John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Question 2: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when he intends to formally declare recognition of a fully sovereign Palestinian state, as previously indicated; the representations he has made at EU level to secure the Palestinian people's right to real democracy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13070/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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A number of countries, principally in Latin America and including Brazil, Argentina and Chile, have in recent months decided to recognise a Palestinian state. This is in addition to those states – mostly in Africa or in the Islamic world – which have recognised Palestine for many years. Over thirty years ago, Ireland, in a speech by my predecessor of the day, the late Brian Lenihan, was the first EU Member State to declare that the resolution of the Palestinian issue must involve the establishment of a Palestinian state. That is now the policy of the EU and of the international community. I share the commitment of successive Irish Governments to this policy and will continue to work, both nationally and at EU level, towards its realisation.

It would be premature to declare such recognition now, in advance of actual control of the territory in question, a condition to which we in Ireland attach significance. It is also important to recall that the Palestinian leadership, while clearly working towards the declaration of a State in the near future, have not yet done so. The timing of such a declaration will be an important decision for them to take, and may involve potential negative consequences on the ground.

If the peace process remains stalled, it is widely expected that the Palestinians may in September seek recognition at the United Nations for a Palestinian State. They have made it clear, however, that this would be a last resort, and their preferred option would be the resumption of direct negotiations with Israel, to achieve the State of Palestine through a comprehensive peace agreement.

Separately, a number of EU partners, including Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and the UK have recently taken steps to upgrade the status of the Palestinian Delegations in their countries, largely in recognition of the continuing progress being made by Prime Minister Fayyad and the Palestinian Authority in building up the institutions of a future Palestinian state. By a decision of the previous Government in January – which I fully endorse – the Palestinian representative office in Ireland was upgraded to Mission status, headed by an Ambassador.

I very much hope to be able to extend Irish recognition of an actual, functioning Palestinian state during my time in office.