Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 May 2006
187 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the deepening poverty levels among the Palestinian population, the Government will commit to providing the aid that had been earmarked to the Palestinian Authority and call for a full resumption of EU assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19036/06]
View answer188 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role the Government is playing in mobilising the quartet to give meaning to the vision of two viable states of Israel and Palestine; his views on the fact that actions on both sides have contributed to the situation of insecurity and poverty and that without international impartiality peace will be elusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19037/06]
View answer191 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding the situation in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18571/06]
View answer193 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role the Government is playing in mobilising the Quartet to give meaning to the vision of two viable States of Israel and Palestine. [18851/06]
View answer194 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland and the EU Government will be taking to ensure Israel’s compliance with international law in view of the fact that the Israeli Government has chosen to ignore calls by the Quartet to freeze settlement expansion and the construction of the separation barrier. [18852/06]
View answer195 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will commit to providing the aid that had been earmarked to the Palestinian authority in view of the deepening poverty levels among the Palestinian population; and if a full resumption of EU assistance will be called for. [18853/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 188, 191 and 193 to 195, inclusive, together.
The Government has been consistently active in promoting a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Together with our partners in the EU, we remain convinced that the only way forward is through negotiations between the parties, in line with the principles and steps set out in the Quartet Roadmap. A mutually acceptable two-State solution must entail the co-existence in peace and security of two viable, sovereign and independent States, with agreed international borders. The EU is playing a vital role in the deliberations of the international Quartet, with the urgent objective of creating an environment for the earliest possible return to negotiations.
We believe that the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority must face up to their obligations under the Roadmap, and under international law. We share the concerns which have been expressed by Deputies about the humanitarian and economic impact of Israel's policies and activities in the Occupied Territories. I have raised directly with the Israeli Government our serious concern at practices which are contrary to international law, including the continued expansion of settlements and the construction of the separation barrier on occupied land. The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 May again emphasised that both parties must avoid any unilateral measures which prejudice final status issues. The EU has consistently stated that it will not recognise any change to the pre-1967 borders other than those arrived at by agreement between the parties.
Since the Palestinian elections in January, the EU and the Quartet have set out very clearly the conditions which must be met by Hamas if it is to engage with the international community. The new Government of the Palestinian Authority must commit to the peace process. It is essential that it renounce violence, recognise Israel's right to exist and adhere to agreements already negotiated by the Authority and the PLO.
The EU has been the strongest supporter of the Palestinian people internationally. It is also the largest donor to Palestine, providing an average of €500 million annually to support Palestinian institutions, NGOs and civil society and for humanitarian assistance. In February, the Council approved the release by the Commission of €121 million in humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. Since early April, the Commission has temporarily suspended direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority, and the EU is continuing to review its assistance against the Government's commitments to the principles set out by the Council and by the Quartet.
I do not believe it is reasonable to argue that the EU should continue its capacity-building support for the Hamas Government irrespective of its willingness to adhere to the basic principles of the peace process. The Government believes, however, that the Palestinian people should not have to face the prospect of a humanitarian crisis because of the reluctance of their Government to meet its responsibilities. The EU is committed to continuing necessary assistance to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian population, and Ireland has argued strongly for the widest possible definition of these basic needs. On 15 May, following the Quartet meeting on 9 May, the Council undertook the urgent work of developing a temporary international mechanism to channel international assistance directly to the Palestinian people. The Council stated that, as a matter of priority, the mechanism will aim to provide for basic needs, including health services.
The Government believes it will be essential that all international donors cooperate to ensure the effectiveness of the new temporary structures. The EU has already called on the Israeli Government to resume the transfer of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues, which are essential in averting a crisis in the Occupied Territories. I hope that a decision to resume the transfers can be taken without delay, if possible through the new international mechanism. Equally, it is important that both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority take concrete steps to implement their obligations under the Agreement on Movement and Access, which was signed on 15 November 2005 and which provides for the movement of people and goods between Gaza and the outside world.
I have already given a commitment that the Government will maintain the level of Ireland's bilateral assistance to the Palestinians, which amounted to over €4 million in 2005. Already this year, since the Palestinian elections, the Government has allocated €1.5 million in humanitarian assistance through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). I expect to make further allocations in the near future.
