Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will raise the issue of gay rights in Gaza with the leader of the Palestinian Authority when he visits Ireland this week.

Mr Varadkar told the Dáil that he will challenge Mahmoud Abbas about the decriminalisation of homosexuality and human rights issues when he meets him in Dublin.

He was speaking in response to a question from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald about Ireland's recognition of the Palestinian State.

Mr Varadkar pointed out that the Programme for Government says Ireland supports a Palestinian State and intends to recognise it as part of a two-State solution, when there is an agreement between Israel and Palestine to bring that about, that has not yet happened.

He said that if he is able to meet President Abbas, he will use the opportunity to reaffirm Ireland's support for the Palestinian State as part of a two-state solution.

He added: "I will use the opportunity to raise other concerns around democracy and human rights in Palestinian territories. For example, the fact that homosexuality has yet to be decriminalised in Gaza.

"I think it is important that when we meet with representatives of the Palestinian Authority and other Palestinian groups, that we support their demand for self-determination but we not be afraid to raise serious issues around the violation of human rights in territories that are controlled by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas."