Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views in the event of a UN vote on statehood for Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25350/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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President Abbas last week announced his intention to apply to the Security Council for full membership of the UN. The decision to grant full entry as a UN member state is solely a decision for the Security Council, of which Ireland is not currently a member. The Palestinian decision to seek some form of recognition at the UN is understandable, borne as it is out of frustration at the complete inertia in the peace process over the past twelve months - and, indeed, for many years. I believe that the Palestinians are fully entitled to make their case at the UN, given that the UN has been centrally involved for many years in efforts to promote a peaceful, negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict.

The Government supports the basic right of the Palestinian people to the establishment of a sovereign State. Indeed, this has been the position of successive Irish Governments for three decades. I will obviously consider carefully the terms of any draft Resolution which may eventually be presented to the General Assembly by the Palestinians, though this is unlikely to be for some weeks yet. I can say at this stage that, in line with our long established and principled position on the Middle East Peace Process, we would be favourably disposed towards any reasonably worded proposal eventually tabled which kept open a clear perspective towards the resumption of substantive negotiations while also seeking to enhance Palestinian status at the UN through the granting of Observer State status.

Regardless of the outcome of discussions at the UN this week which still remains to be determined, the reality is that Palestinians will still have to negotiate with Israel to achieve a state on the ground. President Abbas has made clear his willingness to engage in serious negotiations with Israel to achieve the objective of statehood through a comprehensive agreement. In my discussions this week in New York with a range of partners, I have stressed that the essential priority must remain the resumption of direct negotiations.