Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Healy. I would hazard a guess that there is not been a parliament in Europe that has dedicated more time this week to the issue in the Middle East, though the Chief Whip can correct me. We had a debate on the Middle East for many hours yesterday. We have had the all-party motion and debate regarding the flotilla. We have changed Standing Orders today in a very rare step to suspend normal Leaders' Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation, QPL, to discuss the situation. All of that is appropriate considering the gravity of the situation. The Government will work with the Opposition, of course, to ensure we expeditiously pass any legislation that we bring forward in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories. On the issues regarding sanctions or measures on trade, I do not believe they will require primary domestic legislation if we can get a qualified majority vote at a European level and my priority will be to secure that in the days ahead.

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