Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to be clear: the purpose of this debate is to discuss what was on the European Council meeting agenda and its follow up. As it happens, this issue was not on the European Council agenda during this summit nor was the issue of fishing, as another example. The idea that Ireland is doing nothing about the Israel-Palestinian situation, as alleged in this Chamber, is completely belied by the fact the Minister for Foreign Affairs is in Israel and Palestine at present representing the country and conveying many concerns raised by the Deputies here.

The Middle East peace process remains a key priority for Ireland, particularly in our term on the UN Security Council. I reject what was said by Deputy Andrews about our participation on the Security Council. Ireland engages actively in the monthly Security Council meetings on the Middle East. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, addressed the council on this issue in January and May this year. We must also accept that while we are a member of the UN Security Council and the European Council, the latter operates through unanimity while the five great powers have a veto on the Security Council. That is the way it works and it is not simply the case that Ireland goes in, says "we do this" and everyone must agree. There are delicate politics at play in this. It is a political reality that not every member of the Security Council or even European Council agrees with what is said by Opposition Members in this House. We must go in there as honest brokers to put forward the views of this country, which in regard to Israel and Palestine is the recognition of a two-state solution.

Members have raised the issue of the NGOs that have been designated as terrorist entities. The Minister made a strong statement on 27 October, as has been acknowledged by Deputy Connolly, joining with other countries in highlighting our concern and underlining our support for Palestinian civil society. The EU has been in touch with Israeli authorities seeking further clarification on the matter. The Minister has travelled to Israel and Palestine, which is his fifth visit. The Taoiseach may have been one of the first Ministers for Foreign Affairs to visit Palestine when he was in that position. Brian Lenihan senior was the first foreign affairs minister anywhere to put forward a two-state solution. We have a strong track record on this issue. The Minister will also visit communities in the West Bank today and tomorrow, including those we often hear about and which we welcome hearing about in this Chamber, to hear directly from them about the challenges they face and to see what Irish aid is doing. We consistently and strongly oppose settlements which are illegal under international law. We are also concerned about the violence perpetrated by some settlers and the attacks on Palestinians and their properties, and we have raised these concerns with the Security Council.

Can we keep the issue of the Malmö declaration completely separate? The Malmö declaration was added to the European Council simply because it just happened in October. It is focused on four main themes, just to be clear, because there is some confusion in the House about it: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust education, antisemitism on social media platforms, and combating antisemitism and other forms of racism in all spheres of life. I would certainly welcome this House's support for the Malmö declaration, which has attracted international support. It was noted on the European Council conclusions and is very important in light of the increase in antisemitism across the world at present, which is very dangerous.

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