Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 10 June 2025, if he will clarify the difference between endorsing a Palestinian state and recognising a Palestinian state. [32576/25]
View answerOn 28 May, Ireland marked one year since the official recognition of the State of Palestine. Ireland, together with Spain and Norway, took that decision as an expression of our view that Palestine holds and should be able to vindicate the full rights of a State - including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security.Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine, alongside a number of European partners, and with the endorsement of key Arab States, was carefully calibrated to build momentum behind efforts to implement the two-State solution. We took the decision as an expression of hope, and in the spirit of peace. A year on, we now see the question of recognition at the centre of the international debate.Ireland has been intensively engaged, together with European and regional partners, on preparations for the UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. Ireland is the co-Chair alongside Türkiye, of a Working Group focused on preserving the two-State solution. Regrettably, the Conference has been postponed in response to developments in the region. It is important that the rescheduled Conference goes ahead when conditions allow. This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution.Since the announcement of Ireland's decision to recognise Palestine, an exchange of diplomatic notes confirming the establishment of full diplomatic relations was completed on 29 September 2024.Dr Jilan S.S. Abdalmajid presented her Letter of Credence to President Higgins on 17 December 2024, and, at that point, formally assumed the role of Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Ireland.Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah is treated as a full diplomatic mission by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the position of Head of Mission is an Ambassador-level post that – in common with other such appointments – is approved by Government decision. It has been the practice of other states that have recognised the State of Palestine and that have diplomatic missions there to maintain the title of Representative Office following the establishment of diplomatic relations.
