Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which reconstruction or improvement works in Gaza are being hampered by the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28930/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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All construction work in Gaza is severely hampered by Israeli restrictions on types and quantities of materials that are allowed into the Strip. This includes reconstruction of war damaged buildings, including large numbers of houses, and construction of essential infrastructure, such as badly needed water, sewage and electricity utilities. Even those projects which are approved are subject to delays, and additional costs, due to the restrictions.

In my contacts in the region I have discussed a number of possible projects to improve conditions in Gaza, with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and others. An easing of restrictions imposed by Israel would be essential elements of these. I will continue to take this work forward.

I am very conscious of the needs of the Palestinian people, and particularly the needs of those in Gaza. Last week, Ireland pledged additional humanitarian funding of €250,000 for the work which the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) undertakes there. This additional funding will support the Agency in delivering urgently needed food, shelter, education and social services for 1.3 million Palestine refugees in Gaza.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the situation in Gaza and the West Bank continues to be monitored by international interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28931/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The situation in Gaza and the West Bank continues to be a major topic of international interest and discussions, even as multiple other crises and conflicts currently afflicting the wider Middle East region also demand our attention. International attention is focused both on specific issues and events in Gaza and the West Bank, and the broader objective of a resolution of the conflict and an end to the Israeli occupation, something which is essential for the long term future of the Palestinian territory, and indeed also for Israel.

At EU level, issues relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict are regularly discussed at both Ministerial and official level. In the last six months, for example, the members of the Foreign Affairs Council have held meetings on the margins of the Council with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Abbas, and the group of Arab Foreign Ministers, as well as discussing the situation in Gaza specifically at their meeting in May.

The same issues are also discussed regularly at UN level, at the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Human Rights Council.

In the last year, the United States Government has also been working to develop an initiative to restart negotiations for a final peace agreement.

Ireland has worked consistently to encourage international attention to this long running conflict. I have made three visits to Israel and Palestine, including Gaza, in my first year in office, and there and elsewhere I have held numerous meetings on the subject with Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, European and American interlocutors. I have focused on pressing for stronger EU engagement notwithstanding other problems in the region; on encouraging and seeking to shape the US initiative; and on exploring practical ideas to improve conditions on the ground, especially in Gaza. The situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory will remain high on my agenda.