Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the upgrading of relations between the EU and Israel in view of the fact that according to the Israeli non-governmental organisation, Peace Now, 1,257 new structures were built in settlements during 2008 at a time when Israel was supposed to be freezing all settlement activity under the Annapolis peace process compared to 800 in 2007, an increase of 57%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5239/09]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions held at the most recent meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council regarding relations between the European Union and Israel in terms of economic and trade dealings. [5202/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 64 together.

I have repeatedly expressed my serious concerns regarding the construction and expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. As I have stated on several occasions, continued settlement construction has a direct and negative impact on the political process. It also prejudges the outcome of final status negotiations and threatens the viability of an agreed two-state solution.

The total settler population is now fast approaching half a million people in 121 settlements in the West Bank, 12 settlements in the hinterland of East Jerusalem and 100 or more other outposts and unrecognised smaller settlements. According to an estimate by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, the Jewish settler population in the West Bank continues to grow three times faster than the population in Israel and has risen by 42% since 2001. The reports of new structures being built in the settlements tally with this population growth.

The construction of settlements anywhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. I have seen at first hand the damage wrought by these settlements and the associated regime of settler only bypass roads and the separation barrier on Palestinian society and economy. The EU has repeatedly called on Israel to honour the commitments it made at the Annapolis conference and, in accordance with the roadmap, to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth and to dismantle outposts built since 2001.

I am deeply concerned at recent reports that the Israeli authorities have approved the construction of what is essentially a new settlement in the West Bank. I have conveyed my serious concern about settlement expansion directly to the Israeli Government at every opportunity, most recently in a meeting with Israeli Minister for Education, Yuli Tamir, on 20 January.

As Deputies will be aware, Ireland has taken a cautious approach to the upgrading of EU relations with Israel, which was agreed in principle in December. I made it clear to my EU colleagues at the recent General Affairs and External Relations Council that what happened in Gaza means that there cannot be a business as usual approach to proceeding with the upgrade at this time. I have consistently argued that account must be taken of overall developments in the peace process, including the approach taken by the new Israeli Government to be formed following Tuesday's elections, in determining how to proceed. Such developments should in my view include Israeli Government policy on settlement activity and expansion.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister's statement regarding the illegal occupation and annexation of land in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and his endorsement of the calls for a reversal of settlement construction. Will he demand that the EU not only park the proposed upgrading of EU relations with Israel but oppose any discussion on an upgrade in the present climate? Rather than take the cautious approach, I ask him to demand at EU level the suspension of the Euromed agreement at this juncture given what has occurred in the past two months.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Our position has consistently been to link any upgrade of relations with Israel with progress on the political front towards a resolution of the regional conflict. More recently, we have sought a dual-track approach which includes an upgrading in relations with the Palestinian Authority. We have consistently made that argument.

In the aftermath of the Gaza offensive, I have written to the Presidency to state that from Ireland's perspective relations cannot be a case of business as usual. Our view is that the situation is not being progressed at present, although proposals may be returned to the table at some stage. An upgrade in relations must be linked with the issues raised by Deputy Ó Snodaigh and settlements in particular.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Does the Minister accept that the State of Israel is out of control following the recent slaughter in Gaza? Will he take action to deal with this rogue state? I ask him to argue more strongly for the Palestinian people at EU and UN level. Does he accept that Israel was in breach of Article 59 of the Geneva Convention, which maintains that occupying powers shall agree to relief schemes on behalf of the occupied population and shall facilitate them by all means at their disposal? Israel has not only failed to adequately supply the population of Gaza but also deliberately blocked and otherwise impeded emergency relief and humanitarian assistance. Israeli attacks have struck aid convoys and killed UN personnel, while its forces have obstructed medical personnel trying to carry out their duties.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We have actively promoted the Palestinian cause at EU and UN levels and will continue to do so. Ultimately, a two-state solution will be required and all parties will have to live in harmony.

I am pleased to report that UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, this week informed the UN Security Council that he intends to appoint a panel of investigators to examine certain incidents which occurred in Gaza during the recent conflict and to report to the Security Council. Although the terms of reference of the panel are not yet available, it appears the investigators will focus on three separate attacks on UN facilities, namely, the shelling of areas adjacent to two UN schools on 6 January and of UNRWA headquarters on 15 January and, in this context, the killing and injuring of civilians. That represents progress in terms of an international investigation into allegations of breaches of the Geneva Convention and humanitarian law. I would equally point out that Hamas was in breach of the Geneva Convention by indiscriminately firing rockets into a civilian population.

I agree the blockade should be lifted. The ongoing Egyptian brokered talks are the key to progress at this point in time and we are supportive of the efforts of the Egyptian Government and others.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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I welcome the strength of the interventions the Minister has been making on this issue, particularly in light of the messages Members have received from those who are not interested in anything other than laying down preconditions of such a nature as to make peace impossible.

However, his views are exceptional in the European Union at present and, indeed, certain countries are opposed to them. I have been visiting the West Bank and Gaza since the 1980s. The people on the other side who are most insistent on preconditions will not point to the demolition of a single settlement. In 2005, there was a withdrawal from Gaza and a few minor settlements in a remote part of the West Bank. They look on and do not condemn the expansion of settlements and they cannot point to the destruction of houses. They did not oppose the destruction of houses in East Jerusalem or the West Bank. It is total hypocrisy to say one is in favour of a negotiated, peaceful solution while at the same time refusing to address the issue of settlement expansion.

The existing Euromed agreement contains three human rights clauses but there is no compliance with them. Why is everyone so quiet about that? It would be outrageous to deepen the agreement.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have detected a shift in European thinking in the aftermath of Gaza, although certain countries clearly have different perspectives from ours. Strong presentations were made by the Egyptian, Turkish and Norwegian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Palestinian Authority at our session on the Sunday night prior to our meeting. They outlined what may emerge from the Egyptian brokered talks. In terms of a mechanism to deliver humanitarian and reconstruction aid, they advised Europe against closing a door by imposing preconditions.

Flexibility is needed in facilitating the emergence of a proper peace process. We have some experience in that regard in that events were sequenced or choreographed and people were not put in impossible positions. In other words, we were more interested in outcomes than initial inputs. I sense an awakening to that among some EU Foreign Ministers. The President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, and others have pointed out to us that whatever emerges in the context of Palestinian unity, we should not close the door in a knee-jerk manner. That is something for which I am pushing strongly.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I have two brief questions for the Minister. Given the onslaught, will he call publicly for an arms embargo on Israel and enter into discussions with his colleague, the Minister for Defence, in regard to a cessation by Ireland of the purchase of Israeli military products and services? Also, will he consider requesting the UN to broaden its proposed investigation beyond a tax on UN buildings?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Our Defence Forces procure equipment on the basis of the most effective equipment available to meet the specification competitively tendered. The Defence Forces have in recent years purchased defensive equipment such as helmets from Israeli companies on the basis of effectiveness and best value. That is the scale of our engagement in that regard.

Our view is that trade boycotts are not the way forward. Ultimately, there must be dialogue. Much depends on what happens post-election in Israel. Our view is that all parties to this historic conflict need to engage in finding a resolution that will lead to durable peace. We welcome the prioritisation given to this issue by President Obama. Prior to the US presidential election, the main concern of European foreign ministers was would the next American Administration make this issue its number one priority from day one. The statement by President Obama that he will aggressively pursue the issue and the appointment of George Mitchell are important signals. Let us not, however, understate the challenges that lie ahead in terms of working towards a solution. As regards Ban Ki-moon, I welcome what has happened. I will not overstate the degree to which we can leverage any more in that respect.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister's statement that he does not support the concept of boycotts. It is important from a Government discipline point of view that he take that issue up with Members of his party, one of whom was listed as a speaker at a rally, the purpose of which was to organise a boycott.

The Minister stated we cannot set preconditions but good faith requires good acts. The construction of settlements during the process is unhelpful.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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It is illegal.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Yes. Fine Gael policy on this is that any settlement constructed in the disputed territories since March 2001 should be demolished. Does the Minister agree with that proposal?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes. I am intrigued by Deputy Timmins's exhortations on me to impose discipline on Members of my parliamentary party. We are a broad church and a democratic party. Ireland is not like other countries which suppress the right of people to free speech. The fact that Members of my party are engaged in international issues of this type is positive. We may from time to time differ in emphasis but I am not into suppressing genuine humanitarian engagement and do not believe Deputy Timmins should be encouraging me to do so.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is at variance with his leader on that issue.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the other hand, I do not wish to encourage them too much.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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The Minister is covering all options.