Vol. 435 No. 11
22 Mr. Cox asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recent visit of members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs to Israel, he will make a statement about progress that has been made in recent weeks in establishing an Irish Embassy in Israel.
37 Ms Keogh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recent visit of members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs to Israel, he will make a statement about the progress, if any, that has been made in recent weeks in establishing an Irish Embassy in Israel.
44 Mr. Cullen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recent visit of members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs to Israel, he will make a statement about the progress, if any, that has been made in recent weeks in establishing an Irish Embassy in Israel.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 37 and 44 together.
Ireland's network of resident diplomatic missions is small and must remain so for the foreseeable future. We do of course keep the possibility of its extension under review in the light of changing national and international circumstances and the resources available to us. Because of competing demands on our limited financial and personnel resources, it is doubtful that, in the short term at least, Ireland would be in a position to establish a resident Embassy in Israel. However, the Government will continue to monitor closely the evolving situation in the Middle East and our Ambassador in Greece, who is accredited to Israel on a non-residential basis, will maintain regular contact with the Israeli authorities.
The visit to Israel earlier this month of an Oireachtas delegation led by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs marks a further development in Irish-Israeli relations and it is to be welcomed.
As part of that delegation, I was led to believe that the opening of an Israeli embassy in Dublin was about to receive immediate Cabinet attention. I was led to believe also that this view was shared in Israel. Will the Minister indicate whether the Government is considering a reciprocal arrangement in that the Israelis may open an embassy in Dublin? The person who drafted the Minister's reply did so with an economy of language which did not cover a reciprocal arrangement. Is the Minister aware that there is a growing market between the Irish and Israeli economies and that it is proposed that El-Al or Aer Lingus will run direct Israel-Dublin flights next year. In that context, will the Minister agree that there would be much to be gained from having more intense diplomatic relations with the state of Israel?
My reply was drafted having regard to the question tabled. Perhaps it was intended to ask the other half of the question to which the Deputy referred. The understanding the Deputy received from the delegation that went to Israel is also my understanding. The matter is high on the Government agenda and I hope to have it dealt with as soon as possible.
Second, in recent weeks I have looked at the trade figures between Ireland and Israel and they are both favourable and increasing. There is potential for further growth in trade with Israel and I hope this can be developed. As I have said previously, given what is happening in the Middle East we have an historic opportunity to develop our relations with Israel. This is long overdue.
Deputy De Rossa rose.
The time available is exhausted, but I will facilitate Deputy De Rossa and Deputy Owen, both of whom may ask a brief question.
Will the Minister bear in mind the position in South Lebanon where Irish troops come under pressure, to put it mildly, from the SLA, which is a direct surrogate of the Israeli defence forces? Will he secure a guarantee from the Israeli Government that Irish troops will not be threatened by the SLA before a final decision is taken on the question of the establishment of an Israeli embassy here?
I am mindful of the position in which the UNIFIL troops find themselves. On a number of occasions I have conveyed my strong concern to the Israeli Government, who are in no doubt about the importance we attach to the safety of our troops on their UNIFIL mission.
I commend Deputy McDowell for his ingenuity. Last month I tabled a similar question and I wondered how he managed to have this question put back on the agenda. Does the Minister agree that the delay in making a decision to allow an Israeli embassy to be opened in Dublin is the source of a great deal of tension between Ireland and Israel and that it is nothing short of churlish? Is he aware that the Israelis think the reason for the delay is that there is a difference of opinion between him and a former incumbent of his office? Will he use his position as Tánaiste and deputy head of the Government to prevail at Cabinet and have this decision made?
Nothing has been said to me on the question of whether there are any differences between myself and any previous incumbent of my office. Second, I hope to have this matter dealt with as quickly as possible.
The Minister told me that last month.
That disposes of questions for today.
