Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you. That gives me more time than I thought I would have. I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate. I also thank Senator Black and the other co-sponsors of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 for facilitating it. When we debated this issue in January, it was agreed by everybody that we would extend the debate and resume it in July before the summer recess. We are now following through on that commitment to conclude today.

I agree with Senator Bacik that, if anything, those months have reinforced the concerns and frustrations of many over the lack of progress in the Middle East peace process. I would not criticise anybody for that growing frustration and sense of helplessness, as I said earlier, despite the fact that Irish people do feel a real sense of injustice about what is happening to the Palestinian communities. That is very deeply held, not just within political parties but across Ireland generally. We have had a presence in the Middle East for many years, predominantly through our peacekeepers of whom we continue to have a significant number today in southern Lebanon and on the Golan Heights, and indeed through NGOs working with Palestinians. We have quite a significant humanitarian programme that I intend increasing significantly. That process is under way.

The politics of this is what we are debating today. There is no doubt that this House is a very powerful voice for the Palestinian cause. We have heard that today and not for the first time. The first time I visited Gaza was with Senator Norris. I remember it very well. It was a very emotionally charged time. The week before we arrived at the Erez Crossing, the first female suicide bomber had blown herself up, killing many young Israeli soldiers and, of course, herself, in an act of desperation and violence. I remember when we came back to Jerusalem the difficulty that Senator Norris found in that his former partner had been thrown into prison, as the Senator might remember.