Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or his colleague Ministers of the General and External Affairs Council of the European Union have received or commissioned a report on the consequences for the Palestinian people of the Union's isolation of the Hamas Government; if such a report will be commissioned; and, if commissioned, if its results will be published. [25331/06]

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I emphasise the deep concern of the Government about the increasingly serious situation in Gaza and the West Bank. It is essential that all parties have the courage to act with restraint — in particular at this time, the Government of Israel — and to avoid any further actions which cause additional escalation and endanger lives.

On 16 June the European Council issued a declaration on the Middle East peace process which set out the overall policy and the specific concerns of the European Union. It reminded all parties of their responsibilities to protect civilian lives and set out unambiguously the longer-term obligations on both sides. These include the need for Israel to end all activities in the occupied territories that threaten the viability of a two-state solution and are contrary to international law. The EU has been consistent in its approach to the Palestinian authority. We welcome the conduct of the democratic Palestinian elections in January and since 30 January the EU and the wider international community have set out the steps required of a Hamas Government. It must commit to non-violence, recognise Israel's right to exist and accept the agreements negotiated with Israel by the PLO and the authority. We support the efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas to encourage Hamas to accept the peace process. If there is significant movement in this direction by Hamas, the Government is committed to arguing strongly for an appropriate EU response.

The Government monitors closely the situation in the occupied territories, shares the widespread concern about developments in Gaza and the West Bank and believes that the Palestinian people should not face the prospect of a humanitarian crisis because of the reluctance of its Government to abide by the basic rules of the peace process. We have given a commitment that the level of Ireland's bilateral assistance to the Palestinian people will be maintained in 2006. The EU has been the strongest supporter of the Palestinian people, providing total assistance of €500 million annually. It has stated that it will continue to provide all the necessary assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people. It is unreasonable, however, to argue that we should continue capacity-building assistance to the Hamas Government irrespective of its attitude to the peace process.

The European Council and the Quartet have endorsed the European Commission's work to establish a temporary international mechanism to channel assistance directly to the Palestinian people. The operation of the mechanism will commence in the coming days, based on a funding allocation of €105 million by the Commission. This will bring the total Community aid to the Palestinian people so far this year to €259 million. The mechanism will focus on essential services, starting with the health services. It will also involve a programme of allowances to the many Palestinian families in need. The arrangements will be reviewed after three months.

I hope that other international donors, including the Arab states, will make early and substantial contributions through the new mechanism. As the European Council emphasised, it is also now important that Israel finds a way to resume the transfer of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues, which are essential in averting a crisis in the Palestinian territories. The withholding of these revenues has been the most significant factor in the economic difficulties now facing the Palestinians.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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While the Minister of State's reply goes a little further towards even-handedness, it is unacceptable. There is no reference to the fact that 60 Hamas politicians have been rounded up and arrested near Ramallah by Israel. Israel speaks of 87 people arrested overnight, of whom it says 64 were members of Hamas and 23 were members of other factions. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation says 84 people have been arrested, including seven cabinet officials and 21 members of the Palestinian Parliament. It is extraordinary that the Minister of State, in replying to a question such as mine, did not condemn that. It is not surprising, however, because he refers to the statement of 16 June, which is a pious evasion by the EU. No explicit sanctions have been threatened against Israel for its continuation of illegal settlements in the West Bank. In his reply perhaps the Minister of State will point out such sanctions.

On the other hand, the Palestinians, whose elections he welcomes as free and fair, now find the people it elected are arrested arbitrarily by the Israeli authorities. This has not been condemned. Apparently, it is okay to threaten sanctions on the Palestinian people but to rely on moral suasion against the illegal settlements. There is nothing even-handed about the EU's position. It speaks of laying down conditions for the Hamas but not for the Israeli Government. This afternoon the Minister of State did not even condemn the arrest and detention of members of parliament elected in elections he regards as free and fair. He has not suggested that, for example, in his agreement with the Israeli authorities he will insist on human rights clauses. He has not suggested that he will not deal with Israel until the illegal barrier is removed and he has not asked them to withdraw immediately from the West Bank. What kind of response is that to the flagrant actions that are happening outside every principle of international law? Irish people have a more advanced position and every time they hear the General Council end of statement in Europe they are appalled because they cannot hear the Irish view.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Members must desist from secondary contributions. It is a problem with priority questions. We are trying to keep within the time allocated.

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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We have been consistent, clear, open, strong and vocal in support of the Palestinian people in every forum in which we are represented. However we must be fair, even-handed and responsible, and this is a complex and difficult situation.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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The Minister of State has said nothing today. He has not condemned the arrest of parliamentarians.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State to continue without interruption.

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I did not interrupt anybody and I am about to respond. We are concerned about the escalating situation in Gaza and we appreciate the concern of the Israeli authorities about the recent incident, including the kidnapping of a soldier. He should be released immediately and unconditionally. However, Israel's reaction must be restrained and proportionate. In particular, the long-suffering people of Palestine should not be made to suffer further. All of us are concerned about the arrest of elected members of parliament and we condemn it. Ireland has added its voice to that of the UN Secretary General in calling for maximum restraint, in particular by the Israeli authorities. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv conveyed this message to them and this morning conveyed our serious concerns regarding the need for maximum restraint. Our consul general in Ramallah also this morning asked the Palestinian authority to do everything possible to secure the immediate release of the Israeli soldier. We have been active, consistent, fair and equitable with all sides, taking into account the seriousness of the situation.

President Abbas is doing his best to resolve the situation and deserves our support. Governments in the region are being equally helpful. Diplomacy must be given the time and opportunity to work and Deputies will share my view on this. It is important that we use all our communications networks and opportunities through our excellent diplomatic staff, who do an outstanding job on behalf of Ireland in ensuring human rights, equity and freedom for all citizens on both sides. We must play our role, through the EU, in ensuring there is a mechanism to bring peace, stability, a proper structure and mutual respect for both Governments, support for the citizens of both areas and transfer of resources internationally and through the EU. We must do our utmost to ensure that Israel recognises its key responsibility in transferring the customs and tax duties that are rightfully due to the Palestinian people in order that they have the resources necessary to run the territories in an efficient manner. We have not been found wanting, nor will we be so.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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We are out of kilter and down time on Priority Questions. I will allow Deputy Higgins to make a brief observation.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Will the Minister of State indicate the Government's attitude to the 18-point plan agreed by Fatah and Hamas and whether it agrees, because President Abbas has accepted this, it is a basis for full restoration of aid from the EU to the Hamas Government, in view of the fact that the government is now a national government in terms of the plan agreed on 27 June? A short answer will do.

Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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We accept the plan and want to ensure the agreements reached with President Abbas and Hamas can be implemented. It is important that the Hamas Government fulfils its responsibilities to recognise Israel, condemn violence and accept and support the peace process. If it indicates clearly, through diplomatic channels, that it accepts this situation we have no difficulty in ensuring further support to help it bring peace to this troubled region. This has been a complex and difficult situation for a long time and it is important that we are even-handed in dealing with it and use all diplomatic channels available to ensure the rule of law prevails and respect for human life is absolute.