Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has sought, through the UN and EU, to bring about an observance of basic human rights in respect of prisoners held by the various authorities in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank; the extent to which legal and family visitations can be established in accordance with international human rights criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31963/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In our bilateral contacts with both Israel and the Palestinian authorities, the Government regularly raises human rights issues, including the implications of respective Israeli and Palestinian security policies, and the importance of full compliance with international humanitarian law. In particular, Ireland and the EU have serious concerns about the practice of administrative detention, whereby Israel holds Palestinians indefinitely without charge or trial. Ireland has been to the fore in ensuring that these concerns are addressed in the EU's political contacts with Israel, including at meetings of the EU-Israel Association Council. We have also raised this issue in other fora, including at the United Nations. Last year, through the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review process – a mechanism through which specific human rights concerns can be raised with UN Member States – Ireland specifically asked Israel to review its use of administrative detention.

More broadly, both our Representative Office in Ramallah and Embassy in Tel-Aviv closely monitor other issues relating to prisoners' rights. They do so in cooperation with a number of Palestinian human rights organisations that benefit from Irish Aid funding. I am especially aware of the difficulties that ordinary Palestinians face in visiting relatives and friends who are held in detention facilities in Israel proper. Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement and other bureaucratic obstacles can often make these visits extremely difficult to undertake. The EU-Palestinian Authority Sub-Committee on human rights has addressed this issue in detail and it remains an active and important item on their agenda. The overall issue of Palestinian prisoners is certainly of significant importance to the peace process and we will continue to follow developments closely.

Ireland also regularly discusses with Palestinian interlocutors the importance of full Palestinian compliance with agreed international standards when it comes to treatment of prisoners held in the West Bank. The fair and proper treatment of prisoners is a hallmark of democratic government and we will continue to encourage the Palestinian authorities to uphold the highest standards in this regard.