Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am interested in the discussions the Taoiseach has had about the application for Security Council membership. This is an application I and the Labour Party strongly support and we have used our contacts to advance it. In general, has it compromised our ability on the world stage to criticise countries as we look for their votes? The Taoiseach met the secretary general of the Arab League. That was an important meeting. I had the privilege of meeting the secretary general last year when we were on the delegation to Egypt. Are we inhibited from criticising Saudi Arabia's involvement in Yemen? Are we clear in what we say internationally, that although we are looking for support we are not holding our punches in our normal role? That would be a mistake. It is important if we ask people to support us that they know we are honest brokers and we will call out violations of human rights where we see them, without fear or favour. That is Ireland's strength in our application. I am interested to hear the Taoiseach set out this in clear terms.

With regard to the point made previously about recognition of the state of Palestine, it is an important position for us to advance now. Every time it has been raised, although it was supported by all parties in the House, the Taoiseach's general view is it is contingent on a two-state solution. Things have moved remarkably badly in the wrong direction, particularly since the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States and the movement of the United States embassy to Jerusalem. It is important that we are clear we support a two-state solution but in the interim that we recognise a state of Palestine and the legitimate aspiration of the Palestinian people to their own state, which would include, of course, a capital in Jerusalem on an agreed basis.

See this speech in context