Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the upcoming UN resolution on Observer State status for Palestine, which is likely to occur this month; and if he has discussed this resolution with other EU States. [50106/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It is expected that the UN General Assembly may be asked to vote, perhaps as early as this month, on a resolution to admit Palestine as an ‘Observer State’ at the UN. This would be less than full membership but an advance on Palestine’s current status, that of an observer organisation. This move has long been anticipated. A draft resolution to that effect has just been circulated among Missions at the UN, although this may yet be subject to amendment. While consultations are ongoing among EU Member States on how to respond to the draft Resolution, I have already indicated that we would be willing to support a resolution which was reasonable and balanced, and which recognised clearly the need to restart political negotiations aimed at a final and comprehensive peace agreement.