Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ireland's position is well-recognised. When speaking with any Arab nation, they say they appreciate the Irish position on Palestine. On the question of recognition, it is not about waiting around. It is about deploying that in the most optimal way possible for the people of Palestine. What do I mean by that? The Arab states are currently very close to concluding a peace initiative on which they are briefing America, the European Union and us. It will have a number of dimensions to it. Clearly, it will involve an immediate ceasefire. It will also have a security dimension in respect of the longer-term sustainable security situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. There will also be the issue of normalisation between the Arab States and Israel. As part of that, then, there would be a Palestinian administration running Gaza and the West Bank together.

The moment such an initiative emerges, it is our view, correctly - and I think the Arab nations agree with this - that we should then move with a number of EU member states. That will be the time to recognise it as part of a pathway to political talks, political tracks and a two-state-----

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