Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

We have to seek a resolution of the conflict and the difficulties involved. Some progress has been made through the Quartet's statement. I have made the Government's position clear on the issues of Palestinian statehood and membership of the United Nations. We have to work constructively in order to find a solution. That is the approach I intend to take. I do not intend to mince my words about actions taken concerning settlements or the blockade of Gaza. Nor do I intend to mince my words about rockets being launched from Palestine into Israel, which is not on either. We must use our good authority in international organisations, as well as our experience of conflict resolution, to see what we can do to help.

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