Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have tabled a motion in this House asking that Dáil Éireann reaffirm its support for a two state solution in the Middle East and calling on the Government on behalf of the people of Ireland to fully recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. I believe we should follow the lead of Sweden and the House of Commons in the UK and recognise the state of Palestine. The recent war in Gaza and the unwillingness of the Israeli Government to engage in meaningful and constructive negotiations with the Palestinians have resulted in a mind shift on how best to approach the conflict in the Middle East. As we know, Israel has a duty to abide by internationally accepted standards of human rights, proportionality and responsibility. Similarly, the Palestinian authorities must also act in a responsible fashion in their interactions with Israel.

See this speech in context