"Today is an important day for the people of Palestine and a proud day for Ireland," said Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher as the Irish Government confirmed it would recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th.

"Symbolism matters in politics and in diplomacy. There will be people who dismiss this action by the Irish Government, but it is an important statement of Ireland's convictions and its independence as a sovereign nation.

"The Irish people have long held the cause and the plight of the Palestinian people close to their hearts. Our people don't need to look too far back into our history to know what oppression looks and feels like.

"In 2018, I visited the West Bank. I saw what Israeli occupation looked like. It was and remains both an outrage and a violation of international law and morality.