Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 17, inclusive, together.

As the House will be aware, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East is of great international concern. The phrase "ongoing conflict" does not in any way capture the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe we are now seeing in Gaza. Since my election as Taoiseach, I have had many discussions on the situation with my international counterparts.

The issue was discussed at the special meeting of the European Council in April, when leaders committed to working with partners to end the conflict in Gaza without delay and called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and full, rapid and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at scale. We also discussed the need to avoid escalation of tensions in the region, notably in Lebanon. We confirmed our determination to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities in need.

While at the European Council, I took the opportunity to engage a number of my counterparts in the margins of the meeting, including on the question of recognition of Palestine.

I have also engaged extensively on the subject in my bilateral engagements, including my meetings with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 11 April. In my meeting with President von der Leyen, in addition to discussing the very concerning current situation, I raised the letter that the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the former Taoiseach had written to her, asking for a review of Israel’s obligations under the EU-Israel association agreement. It remains my expectation that the Commission should carry forward a review. That remains the position of Ireland and I reiterated it to the President of the Commission. It is very much my view as well.

The situation in the Middle East was the main topic of discussion in my meeting with Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, when I hosted him here in Dublin on 12 April. We have remained in close contact in recent weeks, including on the question of recognition of Palestine. Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain have taken the decision in lockstep to recognise the state of Palestine. Last week I spoke specifically about the Middle East in calls with the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob; King Abdullah of Jordan; the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre; and the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog. The issue also came up in my call last week with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. In all my conversations I have made clear the Government’s wish to see an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and urgent and unhindered access for humanitarian aid into Gaza. I have also been very clear in all my calls about Ireland's wish to recognise the state of Palestine and our belief that a two-state solution is essential to peace and stability in the region. These extensive contacts facilitated the announcement by the Government today with our partners in Spain and Norway that we are recognising the state of Palestine. With this announcement, I am confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks. I encourage them to do so.

In my call with the King of Jordan, he briefed me on regional efforts to create a context for peace, as well as the considerable and commendable role Jordan is playing in providing humanitarian relief. In my conversation with President Herzog, I set out clearly the Government’s position on Gaza, including our deep concern about the potential for catastrophe in Rafah. I expressed our view that peace and security for Israel and Palestine can only be built on a two-state solution, and outlined to the Israeli President our intention to recognise the state of Palestine. I also made clear Ireland’s abhorrence of Hamas and Ireland’s support for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. The situation in the Middle East has also come up in conversations I have had with other leaders, including President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. I will continue to avail of every possible opportunity to call for an immediate ceasefire and to express our belief that long-term peace and security for the people of Palestine and the people of Israel can only be achieved through a two-state solution, with an Israeli and a Palestinian state living side by side together.

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