Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the release of a person (details supplied); his views on the position of UNICEF that the ill-treatment of Palestinian children in military detention is widespread, systematic and institutionalised; his further views on the fact that Israel is the only nation that systematically detains and prosecutes children in a military court system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3504/18]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the detention of Palestinian children and teenagers by the Israeli authorities with Israeli representatives here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3653/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 28 together.

The overall human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the treatment of children in detention, remains a matter of concern. Ireland has repeatedly drawn attention to concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. We have paid particular attention over recent years to issues related to the detention of minors. Ireland also provides financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs who are active in bringing these issues to light.

I am aware of the issues raised by UNICEF, including in the February 2013 UNICEF report, entitled “Children in Israeli Military Detention”. I would urge the Israeli authorities, in accordance with their obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to use detention only as a means of last resort, and for the shortest appropriate period of time, in the case of minors.

During my visit to the Middle East last week, I again raised Ireland’s concerns about the detention of minors directly with the Israeli authorities, including the issues of night-time arrests and blindfolding.

Ireland has also raised these issues at EU level and in international fora, including during the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013. In the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Israel, earlier this week, Ireland raised the issue of administrative detention, and made recommendations on the rights of detainees.

My Department and I will continue to press on these issues in the relevant multilateral fora, and also, where appropriate, directly with Israel.

In relation to the specific case referred to by the Deputies, an Irish diplomatic representative was present at the person in question’s hearing in Ofer military court in the West Bank on 20 December, along with other international representatives. My Department will continue to monitor that case and others.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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14. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the most recent developments in Palestine regarding the possible withdrawal of recognising the state of Israel that was made at an international conference in Madrid in 1991 will be discussed with his other EU colleagues at the next EU Council meeting. [3057/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) recognized Israel in 1993, as part of the Oslo Accords, which also set out a path towards a two-state solution. There has understandably been a strong reaction among Palestinians to the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I have made clear that I believe the US announcement was premature and unhelpful. The EU has reaffirmed our belief in a two state solution, with Jerusalem as a capital for both Israel and Palestine. At the January meeting of the PLO Central Council there was evidently deep frustration not just at the US announcement, but also at the lack of progress over two decades in building on the Oslo Accords. Some statements made at the Central Council included inflammatory rhetoric. The Central Council also decided to assign the Executive Committee of the PLO to suspend recognition of Israel, pending reciprocal recognition of a State of Palestine.

However, this decision has not yet been implemented. It will be for President Abbas to decide whether to act on this recommendation, and so far, he has not done so. I believe that the international community should focus on actions, not rhetoric. I note that President Abbas reaffirmed his opposition to terrorism in all forms, in the course of the Council.

My EU colleagues and I met again with President Abbas at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday. Our conviction that it would be a major step back to withdraw recognition of Israel was clear. We also reiterated our support for the two state solution, as an outcome of an agreement between the parties.

I very strongly urge President Abbas to maintain Palestinian recognition of Israel, something which the PLO has accepted since 1993.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to invite a delegation from the Parliament in Gaza to meet with an all party delegation in Dáil Éireann. [3495/18]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to arrange an all-party delegation to visit the Parliament in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3494/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 29 together.

The Palestinian Parliament, known as the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), was elected in 2006, but it has not held a regular session since 2007. There is a PLC building in Gaza, but Gaza does not have its own parliament, as such.

The occupied Palestinian territory is made up of both the West Bank and Gaza, and Ireland fully supports the unity of that territory. I welcome the recent progress towards a full return by the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, an effort that would restore a unified Palestinian Authority Government. I conveyed my support for this process directly to President Abbas during my visit to the Middle East earlier this month. I was very happy to be able to have a meeting with a Palestinian Authority Minister in Gaza during my visit, as a sign that that process is underway. In both meetings, I reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to working to end the blockade in Gaza, and to help provide positive prospects for young people there.

Following the 2006 election, the EU recognised as legitimate the Palestinian Government subsequently formed by Hamas, but also exercised its own right not to engage directly with members of Hamas, while it remains committed to an armed struggle. Ireland and the EU do engage fully with the current Palestinian Government, which is committed to pursuing the objective of a two state solution by purely peaceful means. It is for the Oireachtas, not the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, to make arrangements for incoming or outgoing visits of parliamentary delegations. I would be happy to see Oireachtas cooperation with any Palestinian representatives who are committed to the peaceful achievement of a two state solution. I would note that my Department currently advises Irish citizens strongly against all travel to the Gaza Strip for security reasons.