Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I share Members' delight at the release of Alan Johnston, the BBC correspondent in the Gaza Strip, after being held for four months in solitary confinement. He is an extraordinarily brave man. I watched the report on him this morning on Sky News. Obviously, Hamas is playing an important role in Gaza. It has taken control of the region and will prove a success there. It is the legitimate government of the West Bank, Gaza and Palestine, and should be recognised as such by the Government and the European Union. Hamas was elected to that position. It tried to share power but that was unsuccessful. Now, there is a re-organised constitution to deprive it of legitimate power.

As the outgoing convenor of the Friends of Palestine in the Oireachtas, I hope Members of the incoming Seanad and the new Dáil will establish a similar organisation. It was started by the former Senator, Michael Lanigan, and was the largest representative group in the House supporting another country. I hope the new Members will organise the group again. If I am re-elected, I will play a role in that regard. This is a golden opportunity for Tony Blair, the new peace ambassador. He is most influential.