Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

——because to bring a people to their knees is not the way to find a solution. It is evident that vital services in health and education are suffering. Does anybody genuinely believe we should use the health of women and children and make people subject because they are hungry?

We debated this issue before. The point being missed is that the Hamas movement was elected to government. Of course there must be negotiation and debate. However, it is the lawfully elected Palestenian Government. If we do not recognise that and if Palestinian society, which seems to be on the verge of collapse from what I have recently read, does so, who will negotiate and bring about a solution? This problem will continue, not for years but for decades and centuries. I appeal to the Government to continue, even in a more pro-active way, to ensure EU aid is re-instated. Otherwise, in the very near future we will see on our television screens children on the verge of death and absolute, uncontrolled violence. Above all else, we must consider the difficulty and danger that such violence will extend further throughout the world.