Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on the Israeli soldier (details supplied), who has been held hostage since 25 June 2006; if he has asked Ambassador Ajjuri of the Mission of Palestine in Ireland for his Government's position on the captivity of this person and the blocking by Hamas of access to the person by the International Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19037/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 58 on 29 June on this subject, which was as follows:

"This week marks five years since Sergeant Gilad Shalit was kidnapped from Israel by Palestinian militants. His continued captivity is a deplorable situation for the soldier and his family. The Red Cross has been refused access to him, his family cannot send letters to him, and they have received no confirmation that he is still alive since 2009. Ireland, along with our EU partners, has repeatedly called for his release without delay, most recently at the European Council last week, which issued a Declaration demanding his immediate release. Last week I discussed Sergeant Shalit's case with the Israeli Ambassador, and made a statement reiterating the Government's call for his immediate release.

Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas, an organisation with which the Government has no channel of communication. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organisation by the EU, and, accordingly, there is no contact at any level between Irish officials and representatives of Hamas.

There have been periodic reports that a prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, conducted through third parties, would lead to the imminent release of Sergeant Shalit. Regrettably, this has not yet proved to be the case. It is my sincere hope that Gilad Shalit will soon be released and can return to his family in Israel."

Further to that reply, I have not raised this matter separately with the Palestinian Representative, as Sgt. Shalit is being held in Gaza, which is not under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian President Abbas has on numerous occasions expressed the hope that Sgt. Shalit could be released. While there may be some hope that the recent reconciliation agreement between the Palestinian factions might help create the conditions for his release, one should be careful of false optimism in this regard. The capture and captivity of Sgt. Shalit took place before the break between the factions, when the PA still had some partial control of Gaza.