Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I concur with much of what has been said by Deputy Mac Lochlainn. I commend the Tánaiste and his EU counterparts on the mid-May communiqué, as well as for highlighting the issue of goods emanating from the settlements. Talking to Israeli representatives in this country, one gets the sense of a willingness to negotiate and move forward. What one sees happening on the ground, however, is very much at variance with what we hear.

I am struck by the Tánaiste's unique position as chair of the OSCE. He recently convened a conference on Ireland's role in conflict resolution, which is a point I have been repeatedly highlighting. Notwithstanding the merits of EU involvement and being conscious of the efforts of Mr. Tony Blair in this particular region, does the Tánaiste see any opportunity for Ireland to play a role, given our unique history? Some 30 years ago our problems seemed to be as intractable as the Middle East appears today. For example, could the Tánaiste see us taking some unilateral action? Can he envisage a situation in which he might dispatch a troika from Ireland, perhaps comprising Mr. David Trimble, Mr. Martin McGuinness and Mr. Bertie Ahern, who have practical, hands-on experience of conflict resolution? Could the Tánaiste see a situation like that being initiated?

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