Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023

Tuesday, 31 January 2023

Ceisteanna (354, 369, 370)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

354. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Government will honour the commitment to recognise the State of Palestine. [3962/23]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

369. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of plans to formally recognise the State of Palestine pursuant to the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4506/23]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

370. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether recognising the State of Palestine at this time would contribute to protecting the integrity of the Palestine territory per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4688/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 354, 369 and 370 together.

The Government remains committed to advancing a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with the agreed parameters for a resolution. 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”.

In the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government 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. 

If recognition by Ireland happened outside the context of an overall peace agreement, this would be likely to have an adverse effect on Ireland’s influence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at EU and international level. The timing and context of any such decision 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.