Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge with thanks the contribution of Members to this debate. If time will allow, I will conclude with some remarks on the issues and questions raised. If the House will agree, I will deal with the matter of Ukraine first, then the issue of Syria and I will retain the bulk of my commentary for the Middle East peace process, which Members will acknowledge did form the majority of the debate this afternoon.

On the matter of Ukraine, I wish to specifically acknowledge the contribution of Senators Higgins, Barrett and Jim D'Arcy. The crisis in Ukraine is one of the most serious the European Union has faced in many years. Ending the conflict in a peaceful manner that safeguards the sovereignty of Ukraine and acknowledges its independence and its territorial integrity is an absolute priority for Ireland and the international community.

I acknowledge what Senators have said, namely, Russia has a key role to play in this regard. Russia needs to take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine, not least by asking and encouraging the rebels it supports to join the other parties in fully implementing the commitments signed up to in Minsk.

As I said earlier, the agreement in Minsk does provide the basis for a peaceful, inclusive and negotiated settlement that we all wish to see for Ukraine. Last month, the people of Ukraine gave their political leaders a clear and strong mandate to proceed with long overdue political and economic reforms. Included in the reform agenda is the very valid point made by Senator D'Arcy on the matter of corruption and the need to ensure that best international practice and standards are observed. It is vital, therefore, that the new Government in Kiev seizes the opportunity to reform the country and place it on a path to economic stability and, indeed, to prosperity.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the vital work the OSCE is carrying out in Ukraine. The special monitoring mission played a key role in helping to secure agreement on the ceasefire and on the peace plan. The brave men and women of the mission travelled throughout the conflict zones under difficult and mostly dangerous conditions. Without their tireless efforts, it is difficult to envisage how the peace agreement could otherwise have been reached. The mission also has an important role to play in monitoring the ceasefire line and ensuring Ukraine's full and effective control of its border with Russia. I wish to pay tribute to the five Irish members of the mission for the valuable contribution they make in pursuit of stability and peace in the region.

I wish to refer briefly the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, which was referred to by Senator Higgins. Of course, the conflict has exacted a heavy toll in terms of the trauma, difficulty, displacement, violence and death. Thousands of innocent civilians have been subjected to deplorable violence and suffering over many months and we are now faced with a serious humanitarian crisis. The EU has led the way in providing urgently needed support for the local people. Ireland is currently examining the scope for possible bilateral support for Ukraine at this time. In this regard, I might say, for the benefit of Senators, that Ireland intends ratifying the three association agreements with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia together and we will seek parliamentary approval for the three agreements over the coming months.

Senator Mullins mentioned the issue of refugees and minorities in Iraq and Syria. The protection of Christian and other religious minorities in the region is, as the Senator said, a matter of real concern. Again, I stress that refuge in Europe or Ireland does not offer anything like a real solution because the numbers are too great and because it would mean the end of the ancient Christian communities which have survived in the region, as Senator Jim D'Arcy said, since the earliest days of Christianity. The solution is to tackle the threats experienced by these communities and safeguard their rights to live in their homelands. Senators will be aware that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, has ultimate responsibility for such issues, and efforts have been made to ensure Ireland is as accommodating as possible to those fleeing conflict. All of this year's intake of refugees under the annual scheme operated in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will come from Syria. The intention is that the level will increase next year and into 2016, resulting in more than 300 Syrian refugees coming to Ireland during the period, some to my home town, Portlaoise, and my constituency. In response to Senator Mullins, I have separately raised the issue of Ireland receiving some of those from Christian communities in Iraq who are attempting to flee the violence, and the Minister for Justice and Equality is heavily engaged in the process.
I acknowledge the points raised by Senators Power, Reilly, Mullins, Mac Conghail, Barrett, Mooney and Craughwell on the Middle East. The prospect of the resumption of direct negotiations is, as Senators said, very poor. Neither Israeli nor Palestinian leaders are in a position to negotiate successfully, for different reasons. We would support a renewal of negotiations because, as Senator D'Arcy said, there is no other way to reach agreement. However, talks are worth having only if both parties genuinely seek to forge an agreement. That is why I would argue strongly for a greater focus within the EU on the occupation, especially the settlements. We need to exert pressure so that Israel sees the end of occupation as something to be achieved in its own national interest. Although many Israelis have always believed it, we need to strengthen the position.
At the Cairo conference on Gaza, many speakers stressed, as I did, that we could not return to the status quo. I very much agree with Senator Craughwell’s points on this. Without a sustained political attention to resolving the underlying problems of Gaza, the status quowill resume by default and, regrettably, the cycle of violence will continue. Senator Mac Conghail mentioned Irish Aid and I acknowledge his first-hand reflections and have taken note of the points he raised. At the Cairo conference, I pledged €500,000 for immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza, and this has been paid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA. This is in addition to the €500,000 donated when the crisis arose earlier this year. I also pledged €2 million over the next two years in reconstruction aid, and Senators will be aware that Irish Aid already supports the Palestinian people with €10 million per year, of which a significant proportion goes to Gaza. I take Senator Power's points on this and will look into the cultural engagement which Senator Mac Conghail mentioned.
I paid very close attention to the debate earlier in the autumn on the recognition of Palestine and the motion on it last month. I also listened very closely to the points made this afternoon, particularly those of Senators Power, Barrett, Craughwell, Mooney and others. I assure the Senators, as I did the members of the foreign affairs committee earlier this month, that I do not have a closed mind on the issue. Along with the great majority of EU partners, we continue to seek recognition by agreement as part of an overall settlement. It is not clear that recognition now would contribute to reaching the objective. We must not think of it as some type of panacea that will immediately make a huge difference. However, I acknowledge the sentiments, comments, observations, points and advice I have received here this afternoon.
Senator Mooney raised the point that there are negative side to be considered, such as the possible collapse of the Palestinian Authority - which has renamed itself the State of Palestine - were Israel to renounce the Oslo Accords and given that the Palestinian Authority controls less than half of the West Bank. There is a process of reflection across the EU on the issue of recognition, and we are actively engaging in it. I am very conscious of the stalemate in the peace process and the unacceptable and daily worsening situation on the ground. I do not rule out any option, including an early recognition of Palestine, if it will help move things forward positively towards our overriding goal of a two-state solution.
I acknowledge the contribution of Senator Power and the reflections of Senator Mac Conghail on the settlement products. In recent years, Ireland has focused strongly on the effects of the settlements and the need to press Israel specifically on the issue. In EU statements and Council conclusions we have succeeded in focusing much attention on the issue. I accept Senator Power's point that we need to do more, and quickly. Settlement products are, in some ways, a distraction from the main issue, which is the settlements themselves. Most settlements produce nothing. However, we have continued to exert pressure on this aspect of the issue.
Settlement goods attract a higher duty on entry to the EU. In the last year, the EU has clarified that EU research funding may not be spent in settlements and that it will not accept Israeli veterinary certification of meat coming from the settlements. I want the EU to go ahead as promised and introduce the guidelines on labelling of settlement goods. If this does not happen soon, and progressively, we will consider doing so ourselves. However, an outright ban is not feasible. There is no possibility yet of achieving EU agreement to exclude settlement products altogether, and as long as they can enter the EU market, we cannot exclude them from Ireland. The proportion of such products reaching shelves is quite small.
Members mentioned the human rights issues and we concentrate our main focus and resources on the overall political issue. Only by ending the occupation will these problems truly be resolved. Ironically, those partners which are more protective of Israel are better placed to press it on specific human rights issues.

Ireland also supports a range of Israeli and Palestinian human rights organisations which regularly combat the direct effects of these policies.

I am pleased to come before the House. I acknowledge the contributions of Senators and thank them for their engagement. I have taken careful note of all of the points raised over a wide range of issues.