Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The achievement of a sovereign Palestinian state, recognised not just by Ireland but by everyone, including Israel, has been a major foreign policy objective of the Government since it took office. It is something we seek to achieve in reality, not just in words, and all of the Government's actions in relation to the Middle East conflict are directed to that end. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has repeatedly stressed at the Foreign Affairs Council the need to retain an EU focus on the issue of Palestine, notwithstanding the many other crises in the Middle East region and elsewhere. Only a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside and in peace with Israel, can satisfy the needs of both peoples for security and prosperity.

Last year the Seanad and the Dáil passed motions which called on the Government to recognise Palestine and help to achieve a two-state solution. The Government did not oppose, or seek to amend, the motions that were calling for something towards which we were already working. There were similar motions in other European parliaments, prompted by the decision of Sweden in October to recognise Palestine. In Ireland, as in most countries, the recognition of sovereign states is a matter for decision by the Government. The views of the Oireachtas are, of course, a very important factor in that consideration. However, it remains for the Government and, in the first instance, the Minister to consider if this would be an appropriate step and, if so, when it might be best to take it.

With other Ministers, the Minister spoke in the Dáil debate last December, setting out in detail the Government's view on the issue. He stated clearly that, while successive Governments had always seen recognition as part of an overall peace agreement, he would have no difficulty with early recognition by Ireland if he felt it could be helpful to the situation, that is, to the effort to reach such a peace agreement. The statements made in that debate also set out, in more detail than I can do so today, the many and various factors which might be weighed in making that consideration. All of us know that recognition by Ireland would not of itself bring a Palestinian state into being. However, we need to consider not just the positive symbolic significance recognition might have for Palestinians but also the effect it might have on the Israeli side, where we seek to influence and persuade. We must also consider how it might affect Ireland's influence and voice on the issue both in the region and in international discussions, particularly at EU level, and any impact it might have on Ireland's ability to continue our work on the ground. There are potential downsides to be considered, as well as gains.

In terms of timing, clearly some events in the last year would have weighed on consideration as regards when might be the right moment for a decision to be made on recognition. They include the lengthy election and coalition-building process in Israel in the first half of the year and the continuing debate in the European Union on Middle East policy. More recently, the upsurge of violence in Jerusalem and elsewhere has to be considered. I do not for one moment suggest we can only act in the Middle East when the situation is calm, but a move now, just when violence has dramatically increased, could well be misread as a signal by either side or both sides. When the action under consideration is a symbolic gesture, timing is everything. The audience on which we are seeking to impact is in the region, not here. During that period also the Minister has visited Israel and the Palestinian territory. He has discussed the recognition question with some EU colleagues and the Palestinian Foreign Minister. It is also worth noting that no further EU partner has followed Sweden and recognised Palestine. The Minister is continuing to consider the question of early recognition by Ireland of the state of Palestine.

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