Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

127. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to his comments in Dáil Éireann (details supplied) his views on whether the choice of government in Palestine should be a matter for the Palestinian people to determine or whether the Irish or other governments should play a role defining who can hold office in the region. [27547/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In my intervention at the EU-Palestine High Level Dialogue in Luxembourg last month, I stressed the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.

In this regard, I welcome the recent joint statement by the High Representative Kaja Kallas and the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee supporting the Palestinian Authority in assuming all of its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, and ensuring it can effectively uphold its role in administering both Gaza and the West Bank.

Ireland has consistently stressed that the governance of Gaza must involve the Palestinian Authority. There can be no role for Hamas, a terrorist organisation who offer the people of Gaza no future.

Ireland welcomed the recent agreement among Arab countries on a joint plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. We must continue to work towards this aim.

The Arab-led plan provides that Palestinian ownership must be a guiding principle in reconstruction efforts and that the right of Palestinians to remain on their own land must be upheld.

Ireland also remains focused on efforts to implement the two-State solution and is actively working with EU and other partners in the region and beyond to create an enabling environment for a revitalised Palestinian Authority. This includes regular discussions on democratic and political renewal.

The importance of intra-Palestinian reconciliation and democratic legitimacy, including elections, was discussed during the meeting between my predecessor, then Tánaiste Micheál Martin, when he met with President Abbas during his visit to the oPt in September 2023.