Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his plans to formally recognise the state of Palestine as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19463/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed “to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict”.

The Government works consistently to achieve a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state, not just in theory but in fact, and all of our actions on the Israeli/Palestinian issue are directed to that end. It is central to our objective of a two state solution that will ensure the security and prosperity of both peoples.

I am considering carefully whether the immediate recognition by Ireland of a state of Palestine, prior to its real achievement on the ground, could be a helpful step towards that goal.

The process begun by France at the Paris Conference on 3 June is an effort to break the deadlock and stimulate new efforts, and one the Government fully supports. It would clearly be unhelpful and confusing to make a unilateral move on recognition in the middle of that process, which is aimed at a second conference at the end of the year.

I continue to follow closely developments in the region. In recent weeks I have met a cross party delegation from the Knesset, participated at the Paris Conference, and made another visit to the region, where I spoke to Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders about this and other topics.