Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it would be a positive step for Palestine to become a party to the Rome Statute and accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. [15531/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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My understanding is that, following the admission of Palestine to sit in the UN General Assembly as an Observer State, Palestine is now eligible to become a party to the Rome Statute. Ireland is, of course, a very strong supporter of the International Criminal Court and has always supported and encouraged universal adherence to the Rome Statute.

The main consideration for any state in acceding to the Statute should be a willingness to subject its own actions to the jurisdiction of the ICC. I know that many states, including many who voted in favour of granting Palestine observer state status at the General Assembly, would be concerned that any decision to accede to the Rome Statute simply in order to open another front in an already complex and deadlocked conflict with Israel may be counterproductive. The Palestinian leadership are aware of these concerns.