Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 June 2017
146. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to recognise the state of Palestine further to the motion passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann on 10 December 2014 calling on the Government to recognise same; and the timeline for Ireland's recognition of the state of Palestine. [30508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to recognising the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict. Ireland has long looked forward to being able to recognize a sovereign Palestinian state existing in fact and not just in theory.
In the light of the motions passed by the Dáil and Seanad in 2014, I am also considering whether early recognition by Ireland of a state of Palestine, in advance of its actual achievement on the ground, could play a helpful part in advancing a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
There are many varied factors bearing on this question. They include the likely impact of such a move on the peace process, the possible value of recognition as a symbolic gesture, the likely impact on other initiatives and perception by other actors, and the likely effect on Ireland’s ongoing influence on the issue. In addition, should I decide to recommend early recognition to the Government, then as an essentially symbolic action the timing of such a move would also be a matter of careful judgement.
I will be carefully considering all these factors in the coming period. I hope to be able to begin with a visit to the region in the near future, enabling me to hear the views of the parties themselves.
