Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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262. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress being made for him to formally recognise the state of Palestine, as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23002/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government has 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 in the Middle East Peace Process, and stimulate new efforts. It is an effort which the Government fully supports. It would clearly be unhelpful and confusing to make a unilateral move on recognition while that process is ongoing.

I continue to follow closely developments in the region.

Last month I made a further visit to the region, where I spoke to Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders about the Middle East Peace Process and other topics. Prior to travelling to the region, I had a range of other contacts, including participating at the Paris Conference on the MEPP and met with a cross-party delegation of members of the Knesset.