The announcement that Ireland will formally recognise the state of Palestine next Tuesday is an historic moment for both Ireland and Palestine. I want to commend today all those who have campaigned, marched, petitioned and stood up for international law and the reality that the only route to a lasting peace in the Middle East lies with a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state. The state we will now officially recognise has long endured oppression, occupation and apartheid. Today, the people of Gaza face a relentless genocide. I hope that the occasion of recognition will be marked in this House with statements, the flying of the Palestinian flag and the attendance of Palestinian representatives. More than that, I expect the Government will take the next logical steps. Israel must be held to account and meaningfully sanctioned for the ongoing gross violations of international law in Gaza and across Palestine. Ireland must be a world leader not just in recognising a Palestinian state but in securing a viable free Palestine and a lasting and just peace.

I share Deputy Carthy's view that we should have statements in this House next week with Palestinian representatives and with the flag flying. I note that the Ceann Comhairle has indicated that is his intention, and I welcome that fact. There will absolutely need to be justice and accountability in respect of the atrocities and the humanitarian catastrophe that is unfolding in Gaza; of that, there is no doubt. The immediate priority for the Government and for all governments and all peoples has to be for an immediate cessation of violence and for the humanitarian aid to flow. We are seeing people being starved to death in Gaza at the moment. The Government's priority is to continue to work for an immediate ceasefire in every possible forum and avenue available to us, continuing to pursue that at a European level also and continue to support every effort around humanitarian aid.