Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs with regard to the speech delivered by him on Monday, 27 September 2010 at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly the reasons in his reference to the Middle East peace process and to Gaza no reference of any nature whatsoever is made by him to the strident opposition of Hamas and other Palestinian groups to continuing peace talks and a two state solution; the reason in addressing Iran no reference is made to that State's similar opposition to the Middle East peace process, the threats made by its President to wipe the State of Israel off the map and its continuing funding of Hamas and other militant groups opposed to the peace process, intent on sabotaging it and threatening the lives of Palestinians participating in it [35745/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The annual General Debate at the UN General Assembly is a valuable opportunity for each Member State to address the wide range of issues and concerns facing the UN and its members. In my address to the Assembly this year, I raised a broad range of issues of concern to Ireland and the international community, including the ongoing requirement for UN reform; the need for decisive international action to combat hunger and poverty (in which connection I co-hosted a successful event focusing on improving child nutrition with Secretary of State Clinton on 21 September); and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, following on the important role played by Ireland in ensuring a successful outcome to last May's NPT Review Conference.

In terms of regional issues, I addressed the situations in Sudan and Burma, as well as that in the Middle East Peace Process. In relation to the Middle East, I chose to address in a positive manner the real chance for a lasting peace which now exists, and to commend, encourage and support the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their current negotiations to that end. My remarks on Iran covered both the nuclear issue and the deteriorating human rights situation in that country. As has been customary, I also informed the General Assembly of recent developments in Northern Ireland, including the successful devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly earlier this year.

As Ministers are asked by the President of the General Assembly to restrict themselves to speeches of no more than fifteen minutes lengths, my remarks on these subjects were necessarily brief. The additional matters mentioned by the Deputy are, however, issues I have addressed before and which I will no doubt have the opportunity to address again.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have protested to the Israeli Government following the deportation of Irish Nobel laureate and peace campaigner (details supplied) from Israel while they were attempting to lead a delegation of women peace activists on a tour of the Israeli and Palestinian territories [36130/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ms. Mairead Maguire was refused entry to Israel on 28 September on arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on a flight from Frankfurt. The basis for refusal was that she had been previously deported from Israel, most recently in June 2010 following her detention at sea on board the Rachel Corrie. She appealed this decision to the Central District Court and subsequently to the Supreme Court of Israel. Both Courts explored the possibility of a compromise solution, but no formula acceptable both to the Interior Ministry and to Ms. Maguire could be agreed. The Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv extended full consular assistance to Ms. Maguire during this period, making contact with her, with her lawyers and her family and other concerned parties, visiting her on a number of occasions in detention, and attending both the District and Supreme Court hearings.

Both courts found that she had been previously deported, and should not therefore have attempted to re-enter Israel without applying for the lifting of the barring order resulting from this deportation. On this basis, the refusal of entry was confirmed, and she was put on a plane leaving Israel on 5 October. It appears that the courts in both instances did not wish this episode to be regarded as a further deportation, and no costs were awarded against her.

The Embassy has followed this case carefully, and it is clear that due process was correctly observed, and that both courts considered the case carefully. However, I have previously made clear, both here in the Oireachtas and to the Israeli authorities, my view that any accusation of entering Israel illegally in relation to the flotilla episode was unjustified, as neither she nor the other participants had entered Israel voluntarily on that occasion. Should Ms. Maguire now apply for permission to enter Israel, I would therefore urge the Israeli authorities to allow her to do so.