Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would appreciate more clarity on the timeframe for recognition. Last night, several media outlets reported 21 May as the date being set. They did not make that up; they got it from the Tánaiste's office. There is nowhere else from which they could have got it. In essence, it is confirmation that Ireland is working with other states to come to the point of recognition. That will be a welcome position. I really hope it happens. One of the reasons so many of us have been frustrated with the delay in coming to the point of officially recognising the state of Palestine is that it is an important first step. However, it is only a first step. It was never the end point.

Recognition is crucial to set the context for the real work that needs to happen. At the moment, there is virtually no Palestine to recognise because of the impact of illegal settlements in the West Bank and the annihilation of Gaza. If and when we recognise the state of Palestine, we will have an obligation to ensure such a state is viable. That means, in the first place, taking action against the other state, Israel, that is engaged in war crimes, to prevent that state from further such action. It also means continuing our ongoing work of supporting Palestinian relief agencies and supporting the movement of Palestine from being an occupied state, operating under severe oppression, to a viable and independent state for a sovereign people.

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