Is the Taoiseach following events and listening to the increasingly hawkish rhetoric from the Israeli Government? As he is aware, there is an election taking place in Israel today and the Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, has pledged that if he is re-elected, he will annex illegal settlements. As the Taoiseach is aware, the settlements are in contravention of international law and have been condemned repeatedly. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to recognise the state of Palestine. That is now a pressing and an urgent matter and delay only damages the prospects for a viable Palestinian state and, furthermore, encourages and facilitates a hawkish Israeli Government that is intent on frustrating any prospects for Palestinian sovereignty and, in turn, peace and stability in the region.

I also noted those comments which were made in the final days of an election campaign. I expect that it was electioneering, but the comments were certainly unwelcome. I issued a very clear statement on them on behalf of the Government last night.