Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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345. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken to recognise the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16854/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have given a high priority to the Middle East Peace Process since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017, and I will continue to do so as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence. I have personally been very engaged in efforts to keep the issue high on the international agenda. I have made four working visits to Israel and Palestine, most recently in December 2019. I have also consistently engaged on this issue at EU and UN level, and I will continue to do so.

The Programme for Government states that the Government will “Honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-state solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.

In recognition of the frustration felt both in Palestine and here in Ireland over the lack of progress towards a two-state solution, I have been clear that I would be prepared to recommend to the Government early recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful. This is an issue where there could be benefits to moving in step with EU partners, and it is a matter that I discuss regularly with EU colleagues.

However, recognition by Ireland outside the context of an overall peace agreement would also undoubtedly affect Ireland’s influence on the Israel-Palestine conflict at EU and international level. Timing and context would affect whether this loss of influence would be matched by delivering a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process. I am continuing to monitor the situation closely.