Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline any new initiatives that will be taken by the European Union on the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37186/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of a peacefully coexistent Israel and Palestine in light of long-standing violence in the Middle East would prove a substantial pillar of stability in ongoing efforts to stabilise that region. In recent weeks High Representative Mogherini has taken part in meetings with the quartet and bilateral discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, and President Abbas. Have any new initiatives arisen from these interactions to bolster the Middle East peace process at European Union level in light of fresh violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict. We all know that stalemate in the peace process leads to increasing violence, despair and needless loss of life.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I have long warned of the danger of a peace process which is effectively in suspension and not visible on the ground. As I have previously reported to the House, I have consistently argued in the Foreign Affairs Council that the EU needs to retain a focus on the conflict in Israel and Palestine, and to do more.

I am encouraged that High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has shared my concern, even in the face of many competing international crises.

In recent months the Foreign Affairs Council has begun to consider what more the European Union can do and I expect that discussion to continue at the Council in November.

In her remarks to the European Parliament last week High Representative Mogherini listed twin priorities of action on the ground to reduce tensions and rebuild confidence and to build the conditions for renewed negotiations for the resumption of the peace process. During her visit to the region in the previous week she stressed that message to both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

We all know that we are at a most difficult point for the start of such an endeavour. Mistrust and misunderstanding between the two sides are perhaps higher now than they have been for many years. It is hoped the recent tragic events have opened the eyes of all responsible leaders to the price of the current inaction. If a political path is not laid out to bring an element of assurance and the current unacceptable occupation to an end, we will continue to see a further deterioration in relations in what is a tragic situation. I will have an opportunity to resume debate at European Union level at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council which I understand is due to be held the week after next.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I exhort the Minister to ensure this issue will be on the agenda for every single Foreign Affairs Council meeting. He is aware that violent clashes erupted in September between Israeli security officials and Palestinians at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem. Unfortunately, we have since witnessed once again a new wave of violence and a number of fatalities on both sides of the conflict. The violence continues to put at further risk the viability of a two-state solution. The Minister is also aware that one of his predecessors as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Brian Lenihan Snr., launched that policy and that this was the first European Union country to outline the policy and commit itself to it. Will he inform the House of the efforts being made to de-escalate the violence and come to an agreement, in particular on the disputed holy sites which have become an issue in recent times, with the many other issues of conflict and the necessity to protect innocent people from further violence to themselves and their communities?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It is important that every effort be made on the part of politicians both in the region and on the international stage to ensure there is a meaningful process, without which people on both extremes resort to violence. It is important, in the first instance, that a measure of respect be shown to the status quoon the matter of holy places and sites. Full respect must be restored and maintained.

It is the continued view of the Government that a negotiated two-state solution is the objective and the most important goal of this country and the European Union. It is important that we ask the question of what is the alternative. There does not appear to be any convincing response other than the continued objective of a two-state solution. That will involve vision and leadership which must primarily come from within the Israeli and Palestinian groups. The international community has a role to play. It is important that it continue to persevere and that we do not under any circumstances abandon hope as we have a strong and positive role to play in bringing the parties together around the table. From our perspective on the island of Ireland, we may have a continued positive and active role to play in that regard.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As a nation, we know better than many the despair and waste of pointless brutality and sectarian violence.

As the beneficiary of international support for its own peace process, Ireland has a moral duty to find its voice and to use it to oppose the continuing violence in Israel and Palestine. I reiterate that together with colleagues in government, the Minister must take every opportunity in every forum available, be it at the United Nations, the European Union or other international fora, to continue to highlight the injustice being perpetrated on innocent people in that region, as well as the need to move that peace process forward in a meaningful way. While all Members are committed to the two-state solution, the continuous annexation of lands by the Israelis makes that particular solution even more problematic. To conclude, has the Minister engaged recently with either the Palestinian or Israeli representatives in Ireland regarding the present tensions in that region and in particular, its escalation since September? Is the Minister aware of new initiatives being taken by the international community to try to progress some of the measures contained in previous agreements that would have brought some progress to different aspects of the conflict? Are efforts being made by the international community to advance or to bring into being the aforementioned agreements that were signed some time ago?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister, to conclude. We are a bit over time.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It is important the international community continues to exhort, influence and advocate, in so far as it can, continued encouragement for the two-state solution. I believe it is important in the first instance that measures be taken to de-escalate the violent activity in Jerusalem and the region. The expansion of the settlements continues to narrow the window of possibility of bringing together both sides in an atmosphere of constructive engagement. I have raised these issues consistently in the context of my discussions with Israeli representatives and interlocutors. I keep in contact with both representatives of the Palestinian mission in Dublin and of the Israeli embassy. It is important the international community continues to show engagement and I expect fresh initiatives in the coming months. I expect the matter will be high on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, after which I will be happy to report to the Deputy and to the House.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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However, the cost of abandoning the two-state solution will not be borne by the international community alone but by all Israelis and all Palestinians and it, of course, remains the best hope for the future of politics in the region.