Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Adams. I do not believe I would have any influence over the agenda as it is one drawn up by the G8 but if and when an invitation comes, I would be very happy to follow through on that.

The crisis between Israel and Palestine has been raised here on umpteen occasions. I am aware the Deputy has been out there, as has Deputy Martin, and I have been there also. It is a very complex issue. I have seen the scale of housing development on the West Bank and I have been through areas of the Gaza Strip following the second last altercation between Israel and Palestine. It is an issue I will be happy to raise although it will be one for discussion with the American Secretary of State also at the OSCE conference that will be held here.

The issue of poverty raised by Deputy Adams is one we can certainly support. When I had the opportunity to go to the Olympics a special meeting was called by Prime Minister Cameron about hunger, malnutrition and under-nutrition, with particular reference to Africa. He had a number of leaders and those involved with NGOs and agencies at that meeting in support of continuing a high level strategy there to make real inputs into that matter. There will be an opportunity at the G8 summit and if it falls to me to have the opportunity, as the President of the European Council, to raise an issue like that, I would be very happy to do so. Ireland has a very strong record as a small nation in making a disproportionate impact on this not just in Africa, but in other locations around the world. I thank the Deputy for those suggestions.

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