Dáil agrees motion to officially recognise State of Palestine

The Dáil has agreed a motion officially recognising the State of Palestine and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

The Sinn Féin Private Member’s motion, debated in the Dáil last night and tonight, was not contested by the Government.

TDs from all political parties as well as Independents welcomed the motion.

However, former minister for justice Alan Shatter criticised the wording of the statement and claimed that it should have better reflected the nuances of the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald welcomed the decision and said it sends a strong message of solidarity to the Palestinian people.

Ms McDonald welcomed the fact that Ireland is now joining 135 other countries and eight other EU countries in recognising Palestine as a state.

She said it would have been wrong for Ireland to wait on the EU to arrive at a collective decision on the issue.

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Ahmad Abdelrazek was in the Dáil tonight to watch the debate.