Sir, - I welcome The Irish Times's coverage of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, meeting held on January 15th. The report carries a very comprehensive picture of the debate on the allegations made against our UNIFIL troops and the joint committee's rejection of these allegations.
However, it neglects the joint committee's debate on the other issues relating to the Middle East which were raised. In particular, it ignores the unanimous support and welcome which the joint committee expressed for the historic agreement reached by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Palestinian leader, President Arafat, the previous night.
The delegation which travelled to Israel went there to view the situation in the context of the slow down in the peace process and the implementation of the Oslo Accords. The joint committee is therefore very pleased with the agreement on Hebron and related issues. It is seen by the committee as putting - in place another essential building block in the peace process. - Yours, etc.,
Chairman of the
Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.