Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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101. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the recent declaration by President Trump of the United States on Jerusalem being the capital of Israel will be discussed at the December 2017 European Council meeting; and his plans to ensure that Ireland's objections to this declaration will be made known. [53227/17]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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108. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the reports that the American Government may move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (details supplied); his views on the plans to move the embassy to Jerusalem; and if he has raised concerns regarding this development with the United States Government. [52824/17]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the impact of President Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; the impact he views this will have on the peace process; the actions the Government and the European Union will take in view of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53209/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 108 and 115 together.

On 6 December I issued a public statement on the announcement by the US Government about Jerusalem, which was as follows:

“Jerusalem is one of the permanent status issues which is to be settled in a final peace agreement in the Middle East.

It has been the united position of the international community for decades, as set out in UN Security Council Resolutions, that a resolution of the Middle East conflict will include agreement for Jerusalem to be the capital of both Israel and the future state of Palestine. If the peace negotiations are to be successful, this will happen at the end of the process, when the full set of compromises has been worked out.

The dangerously heightened tensions in Jerusalem in recent years have also underlined the need to avoid any unilateral actions to alter the status quo in the city.

I believe therefore that today’s announcement by the United States in relation to Jerusalem is premature and ill-advised, and will be unhelpful to efforts to reach a resolution of the Middle East Peace Process, something which is very urgently needed. I conveyed to the US Government yesterday my concern about reports of US intentions, and I know that very many leaders around the world did the same. Today’s announcement is thus very disappointing and difficult to understand.

Ireland remains fully committed to supporting both parties to reach a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Middle East Peace Process, something which is essential for Israel to secure its future, and for Palestinians to enjoy their full political rights.”

The EU’s High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has restated that ‘the aspirations of both parties must be fulfilled and a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states.’ I strongly support her words, and I believe that, despite this disappointing announcement by the US, the EU should redouble its efforts to help the parties to make progress towards a peace settlement. At the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday, we had a wide-ranging discussion on the Middle East, which of course touched on the worrying impact of this US announcement.