Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I stated, the French authorities have an investigation under way.

Deputy Crowe mentioned Ariel Sharon, who was the Israeli Prime Minister at the time of President Arafat's death. Mr. Sharon has been in a coma since January 2006. The focus of the international community must be on supporting the talks process after many years' lack of activity between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to achieve a peace settlement. I very much welcome the fact that talks began at the end of July and have proceeded continuously, with one or two sessions most weeks to date in Jericho and Jerusalem. On the positive side, the talks are continuing and both sides remain engaged and are maintaining confidentiality. The United States has a commitment to those talks. I commend the initiative of the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in getting the talks under way. There are challenges facing the talks, including announcements of settlements, but we must concentrate on supporting the talks process and work for a peace settlement.

See this speech in context