John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Question 5: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the pressure he thinks that he could apply on the United States and Israel to shift their political opposition to the recognition of an independent Palestinian State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33939/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland has supported the achievement of an independent Palestinian state for 30 years. I have made clear my strong view that I would wish to see this achieved very soon, and that the indefinite continuation of the occupation is quite unacceptable. It is incumbent on all parties, including Israel, to seek actively to bring the occupation to an end through the negotiation of a two-state agreement based on the borders of 1967. The United States has consistently expressed support for a Palestinian state. Israeli Governments also claim to support the concept although Israel's aggressive policy of territorial annexation and settlement of occupied Palestinian territory would appear to undermine the prospect of such an outcome.

Both the US and Israel have made clear their strong opposition to the current Palestinian effort to achieve immediate recognition at the United Nations for the state of Palestine. They argue that this can only come about as a result of a negotiated settlement, and that what they regard as unilateral action at the UN is a threat to this. I do not consider there is any prospect for now of convincing them otherwise. Indeed, they are exerting strong pressure on others to come around to their point of view.

Given Ireland's close friendship with the United States, I regret our difference of opinion on this point. The fact is, however, that our contrasting positions reflect deeply held views among our respective peoples.

The Government does not accept that the Palestinian initiative is a legitimate threat to negotiations. We consider it a parallel process born out of deep Palestinian frustration with the lack of progress in almost 20 years of on-off negotiations since they accepted the existence of Israel. I have made clear therefore that, subject to our scrutiny of the exact terms, Ireland would support a resolution at the UN General Assembly to admit Palestine as either a full member or a non-member observer state.

Ireland voted in favour of the admission of Palestine to UNESCO on 31 October.

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I acknowledge and accept the Tánaiste's support for the Palestinian cause and the concern he has expressed over the long number of years I have known him. I know he will agree with me that the right of the Palestinian people to a sovereign state has awaited implementation not for 20 or 30 years but for 64 years. I am glad to hear the Tánaiste acknowledge, and I believe he did acknowledge, that Israel has no valid claim whatsoever to any of the land it has occupied since 1967.

In the coming weeks parliamentarians throughout Europe will urge their respective Ministers with responsibility for foreign affairs to do more to pressure the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel to accept the state of Palestine. Will the Tánaiste make personal contact with them as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of this State? Palestinians have lived in the most inhumane conditions during the past 60 years. Perhaps the time has come - perhaps the Tánaiste has already done so - for personal intervention. I will not criticise the Tánaiste because I acknowledge his support for the Palestinian cause through the years.

I am sure the Tánaiste is aware that of the seven Irish detainees who were to return home today two were removed from the plane and forced back to Israel. I regret having to raise this matter. I merely wanted to ask a question about Palestine but perhaps the Tánaiste will give me an answer on this also.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Halligan for his comments. The Taoiseach and I have already discussed the Palestinian issue and the Middle East peace process with President Obama. We discussed it with him when he was here in May. In EU-US bilateral discussions I have also discussed the issue with the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. In addition, I have also spoken directly with the Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers about the issue.

A quartet statement was agreed during the United Nations General Assembly which sets down a timetable for negotiations. It is important that we support this timetable which sets certain deadlines. We are working through the EU Foreign Affairs Council and the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, will attend the Foreign Affairs Council's meeting on Monday where I expect the issue will be discussed. Again, we will support the efforts being made by the High Representative, Ms Catherine Ashton, in this regard.

In respect of the people of the MV Saoirse, I am deeply disappointed. Seven were to be flown home this morning and I am disappointed this did not happen. We worked to make alternative flight arrangements for them this afternoon but only five of them managed to board the plane. I understand the other two will return home tomorrow.

This morning, I may have indicated to Deputy Boyd Barrett that a certain question was not tabled but it was and I acknowledge this. I do not want to have misled the House on it.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Will you group it with the other questions on Palestine so we can discuss it?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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See how fair I am.

I am deeply disappointed about what happened this afternoon and we have made very strong protests to the Israeli authorities.

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Would the Tánaiste mind telling us whether the Israelis have given him a reason for stopping two Irish citizens from boarding the plane?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I understand that the issue this morning had to do with the airlines. Because they were presented as deportees the airlines were not willing to take more than two at a time. We felt we had that issue resolved by this afternoon and that all seven would be on board a flight. I understand that what happened this afternoon was that two of the seven were detained because of security clearance issues on the Israeli side. Frankly, I do not see how there can be a problem with security clearance for people already in custody who were being deported. As I stated, we have communicated to the Israeli ambassador here and the Israeli foreign ministry our deep dissatisfaction at what happened this afternoon.