In reply to a parliamentary question last June, the Tánaiste stated that “in the absence of progress towards a two-State solution", Ireland would recognise Palestinian statehood. This was reaffirmed in September, when he stated that the Government favours recognition. With the sheer brutality of the ethnic cleansing we are witnessing the Israeli state rain down on Gaza, with over 12,000 killed to date, more than 4,000 of whom are children, a two-state solution looks further away than ever. Yesterday, Benjamin Netanyahu once again stated that the Palestinian National Authority would have no place in Gaza after Israel's current campaign or, as the Minister quite correctly called it, war on children. There is, then, no plan to build a unified Palestinian Authority and no plan for a two-state solution. Will the Irish Government now move to recognise Palestinian statehood in reaction to the ongoing horror being inflicted on Palestinians and the Israeli Government's clear movement away from even the pretence of a possible two-state solution? This is something the Government can do today or tomorrow.

It is a long-established position of this country that the solution in the Middle East is a peace settlement that recognises two states. That is where the world wishes to get to, or certainly large parts of the world, including Ireland. Right now, the most important thing this Government and country can do, and indeed that the Tánaiste will do, starting this evening, on his visit Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories is continue to advocate for that immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages and also help get our citizens out of Gaza.

I agree with that, but he should be calling for Palestinian statehood to strengthen our hand.