Dáil debates
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Priority Questions
Foreign Conflicts
4:00 am
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up to date efforts to restart peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian authority and if the EU have any plans to assist with same [3033/11]
Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As Deputies are aware, the direct Israeli-Palestinian talks were suspended shortly after they began in September, following Israel's refusal to extend its partial freeze on settlement construction. The United States, as the convenor of the talks, engaged in a period of intensive engagement with the parties, particularly Israel, to try to bring about a resumption of that freeze, and thus of the talks. The US view was that a period of intensive and committed engagement to negotiations on the final status issues, especially the issue of borders, could take the heat out of the settlement issue and allow for further progress. Regrettably, that did not happen. The realistic view was taken by the US in December that this approach was not going to succeed, because the demands of Prime Minister Netanyahu in return for a renewal of the freeze were too high and because there was a general lack of confidence that the time provided by a short extension to the freeze would be enough to make real progress.
Secretary of State Clinton has made clear that the US Administration remains firmly committed to the talks process, which is expected for the moment to continue by reverting to the proximity talks model. The US is also engaged in internal reflection and consultation with other parties, including the EU, on what might be the next steps to move the process forward. The Quartet is also expected to meet shortly, with the same objective.
The priority objective of the EU is to support the efforts to restart the talks. A final agreement can only come about through the two sides working through the key issues, with whatever assistance the international community can give. High Representative Ashton visited the region on 5-6 January this year to learn the views of both sides and encourage them to move forward. The EU will continue to discuss these issues with the US, with other Quartet members, and with other parties in the region.
Ireland will remain actively engaged, bilaterally in the region and within the EU, to support this process. We will also continue to work to highlight and improve the practical justice and humanitarian issues on the ground resulting from the continued occupation.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. All of us are interested in getting the discussions recommenced. I noted recently that President Mubarak of Egypt has been involved in discussions and as the Minister of State mentioned, Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief as she is called, also had a two-day meeting on the situation. I was heartened by a comment I think is worth pursuing. When speaking about the blockade, Catherine Ashton made the point that the crossings must be kept open to allow the flow of humanitarian aid, imports, exports and people continue. We need to enable children to go to school and ordinary people to reconstruct their homes and get on with their lives. We would all welcome that. The reply that came from the Israeli Foreign Minister to Catherine Ashton's point on the closure of the crossings was interesting. He said that the closure was imposed in an effort to stop the smuggling of arms into the Gaza Strip. He went on to say that if one wanted to bring about a lifting of the closure around Gaza, one should take responsibility and establish a strong, real and effective force to prevent smuggling.
This is a similar situation to one in which Ireland played a major part, namely, the reconstruction of the Lebanon. We had troops in the Lebanon and we know that region well. In fact, Irish troops are returning there now. I was Minister for Defence for some of the years the Irish troops were there and am aware they had a huge reputation in the region as peacekeepers. I am convinced that if the EU takes a more positive and active role, not one supporting the US -----
Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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They should have supported John Ging, whom we all congratulate.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Indeed, yes. If a positive step was taken and the European Union offered peacekeeping troops to go in and do what the Israeli Foreign Minister suggested, that would be a positive step forward. I urge the Minister of State to instigate discussions through the European Union to see if it is possible to establish an EU peacekeeping force that will examine the position. It should examine the issue of the blockade and the so-called Scuds coming into Israel. We could make significant progress if we took the lead on that. I urge the Minister of State to take the lead in this regard.
Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I would not disagree with the Deputy. Given the impasse that has existed for some time, we need to look at alternative approaches. Given the assurances the Israeli people need on the issue of arms going in and the clear necessity for the Palestinian people to have a decent standard of living, we must look for an alternative approach, but the talks have dragged on. As I mentioned to the Deputy once or twice at an Oireachtas committee meeting, there are ideas which are well worth exploring. I have always taken the view, for example, that there could be internationally certified customs clearance of material coming from a Cypriot or other port to Gaza and that this clearance would satisfy the legitimate concerns about security and at the same time secure the flow of funds. I have mentioned this to colleagues, in particular Cypriot colleagues, at EU meetings. It is worthwhile exploring alternatives. It is beyond question that leaving an entire population in this situation will not serve peace, let alone humanity.
Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to hear the Minister agree with my point of view and I urge him to bring forward formally the proposal that we should discuss the possibility of an EU peacekeeping force there. I would hope that Ireland would offer to participate in that. We have a huge amount to offer, given our experience in Northern Ireland, our proud record in peacekeeping and people like John Ging who is a former Army officer. It is important to remember the respect in which the Irish Defence Forces are held in terms of peacekeeping, which is second to none. Our peacekeeping forces are trusted. We have a huge contribution to make. We may be a small country, but when it comes to operations related to peacekeeping, we are first class. The greatest compliment I can pay the Irish Defence Forces relates to when I was Minister and had a visit from the then US military attaché. He came to see me to see if it would be in order for him to apply to his superiors in the US for permission for senior officers of the US defence forces to come and learn about peacekeeping in our peacekeeping college in Kildare. That recognised Ireland as a country that could teach people about peacekeeping. It is worthwhile pursuing this issue and I would like the Minister of State's assurance that will be done.
Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's points are well made. I am not sure it is a peacekeeping force that is required or whether it is a mixed police and customs force. The idea is worth exploring.