Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I wish to follow up on what Senator Alex White has said about our various debates on the economy. What the Government has presented in recent months on different aspects of the economy are frameworks. We have had a framework on the recapitalisation of banks. We have had a framework for economic recovery. We now have a framework for discussions, which is essentially an agenda for a meeting. This is as far as the Government has got in mapping out a series of measures to begin to reverse the process of economic recession and depression. I appreciate that we will have a debate this afternoon on the economy and I will reserve my comments for that debate.

We have not had an opportunity to comment on or debate the invasion of Gaza by the Israeli forces during the recess. I feel duty bound to raise this issue in this public forum. I also believe the House should not be silent on the issue. There are two sides to the story. There is the issue of who broke the truce which gave rise to the invasion. There is the issue of the proportionality of the measures taken. However, we know there was mass destruction, not only of property but also of civilian lives. There is a question as to the legality of the invasion, the force used and the effects it has under international law. I call for a debate in this House. I appreciate that the Independent Senators have tabled a motion on an inquiry into certain incidents in that invasion. It is important for this House to have a view on it, to inform the policy of the Government and the EU. A statement that was issued of the conclusions of the EU Foreign Ministers on the Middle East peace process is quite anaemic. This is one area in which Europe is not playing a leading role. The creation of a president of the European Council in the Lisbon treaty could play a role in ensuring a defined and meaningful policy on the Middle East.