Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will establish an Irish forum on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42164/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Israeli and Palestinian conflict, and the Middle East peace process, are issues of enduring concern to the Irish public, and have been a foreign policy priority for successive Irish Governments for many years. Ireland is an active and vocal participant in discussions on the Middle East at EU and UN level, as well as directly with the main players in the region. I have made two extensive visits to the region as Minister for Foreign Affairs and I hope to return again.

There has been a renewed effort this year, led by President Obama, to bring the Israeli and Palestinian sides together to begin a final negotiating effort to reach an overall settlement. Both in Ireland and the EU, we have been concerned to give every possible support and encouragement, and, indeed, space, to this process, which is being actively pursued by Secretary of State Clinton and Special Envoy Senator George Mitchell, in both of whom we here in Ireland have every confidence.

The issues, the difficulties and how Ireland and the EU can try to play a positive role are frequent subjects for discussion here in the Oireachtas as a glance at the questions listed on today's Order Paper shows. Issues relating to the Middle East are examined regularly by the joint committees on foreign affairs and on European affairs. As the Middle East appears on the agenda of the great majority of external relations Councils, I also have the opportunity to discuss these issues almost every month with the Joint Committee on European Affairs, when we meet prior to each Council. We also examine it in the context of Irish Aid's long-standing and substantial commitment to assist the Palestinian people and my Department engages extensively with non-governmental organisations and members of the public concerned about the conflict. There is, perhaps, no other foreign policy issue, with the exception of the Lisbon treaty, on which I have engaged in more public discussion.

Given the amount of time the Oireachtas already devotes to the Israeli-Palestinian issue, I assume the Deputy's question refers to a public forum. I would be happy to consider any detailed proposal for an Irish forum which the Deputy might wish to put forward.

While public fora of this nature can help spread awareness of complex issues, it is important to point out that they themselves can become a focus of conflict, particularly if they come to be dominated by interest groups with extreme views. They also require scarce resources of time, energy, personnel and finance if they are to work.

In the case of the Middle East, both domestically and internationally, what is needed is not new architecture but to concentrate our efforts with a firm focus on pressing ahead within the structures we already have.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. My motivation for tabling this question is the fact that this is probably the most emotive foreign affairs issue and takes up the most time. In my time in this House, it appears that both sides of the argument are becoming more divisive.

I note the Chairman of the Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Michael Woods, is seated behind the Minister. It has come to the stage where, with the best will in the world, the committee almost becomes dysfunctional because the two extremes of the debate in Ireland are almost being reflected in it at this stage. It has happened unbeknownst to members.

How can we expect people in the Middle East to resolve their conflict if we here in Ireland are so divisive along with the various interest groups? I will send the Minister correspondence on a forum. I would hope he would look upon the proposal favourably. Where I am coming from is to try to bring in the various interest groups. In this House we have a friends of Palestinian group and a friends of Israel group. That is not a good idea. We should have a friends of Israel and Palestine group. We are only adding to the divisions.

I will drop the Minister a note on the matter. I thank him for his reply. I realise it would involve a cost but if the economic circumstances allow, I suggest that there be a bringing together of these groups to let them approach the matter in an open and fair way. Many of those who pronounce on this solemnly believe that is where they come from. I really try to go down the middle on this and when I see both sides, I find the approach being adopted by some a little disheartening.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I would not necessarily accept that we here in the Oireachtas are a contributing factor to the division that naturally occurs on an issue as historic and as ingrained as this.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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The Government has a principled position on this.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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That would be my position. On the other hand, I have no difficulty at all in facilitating engagement between people on the issue and I look forward to the receipt of proposals.

On the point I made earlier, any structure or forum we establish invariably will draw the very same divisions to the fore but only in the context of another theatre. What I would be interested in ascertaining from Deputy Timmins is ways and methodologies by which we can try to have a reasoned teasing out of the issues, be it settlements or whatever. For example, the resignation of President Abbas is bad news for the process. It is a further illustration of the degree to which political opinion, here and internationally, and, indeed, the Israeli authorities, must realise that moderate politicians like President Abbas must be able to show their people that politics works and that politics and the political process can yield results.

I would be interested in teasing out both perspectives. I take Deputy Timmins's point.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Minister on that matter.

Earlier, he mentioned President Obama. In my view, his success or otherwise as President of the United States will be judged by how he does on this matter by the international community. He started with good intentions but he is now coming under pressure internally. He might make no move and could become hamstrung on the issue.

Perhaps the Minister could comment on the fact that, in the final analysis, both sides of the argument will state they want X, Y and Z, a two-state solution, etc., but there is significant variance on both sides about their concept of a two-state solution. While utterances indicate that they want this solution, the motivation or the understanding of what the other person wants is not evident.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I look forward to receiving the presentation of a proposal from Deputy Timmins. I undertake to work with him and others in the House to see if we can put flesh on the bone of his suggestion.