Averil Power (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On 22 October and 10 December 2014 Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann, respectively, adopted motions calling on the Government to recognise the state of Palestine. A wave of EU parliaments, including those in the United Kingdom, France and Spain, have passed similar motions. In most cases, recognition is part of an overall approach to the Middle East peace process. In May 2015 the Vatican concluded its first treaty formally recognising the state of Palestine, with an agreement on church activities in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

After this House and the Dáil passed the motions referred to last year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, stated in the Dáil that he was open to early recognition, if that would be helpful. The Minister said he would reflect on the question, including by engaging in a reflection at EU level on the European Union's overall approach to the Middle East process. This reflection was initiated by High Representative Mogherini. The Minister has also stated a move towards recognition would help to jump-start a peace process that has stalled.

One year on I am very disappointed that the Government has not acted on the recommendation of the Seanad and the Dáil. The latest direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in March 2014 and there is no expectation of a resumption of the negotiations in the foreseeable future. There is no political or peace process in being. The latest Israeli Government, formed by Prime Minister Netanyahu in May, is a coalition of nationalist and religious parties, most members of which are openly hostile to the establishment of a Palestinian state and support ongoing expansion of the legal settlements. On the Palestinian side, the Palestinian factions are fragmented. The West Bank and Gaza are disconnected and there are serious leadership and legitimacy issues.

The Minister appears to be waiting for a broader EU consensus to grow on the issue of recognition of Palestine. One third of the member states of the European Union already recognise Palestine, with Sweden being the most recent, having done so last year. Given the division among EU member states on the issue, consensus is unlikely to be reached in the short term. Granting recognition is a member state competency; it is not one which is reserved to the European Union. This would be a progressive measure for Ireland to take and one which does not require consensus at EU level. A full year on since the motions were passed by the Oireachtas, it is clear that it is time for Ireland to follow the example of Sweden and recognise Palestine without further delay.

I have tabled this matter to draw the Minister's attention to it and, in particular, to the fact that more than one year has passed since the motions were passed by the Seanad and the Dáil. Will Ireland now move to recognise Palestine without further delay?