John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

I acknowledge and accept the Tánaiste's support for the Palestinian cause and the concern he has expressed over the long number of years I have known him. I know he will agree with me that the right of the Palestinian people to a sovereign state has awaited implementation not for 20 or 30 years but for 64 years. I am glad to hear the Tánaiste acknowledge, and I believe he did acknowledge, that Israel has no valid claim whatsoever to any of the land it has occupied since 1967.

In the coming weeks parliamentarians throughout Europe will urge their respective Ministers with responsibility for foreign affairs to do more to pressure the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel to accept the state of Palestine. Will the Tánaiste make personal contact with them as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of this State? Palestinians have lived in the most inhumane conditions during the past 60 years. Perhaps the time has come - perhaps the Tánaiste has already done so - for personal intervention. I will not criticise the Tánaiste because I acknowledge his support for the Palestinian cause through the years.

I am sure the Tánaiste is aware that of the seven Irish detainees who were to return home today two were removed from the plane and forced back to Israel. I regret having to raise this matter. I merely wanted to ask a question about Palestine but perhaps the Tánaiste will give me an answer on this also.

See this speech in context