Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the context of EU level discussions or otherwise, he will make a public statement requesting that Israel reverse its settlement construction, illegal occupation and annexation of land in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions; and if he will use his influence in international fora to bring this about. [1879/09]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position on the distinction between [i]de facto[/i] and [i]de jure[/i] recognition of the state of Israel as a conditional principle for the opening of talks in relation to the prospects for peace between Israel, its neighbours and a future viable Palestinian state. [1933/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives he has taken at UN or EU level to address the underlying issues of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians; if it is intended to proceed in any particular or specific direction with the objective of achieving a cessation of all violence in the region and the establishment of a lasting peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/09]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position in relation to United Nations Resolution 242 of January 1967. [1938/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will seek support for the establishment of a secretariat to assist and progress, from time to time, such proposals as may be made for the realisation of peace in the Middle East, and to work in the interim at retaining such momentum of dialogue between the parties as may emerge. [1937/09]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the need for a new initiative to offer a viable political regional set of proposals towards achieving peace in the Middle East; his further views on such proposals as those discussed at Taba in 2001; and the initiatives he will take. [1935/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 772: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken at EU or UN level to tackle the problem of the ongoing war in the Middle East with particular reference to renewed efforts to bring about a lasting peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2415/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 132, 137, 140, 156, 158 and 772 together.

While the appalling violence and bloodshed in Gaza has finally come to an end, a wider concern now remains that the recent conflict has set back and undermined whatever progress had been achieved within the Annapolis framework towards an agreed two-State solution. I discussed this issue with my colleagues at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels yesterday, where I outlined my concerns that the conflict in Gaza would have the effect of undermining moderate Palestinian and Arab political opinion. More than ever, there is a pressing need to provide evidence to the Palestinian people that the political process works and can lead to an improvement in their daily lives. The Council recognised this in calling for an urgent and successful conclusion of the peace process.

The focus now must therefore be on restoring momentum and credibility to the peace process. It is important to repeat the basic point that there can be no military solution to the Israeli — Palestinian conflict. Only through peaceful negotiations can we achieve a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East, with a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at its core. The broad outline of such a settlement, as discussed at Camp David in 2000 and at Taba in 2001, and based in part on previous UN Security Council Resolutions, is well known.

Beyond the obvious priority of securing a permanent ceasefire in Gaza through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, there are a number of important steps that must be taken if the peace process is to be revived. First, the Israeli Government must freeze all settlement construction on occupied land and remove general restrictions on movement. As I have stated many times, settlement construction anywhere in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. It prejudges the outcome of final status negotiations and threatens the viability of an agreed two-State solution. I have recently conveyed my strong concerns about settlement construction directly to the Israeli Ambassador and the Israeli Minister for Education at meetings with them in Dublin in January, and also to Foreign Minister Livni during my visit to Israel last year.

Secondly, there must a concerted attempt to achieve inter-Palestinian reconciliation. In the months before the Gaza crisis, Egypt, on behalf of the Arab League, had been making commendable efforts to advance reconciliation through the mediation of talks between Fatah and Hamas. Success in these discussions would be of great significance to the Palestinian people. Indeed, it is in the interests of all sides that an agreed national unity government — which supports the peace process and negotiations with Israel, leading to a two-State solution — be formed so that there can be one strong political voice for the Palestinian people. Precisely how such a government might formulate the principles underlying its approach would be for further consideration.

Thirdly, the EU must step up its co-operation with its partners in the Quartet, and especially with President Obama and the new US Administration. I welcome the news that President Obama, on his first day of office, telephoned leaders in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority to express his commitment and determination to engage actively with the peace process. His appointment of Senator George Mitchell — who we know so well from his role as chairman of the Good Friday Negotiations — as US Special Envoy to the Middle East is another indication of the importance the new US Administration is attaching to the resolution of the Israeli — Palestinian conflict. President Obama has the opportunity to bring unique leadership and impetus to the peace process and I am confident that renewed US engagement will be of great benefit to all parties.

Finally, I believe that increased co-operation between the EU and the Palestinian Authority would bring an extra dimension to the peace process. With that in mind, at the December meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, my Cypriot colleague and I circulated a joint letter to all our EU partners with a view to exploring ways in which we might further enhance our relationship with the Palestinian Authority. I am particularly anxious to ensure the earliest and full implementation of the EU-PLO Interim Association Agreement, as well as the initiation of a more structured dialogue with the Palestinian Authority.

As regards the proposed establishment of a Middle East Peace Process secretariat, the Government has for some time been among those Member States which have sought to strengthen the Quartet, and the EU's role within it. At the moment, various proposals have been made, including by French President Sarkozy, regarding future negotiating structures. Depending on developments, it may be that a proposal for the establishment of a permanent secretariat could be considered, in order to add focus to the work of the Quartet and the various international envoys active in the region.