Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had an input to efforts towards securing freedom for a person (details supplied) held for over 100 days in the Palestinian territories. [18659/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 166 together.

I know that the House will join with me today in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the BBC journalist, Alan Johnston, who was kidnapped by an armed group in Gaza on 12 March 2007.

The EU has condemned the kidnapping and has called for Mr. Johnston's release, as have the International Quartet, the United Nations, the President of the Palestinian Authority, and virtually all senior Palestinian political figures, including the leaders of Hamas.

The Government is following the case closely, through the Representative Office in Ramallah and in consultation with our EU partners. Developments have been considered at the monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council since March. We have assured the British Government of our readiness to assist in any way which might lead to the release of Mr. Johnston. We have also raised his kidnapping regularly in our contacts with the Palestinian Authority and its representatives.

I was shocked by the release of video footage by Mr. Johnston's kidnappers last week, and by further reported threats to his life. It is essential that those holding him in Gaza listen to the voices of the Palestinian people, and the friends of the Palestinian people worldwide, and release Alan Johnston immediately.