Alan Farrell
Question:45. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on his recent engagement with the Spanish prime minister, with specific regard to recognition of a Palestinian state. [17841/24]
View answerWednesday, 8 May 2024
Questions (45)
Written answers
I discussed the situation in the Middle East by phone with Prime Minister Sánchez on Monday 6 May, including plans to recognise the state of Palestine. This was also the focus of our discussion when the Prime Minister visited Dublin on Friday 12 April.
We shared deep concern at the potential impacts of an Israeli military operation in Rafah. The international community has made it very clear that an Israeli military operation will inevitably lead to disastrous humanitarian consequences and the deaths of large numbers of innocent civilians. The protection of civilians is an obligation under International Humanitarian Law.
We agreed to continue working together to push for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional and immediate release of all remaining hostages and for a surge in humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We also took stock of the work underway in New York on a resolution on Palestine’s membership of the UN.
On our shared commitment to recognising state of Palestine at an early date, Ireland and Spain, together with Malta and Slovenia, have previously said that this is something that we are ready to do so when the conditions are right. We would like to do so with others, if possible, as a positive contribution to the search for peace and as something that we believe can have a positive impact on the situation on the ground.
In our meeting in Dublin we also discussed the strong bilateral relationship that exists between Ireland and Spain, with deep and growing economic and people-to-people links.
I also met Prime Minister Sánchez in Warsaw on Thursday 11April, at a dinner to discuss the EU’s future Strategic Agenda, and at the Special European Council meeting in Brussels on 17 and 18 April.
Question No. 46 resubmitted.