Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I have reported to the House on a number of occasions, I am keeping under continuous review whether the immediate recognition by Ireland of a state of Palestine, prior to its real achievement on the ground, could be helpful towards the goal of resolving the conflict and, if so, when that might have the greatest impact. My two visits to the region have contributed to that ongoing consideration. I have discussed the question with local leaders, EU colleagues and international colleagues outside of the European Union. The motions passed by the Dáil and the Seanad in this regard in 2014 are obviously important factors, but ultimately this is a decision for the Government. There are many factors to take into account, both positive and negative.

I am also acutely conscious that the situation on the ground has continued to deteriorate and efforts to reanimate the political process have not yet been successful. I condemned the recent surge of Israeli settlement announcements in a statement issued on 25 January. Continued settlement expansion runs directly contrary to the prospects of achieving a peaceful solution to the conflict in Palestine and has for this reason been a central focus of the policies I have advocated at EU level.

I discussed the matter earlier this afternoon with my colleague the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Marc Ayrault, who played a leading role in a Paris initiative culminating in an international conference in January to which Ireland was invited and in which it participated.

While the settlement announcements of recent times and ongoing do not directly relate to my consideration of the specific question of possible recognition, I have to say that recognition would not help to prevent settlement construction, as the existing recognition of Palestine by many other states clearly has not. However, it is certainly an indirect factor in that continued pressure on Palestinians is a strong argument in favour of a broadly supportive gesture such as recognition.

I am continuing to weigh these and other arguments in relation to recognition on an ongoing basis and I will be very happy to keep the Deputies and the House fully informed.

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