Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues, in co-operation with his EU colleagues, to positively influence developments in the Middle East with particular reference to ensuring continuous positive pressure in respect of a peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7230/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that are being taken at EU level to encourage the development of a peace process in the Middle East; the extent to which the primary issues have been identified and are likely to be resolved; if he plans, alone or in conjunction with other EU representatives, to visit Gaza, the West Bank or Israel in the context of a peace process in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7836/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he, directly or together with the EU and UN, is engaged with the various sides involved in the Middle East conflict with a view to establishing common ground towards a peace process; the degree to which the various issues have been identified and isolated and or addressed in the context of any discussions taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7837/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the EU and the UN are committed to the peace process in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7838/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he together with his EU colleagues can report progress in respect of the advancement of peace in the Middle East; the degree to which the EU has engaged permanently with all sides and groups involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7839/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 364 to 367, inclusive, together.

The search for peace in the Middle East is a major foreign policy priority for Ireland and for the European Union. Ireland, and its EU partners have been to the fore in promoting the vision of a settlement which will result in two sovereign states, Israel and Palestine, co-existing side by side in peace and security. While clearly difficult to achieve, that vision is now almost universally accepted as the only future which can ensure peace, and as the objective towards which the peace process must work.

Over the past twelve months the administration of President Obama has given renewed impetus to the peace process. Senator George Mitchell is leading the effort on the ground to bring the parties to final status negotiations. A number of US proposals to enable direct negotiations to resume are now being considered. These include a proposal that Israeli-Palestinian talks begin at official level, on the basis that official talks on practical issues could create sufficient traction and momentum to enable direct political level talks to eventually get underway. President Abbas has continued to publicly call on Israel to comply fully with its Roadmap obligations before agreeing to re-enter negotiations.

The key issue at the moment is to create sufficient confidence in both parties to allow them to enter into negotiations.

The EU's main focus has been on how to help this effort to begin talks, while ensuring that negative factors such as settlements, evictions and the Gaza blockade, which have the capacity to destroy any talks process, are not lost sight of. The Foreign Affairs Council in December adopted substantive Conclusions setting out EU policies on the MEPP, including the key final status issues of borders, Jerusalem, and settlements. Ireland played a very active role in devising these Conclusions which the EU will use as a basis for continued and deepened engagement with all parties to the talks. The Quartet also has a strong role to play and the EU has consistently called for a vigorous role for the Quartet in any future negotiations. The UN is active as a member of the Quartet, Secretary General Ban has urged all parties to abide by existing commitments, and called on Israel in particular to end the blockade of Gaza.

I have given the Middle East a very high priority since I became Minister for Foreign Affairs. I have made two visits to the region, as well as attending the international conference on Gaza held in Egypt last March. While I was unable to visit Gaza as I had hoped last December, it is still my intention to go there and see the position for myself. I have been able to discuss the position directly with key leaders in Israel, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, and Syria. I also met UN officers and agencies in the area, including former Commissioner Karen Abu Zayd of UNRWA and Gaza Director John Ging. I used these meetings both to hear at first hand the assessment of the main players and offer Ireland's support for all those working towards a lasting solution. Both Ireland and the EU are also significant donors to the Palestinian people and to groups working for peace and justice. I will continue my efforts, both bilaterally, at EU level and in the UN in support of achieving urgently needed progress in the peace progress.