Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to Deputy McDonald and the House because my phone malfunctioned during the course of the debate. I also regret not being here at the start of the debate yesterday and earlier this evening. I was away on international business and have only just returned.

I will begin by responding to events this morning. I deplore in the strongest possible terms the death earlier today of Palestinian leader Ziad Abu Ain following clashes in the West Bank. I have already personally conveyed my condolences to Palestinian ambassador head of mission, who is present here this evening, my deep concern and that of the Irish people. I will make it clear to the Israeli Government through the Irish ambassador to Israel, Eamonn McKee, who will contact the government at the highest level tomorrow. We know from our own experience that we must not base decisions on the latest incident. This is a point we constantly urge on Israelis and Palestinians. This tragedy does not bear directly on our consideration of the specific issue of recognition, but it underlines powerfully the importance and priority we attach to ending the occupation of Palestinian land.

I only have time to comment briefly on the motion and the debate thus far. I will have to leave some of the wider issues raised on occupation for another occasion, but we will have this opportunity. I took a very careful note of the motion presented by the Deputies opposite, and recommended to the Government that we should neither oppose nor seek to amend it. The motion recognises our common goal of achieving a Palestinian state, which is something on which we can all agree and was outlined in the address of the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, yesterday. We have always supported a viable two-state solution and we will continue to support this in any manner and by every means.

Our priority goal is to work to begin or resume a process of real negotiations between the parties. Despite previous failures, and consequent deep frustration, our own experience tells us this is the only way the conflict can be resolved and a fully functioning Palestinian state on all of its territory established. We pursue this goal primarily though our engagement in the EU and the UN and also through our bilateral contacts. As Deputies know, I attended recently the Norway and Egypt-hosted Gaza reconstruction conference, and I am exploring dates to visit to Israel and Palestine early in the New Year, when I intend to speak to all sides.

Since taking office I have been active and vocal at EU level in particular, emphasising the need to combat actively destructive Israeli policies on the ground, especially with regard to settlements, which close off the prospects for peace. Ireland also directly supports NGOs working on these critical justice and human rights issues, and something to which I attach special importance is helping those Israelis and Palestinians who are themselves working to make a difference.

The Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, set out how Ireland is also engaged in substantial humanitarian relief work and in capacity building in the Palestinian institutions. We are trying to meet the serious needs of the present and to build the future Palestinian state. The possible recognition of Palestine may be one element of this multi-stranded approach. It has been suggested that recognition now might help jump-start a stalemated process. This was the judgment made by Sweden and is the spirit of this motion.

As we have stated, achieving and recognising a Palestinian state has always been the objective of the Irish Government. Everything we do on the Middle East is directed towards this aim. While successive Governments have always seen recognition coming as part of an agreed peace, I have made it clear that I have absolutely no difficulty in principle with the idea of early recognition if I believe it can contribute to achieving a settlement of the conflict. The current stalemate is not acceptable to me, and I am open to any action that can move things forward positively. As Deputies know, at the last Foreign Affairs Council, prompted by Sweden's action and with my own support, the EU began a process of reflection among Ministers as to the implications and possibilities of recognition, and I believe this is an important, responsible and reasonable approach to take. I will ensure the House is kept fully informed.

I thank everybody who contributed to this important debate. I will advance matters further at Government level following an in-depth political and policy analysis with a view to ensuring that our actions will make a positive contribution to the objectives clearly expressed in the motion.

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