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Labour Party Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Costello to meet refugees during fact-finding visit to Gaza

He described this as a time of hope but also increasing difficulty for ordinary Palestinians.

MINISTER JOE COSTELLO is to make a fact-finding visit to Gaza tomorrow, during what he described as a “time of increasing difficulty” for ordinary Palestinians.

While there, the Minister for Trade and Development will look at the situation on the ground and the humanitarian impact of the Israeli blockade on the people of Gaza.

The Minister said:

This is a time of cautious hope in the Middle East Peace Process, but it is also a time of increasing difficulty for many ordinary Palestinians, especially the people of Gaza. Tomorrow, I will meet Palestinian refugees in Gaza to hear their stories and hopes for the future.

Costello will meet with relief agencies who are working to provide emergency food supplies to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

He will also visit the Nuseirat Distribution Centre, to see the impact of Ireland’s support to UNRWA, and will visit the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights.

Today, the Minister held meetings in Ramallah with Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Prisons Minister, Issa Qaraqe’, the chief Palestinian negotiator Dr Saeb Erekat and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Riyad al-Maliki.

Read: Following talks, Israel and Palestine agree to talks>

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    Mute Matt English
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 11:41 AM

    Keith is a fantastic leader now as he was on the pitch. Special Olympics recognise fully Keith’s leadership qualities and we are very proud to have him as an Ambassador for our programme. Keep up the great work for charities and in business.

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    Mute david lydon
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    Jun 3rd 2014, 12:35 AM

    Leader my arse Ireland won deck all with . Except many that makebelive triple crown

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    Mute Diarmuid Lenihan
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 10:55 AM

    Great to see he’s enjoying a successful life after retiring. The rugby lads do get allot of help though from their chums when they finally pack it in which is only right. Interesting to see what Drico will do now he’s retired.

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    Mute Domhnall
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 10:27 AM

    Gwan Woody.born leader and best toy in the box !

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    Mute Jack Dexter
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 10:49 AM

    Another retired footballer looking attention and I bet he does a lot for charity like most of us but the difference is he likes to tell everyone. They make me sick

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    Mute Yoo Wong
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 10:56 AM

    Having a bad day Jack?

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    Mute Jack Dexter
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 11:24 AM

    Im not Yoo but some of them retired sports people think we all love them but Im no sheep.We all have problems in life ecen you Yoo but we dont go moaning to the press.

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    Mute Moneybags
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 11:50 AM

    Do what are you doing now then ya gimp dexter !

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    Mute Jack Dexter
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 11:56 AM

    Are you signing and working Moneybags you scruffy git

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    Mute Truth Patrol
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 12:22 PM

    *retired rugby player

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    Mute Robert Collins
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 1:25 PM

    Moneybags pay no attention to him , everybody knows how he is !!

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    Mute Joe Conway
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 10:11 PM

    Dexter – where does it say in the article he does any charity work? Another Begrudger. You and your like make me sick.

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 11:24 AM

    I think some of the lads lost a few bob ,here what do you think ,good luck to him a nice pleasant man

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    Mute conor hickey
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 10:55 AM

    There is an isle….
    Good on you Keith. Gordon would be very proud of your achievements.

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 3:09 PM

    Nice guy and a rugby here. But then there’s the markets field
    …..

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Jun 2nd 2014, 3:10 PM

    Edit hero

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