Vol. 432 No. 2
5 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has made a decision as to the establishment of an Israeli Embassy in Ireland; and if so, if he will give details of any discussions that have taken place on the matter.
Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel are at present conducted at ambassadorial level on a non-residental basis.
The question of the establishment of a resident Israeli Embassy in Ireland is under active examination but no decision has yet been taken.
Would the Minister say whether there have been any recent discussions about the establishment of an Israeli Embassy in this country?
In fact there have been some discussions. I met the Israeli Foreign Minister in Brussels some months ago and have met the Israeli Ambassador, accredited to Ireland but based in London, I think twice in recent months. The matter of establishing an embassy here is on the agenda and was raised in the course of our discussions.
If I am to take the correct implication from the Minister's reply, apparently in the course of those discussions things have been set in motion for the establishment of an Israeli Embassy here. Would the Minister say whether he has expressed any reservations about the activities of Israeli armed forces towards the occupants of the Gaza Strip and on the West Bank?
We are now having an extension of this question.
I can tell the Deputy that questions in relation to our troops serving in the Lebanon and questions in relation to Israel arise on a continuous basis between our Government and the Government of Israel. I will avail of every opportunity to discuss these matters with the Israeli Ambassador or, indeed, with Israeli Ministers. As I said to the Deputy at the outset, the question of establishing an embassy here is under review. It will be a matter for the Government ultimately to decide whether or not there will be a resident Israeli Embassy established in Dublin.
Would the Minister say whether the location of an embassy in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv or anywhere else causes a problem for Ireland? Would he comment on that?
At present we are talking about the establishment of an Israeli Embassy in Dublin. There are no proposals before the Irish Government to establish a resident embassy in Israel at present.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be an unwarranted concession to the Israeli Government to permit the establishment of an Israeli embassy in Dublin until such time as the Israeli authorities cease infringing the human rights of the Palestinians, both in Israel itself and on the Gaza Strip and West Bank, and indeed its support for the SLA in South Lebanon?
I want to stick to the subject matter of the question, which is the establishment of an embassy in Dublin. I cannot permit extraneous matter——
We are talking about a decision.
——to be drawn in.
I might argue, a Cheann Comhairle——
Well, Deputy, the Chair does not argue nor will it be argued with.
A Cheann Comhairle, would you please permit me——
I thought the Deputy said he was arguing.
The question relates to a decision about the location of an embassy in this city. I am making the point that there are factors relating to the taking of that decision in relation to which I am putting a question to the Minister.
That is a matter for another time, Deputy.
Surely it is legitimate to ask the Minister whether matters relating to the activities of the Israeli authorities in Israel, the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and the West Bank have some bearing on the establishment of an Israeli Embassy in Dublin? That is my question, a Cheann Comhairle, and it is a legitimate one.
The whole aspect of policy does not arise now.
I was asking the Minister whether it would not constitute an unwarranted concession to the Israeli Government.
The Deputy has made his point.
I take the Deputy's view but would not necessarily concur with it. On matters of interest to the Irish Government vis-à-vis the Israeli Government, I should say that in fact I raised the matter of the treatment of the Palestinians myself at my meeting with Shimon Peres and I will do so again in relation to such treatment. Of course, the other aspect is the Middle East peace process being re-established in Washington. Obviously, we were briefed on this in our meeting yesterday with Mr. Warren Christopher, the United States Secretary of State. That is a process we would like to see being brought to fruition and which will require the best determination of all the parties in the Middle East. Obviously, all of these matters would have to be taken into consideration if and when the Government is presented with the option of establishing an embassy.
Would the Minister confirm that in Opposition he was in favour of setting up an Israeli Embassy in Ireland? Would he say whether he is still of that opinion?
That is an issue on which my views have not changed between being in Opposition and in Government.
Will the Minister say whether the Irish Government will make the question of the establishment of an Israeli Embassy in Dublin conditional on compliance with civil rights on the part of the Israeli authorities?
I have to say to the Deputy that I am not sure whether any foreign country would want to establish an embassy in Dublin on the basis of conditions laid down by the Irish Government. That would not strike me as being part and parcel of establishing diplomatic relations. But, as I have said to the Deputy — and obviously one would have to come back to the House if an embassy is established — if it is established by the Government, it will be done on the basis of the best judgment at that time.
