merrion street

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence continued his St Patrick’s day programme in the Middle East today. On the fourth day of his visit to the Middle East, Minister Shatter visited the Knesset and met with the outgoing Minister for Justice Mr. Yaakov Neeman. Both Ministers held a detailed discussion on a broad range of issues, including concerns about the increased incidents of anti-semitism. Minister Shatter outlined initiatives he had taken as part of Ireland’s EU presidency priorities to address, on an EU-wide basis, the increase in anti-semitism, xenophobia and racism and actions required at EU level in this regard. Minister Shatter informed Minister Neeman that the issue was on the agenda for the Justice Ministers’ EU informal meeting in January and returned to at the March meeting of Ministers in Brussels. Minister Neeman emphasized his concerns also on the issue. In the context of a discussion on Israeli/Irish relations, both Ministers agreed on the need to tighten and broaden the relationship between the two countries particularly in the area of economic co operation, research and development and high tech industry, together with common interests in the legal and justice fields. Minister Shatter informed Minister Neeman about the successful IDA sponsored breakfast, held earlier in the day and attended by a number of leading Israeli business men and women, including from a number of Israeli companies already based in Ireland.

In the afternoon, the Minister travelled to Ramallah and had an extensive meeting with Dr. Nabil Sha’ath, Commissioner for International Relations of Fateh, whom the Minister had met on a number of previous occasions. They had a detailed discussion on the current political situation and the prospects for reviving talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority following the formation of the new Israeli government. The Minister reiterated the Irish Government’s support for a two state solution and Nabil Sha’ath expressed continuing Palestinian support for such a solution. The Minister confirmed that the Irish Government will give whatever constructive support it can to the peace process. Nabil Sha,ath thanked the Minister for Irelands support to date for an independent Palestinian State. Following the meeting, the Minister said “I believe that it was particularly valuable during the course of my visit to avail of the opportunity to discuss, both with Tsivi Livni and Nabil Sha’ath, their current insights and perspectives on what needs to be done to resolve the long outstanding issues relating to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. I believe that the formation of a new Israeli Government affords a unique opportunity for the parties to reengage with each other and I will be discussing this issue further with the Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny T.D. and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Eamon Gilmore T.D. upon my return to Ireland”.

The Minister also held a meeting with the Justice Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mr Ali Muhanna, who outlined to the Minister the current proposals for reform of the Justice system and the progress being made in this regard. The Minister advised that Ireland was happy to support such reforms and that we would be happy to share our experience and knowledge with him and his officials should they wish to visit Ireland at any stage. The Minister also visited the headquarters of EUPOL COPPS, the EU Common Security and Defence Policy mission in Palestine which supports capacity building in relation to policing and the rule of law. The Minister received a detailed briefing from Mr Kenneth Deane, Head of Mission and his staff on the current situation in the mission.