Averil Power (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Seanad Éireann calls on the Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine and do everything it can at an international level to help secure a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I thank the Leader for accepting my amendment to the Order of Business so that we can consider this motion. I understand the Leader is prepared to accept the motion on behalf of the Government side of the House. I welcome that 31 Senators from all sides of the House signed the motion so that we could bring it forward. It is an important and historic occasion for the Upper House of the Oireachtas to be sending out this message. While I acknowledge that the motion is being accepted without debate, I ask the Cathaoirleach's indulgence to allow me to can explain its importance.