Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

The point is that it is a symbolic move. That is important in itself. We recognised the State of Palestine with Norway and Spain. As soon as we did that, all of those who had called for it changed their tune a couple of weeks later, saying that it was too little too late and not of much significance. My point is that we have done very practical things. Probably the most impactful has been on the humanitarian side with a very significant increase in funding to UNRWA, notwithstanding Israel's relentless hostility to UNRWA. We also worked on the ICJ judgment. The Attorney General went there and gave an oral submission. If one asks the Palestinian Authority, one will be told it appreciates and acknowledges the consistency of the Irish message on an independent Palestinian state.

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