Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
95. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific commitments Ireland made at the Global Alliance meeting on the two-state solution; the way these commitments will be implemented and monitored over the course of 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8620/26]
View answerIreland has been an active member of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution since its establishment in the margins of UN High Level Week in New York in 2024 and has actively participated in all of the subsequent follow up meetings since then.
I was honoured to welcome special envoys, senior officials and diplomats from over 50 countries and international organisations to Dublin for the eighth meeting of the Alliance at Croke Park last week. I was struck by the determination, focus and pragmatism demonstrated by international partners at the meeting, in particular from partners in the region.
The Dublin meeting focussed on supporting the implementation of the two-State solution in three ways. Firstly, sharing relevant aspects of our experience of conflict and building a successful and lasting peace process in Northern Ireland. Secondly, engagement with stakeholders to the Israel/Palestine conflict on what actions the international community can take in support of the two-State solution at this time and thirdly, identifying concrete actions that Global Alliance members can take to progress key aspects of the New York Declaration.
Delegates had the opportunity to hear from a diverse range of individuals representing different communities that were involved in the process that lead to the Good Friday Agreement. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern provided a scene setting address. Much of the discussion was framed around how to build an inclusive peace process and considered the importance of ‘parity of esteem’ and an approach based on international law. The panels also touched on complex issues such as decommissioning, security, policing and governance structures.
The Dublin meeting was the first Global Alliance meeting to be convened since the UN Security Council passed UN Resolution 2803 endorsing the US Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and as such provided an import platform for exchange of information. Many delegates highlighted the importance of working closely with the US and harnessing complementarity between the US Plan and the New York Declaration.
The meeting reinforced consensus amongst the group that the West Bank must be a priority as work to implement the second phase of the peace plan progresses, given its centrality to agreement on a durable peace plan with the implementation of the two-State solution.
As Chair of this meeting, Ireland reiterated the indispensable work of UN, in particular UNRWA, in delivering life-saving assistance and essential services to the civilian population in Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider region.
