Written answers

Tuesday, 4 October 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Middle East Peace Process

8:00 pm

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 72: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in view of the strong bonds between our two countries and given their role in assisting our peace process, the positive role we can play in seeking support from the United States towards a resolution of the Palestinian issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27249/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current status of the Middle East Peace Process with particular reference to emphasis on a permanent structure to which all parties can submit their grievances; the degree, if any, to which discussion has taken place around such a prospect throughout the international community; the obstacles preventing such a process; the extent to which he and the international community can influence the ongoing situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27314/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has been in a position to influence his EU colleagues, the UN or the wider community towards bringing about a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27595/11]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 77 and 114 together.

The United States has a critical role to play in the search for peace in the Middle East. Notwithstanding its long political and practical commitment to the security of Israel, successive US administrations have sought to encourage a political engagement between Israel and the Palestinians to reach a comprehensive peace, based on the two state solution. The EU and the US, along with Russia and the UN, work together in the International Quartet to try and bring this about.

I have referred earlier, in answer to a Priority Question, to the current state of the peace process, which has in recent years often been very frustrating. But the strong personal commitment of President Obama and his administration has been evident and very welcome. Both through the EU, and in my own discussions with Secretary Clinton, we have consistently sought to encourage the US to continue and push forward this involvement. I believe there is a particular need for the friends of Israel to try and convince it of its own best interest in grasping the very real opportunity for long-term peace which now exists, but which may not last much longer. Clearly, this is not a responsibility of the United States alone.

The question of a permanent structure, or secretariat, for the Middle East Peace Process has been raised from time to time. However, I am not aware that any of the parties has ever suggested that this might be a useful idea to them, and no such proposal is currently under consideration by the international community. Frankly, it is difficult to see how it might operate in practice, and it might just become another matter to disagree on.

The issues required to be settled in a comprehensive agreement are now well rehearsed. There are full-time envoys working on the conflict on behalf of the individual Quartet members (the UN, the EU, the US and Russia) as well as on behalf of the Quartet itself, where this role is performed by former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The problem is not so much a lack of structures, as an absence of the political will necessary to forge an agreement.

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