Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 24: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his commitment to leading the charge as previously stated in supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance to the pre-1967 borders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13727/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 35: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the context of a possible resolution on Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September, if he will clarify his policy in this regard, on key issues such as the right of Palestinians to return, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, the Israeli apartheid wall and Israeli refusal to negotiate with some of the democratically elected representatives of the Palestinian people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13923/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 35 together.

Over thirty years ago, Ireland was the first EU Member State to declare that the resolution of the Palestinian issue must involve the establishment of a Palestinian state. That is now the policy of the EU and of the international community. I share the commitment of successive Irish Governments to this policy and will continue to work, both nationally and at EU level, towards its realisation. There should be a State of Palestine, and very soon. A number of countries, principally in Latin America and including Brazil, Argentina and Chile, have in recent months decided to formally recognise a Palestinian state. This is in addition to those states – mostly in Africa or in the Islamic world – which have recognised Palestine for many years.

If the peace process remains stalled, it is widely expected that the Palestinians may in September seek recognition at the United Nations for a Palestinian State. They have made it clear, however, that this would be a last resort, and their preferred option would be the resumption of direct negotiations with Israel, to achieve the State of Palestine through a comprehensive peace agreement. Ireland supports the resumption of negotiations to achieve a comprehensive peace, leading to a two state solution of Israel and a State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders with any mutually agreed exchanges, living side by side in peace and sharing Jerusalem as their capital, as set out consistently by the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland's position, and that of the EU, on the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and our support for the 2004 ICJ ruling on the separation wall, are equally well known. We fully support the exhortations of President Obama to the parties to re-engage and work to reach agreement.

The Palestinian leadership has yet to decide whether it will seek recognition in some form for a Palestinian State at the United Nations next autumn. While it is working towards the declaration of a State in the near future, it has not yet issued such a declaration. It will, of course, have to weigh the timing of such a move, taking into account the risk of adverse reactions on the ground.

If the issue of recognition arises at the United Nations in the autumn, the Government will consider Ireland's response very carefully. We will take into account factors such as Ireland's long-standing support for the achievement of a Palestinian State, the exact terms and nature of what may be proposed, the positions of EU partners and other friends, the progress on the wider peace process, and our assessment of the practical impact of any such decision. I very much hope to be able to extend Irish recognition of an actual, functioning Palestinian state during my time in office.