Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues continue to engage in the Middle East peace process with particular reference to the need to establish and promote tolerance and observance of human rights on all sides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36415/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Along with my EU colleagues, I continue to give a very high priority to supporting efforts to reach a comprehensive peace agreement in the Middle East. The issue is discussed very frequently at the Foreign Affairs Council, and I have made a number of visits to the region myself, to meet with the leaders, learn about the issues, and encourage their efforts. I have reported in more detail about the current direct negotiations in reply to other Questions on today's Order Paper.

The issues of tolerance and human rights are of course at the heart of the conflict in the Middle East, which was characterised for many years by mutually exclusive claims and refusal to accept the rights of the other community. Broadly speaking, the resolution of the political issues is the essential step if greater mutual respect and toleration are to be achieved, and so our main efforts are focussed on the resolution of the overall conflict. But Ireland also supports NGOs working for toleration and mutual engagement between the parties, including visits to Ireland by groups from both sides, and faith leaders. Ireland and our EU partners also engage in an active human rights dialogue with most countries in the Middle East, including Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

There is a concern in this area and in the wider Middle East about growing radicalisation and intolerance, and also about the pressure this puts on minority groups such as the small but ancient Christian communities. At the same time, many agencies and groups in the region are actively promoting toleration and mutual understanding. I would point, in particular, to the work of UNWRA in this regard.