Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he continues to monitor the situation in the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31148/06]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to Government policy on the recent conflict in Israel and the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30736/06]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the Middle East peace process at present; if he envisages its restoration in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30811/06]

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of civilian casualties in the recent war in the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30814/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 354, 357, 364 and 367 together.

The situation in the Middle East, especially in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, remains at the top of the foreign policy agendas of Ireland nationally and of the European Union. The conflict in Lebanon this summer and the continuing crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, serve to underline that there is no military or unilateral solution to the inter-related problems of the region. It is the strong view of the Government, and of our partners in the EU, that the underlying cause of the recurring crises in the region is the absence of a credible process for a comprehensive settlement. I stated in my address to the UN General Assembly on 26 September that a comprehensive settlement is more urgently required now than at any time in the past 60 years. The most recent meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I attended in Brussels on 15 September, stated clearly the position of the EU that lasting peace and security in the region can only be ensured by a comprehensive settlement, with a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli – Palestinian conflict at its core.

The terrible violence and suffering in Lebanon this summer was both tragic and unnecessary. The immediate cause of the conflict was an unprovoked attack by Hezbollah on Israeli territory, and the killing and capture of a number of Israeli soldiers. From the beginning, the Government called unambiguously for an immediate cessation of violence and the protection of civilian lives. I fully acknowledged that Israel had a right to defend itself against the attacks, but not at the expense of the rights and the lives of Lebanese civilians. We were shocked at the harsh and disproportionate military response by Israel, at the very high civilian casualties and at the widespread destruction of vital civilian infrastructure. The UN Secretary General has quoted official Lebanese figures showing that 1,187 people died and 4,092 were injured in the country as a result of the conflict. The UN estimates that 1 million Lebanese people were displaced from their homes, the vast majority of whom have now returned. The conflict also resulted in the deaths of 43 Israeli civilians and 117 soldiers. Some 300,000 people were displaced from their homes.

The Government and our partners in the EU will remain actively engaged in support of the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted unanimously on 11 August. It created the basis on which the fighting was brought to an end three days later and it offers a path to a stable peace, based on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon. The EU has taken the lead in ensuring that the deployment of a strengthened UNIFIL force in Southern Lebanon, alongside units of the Lebanese Army, has proceeded smoothly, and that the ceasefire has held. The mission will be strengthened further over the coming weeks, and I indicated at the UN last week that the Government expected to be in a position to decide on an Irish contribution to UNIFIL II, subject to Dáil approval.

The Government remains very seriously concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Territories. The situation in Gaza in particular is unsustainable. As I stated at the UN General Assembly, it is time for a major new international effort to launch serious negotiations for a settlement based on the essential elements of the Quartet Roadmap, with the clear objective of the establishment of two sovereign, viable and democratic States, living together in peace and security.

We strongly support the efforts of President Mahmoud Abbas to form a Palestinian Government of national unity, committed to the peace process and reflecting the principles set out by the EU and the Quartet following the elections in January. I have stated consistently that if he is successful, I will argue very strongly for a generous and creative political response by the EU and the international community. The EU is working closely with the Israeli Government and the Palestinians on the basis that both parties must demonstrate that they are ready to meet their obligations under the Roadmap and under international law. We hope that there will be an early, substantive meeting to this end between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas.

The immediate priority must be to end the humanitarian and security crisis in Gaza. This must involve the release of the captured Israeli soldier and of imprisoned Palestinian legislators, the ending of violence from all sources and the reopening of crossing points for people and for goods. The violence of recent days underlines the urgency of the situation, and the need for acts of political courage on all sides. In addition, while the EU has this year increased the level of its assistance to the Palestinian people, it is essential that Israel resume transfers of the taxes and customs duties owed to the Palestinian Authority, which it is withholding.