Middle East

Thursday, 25 January 2024

Questions (21, 30, 31)

Matt Carthy

Question:

21. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposed timeframe to officially recognise the state of Palestine. [3221/24]

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30. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to formally recognise the state of Palestine, as per the commitment in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3332/24]

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Patrick Costello

Question:

31. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs given the latest repeated rejection by the Israeli government of Palestinian statehood and the statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu that all territory west of the Jordan River would be under Israeli control, and if the minister will recognise now that state of Palestine. [3226/24]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 30 and 31 together.

The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.

There are intensive discussions ongoing at EU level and with regional partners on how to develop a credible pathway to a two-state solution. I discussed this in detail with a number of EU and Arab partners earlier this week in Brussels. The timing, and context, of any decision by Ireland on recognition will be informed by these discussions as well as by the situation on the ground.

Question No. 22 answered orally.