Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Ireland has funded programmes of assistance to Palestine for more than two decades reflecting a long-standing commitment to justice for the Palestinian people and to the peaceful development of a viable, sovereign Palestinian State. This funding addresses immediate humanitarian needs, as well as development priorities and the promotion of human rights. The key elements of our programme of assistance include support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Palestinian Authority (PA), a number of key Palestinian and Israeli NGOs for their work in monitoring the status of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory and to civil society organisations involved in a range of humanitarian, development and peace building programmes.

Ireland’s total funding support to the Palestinian people in each of the last five years amounted to: €10.4 million in 2009, €9.07 million in 2010, €9.6 million in 2011, €11.5 million in 2012 and €10.7 million in 2013.