Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

They spoke about their experience in the Northern Ireland conflict and stated how people would go nowhere without trust and dialogue. They stressed how important it is to keep the dialogue going at a time when one thinks it is going nowhere and one has nothing else to lose.

Previous speakers mentioned the wall and the violation of the rights of those who live in the West Bank. It is clear that the wall is no substitute for the process of dialogue. Only dialogue will lead to peace and perhaps a final settlement, for which we all hope. Equally, it is wrong that those in the West Bank should be subjected to the encirclement of their homes, villages and places of work. It is important that, at a time when we are aware of the Israeli-controlled area of the West Bank and Gaza, we bear in mind that in ten or 12 years time, a minority will be ruling a majority. This, by its very nature, will be utterly disastrous if no proper plan is in place.

I am glad the Government will continue to keep an eye on this issue and that the Minister of State is planning a visit to the area in the very near future. The only way forward has to be through dialogue. The only plan on the table and the only show in town is the road map.

Everybody should recognise the historic rights on both sides. The Minister of State should ask the European Union to foster and encourage people going forward in order that they will realise their best interest lies in making peace. Only through a process of dialogue may we hope that people can, in the words of Colin Powell, "replace old hatreds with new hopes" and build a future with a real peace dividend for all succeeding generations of Israelis and Palestinians.