Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the lifting of the blockade of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40683/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government has consistently and repeatedly called for the lifting of the blockade of Gaza, both in the Oireachtas and in public statements, and along with our EU partners in the formal Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council.

Most recently, I made this a central point of my address to the major international conference on Gaza reconstruction held in Cairo on 12 October, in which I said:

“The process begun in the 26 August ceasefire must continue, and both sides must work with the Egyptian mediators to address the underlying issues and find a new path in Gaza. This must mean an end to attacks from Gaza on Israel, but also an end to the unjust blockade which has endured now for seven years. This should begin with a real opening of supplies of materials needed for reconstruction, including of essential infrastructure such as water, sewage and power. Every effort must be made to ensure that humanitarian goods and personnel are guaranteed safe and unimpeded access to Gaza. But it must then continue to the end of senseless restrictions on ordinary economic and human life. The only way to reduce support for militarism among people in Gaza is to allow them to work and export their produce, to find jobs, to feel part of the wider Palestinian people and the wider world.”