With each passing day we are witnessing more and more brutality, aggression and murder being carried out by the apartheid state of Israel. The line we hear repeatedly from the Government is that of support for the two-state solution, yet the Irish State does not recognise the state of Palestine. In February 1980, Ireland was the first EU member state to call for the establishment of a Palestinian state, yet we are still waiting. We recognise the racist, apartheid state of Israel, so when will Ireland recognise the state of Palestine?

I thank Deputy Andrews for staying within the time.

The Government is committed to a two-state solution in the Middle East - a peaceful, democratic Israel living alongside a peaceful, democratic Palestine. We are committed to recognising Palestinian statehood at the right time, when that state is established, following agreement to establish it. That is the position of the Government currently.