Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

Israel's invasion of Gaza and its disproportionate ground and air assaults have caused untold human misery, devastated local infrastructure and set back peace efforts, possibly by years. The devastation, tragedy and human misery brought by Israel's disproportionate response to rocket attacks on its own people have severely damaged the cause of peace. The bombing of United Nations facilities within Gaza, including the attack on the local headquarters of the UN humanitarian effort, was completely unacceptable.

Some time ago I spoke with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin. The Minister and the Government were right to fully condemn these acts. The Minister called for an international investigation into the alleged violations of international humanitarian law, the shelling of United Nations schools and facilities, the attacks on humanitarian personnel, the reports of using civilians as human shields, and the alleged use by Israel of banned munitions. Will the Minister of State indicate if Israel used illegal weapons in Gaza? We have heard many reports on the matter and I seek the view of the Minister of State as to the impact if that is the case.

Hamas must also instruct its supporters to stop the shameful and indiscriminate rocket attacks on the people of Israel. Any investigation must also establish if Hamas gunmen used United Nations facilitates as a shield against the Israeli offensive. Such actions are also despicable as they put the men and women dedicated to delivering humanitarian assistance in the line of fire. It is vital that both sides show restraint at this stage.

I have spoken with the Minister, Deputy Martin, since the conflict and he has agreed that Ireland will maintain its strong support for peace in the region. I welcome that during the Christmas and New Year holidays the Minister, his Department and our diplomatic staff in the region continued to closely monitor events. They played a key role in ensuring that the EU response to the crisis was balanced. The Minister, Deputy Martin, has returned to the region since the Gaza crisis and had held meetings at the highest level in Syria and Lebanon, both of which are key players in the region. He has also held discussions with the Israeli ambassador in Dublin. During these discussions we have again emphasised the need for a halt to fighting by Israel and the Palestinians to allow genuine peace efforts to get under way in earnest.

I join the Government in welcoming the appointment by President Obama of Senator George Mitchell as his special envoy to the Middle East. More than any other country in the world, we know of Senator Mitchell's commitment to peace. In the darkest days of the Troubles he showed patience and dogged determination to keep all sides at the negotiating table. I have no doubt these talents will have a positive impact in the Middle East. The fact that Senator Mitchell wasted no time in travelling to the region to assess the situation is a very welcome sign for the future. We owe the Senator a debt of gratitude in this country that can never be repaid. However, one small and practical way in which we could thank him is by actively supporting his efforts in the Middle East.

The European Union is the largest donor of aid to the Palestinian territories. The recent war has seen much of that in which we have invested bombed, smashed and destroyed. It is heartbreaking to see the work that Ireland supported bulldozed by tanks and bombed from the air. Ireland with its European partners must now re-examine how we can support the blockaded people of Gaza. It is important that the course of action decided upon is implemented to allow the men, women and children of Gaza receive support as soon as possible.

Ireland is participating fully in drawing up the EU response to the humanitarian needs of the region. I am assured the Government will be represented at key international meetings where the plans to rebuild Gaza will be discussed.

I pay tribute to the efforts of our diplomatic staff in Israel and Palestine. They worked to ensure the safety of approximately 20 Irish citizens and their families in Gaza. We must end the blockades, the siege of Gaza and the demolitions and evictions. We must open the borders to allow the delivery of building materials and humanitarian aid in the territory. There is no point in considering the past. We must look to the future and work out how to bring the two sides together. The only way forward is to get people around the table. We must encourage those involved to walk away from violence and show a real commitment to peace.

Will the Minister of State offer a view on how the Israeli elections will impact on the situation, given that there is a new President in the USA?