Michael D. Higgins
Question:90 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contact he or his staff have had in regard to the building of an excluding wall by Israel on Palestinian territory. [26696/03]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:153 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action the Government is taking, both with the EU and in its own name, to put pressure on the Israeli Government to immediately cease construction of the internationally condemned so-called security wall in the West Bank which is cutting off thousands of Palestinians from their land, water and essential services; and the action the Government will take on this issue during the Irish Presidency of the EU. [27085/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 153 together.
The Government has made known its position with regard to the separation wall to the Israeli authorities on several occasions. The Deputy will recall that I called for an end to construction in my statement of 9 September. On 21 October Ireland's delegation to the UN co-sponsored a resolution in the General Assembly which demanded that Israel stop and reverse the construction of the wall. The European Union has made similar calls on several occasions, including at the European Council on 17 October last. The question of the wall has also been raised in discussions with US officials and during contacts with other concerned states.