Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the so-called quarter powers — the European Union, the US, Russia and the United Nations — have said that a new Hamas-led Government must commit to non-violence, recognise Israel and accept current peace agreements or it could lose the financial support it receives from the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13093/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on efforts by the US Administration to isolate the democratically elected Government of the Palestinian people, in view of the Palestinian parliamentary vote of confidence in the Cabinet on 28 March 2006; and if he will give a commitment that Irish and EU aid to Palestine will remain unaffected by the result of the recent elections. [13081/06]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on statements by Israeli officials that they have no peace partner in Palestine, in view of the Palestinian parliamentary vote of confidence in its Cabinet on 28 March 2006; and his further views on whether unilateral moves by Israel are justifiable. [13082/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting with the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council with regard to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13023/06]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he and his Department intend holding at either a national or European level with the incoming Israeli Government with a view to contributing towards ongoing progress for the roadmap for peace. [13170/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 67, 70, 136 and 273 together.

The international community has adopted a clear and united approach in relation to the outcome of the democratic Palestinian elections on 25 January and the approval of a new Government by the Palestinian Legislative Council on 28 March. The meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I attended on 30 January, emphasised that violence and terror are incompatible with the democratic process. It urged Hamas and all other factions to renounce violence, to recognise Israel's right to exist, and to disarm. The Council also encouraged the formation of a Government committed to a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict, based on existing agreements and on the terms of the roadmap. On the same day, the international Quartet, representing the European Union, the United Nations, the United States and Russia, set out the conditions for engagement with the new Palestinian Government. The Quartet stated that all members of a future Palestinian Government must be committed to non-violence, to recognition of Israel and to acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including those of the road map.

Last week, on 30 March, the Quartet welcomed the efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas to ensure that the new Palestinian Government commits to a platform of peace, but noted with grave concern that it has not committed itself to the principles set out by the international community. The Quartet encouraged continued humanitarian assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people but reiterated that future assistance to the Palestinian Authority will be reviewed by donors against the Government's commitment to these principles.

The General Affairs and External Relations Council will review developments at its meeting in Luxembourg next Monday. The EU is the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority and to the Palestinian people. The Council, on 27 February, agreed to the early disbursement of over €120 million in assistance. Obviously, future decisions will depend on the approach adopted by the Hamas Government. I continue to hope that it will listen to, and act on, the message it has received from President Abbas, its neighbours in the region and the wider international community. I can assure the Deputies that if there is any evidence of a willingness to make progress on the steps set out by the EU and the Quartet, based unequivocally on the continued absence of violence, I will strongly urge a response from the EU.

The Council will also consider developments since the Israeli general elections. I have offered my congratulations to Acting Prime Minister Olmert on the success of his party, Kadima. It appears that he and the other Israeli political leaders will need some time to negotiate the formation of a new coalition Government.

I believe that nothing which has happened in the region in recent months alters the basic reality that the only way in which a lasting and peaceful settlement of the conflict can be found is through the negotiation of a mutually acceptable and viable two-State solution. This must involve the co-existence in peace and security of the state of Israel and a truly viable Palestinian state. The principles and steps contained in the Quartet roadmap continue to provide the framework for such a solution.

I therefore welcome the statement by Acting Prime Minister Olmert last week that there is no good alternative to a peace agreement and that his Government will work for a negotiated agreement with their Palestinian neighbours. The Government, and our partners in the EU, look forward to developing a good working relationship with the new Israeli Government. We will continue to work for early progress based on the implementation of commitments under the roadmap, and under international law. I will also continue to raise directly with the Israeli Government our concerns, which are shared by our EU partners, on Israeli policies and activities in the occupied territories, which are contrary to international law and which threaten to undermine a solution based on the co-existence of two viable states.