Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is not for me to tell any other sovereign parliament or congress how they should spend their taxpayers' money. The position of the Irish Government is crystal clear on the need for an immediate cessation of violence in the Middle East. Ireland has been one of the first countries to call for a ceasefire. At a European level we are pursuing the association agreement. I also raised this with President von der Leyen and at the European Council last week. The Tánaiste is in the region this week. We continue to articulate our position and we articulated this at every opportunity we get including with the United States. I did so when I met former Speaker Nancy Pelosi this week in Government Buildings. Ireland's position is very clear; we need an immediate cessation of violence; we need humanitarian aid to not just flow but for the access to be unimpeded; and we need a two-State solution. I believe we need to recognise the state of Palestine.

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