Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Yes. We should not allow what is happening in Palestine and Israel to slip off the agenda, which can happen so easily. This House has a long tradition of debating Middle East matters. In the recent past, despite the very best efforts on both sides in terms of advancing the peace plan, there is still building going on in existing settlements, which is thwarting the best efforts of the new Palestinian Prime Minister to keep the radical elements within Israel on side to prevent them from engaging in violent acts against Israel. I hope the Leader will agree to my request to set aside time, as she does on a regular basis, to debate the situation in the Middle East. It is important to keep the Middle East on the agenda of this House. There is a long tradition of doing so and I hope this Easter, which is a time of hope for all Christians, will be a new beginning in that troubled land.