Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure that the Arab Spring set a particularly good example in many countries, but I share the Deputy's concerns about the conditions in which many Palestinians live. I have been to Jerusalem, the West Bank, including Ramallah, and Gaza. I was there four months ago and will return in the second week of January when I will be visiting Gaza, Ramallah, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. I will also be visiting Cairo.

We have an interest in this issue and I want Ireland to use its influence, but I do not want Ireland to cut itself off and be seen as a country that simply makes critical statements of Israel and takes protest actions. We would be written off as a broker that could play a part in helping to move a new peace deal forward. I do not disagree with the Deputy's concerns about the conditions in Gaza in particular, but also those in much of East Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank. I had an opportunity to say directly to the Israeli Prime Minister that we, as the European Union but also as Ireland, continued to have concerns about Israel's policy of expanding settlements. I asked him direct questions in that regard.

The only point on which the Deputy and I disagree is how to bring about a political dialogue that can result in a good outcome for Palestinians, but also a good outcome for Israelis in terms of their legitimate security concerns.

That is what I believe the Government politically has an obligation to try to achieve.

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