Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position on the G8-EU initiative in Palestine and Israel to rebuild the economy and infrastructure of areas controlled by Palestinians. [26863/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The EU strongly supports the work of the quartet's special envoy for disengagement, the former chairman of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn. He is working with the parties to finalise an action plan for the economic revitalisation of Gaza following the withdrawal of Israeli settlers and troops. He is also working to broker agreement on a border regime for Gaza and to ensure effective arrangements for the movement of people and goods into and out of Gaza.

The special envoy hopes to present a three-year plan for the revitalisation of Gaza to the G8 in the coming weeks with a view to raising international support for implementation starting in 2006. The Government will play its part in this important work in co-operation with our partners in the EU. Ireland is already committed to a wide range of development projects in co-operation with the Palestinian Authority. I have made it clear, including at my meetings in recent months with President Abbas and others of the Palestinian Authority, that the Government is ready to increase its assistance in the light of the special envoy's plan and the identification of needs and priorities for the period ahead.