Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he will take regarding the suspension of aid to the Palestinian people as they are on the brink of collapse. [19072/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding the serious levels of poverty in the West Bank and particularly in the Gaza area; his further views on whether every effort must be made to ensure that no sanctions are taken against the elected Palestinian Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 313 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions on this issue on 17 May 2006.

The Government has been consistently active in promoting a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli — Palestinian conflict, based on the negotiation of a mutually acceptable two-State solution.

I share the concerns which have been expressed about the increasingly difficult situation facing the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza. The EU has been the strongest supporter of the Palestinian people internationally. It is also the largest donor to Palestine, providing an average of €500 million annually in humanitarian assistance and in support of Palestinian institutions and civil society. Since the Palestinian elections in January, the EU and the international Quartet have made it clear that the new Hamas Government of the Palestinian Authority must commit to the peace process. It must renounce violence, recognise Israel's right to exist and adhere to agreements already negotiated by the Authority and the PLO.

In February, the Council approved the urgent disbursement by the Commission of €121 million in humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. While, since early April, the Commission has temporarily suspended direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority, the EU is reviewing its assistance against the Government's commitment to the principles set out by the Council and the Quartet.

There is full agreement among the Member States that it would be unreasonable to expect the EU to continue its capacity-building support for the Hamas Government irrespective of its willingness to respect the basic rules of the peace process. The Government believes, however, that the Palestinian people should not have to face the prospect of a humanitarian crisis because of the reluctance of their Government to meet its responsibilities. The EU is committed to continuing necessary assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian population, and Ireland has argued strongly for the widest possible definition of these basic needs.

On 15 May, following the Quartet meeting on 9 May, the Council undertook the urgent work of developing a temporary international mechanism to channel assistance directly to the Palestinian people. The Council stated that, as a matter of priority, the mechanism will aim to provide for basic needs, including health services. It will be essential that all international donors cooperate to ensure the effectiveness of the new temporary structures.

The EU has already called on the Israeli Government to resume the transfer of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues, which are essential in averting a crisis in the Occupied Territories. I hope that a decision to resume the transfers can be taken without delay, if possible through the new international mechanism. Equally, it is important that both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority take concrete steps to implement their obligations under the Agreement on Movement and Access, which was signed on 15 November 2005 and which provides for the movement of people and goods between Gaza and the outside world.

I have given a commitment that the Government will maintain the level of Ireland's bilateral assistance to the Palestinians, which amounted to over €4 million in 2005. In February, following the Palestinian elections, the Government allocated €1.5 million in humanitarian assistance through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). I expect to make further allocations in the near future.