Written answers

Thursday, 20 May 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Middle East Peace Process

5:00 pm

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current situation in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20881/10]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the position regarding proximity talks between representatives of the Israeli Government and the Palestinian National Authority. [20927/10]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he and his EU and UN colleagues continue to bring positive influence to bear on the situation in the Middle East; the extent to which encouragement is being given to the peace process there and by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21277/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 64 and 157 together.

Following long efforts by Senator Mitchell and the US Administration to bring the parties together, and an abortive launch in April, the long-awaited proximity talks between the Israelis and Palestinians have commenced. The US team will liaise between the parties. Senator Mitchell will be present in person regularly and frequently, and further available as needed. It is envisaged that proximity talks will last for an initial period of four months, following which the parties will decide if there is a basis to continue with them or indeed to move to direct negotiations.

There have of course been many previous rounds of direct negotiations between the parties, most recently in 2008. These earlier discussions will inform but not bind the evolution of the current talks. The key issues are sovereignty, borders, Jerusalem, security, refugees and water, all of which were discussed in earlier rounds. These are difficult issues, but they have been debated for decades now, and many ideas and visions have been put forward. I believe that these issues are all capable of being resolved, within the two year timeframe set out by President Obama, if the parties are genuinely willing to find solutions.

We are all very well aware of the mutual distrust and lack of confidence on the part of both the parties that the other is genuinely serious. We are also aware of and concerned by the possibilities of events on the ground derailing the process, intentionally or otherwise. The Irish Government strongly supports the EU, President Obama and the Quartet in their efforts to urge all parties to engage seriously, to refrain from negative acts on the ground, to be mindful of the needs of the other protagonists, and to do all in their power to achieve a final settlement of this destructive conflict.

The process initially involves Israel and the Palestinian President but in due course, if progress allows, the wider issues of Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and general Israeli-Arab relations will need to be addressed as well to reach the comprehensive solution that we all seek.

In parallel with the pursuit of a comprehensive solution (through the proximity talks and, in due course, direct negotiations), Ireland, with our EU partners, on our own behalf and at the UN, will also remain focussed on the key human rights and justice issues which continue to effect the daily lives of the people of Gaza and the other Occupied Territories.

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