Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are concerned about the situation in Palestine and about the position of the new Israeli Government, especially in the context of its attitude towards expansion. There is real concern regarding the statements that have been made, the visit to the holy site and so on. Ireland has been active on this issue at the UN Security Council over the past year and a half to two years, so much so that UN Secretary General Guterres has been appreciative of the Irish effort. At European Union level, we and like-minded countries have pursued justice and fair play for the Palestinians. The EU remains the Palestinian Authority's biggest donor. Last week at the Foreign Affairs Council, Prime Minister Shtayyeh and the foreign minister, Mr. al-Maliki of the Palestinian Authority gave a presentation. It was a useful exchange. We are pushing for a stronger relationship between the European Union and the Palestinian Authority, for an annual dialogue and an association agreement between the Palestinian Authority and the European Union in order to achieve a better balance in the context of the relationship between the EU and Israel as opposed to that between the EU and the Palestinian Authority.

See this speech in context