Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken to help provide a long-term peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in view of continued Israeli efforts to quash Palestinian political autonomy. [15810/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace. It also includes action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement activity, which are progressively endangering the prospects of such a peace agreement. During my working visit to Israel and Palestine in January, on which I have reported to the House, I met with both President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as other representatives of the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and discussed with them reinvigorating the effort towards peace in the Middle East. In recent months the new United States administration has been exploring the possibilities for re-launching the process to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. This engagement is very welcome, and I have met myself with the US team to encourage their work, and to underline to them the key parameters for an agreement which the EU has long espoused.

In recent discussions with my EU colleagues, I have stated that the EU must continue to encourage an appropriate US initiative, but that the EU must also continue our own work, including work on the ground, to help preserve and create the political and physical space in which the two state solution can be achieved, and help to combat negative trends, including the deteriorating situation in Gaza. Recent events in Gaza are a symptom of how difficult the situation there is, and should be a further spur to our efforts to bring about change. I am actively exploring with EU colleagues how this can best be done.

As a part of Ireland’s efforts towards helping lay the groundwork for the two state solution, successive Irish Governments have provided financial support to build the institutions of a Palestinian State. Through the Irish Aid programme, which also aims to promote peace building and to meet the immediate needs of the Palestinian people, we currently provide some €10 million annually in development and humanitarian assistance. Ireland’s support to the Palestinian Authority has a specific focus on education.

Irish Aid also continues to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza. Ireland has provided funding of €8 million to UNRWA’s Gaza Emergency Appeals since 2006, of which €500,000 was provided in 2017. In light of the exceptional circumstances UNRWA is facing, Ireland brought forward our 2018 core contribution to the organisation’s Programme Budget. Last month, Ireland pledged an additional €250,000 to the Agency.

I have given a high priority to the Middle East Peace Process since assuming office, in both my work at EU level and elsewhere, as I have reported to the House.