I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 58, motion No. 9, be taken before No. 1. This would ensure the Seanad would consider our motion which calls on the Government to recognise formally the state of Palestine and do everything it can to help to secure a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order that the citizens of both states can live together in peace and security. Twenty years after the Oslo Accords the prospects of achieving a two-state solution appear to be more remote than ever and the reason is that Israel has done everything it can to undermine the chances of achieving such an outcome. While pretending to talk peace, it has continuously intensified its illegal occupation of Palestine. Its illegal settlements on the West Bank have trebled in size as it has seized more Palestinian land and planted Israeli settlers on it. It has erected a huge separation barrier and implemented an apartheid regime on the West Bank that denies Palestinians the basic human rights their Israeli counterparts take for granted. This summer it executed its third vicious assault in six years on the people of Gaza. Any hope the Gaza ceasefire might lead to meaningful peace negotiations was quickly dashed when, within one week of agreeing to it, Israel announced yet more settlements on the West Bank. It is playing a deeply cynical, long-term game aimed at destroying any prospect of a viable Palestinian state. It has been facilitated in doing this by a largely passive international community that has stood by as Israel has wilfully violated international law and ignored countless UN resolutions. As things stand, Israel has no incentive to engage in meaningful negotiations. It has successfully used its military might time and again to ensure it holds all of the cards. Without wider recognition of the Palestinian state, Palestinian representatives have also been in a weaker position at the negotiating table. It is time to redress this balance. By joining Sweden and other EU member states in recognising Palestine we would make it clear that statehood was a right of the Palestinian people, not an Israeli bargaining chip for it to play in further sham negotiations. In so doing, we would increase pressure on Israel to pursue a genuine peace process that had a real prospect of delivering peace and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Ireland has traditionally been vocal in its support for the Palestinian people and proactive in lobbying on their behalf internationally. We should now be to the forefront of efforts to secure full recognition for the Palestinian state and deliver a viable two-state solution to the conflict. Sweden is not hiding behind a common EU position-----

These are points the Senator could make during the debate.

-----or buying the Israeli line that recognition of Palestine is something in Israel's gift in future negotiations, nor should we. I thank the 31 Senators who signed our motion supporting the recognition of Palestine. I also welcome the Palestinian ambassador and his colleagues to the Visitors Gallery. We have an opportunity to do something deeply significant and symbolic. I hope colleagues on all sides of the House will support me, that the Leader will allow this debate to take place and that there will be all-party agreement on the motion.

I welcome the Palestinian ambassador and his staff to the Visitors Gallery.