Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports that there has been no material change for the people of GAZA following the easing of restrictions by Israel earlier this year; the efforts being made at EU level to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43319/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action that has been taken by the EU and UN to encourage movement toward normalisation of the situation in Gaza in view of the recently expressed concerns on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43524/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 130 together.

I have continued to follow closely developments in relation to the blockade of Gaza following the announcement by Israel in June of a significant easing of the terms of the blockade. The move to a transparent negative list of items not allowed to enter Gaza has largely resolved the problem of uncertainty and lack of consistency in relation to the type of goods allowed through. I remain seriously concerned about four issues, however: overall volume of goods, restrictions on construction materials, refusal to permit exports and normal movement of persons.

There has been a significant and progressive increase since June, of about 50%, in the volume of goods transported into Gaza. However, the level now reached is still only about one-third of the level of routine shipments before the blockade was imposed, and the increase has consisted of goods from Israel which have largely displaced the very expensive goods smuggled in from Egypt through the tunnel economy, which has greatly contracted. The actual availability of goods in Gaza has therefore only marginally increased, and many remain too expensive for large numbers of people in Gaza. Much more needs to be done. I am concerned that the progressive increase in shipments seems to have plateaued in recent weeks.

Since all shipments into Gaza remain subject to Israeli security checking, the physical capacity of the crossing points is a significant constraint on supplies to Gaza, and most of the crossing points used before 2006 have been closed or are no longer in use. I am aware of Israeli work to increase the capacity of the crossings, and permit a greater flow of goods, but also that the existing crossings are not yet being operated at maximum capacity. It is clear that more needs to be done, and more quickly, if the shortages that affect the lives of ordinary Gazans are to be ended.

Supplies of construction materials have also increased marginally, but are subject to stringent and not fully transparent controls. Some materials have been allowed in for specified projects controlled by UNRWA or the Palestinian Authority, including some repairs to housing and some critical infrastructure such as the sewage plant. But the volume remains hopelessly inadequate to cope with the deterioration in infrastructure and the extensive damage to housing and other property caused by Israeli military action. The inability of families to repair their homes, the inability of UNRWA to repair or construct sufficient schools for Gaza's children, and the serious and growing problems in the water and sewage systems, are of great concern to me.

Finally, looking further ahead, there has been no provision at all by Israel to allow exports to resume from Gaza or for normal movement of persons. This prevents any resumption of economic life in the territory, except for what can be smuggled out through the tunnels which are a source of revenue for militant groups. Gazans remain in a state of complete dependency and mass unemployment, which unfortunately are ideal conditions in which militant groups thrive.

While the political focus has been on the efforts to resume negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement, which is the only long-term solution to the problems of the blockade, I have continued both bilaterally and in discussion with my EU colleagues to ensure that attention remains on the problems of Gaza. While there has been some progress, it is very clear that much more needs to be done, and more quickly.