Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State. I am also pleased to speak on this motion on the conflict in the Middle East. Like everyone else I was shocked by the recent events there and the impact they have had on the efforts to bring about peace. During the three-week war in Gaza no respect was shown for human rights and ground and air assaults caused untold human misery resulting in more than 1,000 deaths. Local infrastructure was devastated and many families lost all their possessions. The United Nations school and humanitarian facilities were bombed, total disregard was shown for the United Nations flag and attacks were made on personnel and local headquarters. I was delighted the Minister, Deputy Martin, in his statement fully and forcefully condemned such acts.

We have had this discussion already at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs during which a motion was unanimously agreed to support moves to establish an independent international investigation into the alleged violations of international humanitarian law during Israel's military action in Gaza, including the use of munitions in a densely populated area, which is banned internationally.

Hamas must also tell its supporters to stop the shameful indiscriminate rocket attacks on the people of Israel. Alleged storage of munitions in civilian locations has also been noted. It is vital that both sides now show restraint. I am delighted that the joint motion supports the two-state solution with the objective of the state of Israel and the independent Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security.

I welcome the strong position taken by the Irish Government to give full support to a resolution of that conflict and to bring about peace in the region. The Minister met key players at the highest level in the United States and at EU level, including Israel, Lebanon and Syria, to try to promote and achieve such a resolution and to support the cause for peace.

The appointment by President Obama of George Mitchell as the Middle East peace envoy is to be welcomed. As we know from our experience, the manner in which he brokered peace in Northern Ireland shows his doggedness and patience. We know he is the right person for the job. Ireland will be very supportive of that appointment.

We must do everything we can, along with our European partners, to support those people — men, women and children — who are now blockaded in Gaza and to press on Israel to open up its borders and roadblocks to allow deliveries of building construction material and agricultural goods into the territory in order that Gaza can be rebuilt.

Ireland is willing to do all in its power to ensure we never again see a repeat of the horrific and awful atrocities we saw on our television screens in recent months. People must move away from conflict and violence and show a real commitment to peace.

I welcome this motion which was discussed at length at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and which received cross-party support. I am pleased to endorse the motion and commend it to the House today.