Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland, and the EU, will take to ensure Israel's compliance with international law in view of the Israeli Government's ongoing ignoring of calls made by the Quartet to freeze settlement expansion and the construction of the separation barrier. [20894/06]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role the Government is playing in mobilising the Quartet to give meaning to the vision of two viable states of both Israel and Palestine; his views on whether a lack of international impartiality will ensure that peace will remain elusive in view of the fact that actions on both sides have contributed to the situation of insecurity and poverty. [20895/06]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the deepening poverty levels among the Palestinian population, the Government will commit to providing the aid that had been earmarked to the Palestinian Authority, and the Government will call for a full resumption of European Union assistance. [20896/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 to 373, inclusive, together.

I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions on this matter on 17 and 24 May 2006.

The Government shares the concerns about the increasingly difficult situation facing the Palestinian people. We have been consistently active within the EU and the UN in promoting a lasting, peaceful and just settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and remain convinced that the only way forward is through negotiations between the parties leading to a viable two-State solution. Within the Union, the Government continues to pursue a policy approach aimed at ensuring that the EU remains fully engaged in the process, with a clear and balanced message for the parties. The EU is playing a vital role in the work of the Quartet to create an environment for the earliest possible return to negotiations.

The events of recent months serve to underline the need for the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to face up to their obligations under the Roadmap, and under international law. The Government has continued to raise directly with the Israeli authorities our concerns about the humanitarian and economic impact of policies and activities in the Occupied Territories. The EU has consistently urged the Israeli Government to end all activities in the Territories which are contrary to international law and which threaten the viability of a solution based on the coexistence of two States. These include the continued expansion of settlements, the construction of the separation barrier on occupied land and the demolition of Palestinian homes.

Following the Palestinian elections in January, the EU and the Quartet have also made it clear that the new, democratically-elected 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. Since April, the EU has been reviewing its assistance against the Hamas Government's commitment to these principles.

The EU has been the strongest supporter of the Palestinian people internationally. It is also the largest donor. Overall EU assistance, including bilateral assistance from Member States, averages €500 million annually. This has covered humanitarian assistance and support for Palestinian institutions, NGOs and civil society, as well as contributions to the UN and other international organisations. In February, the Council approved the urgent release by the Commission of €121 million in humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and a further allocation will be made shortly. In early April, the Commission temporarily suspended direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

The Government regrets that Hamas has so far not demonstrated any significant movement towards acceptance of the peace process. While we understand the difficulty of the transition Hamas must now make, I believe it would be unreasonable to expect the EU to continue its capacity-building support for the Government irrespective of its willingness to respect the basic rules of the peace process. I also strongly believe that the Palestinian people should not have to face a humanitarian crisis because of the reluctance of their Government to meet its responsibilities. The EU has made it clear that it is committed to continuing necessary assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian population. Ireland has argued for the widest possible definition of those needs.

Following the meeting of the Quartet on 9 May and the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 May, the EU has undertaken the urgent task of developing a temporary international mechanism to channel assistance directly to the Palestinian people. As a matter of priority, it will aim to provide for basic needs, including health services. It will be essential that all international donors cooperate to ensure the effectiveness of these new structures. The EU has also called on Israel to take action to resume the transfer of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues, which are essential in averting a crisis in the Occupied Territories.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to maintaining the level of Ireland's bilateral assistance to the Palestinians, which amounted to over €4 million in 2005. Already this year €1.5 million has been allocated in humanitarian assistance through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Further allocations will be made in the near future.