Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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 light of the current crisis in Gaza, there are intensive discussions ongoing at EU level, and with regional partners, on how to develop a credible pathway to a two-state solution, allowing the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in the peace and security that they deserve. The Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum which I attended earlier this week in Barcelona, was an important element of this. The timing and context of any decision on recognition would need to take account of these discussions, as well as the situation on the ground.

As I have said previously, this is an issue that remains under review and that I discuss with EU partners. I would expect these discussions to intensify over the coming period.