Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I second Senator Ryan's proposal to have a debate on the Middle East. As the Cathaoirleach will be aware, this House has a long and noble tradition of debating middle-eastern issues and I cannot help but reflect on the relevance of Winston Churchill's comment that, as the world moved on, the grey steeples of Fermanagh and south Tyrone continued to emerge unscathed. We seem constantly to focus on the unfortunate region in question, in regard to which there have been significant developments over the last six months.

We have seen the horrific killings in Kenya of Israeli citizens, which I condemn unreservedly, and the interesting – I put it no more strongly than that – proposals regarding a Palestinian state. Violence continues in Israel and Palestine and it is important that we debate the issue. I realise that time is of the essence and I ask the Leader to allow Government time for a debate on developments in the Middle East, if not before Christmas, then at the earliest opportunity.