The Palestinian flag was raised outside Leinster House in Dublin this morning, to mark Ireland officially recognising the State of Palestine.

Ireland now recognises Palestine as a sovereign and independent state – with full diplomatic relations to be established between Dublin and Ramallah.

The historic decision follows an announcement made by Taoiseach Simon Harris last week, in which he told the Dáil that the Palestinian flag would fly on the same day that the recognition of the State of Palestine would formally take effect.

“This decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive," the Taoiseach commented today. "It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security.

“We had wanted to recognise Palestine at the end of a peace process however we have made this move alongside Spain and Norway to keep the miracle of peace alive," he continued. "I again call on Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to listen to the world and stop the humanitarian catastrophe we are seeing in Gaza.”

In a statement issued earlier today, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said:

"Recognition of Palestine is not the end of a process; it is the beginning. We are deeply committed to the pursuit of peace and support for Palestinian state-building. Ireland has reaffirmed this commitment over many decades, through intensive diplomacy and our long-standing development cooperation programme.

"It is vital that the Palestinian Authority is given the full backing of the international community in its reform and service delivery efforts and we will redouble our energies to this end," he added.

Ireland, Norway and Spain have all officially recognised the State of Palestine today, as a co-ordinated statement in 'the spirit of peace'.

Palestinian flag at Leinster House by Miguel Ruiz