Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I refer the deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 2 today, in which I dealt with the suspension of the current talks in the Middle East Peace Process. US Secretary of State Kerry has correctly, in my view, called on the two sides to reflect on the progress achieved to date, the possibility of reaching an agreement, and the perils of failure.It is not anticipated that the United States will in the immediate future attempt to restart the talks, but I hope that they will be willing, and able, to make such an effort again in the not too distant future. But the US cannot make peace for the parties: it is essential that they grasp the opportunity before them. Ireland and our EU partners will continue to encourage both Israel and the Palestinians to re-engage seriously and also encourage the continued positive support of the Arab nations for a peace agreement.

While both sides have genuine concerns and fears, and both may have made mistakes, in our view the primary responsibility lies on Israel to actively seek to end its long occupation of the Palestinian territory and people. I believe the EU should be more active in making clear that the continuing status quo of the occupation is not an option.