Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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392. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of Ireland's foreign policy position on Palestine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35392/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace, but also action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement activity,which are progressively endangering the prospects of such a peace agreement. Ireland has been an advocate of EU measures which distinguish between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory such as the territorial clause in the EU-Israel research agreement and the guidelines on the labelling of products originating from the settlements.

I am mindful of the Oireachtas motions on Palestinian recognition in all my engagement on this issue and my approach will continue to be guided by what I believe can best contribute to progress in the peace process.

These policies are carried through on multiple issues and in multiple locations, including on the ground in Israel and Palestine, at EU and UN level, and elsewhere. The details of individual aspects are regularly discussed here in the Dáil, including in the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence.