A majority of Senators have signed a motion calling on the Irish Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine.

If the motion was passed this would make Ireland just the second EU country, after Sweden, to recognise Palestine.

The motion - proposed by Fianna Fáil Senator Averil Power - has the support of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, six Independents and eight Labour Senators.

The Fine Gael Senators will be discussing the motion at their group meeting on Tuesday.