19 Jan 2012, 09:41
The Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade had a positive, open and useful meeting with Reuven Rivlin, Speaker of the Knesset of Israel on 18th January which dealt with a number of key issues, including Irish-Israeli relations and the current prospects for peace in the Middle East.
Speaking after the meeting, Committee Chairman, Pat Breen TD said: “Many members of the Oireachtas and the Irish public continue to take a keen interest in the Middle East Peace Process, so the Committee was delighted to have this opportunity to discuss many of these issues with Speaker Rivlin.
Of course, there are issues on which opinion across the political spectrum in Ireland differs significantly from some of the positions which Speaker Rivlin has taken in relation to a two-state solution and in relation to continued settlement building, for instance.
However, it is fair to say that the Speaker is widely admired for the strong stance which he has taken to protect democratic principles in Israel in the face of diverse challenges, including the rights of minorities and women’s rights, to name but two.
The Speaker also invited a delegation from the Committee to visit Israel to continue dialogue on these important issues and we look forward to taking him up on this kind invitation at future date.”
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Pat Breen, TD (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, TD
Michael McNamara, TD
Dara Murphy, TD
Dan Neville, TD
Seán Ó Fearghaíl, TD
Maureen O’Sullivan, TD
Senators
Deirdre Clune,
Mark Daly,
Lorraine Higgins,
Michael Mullins,
David Norris,
Jim Walsh.