Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 85: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any Ministers are planning to make an official visit to Israel in the forthcoming 12 months; and if so, if he will ensure that if such a trip occurs, the Minister will spend equal time in the occupied Palestinian territories, and make every effort to visit Gaza. [39835/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that I have been planning an official visit to the region. I hope this may be possible early in 2012. My primary purpose will be to meet the parties in relation to the Middle East Peace Process, to hear from them the prospects and obstacles as they see them and to encourage them to commit seriously to this effort. I will look at some of the issues on the ground and develop Ireland's bilateral relationships in the region. My visit will therefore involve elements in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. I would also intend if possible to visit Gaza. It is not an absolute requirement to combine all these elements in a single visit, but it makes practical sense to do so if possible. It is clearly essential that as Foreign Minister I speak to and hear from both sides. I am not at this point aware of other Ministerial visits to Israel which may be planned for 2012. I will, however, encourage colleagues who are planning such visits to meet, if they can, with relevant counterparts in the Palestinian Authority as well as with representatives of the Israeli government. I will also encourage visits to the occupied Palestinian Territories. The Government will use all the contacts we have with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to underline our support for a lasting resolution of the conflict and for a peaceful and prosperous future for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.