Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 39: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will intervene in the matter of two Palestinian political prisoners who are currently on hunger strike in an Israeli prison and have been confirmed as facing an imminent threat to their lives. [29907/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As I have stated in reply to previous Questions, I was very pleased when agreement was reached last month following successful Egyptian mediation between the Israeli authorities and the large numbers of Palestinian prisoners who had been on hunger strike, apparently addressing a range of issues which had occasioned the protests. I have been very concerned however about two prisoners who did not end their hunger strikes, and were approaching the point of real danger. As before, it has been difficult to get a reliable picture of what is the actual position, including the object of the strikes, despite contacts with both the Israeli authorities and with NGOs dealing with the prisoners.

I have been encouraged by the fact that both the Israeli authorities and the prisoners clearly recognised the danger of the hunger strikes spiralling out of control, and found agreement last month to avoid this. I have already strongly urged both sides to seek to resolve the issues involved in these two remaining cases with all possible urgency. I am pleased therefore that it is reliably reported that one of the two remaining cases, and the most advanced and critical one, has been resolved by agreement, and the prisoner has ended his hunger strike. I will continue to follow the other remaining case, and I look forward to an early resolution also of that.