Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I have set out in response to previous Parliamentary Questions, and most recently earlier today in response to a question from Deputy Carthy, Ireland intends to file a Declaration of Intervention in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice after South Africa has filed its Memorial.

On 5 April, the ICJ made an Order setting time-limits for the filing of written pleadings by the parties in this case. It fixed 28 October 2024 for South Africa to file its Memorial, and 28 July 2025 for Israel to file its Counter-Memorial. It remains our intention to seek to intervene in this case under Article 63 of the Statute of the ICJ after South Africa has filed its Memorial, which we now know will be towards the end of 2024.

By making a declaration of intervention under Article 63 of the ICJ Statute states do not ‘join’ one side or another in the case; rather, they submit a statement that sets out their interpretation of one or more provisions of whatever Convention is at issue before the Court. This Declaration of Intervention must then be deemed admissible by the Court. Waiting until South Africa has filed its Memorial will ensure that we have a good understanding of what provisions of the Genocide Convention South Africa intends to rely on, which we can then in turn address, making it more likely that the Court will deem our intervention admissible.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will inform US President Biden that he condemns the force used by police against students in US universities protesting recently against US military support for Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20886/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A number of countries globally are witnessing protests over the conflict in Gaza. Ireland is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression and defending the rights of freedom of assembly and association.

The rights to assemble peacefully and associate freely are essential to ensuring the full enjoyment of civil and political rights, and the economic, social and cultural rights of all individuals. As well as constituting important human rights, these fundamental freedoms are an essential component of a healthy democracy.

There are of course examples where initial peaceful protests can evolve in a negative way and result in violence, intimidation and hate speech. In parallel to protecting fundamental freedoms, democratic societies must also guarantee peoples right to safety. This is a challenge that many democratic nations around the world are facing.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on plans to recognise a Palestinian state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20903/24]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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83. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the progress being made to recognise the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20537/24]

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government will recognise the State of Palestine; the work being carried out by the State in the European Union to promote Palestinian statehood. [12763/24]

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on when the Government will recognise the State of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20711/24]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress in announcing formal recognition of the State of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20729/24]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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114. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a timeline for the recognition of Palestine. [20748/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 83, 85, 91, 99, 107 and 114 together.

As 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 like-minded 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 like-minded 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.