87. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his engagement with the European Union and other allies in regard to the peace deal in the Middle East; the role Ireland will play in delivering aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57172/25]

Sentiment score: 0.28

It feels odd asking a question about a peace plan and a ceasefire when we see continued attacks perpetrated by Israel on Gaza but we are ostensibly in a peace plan space. I met the Palestinian ambassador last week who was looking forward with hope that we can move towards a real and just peace. There is a long road to go but what is Ireland doing now that we have moved to - hopefully - a phase where we can look forward regarding Gaza?

Sentiment score: 0.65

What pressure are we able to exert on our European allies and on Israel to ensure that UNRWA can get back up and running as best it can? In fairness, we in Ireland tried to continue to fund UNRWA over the last couple of years when others were pulling back and bowing to Israeli pressure. In calmer times, Ireland has been able to assist and help deliver structural aid in Gaza, such as a solar farm, wastewater treatment plants and desalination plants. We are still at a point where we are hoping to get trucks in to deliver proper emergency aid. Does Ireland stand ready to be able to assist in the more structural, medium- to long-term peace as we have in the past?

Sentiment score: 0.36

The US Vice President has been in Israel and has been talking about this peace plan albeit 153 tonnes of bombs were dropped by Israel on Gaza yesterday. The US Vice President spoke about a stabilisation force and a peace force. We have a proud tradition in that region of peacekeeping. However, given what we are debating in the coming weeks and months in terms of the triple lock and the future of our peacekeeping - I am conscious that we are very early - have there been discussions in relation to peacekeeping? I have huge concerns regarding how this is fermenting, at a structural level being led by the US. It is important that we ask the question here because we have two really proud pillars of Irish foreign policy, namely, development aid and peacekeeping, both of which will be at play here. Will the Tánaiste make a comment on peacekeeping?

Sentiment score: 0.61