some of the issues we discussed before. However, I assume the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has this high on his agenda as well.

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