Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed the situation in the Middle East with the putative envoy to the region, Mr. Tony Blair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/07]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union, as a partner in the Quartet, in relation to the appointment of former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair to a major diplomatic post charged with advancing the Middle Eastern peace process. [18798/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 275 together.

On 27 June, following detailed consultation between High Representative Solana and the Foreign Minister of Germany, representing the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the Foreign Minister of Russia and the UN Secretary General, the members of the Middle East Quartet announced the appointment of Tony Blair as Quartet Representative.

The Taoiseach has already assured Tony Blair of our full support for his efforts in the Middle East. I personally also warmly welcome his appointment. His mandate is focused on Palestinian economic and institutional development. More broadly, however, the continuing crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories underlines the absolute necessity of restoring a credible political process which holds out to the Israeli and the Palestinian people the realistic prospect of a just, peaceful and lasting negotiated settlement. I welcome the emphasis which Mr. Blair has placed on the need for urgent progress towards the achievement of a viable two-State solution. I believe that the appointment of Tony Blair has the potential to add further impetus to efforts by the EU to revive the Middle East Peace Process, in cooperation with the parties, with neighbouring Arab States and with our international partners in the Quartet.