Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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194. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 29 May 2025, to ask for clarity on what his definition of 'Israeli security needs' are, in reference to his written reply. [29781/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The conflict in the Middle East remains a central focus of Ireland’s foreign policy and my engagement with my EU and international counterparts. The immediate focus of the international community must be on efforts to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and a surge in vital humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.

In parallel to these efforts, the Government has long been of the view that the only way to achieve sustainable peace is through implementation of a two-State solution, with Israeli and Palestinian States living side-by-side, in peace and security. There is no prospect of lasting peace and security for either Israelis or Palestinians without a political solution that respects the right to self-determination of both peoples equally.

Ireland is playing a central role in the forthcoming UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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195. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline in detail what the implications were to the change in the status of Palestine (details supplied); his views on the symbolic implications of this change in status and any practical consequences for Irish policy. [29823/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 28 May, Ireland marked one year since the official recognition of the State of Palestine. Ireland, together with Spain and Norway, took that decision as an expression of our view that Palestine holds and should be able to vindicate the full rights of a State - including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security.

Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine, alongside a number of European partners, and with the endorsement of key Arab States, was carefully calibrated to build momentum behind efforts to implement the two-State solution. We took the decision as an expression of hope, and in the spirit of peace. A year on, we now see the question of recognition at the centre of the international debate.

A shared priority with both our European and regional partners at this time is the forthcoming UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This will take place in New York in June of this year and will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.

This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution such as implementation of the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. Ireland will co-chair a Working Group, alongside Türkiye, focused on preserving the two-State solution. We hope that this conference will be a decisive moment for the international community.

Since the announcement of Ireland's decision to recognise Palestine, an exchange of diplomatic notes confirming the establishment of full diplomatic relations was completed on 29 September 2024.

Dr Jilan S.S. Abdalmajid presented her Letter of Credence to President Higgins on 17 December 2024, and, at that point, formally assumed the role of Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Ireland.

Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah is treated as a full diplomatic mission by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the position of Head of Mission is an Ambassador-level post that – in common with other such appointments – is approved by Government decision. It has been the practice of other states that have recognised the State of Palestine and that have diplomatic missions there to maintain the title of Representative Office following the establishment of diplomatic relations.