Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The Government's position has been stated. It supports an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. That view was reiterated by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the United States as recently as yesterday. The Tánaiste is due to address the United Nations General Assembly on Monday when he will set out a comprehensive statement on Ireland's position on this and other matters, including international peace and the Irish initiative on hunger. Negotiations are ongoing on foot of Palestine's application for recognition. As I said, Ireland supports the position that there should be a Palestinian state. We are working in concert with our European colleagues to try to find unanimity in achieving this objective.

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