Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has put forward a motion calling on the Government to expedite the process to formally recognise the State of Palestine.

Commenting on the issue Deputy O’Brien said: “I have put forward a motion, for which I sought cross-party support, calling on the Government to expedite the process to formally recognise the State of Palestine. This is on foot on similar motions passed in the Seanad and the Dáil in 2014. I believe the time has now come for Ireland to formally recognise the State of Palestine, independent of and co-existing with Israel. This motion is not anti-Israel, but rather seeks to provide parity of status between the two states.

“Furthermore, the Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government will: ‘honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict’.

“I and my party believe that official recognition of the State of Palestine by Ireland can strengthen, advance and further legitimise the two-state solution.

“The Fianna Fáil party have a very strong record in trying to advance a two-state solution and seeking a fair and sustainable settlement to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Unfortunately, there has been little progress on this issue in recent years and the Palestinian people have continued to suffer under an illegal occupation which is having detrimental consequences and impinging of the human rights of the Palestinian people.

“It is clear that we need new efforts to stimulate the peace talks. The motion that I have put forward sends a clear message of the ongoing commitment of my Party to the Middle East peace process and to the two-state solution which we first put forward in 1980. Since then, there has been little progress, but that does not mean it is not achievable.

“It is my hope that the people of the Middle East will in the not too distant future, experience the benefits of peace that we have come to enjoy on the Island of Ireland and will experience justice and the full realisation of human rights for all.”