Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister. [17783/24]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his recent engagement with the Spanish Prime Minister, with specific regard to the recognition of a Palestinian state. [20335/24]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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10. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister. [21325/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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11. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister. [21328/24]

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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12. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister. [21359/24]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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13. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his recent engagement with the Spanish Prime Minister, with specific regard to the recognition of a Palestinian state. [21524/24]

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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14. To ask the Taoiseach to provide an update on his recent engagement with Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21560/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 14, inclusive, together.

I spoke by phone with Prime Minister Sánchez, most recently on Monday, 6 May, when we again discussed the situation in the Middle East, especially in Gaza, concerns about Rafah, and plans to recognise the state of Palestine. In particular, we shared a deep concern about the potential impacts of an Israeli military operation in Rafah, recalling that the international community has made it very clear that an Israeli military operation would inevitably lead to disastrous humanitarian consequences and the deaths of large numbers of innocent civilians. The protection of civilians is an obligation under international humanitarian law.

The situation in the Middle East was also the focus of our discussions when Prime Minister Sánchez visited me in Dublin on Friday, 12 April. In our meeting, we expressed our deep concern about the devastating humanitarian situation in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza. We agreed to continue working together to push for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional and immediate release of all remaining hostages and a surge in humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We took stock of work under way in New York on a resolution on Palestine’s membership of the UN. Ireland fully supports Palestinian membership of the United Nations. I welcome that the resolution on Palestinian membership was overwhelmingly agreed by members of the UN General Assembly on 10 May.

Prime Minister Sánchez and I also discussed our concern about the risk of escalation of the conflict into the wider region, including Lebanon, a country that is already very fragile and in which both Ireland and Spain have members of our Defence Forces serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. Spain and Ireland have long taken a special interest in the region. It is fair to say that both countries are strongly committed to the vision of a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living in peace and security side by side.

We discussed our shared commitment to the recognition of the state of Palestine at an early date. Ireland and Spain, together with Malta and Slovenia, have previously said this is something we are ready to do when the conditions are right. When we take the step we would like to do so with others, if possible, as a positive contribution to the search for peace and as something we believe can have a positive impact on the situation on the ground. We agreed that it is our shared assessment that the right moment is coming much closer and that we would continue to co-ordinate closely with each other and with other like-minded countries.

In our meeting in Dublin, we also discussed the strong bilateral relationship that exists between Ireland and Spain, with deep and growing economic and people-to-people links. I also met the Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez in Warsaw on Thursday, 11 April, when we discussed the EU’s future strategic agenda at a dinner that was convened by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and hosted by the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk. It is clear that the coming years will be pivotal for the EU in terms of our collective security in a more volatile environment and our ability to secure the prosperity and well-being of our people in a rapidly changing world.

The Spanish Prime Minister and I also attended a special European Council in Brussels on 17 and 18 April, the agenda of which included Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and, as I already discussed, the future of the EU’s Single Market. I thank the Spanish Prime Minister for the work he has done internationally. I have been very pleased to work with him on trying to build a coalition and momentum for the recognition of the state of Palestine. People ask why we should recognise the state of Palestine. The answer is extremely simple. If you believe in a two-state solution, it is important that you recognise the existence of both states. We must keep the two-state solution very much to the fore at this time when others are seeking to actively undermine it.

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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It seems the Taoiseach has had a number of meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. I also welcome the outcome of the vote taken at the UN General Assembly last week regarding membership for Palestine. As the Taoiseach knows, Ireland co-sponsored the resolution which received 143 votes, representing approximately 80% of the votes. Ireland was the first EU state to endorse the idea of Palestinian statehood back in 1980. In 2014, the Dáil passed a motion on this issue. I encourage the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to continue their efforts with like-minded EU states, including Spain, with regard to the recognition of the state of Palestine.

The Oslo Accords provide for recognition after a final agreement has been reached. Things have changed, though, and recognition now could actually help the process of bringing about a permanent and peaceful two-state solution based on the Arab peace plan. What other like-minded EU states are on board in this regard? The Taoiseach mentioned in his reply to the last set of questions that he hopes to have some communications in the hours ahead. He also mentioned that Malta and Slovenia are on board. At this stage, who else is on board? Is he likely to get more countries on board? He may be able to answer that question. What is the timescale for recognition? Does the Taoiseach have a date in mind at this stage? Again, in answer to the previous group of questions, the Taoiseach said he hoped to have it agreed this month. Is that still his target?

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Having murdered 34,183 Palestinians, including more than 13,000 children, Israel is now turning the focus of its genocidal onslaught towards Rafah, the last remaining shelter to some 1.5 million Gazans. Israel's most heinous behaviour is not a new phenomenon for those sheltering in Rafah, the majority of whom will recall the previous onslaughts in the past decade or more. The majority of them were already refugees in Gaza and are now doubly refugees in Rafah.

We know from Israeli operations in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis exactly what will unfold. Safe areas, humanitarian workers, civilians and children will be purposely targeted. This will be a massacre that will have been announced weeks in advance in plain view of a hypocritical and uncaring international political system. A groundswell of the vast majority of humanity has joined the call for a ceasefire now in Gaza. They have taken to the streets in their millions in cities and communities in every corner of the world. It is incumbent on those of us in political life to meet their calls with decisive action, utilising every diplomatic, economic and political measure at our disposal, not only to sanction Israel for its blatant, cruel and cowardly disregard for international law and the basic rules of humanity, but to recognise Palestine, Palestinians and their innate, unwavering, dauntless and indomitable dignity, aspirations and ambitions.

The UN General Assembly vote is positive, but it is long past time that this Government fulfilled the mandate given to it by this House by setting a date on which it will recognise the state of Palestine. We have heard mention of 21 May. The Tánaiste said this was a leak from the Slovenian side, but the Taoiseach will have to tell the House when this is going to happen. We need to make sure that there is a Palestinian-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We need to recognise a Palestinian state while there is still a Palestinian people.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I still say we need to take action on those things that we can do-----

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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We are way over time.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----such as enacting the occupied territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Deputy, I need to move on.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have spoken about greater involvement in relation to Palestine.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Deputy, please. You had a full two minutes. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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We should long ago have recognised the state of Palestine but the question is this. What state is the Taoiseach recognising? Is he simultaneously legitimising the ethnic cleansing of historic Palestine when he speaks of a two-state solution?

I find it ironic that people who are for a united Ireland, who call themselves republicans, who would never dream of endorsing a two-state solution in Ireland are for endorsing a two-state solution in Palestine. They are for the partition of Palestine forever after the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people in 1948. They are now being ethnically cleansed again by a state that has now shown itself capable of genocide. We have seen not only apartheid and ethnic cleansing but genocide and people still think this is some sort of normal state.

Would we have been in favour of two-state solution in apartheid South Africa? No. Would we have been in favour of two-state solution in occupied Vietnam? No. Would we have been in favour of a two-state solution in occupied Algeria? No. Are we in favour of a two-state solution in Ireland? No. However, we are in favour of a two-state solution in Palestine which legitimises ethnic cleansing. What about the Palestinian right to return under international law? Most of the people in Gaza who are currently being massacred have the right under international law to return to what is now called Israel. What will happen to them under the so-called two-state solution? In any event Israel has said it has no interest in a two-state solution. Everything the Israelis have done has shown that was a smokescreen; it is a deception. It is institutionalising apartheid. I would like to hear people say that we are for the dismantlement of apartheid, the dismantlement of illegal occupation, the right of Palestinians to return and for a free and independent Palestine where Jew, Christian and Muslim can live together as equals.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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I congratulate the students at Trinity College who have forced their college to begin divesting from Israel. They have achieved more from their actions than has been achieved by the Government. I note that students at UCD have followed their example. I also congratulate the dozens of staff and students at UCC who have now formed the UCC BDS to organise action with the aim of forcing UCC into full divestment, cutting all financial ties to companies profiting from the occupation. I wish them well and we should watch that space closely.

Tamar Nejem is a 25-year-old Palestinian student. She left Gaza in September and came to Ireland. She is currently studying at Mary Immaculate Teacher Training College in Limerick. She is campaigning for her family to be allowed to come to Ireland. She has a mother, a father, four brothers and a sister in Gaza. In the last seven months her family's house has been bombed. The family have been forced to flee four times. Her father has suffered a heart attack and her sister a stroke. I fully support her campaign at the moment.

The recognition of a Palestinian state is to be welcomed, but it must be more than a symbolic gesture. It must go hand in hand with the granting of rights, including the right of millions of Palestinians forced to leave their homeland to return and have full rights. That is an important point. This must not be just a symbolic gesture and must be linked to the question of rights for people.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Taoiseach for his response. I commend him both personally and politically on the speed with which he found common ground with Pedro Sánchez and others. I very much look forward to progress being made on that matter. We need to be honest with ourselves, hearing on a daily basis the rhetoric coming from the Israeli Government. The reality of recognising the state of Palestine and pushing towards the two-state solution is that the international community will enforce that. That means the United Nations would enforce that. The current government in Israel in my view is the tip of the sword. I believe the next government could be even harder because of the repercussions of the actions of the Israelis since 7 October.

All of us, of course, condemn terrorism but state-sponsored terrorism must be also condemned. The persecution and isolation of the Palestinian people, in particular in Rafah, is horrifying. It is very clear to all of us in this House, including I am sure the Taoiseach, that the Israelis have no intention of pulling back or stopping until such time as they are made to do so. That is why I believe this State in recognising a Palestinian state, which is a very welcome endeavour, must work with the international community for the express purposes of guaranteeing, dare I say it, what Deputy Barry had to say, the personal rights and freedoms of those individuals in their statehood. The major issue I have with recognising the Palestinian state and pushing for a two-state solution is that if the Israelis are not on board, the whole endeavour is pointless in terms of saving lives. That is the most fundamentally important aspect of this entire discussion.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank colleagues for their contributions. I join Deputy Haughey and others in very much welcoming the overwhelming vote at the UN General Assembly on ensuring that Palestine can and should be a member of the United Nations. I also take this opportunity to commend our own diplomats at the United Nations led by our ambassador, Fergal Mythen, on the incredible work they do in speaking up for Ireland but also in speaking up for human rights and speaking up for the rule of international law. They did us proud this week.

I assure everybody that the Tánaiste and I continue our efforts to recognise the state of Palestine because I believe that recognition now can help. Four countries, Slovenia, Malta, Ireland and Spain, have publicly said in various forums that they wish to recognise the state of Palestine. I am very conscious that each country has its own processes to go through. Therefore, the sequencing of that is a matter for each country to consider. I am confident that there are a number of countries, including the ones I have named, that have publicly stated their wish to do this. I spoke to the Slovenian Prime Minister this week. I hope to speak to Maltese Prime Minister this week. I hope to speak to the Norwegian Prime Minister in the coming days. I will speak to the king of Jordan tomorrow. The Tánaiste and I along with our teams are continuing our diplomatic efforts on this recognition. I would like to see us recognise the state of Palestine this month. I want us to be as co-ordinated as we can be.

In response to Deputies Ó Murchú and Farrell, I am extremely concerned over what we are seeing in Rafah. I am extremely concerned that Israel has now begun very large-scale military strikes. The protection of civilians is an obligation under international humanitarian law. Approximately 1.5 million people are sheltering in Rafah in desperate conditions. Notwithstanding the evacuation orders from the Israeli military, the reality is there is nowhere safe for these people to go. The international community has made it very clear that an Israeli military attack operation, we can call it what we wish, in Rafah will inevitably lead to devastating humanitarian consequences and to the deaths of a very large number of innocent civilians. Again, this country today urges Israel to cease its operations in Rafah immediately. That is what we continue to say at all international forums and in working with international partners. There needs to be an avoidance of any further escalation. Israel must facilitate safe unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza including through the Rafah crossing.

I agree on the rights of people and where we get to in a two-state solution. However, I believe we can arrive at a two-state solution through a political peace process. Countries like Ireland recognising the state of Palestine is a very important marker in being very clear to the world, as Deputy Farrell points out, that the international community will see a two-state solution as the only acceptable outcome. There are people in the Israeli Government seeking to walk away from and undermining - these are massive understatements - that commitment to the two-state solution.

In all our discourse we should differentiate between the Netanyahu administration and the Israeli people. There are many people in Israel and in the Middle East who want to live side by side in peace, security and prosperity with a state of Israel and a state of Palestine. We should not allow Netanyahu to become the embodiment of the Israeli people.