Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to touch on a different matter, the Palestinian issue. I understand Ms Costello has an involvement in that issue in the European Parliament. As one who has visited Gaza, I have raised the issue on a number of occasions. At what stage is the European Union in its efforts to find a solution to the problem between Israel and the Palestinian community? I am particularly concerned about the sale of arms and equipment by EU states to Israel. I am sure that is happening to other countries who may be indirectly involved in the conflict there. What progress has been made in dealing with that issue? While there is a continual supply of arms and equipment we will not make any progress in bringing about a solution. Some 1.5 million people are locked into a small section of land where no progress has been made for the past 15 to 20 years.