This morning innocent Palestinian people were massacred in the village of Beit Hanoun by the Israeli defence forces, carrying all the hallmarks of the Rumsfeld-Bush shock and awe tactics. It was a further devastation of the peoples of the Middle East as a result of their interference, which has been supported at all stages by the Minister.

Does the Minister agree with the majority of the American people now that the invasion and ongoing occupation of Iraq are a disaster? Does he regret the role the Irish Government has played and is playing in facilitating the ongoing occupation? Does he apologise for his role?

The Deputy's time is concluded.

Will he continue with the same subservient policy to the Bush and Blair regimes in support of their agenda, which has nothing to do with world peace or the welfare of the peoples of the Middle East? We should not be surprised he supports them when the Government follows their neo-liberal capitalist policies such as privatising our public industries. The Minister must do better and show respect to the Irish people by answering the crucial questions raised by the outcome of this election in the United States.

I have no respect for the Deputy's anti-Americanism. I never have and never will.

It is not anti-Americanism any more.

That is another easy diversion. What does he mean by anti-Americanism? Do I hate the Rocky Mountains? Do I hate the Great Lakes?

Deputy Joe Higgins has had his opportunity. I ask him to allow the Minister to respond.

I refer to the Deputy's vituperative approach, which is entirely predictable.

The Minister shows the Irish people contempt.

I ask Deputy Joe Higgins to resume his seat.

The Irish Government continues to support UN resolutions on these matters, which were unanimously adopted. In the debate to which the Deputy referred, the Irish Government set out its position and I stand over every word of it because it was consistent with our foreign policy traditions, despite Deputy Joe Higgins's assertions to the contrary. I do not agree with anything else the Deputy has to say on the subject and never will. We will just have to disagree.

What is the Minister's interpretation of the American election result?

The Minister should withdraw his remark about anti-Americanism.