Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government will continue to accord a high priority to the Middle East situation, particularly the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the necessity for genuine movement towards a two-state solution. We welcome the fact that Israel has removed its threat to annex further settlements in Palestine. It is suspending the plans originally announced. We are still concerned by subsequent comments from Prime Minister Netanyahu that any suspension is temporary. Ireland's position is that any such plans should be permanently withdrawn.

I agree with Deputy MacDonald regarding the effect that attacks, by their nature, have on such a narrow strip as Gaza. I have been to Gaza and seen at first hand how explosions and bombings can be devastating for the civilian population. There is no way to avoid injuring and killing innocent civilians in such attacks. That is the case and the lack of proper utilities in Gaza reduces significantly the quality of life of the citizens, both in terms of energy and clean water.

Ireland, along with the European Union, remains a steadfast supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, which provides significant relief to the people of Gaza and to the people of Palestine more generally.

On the international developments, the US engagement with Israel has not been helpful in bringing a resolution to this or in moving this into a space where it could gain momentum and get a genuine engagement from all sides towards a two-state solution. That is a concern of ours.

On Deputy Boyd Barrett's points, we take a non-partisan approach to elections in other countries, particularly in other democracies. I recently spoke on the phone with Mick Mulvaney, President Trump's special envoy for Northern Ireland and I spoke to Representative Richard Neal of the Congressional Friends of Ireland. Both of them were still concerned about the situation here with Brexit and so on. We speak to both sides of the aisle on a continuing basis and we do not interfere in the electoral contest itself. I met former Vice President Biden some years ago at a breakfast event. He is proud of his Irish heritage and has a great love for this country. We will continue to work consistently with both sides of the aisle in the United States' political system and that will not change.

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