Former PD minister Ms Liz O'Donnell has called on the Government to take a stand against the impact Israel's "separation wall" is having on daily life for Palestinians.
Ms O'Donnell, Fine Gael TD Mr Simon Coveney and Independent Senator David Norris have just returned from a five-day trip to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, with the Development agency, Christian Aid.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, leads a meeting today of EU foreign ministers to seek a common position on the barrier, Ms O'Donnell advocated that "failing an agreed EU position, Ireland should submit a national position against the wall to the International Court of Justice in the Hague".
Mr Coveney said: "We must insist that the Government make the Israeli-Palestinian peace process a priority over the next five months."
Senator Norris said: "As a long-time friend of Israel, I am appalled by the deterioration in the respect for the human rights of the Palestinian people."
Shannon military flights criticised
Shannon Airport is a "welcome mat" for US military on their way to the Middle East, but it was put there by a Government which ignored the will of its people, an anti-war protester told an international forum in India.
Ms Mary Kelly, the 51-year-old nurse who is awaiting retrial for the damage of a US warplane at Shannon, said her job as an activist was to re-ignite the public conscience, which had been dulled.
Council facing dissolution threat
Tralee Town Council has a last chance tonight to agree a budget and strike a rate or be dissolved. It will be the first town council to face extinction in 2004, writes Anne Lucey.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, agreed to give Tralee an 11-day reprieve after it failed for the fourth time to agree a budget.
Gardai seize guns in Limerick
Gardaí in Limerick believe they have averted a feud-related attack following the seizure of guns and a motorbike on Saturday. Two automatic handguns and two shotguns were found in the derelict Delmege House in Moyross in an early morning raid by more than 30 armed and uniformed gardaí. There were no arrests.
Mystery death of man in Vietnam
A Waterford family are still unsure how their 29-year-old son met his death while holidaying in Vietnam. Mr Gerard Power from Bonmahon died on Thursday morning. A son of James and Veronica Power, Ballinasisla, he worked as a fisherman. A Department of Foreign Affairs official said they are still awaiting the findings of the autopsy.
Two shooting incidents in North
A man was shot in a paramilitary-style attack in Newtownards, Co Down, last night in front of his six-year-old daughter.
A police spokeswoman said two masked men burst into the man's house on the Abbots estate, and shot him in the leg.
The 34-year-old victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
In a separate incident, a 25-year-old man was shot in both legs and a hand at a house in Beersbridge Road, east Belfast.