Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 7 March 2024, the timeline for when Ireland will formally recognise the State of Palestine; the details of his engagement at EU level on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20857/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I stated in Dáil Éireann on 9 April, it is my intention to bring a formal proposal on recognition to Government following the completion of discussions with international partners.
These discussions are ongoing. The manner in which Ireland and likeminded partners could support regional efforts to return to a political pathway towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution of this conflict and a two-state solution was a central focus of my meetings with Foreign Ministers of Egypt and Jordan during my most recent visit to the region in April.
At a recent meeting convened in Riyadh by Saudi Arabia and Norway, which was attended by Ireland as well as several European and regional partners, the importance of taking concrete steps towards the realisation of a Palestinian State in the context of the two-State solution was emphasised.
This is a perspective that I have also shared in detail will all EU partners, including most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council in April. I also remain in frequent contact with key likeminded partners and most recently spoke with my Spanish counterpart on 1 May.
It is clear from these engagements, that both our European and regional partners support the need for early, credible and irreversible steps to implement a two-State solution. In this regard, it remains my firm view – and the view of our partners – that recognition is a step that should be carefully calibrated to best advance the peace process. I will be remaining in frequent contact with key partners on this issue in the coming period.
