Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

The Government, through the EU, is correct in supporting the efforts of President Abbas who, as the House will know, is about to embark on a referendum to establish statehood.

We should also be aware that Ireland has a very proud role in supporting the Palestinian cause going back as far as the late Brian Lenihan who, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, broke away from the European consensus in calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state when it was not the popular thing to do. At the same time, this Government has always taken a very even-handed approach. Such an approach is even more important in the context of the current crisis because while we are now talking about the last atrocity, horrible and all as it is, it is inevitable that Hamas will strike against innocent civilians in Israel.