Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to engage with the new Government of Israel following the recent conflict in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8543/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Following the Israeli General Election on 10 February, the leader of the opposition Likud Party, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been asked by President Peres to try and form a coalition government. We do not yet know if Mr. Netanyahu will succeed in forming a coalition, though any such coalition is increasingly likely to be a narrow one formed with nationalist and religious parties on the right of the political spectrum, rather than a broader centrist coalition. The precise programme of any new Israeli government also remains to be outlined.

While I have spoken directly and strongly in criticism of Israel's actions in the recent Gaza conflict, and in regard to settlement activity on the West Bank, I have also made it clear at all times that I regard dialogue and engagement as the only way forward. I would hope to engage constructively with the new Israeli Government, both bilaterally and in concert with our EU partners, in this spirit, just as I have done with the outgoing Government. I would assure Israelis, and the Israeli Government, that Ireland will continue to seek to assist all sides in reaching a comprehensive peace settlement. I would also encourage them to commit themselves to honouring existing commitments and to build on the progress that was made last year, before the Gaza operation.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his recent contacts in respect of the continued division of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8541/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland takes an active interest in the successful resolution of the Cyprus problem. We welcomed the resumption of talks last September, under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy, Mr. Alexander Downer, aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement. So far, twenty meetings have been held between President Christofias and Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, representing the Turkish Cypriot community in Northern Cyprus, in the current negotiating process.

We maintain close contact with the Cypriot and Turkish governments through their Embassies in Dublin, and through our Embassies in Nicosia and Ankara. I regularly meet my Cypriot colleague, Mr Markos Kyprianou, at Council meetings in Brussels. We will continue to encourage progress towards the achievement of the objective of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal State through an honourable, balanced and durable settlement protecting and guaranteeing the basic rights of all Cypriots.