Matt Carthy
Question:43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposed timeframe to honour the Government commitment to recognise the state of Palestine. [3538/22]
View answerThursday, 27 January 2022
Questions (43, 46)
Catherine Connolly
Question:46. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of plans to officially recognise the state of Palestine pursuant to the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3914/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 46 together.
I have been clear in my engagement with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority of the commitment of this Government to advancing a two-State solution, in line with the agreed parameters for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Government has pledged to honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-state solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory.
As I have stated previously, in the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government early recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful, and this is a matter which I discuss regularly with EU colleagues.
Recognition by Ireland outside the context of an overall peace agreement would, however, be likely to affect Ireland’s influence on the Israel-Palestine conflict at EU and international level. Timing and context would affect whether such a loss of influence would be matched by a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process and a two-State solution.