Vol. 434 No. 3
2 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give a report on the progress in the peace process between Israel and the PLO; and the plans, if any, he has to sanction the opening of an Israeli Embassy in Ireland.
60 Mr. Shatter asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the proposals, if any, he has to open an Israeli Embassy in Ireland.
85 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the proposals, if any, he has to open an Israeli Embassy in Ireland.
94 Mr. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the proposals, if any, he has to open an Israeli Embassy in Ireland.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 60, 85 and 94 together.
Following reciprocal recognition by Israel and the PLO on 9 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements was signed in Washington by Israel and the PLO on 13 September 1993. After the joint declaration takes effect on 13 October 1993 autonomy for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is scheduled to proceed as follows: by 13 December 1993, the two sides will sign an agreement on Israeli military withdrawal from Jericho and the Gaza Strip; military withdrawal from Jericho and Gaza will be completed by 13 April 1994; by 13 July 1994 there will be direct elections for a representative council of Palestinians. Israeli military forces will withdraw outside populated areas prior to elections for the council; further pullbacks will take place as Palestinian police assume responsibility; and the mandate for the initial representative council of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip will not exceed five years. Negotiations on the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip will begin not later than 13 December 1995 and conclude by 13 December 1998.
This historic agreement represents a major step towards the establishment of a just, comprehensive and durable settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. For the first time it addresses the core issues which have troubled the region for decades.
There are indications that the signing of the Israeli-PLO Agreement may lead to further bilateral agreements between Israel and its other Arab neighbours, initially Jordan, and subsequently Syria and Lebanon. Such agreements would be central to the process of achieving a comprehensive settlement to the problems of the Middle East. Ireland, together with its EC partners, is actively involved in the multilateral track of the peace process and is firmly committed to the success of the current negotiations.
Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel are at present conducted at ambassadorial level on a non-residential basis. The question of the establishment of a resident Israeli Embassy in Ireland is under active examination but no decision has yet been taken. As I mentioned in my speech to the United Nations General Assembly on 1 October 1993, the Government will take steps to strengthen and develop our good relations with Israel and with the Palestinian people, and these were among the topics discussed with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Shimon Peres, and with the Foreign Affairs Spokesman of the PLO, Farouk Khaddoumi, during my visit to New York last week.
In view of the fact that the whole world is watching this peace process and welcoming it, will the Minister be a little more specific in regard to giving approval for the setting up of an embassy here, as he has done in regard to South Africa. He seems to be willing to open diplomatic relations directly with South Africa. Will he give an assurance that his word will prevail at Cabinet in having an Israeli embassy in Ireland?
Has Ireland committed any funding towards the setting up of the new territories in Israel? In view of the fact that the behaviour of neighbouring countries will be central to the continuation of this peace process, has the Minister made contact with some of Israel's neighbouring governments, such as the Iranian Government, to ensure that they do not continue giving support to some of the factions, such as Hezbollah, that are adding to instability on the borders of Israel?
There is an historic opportunity in relation to the peace process in the Middle East. The whole world is very conscious of that. As I said at the UN, there is an opportunity for Ireland to enhance and further strengthen our diplomatic relations with both Israel and the Palestinians and I will be bringing proposals to my Government colleagues to ensure that is done.
In relation to financial support, at the Conference of Donors to the Occupied Territories in Washington on 1 October 1993 Ireland pledged US$1 million in aid for the occupied territories in 1994. At EC level we have been co-operating with our Community colleagues and have decided to make 20 million ECU available immediately as emergency aid. The EC Commission has also proposed a medium-term aid package of 500 million ECU and Ireland has supported this proposal.
The matter raised by the Deputy in relation to the continuing instability in the Middle East region is one of which we are all very conscious. The matter was raised by me at my meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister in New York last week and it has been raised also by my EC colleagues. There is a direct involvement for the neighbouring countries in the Middle East in establishing and helping the peace process and I set out to convince my Iranian colleague of that.
