Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which, unilaterally or through the aegis of the EU/UN, he continues to influence the situation in the Middle East, with particular reference to the setting up of a permanent peace process to which Israeli and Palestinians can refer their grievances on a regular basis in order to prevent the recurrences of events such as 7 October 2023 and subsequent retaliation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50219/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 223 together.

Ireland is committed to achieving a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians, based on a two-State solution, in line with international law. I have repeatedly made the point in both my bilateral and multilateral meetings that it is necessary to reinvigorate a peace process and continue to engage at the European Union and United Nations on initiatives centred on the achievement of a sustainable peace.

I have reiterated the importance of supporting a peace process in my interactions with my EU counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council and in my conversations with leaders in the region. Ireland continues to support initiatives to promote peace in the region at the UN, and supported at UN General Assembly resolution which called for a humanitarian truce, on 26 October. It is important that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis also lay the foundation for the path towards a sustainable peace in the long term.