Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have given attention to the need for ongoing dialogue on the Middle East peace issues; the extent to which ongoing and permanent structures are in place or being put in place to encourage and facilitate peace negotiations with emphasis on the utilisation of every opportunity to deal with the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The urgent need for dialogue and a resumption of direct negotiations on the Middle East Peace Process remains a key concern of myself and my EU colleagues. I have been anxious in particular that, with so much else happening in the region, and the natural tendency to focus on specific events such as the flotilla, we must not lose sight of the real danger of continuing inactivity on the Arab-Israeli dispute. I am convinced that a real opportunity still exists to finally resolve this conflict, but I am deeply concerned that this is not being grasped. The meeting on Monday of the International Quartet was an important opportunity for the international community to consider how it can push the process forward. Baroness Ashton will report on the meeting to the Foreign Affairs Council next week. I feel the international community, ideally through the Quartet, need to be more vocal and proactive on this issue.

There is in my view no shortage of structures and processes in place to try and support or impel the parties into real engagement with the remaining issues. Special Representatives are in the field from the EU, the US, the UN, Russia and the Quartet, and the Arab League is also closely involved. What has unfortunately been lacking, and more so I have to say on the part of the Israeli Government, is sufficient political will and courage to overcome the difficulties and achieve the comprehensive settlement which almost all observers believe is well within reach.