Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for no condemnation of the Israeli killing of more than 84 Palestinians, 35 of them children; and if he will raise this issue at UN level. [24523/04]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have spoken out strongly on the continuing fighting in the Gaza Strip, both in a public statement on Monday 4 October and subsequently in the debate on the Adjournment which took place on 6 October. I have strongly urged the Israeli authorities to take every precaution to avoid causing civilian casualties and to conduct operations in full conformity with the obligations of international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. We all recognise Israel's right and duty to protect its own citizens, but I am particularly concerned at the civilian casualties on the Palestinian side, including the many children killed or wounded, and the disproportionate force deployed by the Israel Defence Forces, including the bulldozing of Palestinian homes and economic infrastructure. I strongly support Kofi Annan's call for an end to the incursions.

The Government has consistently set out its position in the UN and in other international fora, most recently when my predecessor addressed the General Assembly in September. The Presidency, speaking on behalf of all member states, including Ireland, at the UN Security Council on 5 October, deplored the disproportionate nature of Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip and called upon Israel to fully respect the Fourth Geneva Convention. In addition to these statements, we joined with our European Union partners in the public statement issued following the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg on Monday, 11 October. We will continue to engage constructively with all efforts to bring an end to the violence in the region and to bring about full compliance by all parties with their obligations under the roadmap.