John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the deep passion with which everybody on all sides of this debate has spoken, including the Tánaiste. As noted by previous speakers, we are unified on the need to improve the position and conditions of the Palestinian people. That is the first thing. The question is whether this can be done by continued diplomacy and work by Ireland led by the Tánaiste. I was highly impressed by the passion he displayed in setting out how he intends to do this and the other arguments.

I had not intended speaking at all and I thank Senator O'Reilly for sharing time to allow me to contribute for a couple of minutes. The question I must ask is whether we can keep both avenues on the table. I know the Bill has been postponed since January. This is not about trying to kick anything down the road. I ask the Tánaiste whether there is any possibility of tangible progress being made by September or October. If there is no prospect of progress, I would support this statement being made by this House at that stage. I would have no problem with that. Could the Tánaiste give some assurance that progress is possible in the next few months? We could then ask both sides to keep both avenues on the table in order that we can reach a conclusion on this matter. As Senator Marshall said, at the end of the day, it is dialogue that solves most problems.