Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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45. To ask 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]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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47. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. [18014/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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48. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with the president of the European Commission. [16767/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

I met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 11 April.

Our meeting covered many of the significant issues currently on the EU’s agenda.

We discussed the very worrying situation in Ukraine, and the country’s urgent need for continuing financial and military support.

We agreed that Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union. I expressed my thanks for the work the Commission is doing in that regard and I expressed my hope that formal negotiations with Ukraine can begin under the Belgian Presidency.

On the Middle East and Gaza, I expressed my strong wish to see an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive and sustained surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.

I thanked her for her role in ensuring that EU aid to UNRWA remained in place. In such a desperate situation, the role UNRWA plays in Gaza, as well as in the West Bank and elsewhere in the region, is indispensable.

We also discussed the Single Market and the need to ensure the EU’s competitiveness. Without economic prosperity Europe will not be able to fund its policy ambitions into the future.

A vibrant and sustainable farming sector is also a vital part of the EU’s future economic and food security. I expressed my view that we need to do more to support the sector which is currently facing significant pressures.

The President and I also agreed that it is in the EU’s strategic interests to ensure a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the EU and the UK.

I also met President von der Leyen at the Special meeting of the European Council on 17/18 April.