Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposed timeframe to honour the Government commitment to recognise the state of Palestine. [19750/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

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 the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful, and this is a matter which I discuss regularly with EU colleagues.

The timing and context of any such decision would affect whether the resulting loss of influence would be matched by a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process and a two-State solution.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the actions of Israel at the al-Aqsa Mosque; and if he has raised this matter at EU-level. [19751/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The deteriorating situation on the ground in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is deeply troubling.

On 7 April, I condemned the violence by Israeli forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and urged respect for the status quo at the holy sites. Furthermore, I condemned rocket fire into Israel and all violence against civilians, including acts of terrorism in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. It is of paramount importance that civilians are protected.

Ireland plays a leadership role at the EU in taking a consistent, clear, and firm position in relation to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. I work closely with EU partners to ensure that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains central to the EU's foreign policy. Most recently, I raised Ireland’s shared concerns to my EU counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, 24 April. I will continue to work with my counterparts to encourage the EU to play a forward-leaning role in the conflict.