Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I compliment Senator Ryan and the Labour Party on having this matter debated in their Private Members' time. The House should be complimented on its deep and consistent interest in the subject as shown by numerous interventions on the Order of Business.

The situation is a sad and tragic one. The Israeli Government has adopted a policy of massive retaliation for much of the past 50 years to any attack or offence and I do not underestimate the threats to which it has sometimes been subjected. This policy has, manifestly, not been successful. Israel has had to withdraw from the Gaza strip and there is no substitute for negotiated agreement. Equally, the attacks, of a fundamentalist character, on the state of Israel have not improved the position of the Palestinian people and they have lost much territory.

Much experience can be drawn from the Northern Ireland peace process. Last week the Financial Times posited what might have happened had the British Government adopted Israeli-type tactics, including arresting Government Ministers in Dublin and carrying out systematic raids south of the Border, during the Troubles. One can only imagine what the consequences could have been.

The Government has taken a balanced and moderate approach to this issue and has been a good influence in the EU for several decades. However, some of the preconditions for negotiation and demands being made of Palestinians are simply unrealistic. Acceptance of the state of Israel will be achieved only through agreement, not through the setting of preconditions.