Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

This House has a distinguished record of debate on Middle Eastern issues, owing in large part, I suggest, to an illustrious former Member of more than 25 years, Michael Lanigan, who held a foreign affairs portfolio. His specialist knowledge of the Middle East ensured that developments there during the period were regularly debated.

As we watch the unfolding events in Sharm-el-Sheikh and the momentous and historic decision that has been taken by the two protagonists, Israel and Palestine, to call a ceasefire, although Prime Minister Sharon is reluctant to refer to it as such, it might be timely to consider having a debate some time before the end of this term rather than in the immediate aftermath as we await the unfolding issues. In addition, if we are to accept that the newly-promoted US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, is a mirror image in political terms of her political leader, President George W. Bush, we must believe real progress is being made in the Middle East. President Bush stated at the outset — I understand he was the first president to do so — that he believes there should be a viable independent Palestinian state, and he has put his money where his mouth is in that regard.

In all the criticisms levelled at the American Administration, the one bright hope is that the Secretary of State, Dr. Rice, in her travels throughout Europe and the Middle East, has indicated that the US is prepared to rebuild the alliances that were shaken as a result of the Iraqi war. As Senator Brian Hayes said, there is now a very real role for the European Union, and the Government should be urged to take a more proactive role. I hope the Leader will convey the remarks expressed in the House today. Traditionally, Israel has been hostile towards EU involvement and tended to lean towards the United States. Now that we appear to have happy families again as a result of this visit, perhaps there can be real progress on ensuring that the EU has a proactive role to play in the region.

They say timing is everything in politics but the call by the distinguished Member of the other House, Deputy Gormley, for the Irish football team to boycott the forthcoming football match in Tel Aviv next month was given a robust and, I suggest, accurate response by Brian Kerr yesterday at a press conference —"What a load of rubbish".