Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking with Ireland’s EU partners to achieve a long-term settlement between Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48477/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and I have made clear my view that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued absence of political progress. Ireland has worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the issue, and support for the two state solution.

The EU remains firmly committed to a two state solution to the conflict. With the prospects for peace continuing to deteriorate on the ground, EU Foreign Ministers have discussed the Peace Process on numerous occasions over the last year, most recently at the informal Foreign Ministers meeting in August. There we considered how the EU can productively engage and better use all the levers at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. We must ensure that the EU’s support for the region is focused on delivery of the two-state solution.

EU colleagues share a great concern about threats to the viability of the two state solution, stemming principally from the settlement policy of the Israeli Government, which is diminishing the physical space in which a Palestinian state will be built.

Along with other EU colleagues I have sought to encourage and influence the United States in its current consideration of a Middle East initiative, so long as it addresses the needs of both parties to the conflict. I have also visited the region three times since taking up my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to engage directly with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders on how Ireland can add value and help facilitate progress. And I have indicated my intention to hold an informal ministerial meeting in Ireland, for a small number of Arab and European Foreign Ministers. I believe this style of gathering could be useful in promoting the exchange of ideas on how to restart the stagnated peace process.

This issue will remain a high priority on my agenda in the coming months.