Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

A Leas-Chathaoirligh is a Sheanadóirí, is cúis mhór áthais é dom a bheith ar ais arís chun labhairt ar an rún tábhachtach seo faoin saol casta cuimsithe i reigiúin an mheánoirthear. Tréaslaím le gach éinne a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht go dtí seo. Tá mé ag súil le éisteacht leis na daoine eile tar éis tamaill bhig.

I am grateful for the opportunity to address this House, on behalf of the Government, on the dangerous situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Private Members' motion tabled here today raises very important issues. The amendment submitted by the Government addresses these issues in detail, and in their overall political context.

The Government is deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration in the situation in the occupied territories. We are particularly concerned about the impact of the security situation, on the lives and welfare of the Palestinian people and we have made that clear in every international forum. There is a very real risk of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This can be avoided only if political leaders on all sides face up to and meet their responsibilities.

Over the past week, the Government has been active within the European Union and the United Nations in promoting a peaceful outcome to the current crisis. We have also maintained contact with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority, and have conveyed a simple and clear message. It is in the interests of both the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples that all parties now demonstrate the courage to act with maximum restraint. They must continue to pursue every diplomatic opportunity, to resolve the immediate crisis peacefully, without further death and injury.

We have called for the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit. I know that this House will join with me in repeating that call today. We have also called for an end to all violence in the occupied territories, from whatever source. This includes the rocket attacks from Gaza against Israeli population centres.

In urging all parties to avoid actions which will cause further escalation of an already dangerous situation we have addressed a particular appeal to the Israeli Government. Israel has undertaken military operations which it states have the aim of achieving the release of the kidnapped soldier and the ending of rocket attacks from Gaza. To date the military activity of the past week has not resulted in civilian casualties on the alarming scale documented by the United Nations for the immediately preceding period.

However, the Government shares the widespread concern at the serious effect of Israeli military actions on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We are especially concerned at the destruction of essential civilian infrastructure, particularly the ongoing impact on ordinary Palestinian families, of the bombing of the Gaza power plant last week. We know well from our own history that it is not only wrong to respond to the actions of unrepresentative armed groups by imposing suffering, directly or indirectly, on the general population but it is also invariably counter-productive.

The European Union has stated clearly in recent days that it is essential that any military operations are carried out in full accordance with the principles of international law and that all parties must act on their clear responsibility to protect civilian lives. This is a time for patient dialogue, which requires great sensitivity and, at times, total secrecy. There is no military solution to either the current crisis, or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is essential, even in the midst of a crisis, to work to create the conditions for political dialogue. We remain seriously concerned at the arrest last week of large numbers of democratically-elected Palestinian representatives, including members of the Hamas Government. Unless they have charges to face we believe they should be released from custody immediately.

The Government is convinced that the events of recent days, together with the political and security developments since the start of the year, serve to emphasise the basic reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples can be assured only through the negotiation of a viable two-state solution. Ireland has never been found wanting in pursuing this end, at any level or opportunity. The temptation, born of frustration, to pursue progress by unilateral action will not serve the interests of either party. The Government has worked hard with our partners to ensure that in the face of setbacks, the European Union remains actively engaged in the process, with a clear and balanced message for both sides.

A lasting, peaceful and just resolution of the conflict will have to involve agreement on the coexistence of two viable states. The European Union will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders which are not arrived at by agreement between the two parties and Ireland stands with the Union on that. Both parties have clear obligations under the Quartet roadmap, and under international law. The roadmap may effectively be in abeyance at this time but it remains wholly relevant. It sets out the principles and the practical steps to which the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority must commit if there is to be a sustainable settlement.

The European Union has been consistent in its message for the Israeli Government. We have encouraged Prime Minister Olmert in his stated intention to reach an agreement with the Palestinian Authority, represented by President Mahmoud Abbas. The European Union has also consistently and strongly conveyed its serious concerns about Israeli practices in the occupied territories which threaten the viability of a two-state solution and which are contrary to international law. These include the continuing expansion of settlements, the illegal construction of the security barrier, or wall, on occupied Palestinian land, the demolition of homes and activities in and around Jerusalem and in the Jordan Valley. The Government has also made these points directly to the Israeli Government. We will continue to do so in a spirit of constructive dialogue and in the interests of the welfare of the Palestinian and the Israeli peoples.

We fully recognise the right, indeed the duty, of the Israeli Government to protect its citizens against both targeted and random terrorist attacks. However, measures taken to strengthen the security of Israeli citizens must not be at the expense of the basic human rights of Palestinians. We are particularly concerned that there should be an end to all extra-judicial killings, which are contrary to international law. Such acts do nothing to provide long-term security. They simply add to the already poisonous and dangerous atmosphere of bitterness and alienation, which has blighted the lives of too many generations of Palestinians and Israelis over the years.

The credibility of the European Union's role in the peace process and of its relationship with the Israelis and the Palestinians requires us to be honest in our dealings with both parties and we always have been. The European Union must be seen by both to adhere consistently to a scrupulously balanced approach. This is vital. We have been entirely consistent in our approach to the Palestinian people and their representatives.

The European Union is the strongest supporter of the Palestinian people internationally. I have seen that at first hand.