Finian McGrath
Question:200 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will urgently raise the plight of the Palestinian people at both EU and UN levels and send a cross-party delegation to the occupied territories. [7596/03]
Written Answers - Foreign Conflicts.
The plight of the Palestinian people is regularly considered at EU ministerial meetings. Most recently, on 24 February, Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the importance of reinvigorating the peace process as well as their support for the early implementation of the road map endorsed by the quartet. The question of Palestine is regularly discussed in the framework of the UN. It will be among the items considered this month by the UN Commission on Human Rights. As a member of the commission, Ireland will support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. It is a matter for the appropriate committees of the House to consider whether a visit to the occupied territories by a cross-party delegation would be useful at this time.