Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
47. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will encourage the formation of an EU Committee for Middle East Affairs in the coming Presidency of the European Union and if he will help relieve the suffering of the people of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1240/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are three permanent Working Groups of the Council already in existence to deal with Middle East issues. One covers North Africa and the Near East; one covers the Gulf and Arabian states; and one concentrates specifically on the Israeli-Arab conflict and related issues. The work of these Groups, on which all member States are represented, prepares and feeds upwards into discussion at Ambassador level and ultimately into the Foreign Affairs Council. All three Groups are very active. My Department provides a strong Irish input into their work and into the formulation of EU policy across the wide range of issues which they cover, including those relating to Palestine.
In 2012 Ireland contributed €11.47 million in humanitarian assistance and civil society support in the Palestinian Territory. This included funding of €6.34 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency which is responsible for the provision of basic services such as education and health to Palestinian refugees, including within Gaza. This was broken down as follows: €4 million to the UNRWA General Fund; €2.14 million to the UNRWA Gaza Appeal; and €200,000 to the UNRWA Syria Appeal.
