Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for a very long time. There have been repeated efforts over the years to get a resolution. It does not help to reduce it to the kind of simplistic terms that Deputy Boyd Barrett has used. Ireland's position on the issue is very strong as is acknowledged internationally. Speaking at the United Nations last year, I made clear Ireland's position in respect of Palestinian statehood. We have been actively seeking a strong position from the European Union on the issue, which was not easy to achieve. There are widely differing views among member states of the European Union in respect of the Middle East peace process. At the recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting we secured what I think is the strongest position that the European Union has adopted to date in respect of the issue of Palestine. That provides us with a basis to build on. The position in clear in respect of settlements and the impact they will have on achieving a peaceful resolution of the issue and of achieving a viable Palestinian state, and I will continue to pursue that. I have asked that it be brought back for consideration at the Foreign Affairs Council in the autumn. I expect there will be an opportunity to have the issue discussed around the UN General Assembly in September. We have a very strong position in regard to Palestine in terms of securing a settlement but that can only achieved if it is not impeded or obstructed by illegal settlements being put in place on the ground.

See this speech in context