We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said recognising the state of Palestine could “undermine the important humanitarian work” Ireland does in the region.
The Irish government currently does not recognise the state of Palestine, despite Dáil Éireann voting unanimously to recognise it in 2014.
Solidarity-PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach this week why Ireland would not recognise Palestine, and whether Ireland would boycott any companies that have any involvement in the West Bank settlements.
He told the Dáil that it is “simply unconscionable how countries in Europe that claim to uphold human rights can stand by while Israel flagrantly acts in defiance of international law and flouts the human rights of Palestinian people in the occupied territories”.
In his reply, Varadkar said “the government’s position on Palestine is clear”, stating:
We support the establishment of a Palestinian state. No such state exists at present. The Palestinian territories are occupied by Israel. We have taken a decision not to recognise a state that does not yet exist. It is very much our view that Jerusalem and the state of Jerusalem should be settled as part of a final stated agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
In the meantime, the Taoiseach said the Irish embassy will remain in Tel Aviv.
He pointed out that countries that have formally recognised Palestine as a State could cause difficulties with Israel.
“We have to bear in mind that when a country recognises Palestine, Israel interprets that in the same way as the Palestinians have interpreted the US government’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” said Varadkar.
Late last year, US President Donald Trump took the decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Ireland, along with another 127 countries supported a UN motion rejecting the US decision, angering the president who threatened to cut off funding to nations that opposed his decision.
Varadkar said other countries who have recognised the state of Palestine have found themselves cut off from Israel, which he argued would have a detrimental impact on the aid work Ireland is trying to do in the region.
I understand this has happened in the case of Sweden. The Israeli government has a tendency to disengage with countries that recognise the state of Palestine. That could undermine the important humanitarian work we do in that region. We have plans to intensify and increase the humanitarian work we do in the Palestinian territories. We have to consider that this work could be undermined.
Speaking to the Seanad last week, Tánaiste Simon Coveney told Senators that it was a “critical moment in the peace process”.
Speaking specifically about the recent Bill to prohibit the import and sales of goods from the territories, Coveney said he recognised that it would “send an important signal to the Palestinian people” – but he argued that the memory of such a signal may fade over time and Ireland’s reputation would be of a country willing to go it alone, rather than a country determined to influence, persuade and bring others with Ireland.
The Bill, which was tabled in the Seanad by Independent Senator Frances Black and aimed to prohibit Ireland from trading with Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories, was adjourned last week until July.
The Bill seeks to “prohibit the import and sales of goods, services and natural resources originating in illegal settlements in occupied territories”.
The background to the Bill
The Bill does not mention Israel or Palestine by name but is aimed at stopping Irish trade with the Israeli settlers and settlements which are seen by many in the international community as illegal.
Senator Frances Black said that her Bill is not a boycott of Israel or a ban on Israeli products.
“We must be accurate on this. We are making the same distinction the EU makes between goods from Israel and goods from illegal settlements beyond its borders,” said Black.
In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict both sides claim the West Bank as legitimately belonging to them. Both argue they have claim to the region citing reasons such as family heritage, international law, Biblical history and politics.
Jewish settlements have been set up in the West Bank since it came under Israeli occupation in 1967 following the Six-Day War. The settlements have created difficulties and conflict with the Palestinians, who are excluded from certain Israeli-only roads and forced to go through a number of security checkpoints.
This video by Vox provides a good explainer about the settlements in the region.
Senator Black said that last month alone, Israel sanctioned the construction of over 1,000 new settlement homes.
“It is clear that mere condemnation simply has not worked. As long as we support the settlement economically and they remain profitable, they will continue to grow,” she said.
Opposition parties including Labour and Sinn Féin as well as independent senators voiced their support for such a move to prohibit trade – however whether or not the Bill passes in the summer will ultimately depend on whether Fianna Fáil decides to support it.
Irish ambassador summoned
The Bill, which was adjourned following discussions with the Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, resulted in the Irish ambassador to Israel being summoned by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli Embassy in Ireland has slammed the Bill, saying that it “only offers an incentive to those who wish to boycott Israel and stands in stark contrast to the guiding principles of free trade and justice”.
Introducing the Bill, Black said Ireland has a chance to “stand against this kind of injustice”.
“A ban on settlement goods is not a radical ask. It is a dissociation from clear breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses. It is a modest and tangible step we can take”.
Simon Coveney said he would use the next few months to use Ireland’s influence with Europe and the US to try to make progress in Israel.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
A win for Ryanair? Good for the image.
How much free publicity will this generate for Mick?
o Leary for taoiseach
Don’t cry wolf too often O’Leary.
Wayne stop sticking your nose in where you haven’t a clue,they carried well over 30mins extra fuel as they already were in a holding pattern for an hour plus a trip to valencia. I hate any aviation related stories in the media because people who don’t work or have a clue about the industry come on these public forums commenting about their mates knows a pilot,engineer etc etc who said this and that.I said it before,the spanish are none too happy about Ryanair putting all their carriers out of business or on the brink of.Anyone interested should look to the recent emergencies Iberia and Vueling had recently and did you see them in the spanish media immediately????? over and out.
http://www.ryanair.com/doc/news/2012/iaa_report_valencia_EN.pdf
Down in the report it also states Easyjet and LAN Chile aircraft declared maydays too at the same time.enough said.
I never made any comparison with Iberia to Ryanair Mick, I am not taking my information from Spanish media and this is a public forum so I can freely make whatever comments I like. In fact I am an engineer (not an aeronautical engineer but an engineer nonetheless) and you are a barman but I would never have the arrogance to suggest that somebody with your particular skill set shouldn’t make a comment on a public forum. And what’s with the “over and out” crap? This isn’t the army. #gobs1te
Never said you compared Iberia,I did,I am a licensed Aircraft Engineer so therefore I probably know a lot more about it than you,over and out
Jaysus Mick, you are a busy man. Barman of the year, a licensed Aircraft Engineer and a Bull with military lingo to boot. How do you get the time to post here. Mick ‘The Walter Mitty’ Daly more like.
All over the Spanish media questioning safety record, just wondering if Spanish government are teaching Ryanair a lesson and trying to keep them in their place……..
Teach them a lesson about what?
Ryanair have pulled routes from Reus Girona and Valencia etc. because local councils have stopped paying Ryanair subsidies, although Ryanair is the largest airline carrier in Spain they don’t have the best relations with local authorities and government
Chris, Ryanair play the “airport charge” card everywhere. They typically agree a deal with an airport for reduced landing charges for the first couple of years of operations in order to assist the route in achieving profitability. Once the deal expires, Ryanair are expected to pay the published charges – instead however, they make waves about high charges and threaten to pull out. Given Spain’s economic issues, the last thing local governments need is to be subsidising O’Leary’s very healthy profits.
Surely thats good business. When your contract expires you always try to get the best deal possible for you/your company etc.
I never said it wasnt good business, but when the “deal” involves tax payer support, and threats, sometimes the airports will fight back a bit. Ryanair go for the juggular in their press statements, often deriding the local authorities. The last thing Spain needs now is a spoiled airline holding them over a barell demanding subsidies under threat of removal of business. If Ryanair wanna play dirty, why cant the Spanish?
It’s hard to say what the issue is here. There were a couple of other issues recently enough. Just Google “Ryanair, loss of cabin pressure”.
Do you know how many other airlines suffered loss of cabin pressure this year? loss of cabin pressure is an extremely rare occurrence which can happen to any airline. Ryanair been one of the largest airlines in the world is gonna have notably more incidences!
I don’t John but maybe you could enlighten me. I do, however, know that Ryanair had not one but two issues with cabin pressure in the last year which I am told, by an aeronautical engineer, is unprecedented. I have also been told that the according to the European standards for aviation safety that a minimum amount of fuel of 30 minutes longer than the required journey should be carried. This is for passenger safety. These incidents and the three emergency landings in one day due to minimum fuel policy is what had Spanish officials over speaking with the IAA recently.
Wayne, 2 cabin pressure incidents with a busy fleet of almost 300 aircraft is definitely not unprecedented. In fact, i’d say its lower than average given Ryanair’s busy schedule.
Wayne you are aware on that day in question those flights were diverted as were many others some of which also had to declare a mayday due to fuel.The facts are available online if you care to search.
I don’t know Norm, if I am I aware as you suggest, then I hardly need to search the facts. Besides, I don’t think those Spanish lads just popped over for an in-flight meal or to catch some rays.
There are a few notable incidents RE Ryanair and cabin pressure, yes. All incidents were dealt with by the book – release the oxygen masks, descend to 10,000ft. There’s s Daily Mail article which says that the speedy descent was terrifying (4,000 feet per min, as opposed to about 1,800 normally), it would have been a heck of a lot more terrifying had they not descended or descended slower.
Ryanair is one of the safest airlines in the world when you take into account the passenger numbers flown and the number of active aircraft in their fleet.
Like them or loathe them, I really don’t think anyone need worry about their safety record – its absolutely impeccable.
Wayne so you’re not aware of the facts?but feel justified in posting a comment in ignorance, well done you!
more to do with the aircraft its self, the 737-800 has had a lot of these incedents, google southwest airlines 737 800.
@Wayne. Best to read the facts first though instead of posting drivel!
http://avherald.com/h?article=454af355/0000&opt=0
Wayne all I’m going to say is “unprecedented” my ass. Try this for size – 6 loss of cabin pressure incidents that I know about in the last two weeks(I’m sure there’s lots more I have not heard)
1. Moskovia Airlines B737 15th Sep
2. Malaysia Airlines A330 15th Sep
3. Kuwait Airways A310 13th Sep
4. China Airlines A330 12th Sep
5. Asiana Airlines A321 9th Sep
6. Ryanair B737 7th Sep
Congratulations on meeting the MINIMUM acceptable safety standards…
“It also said the aircraft correctly declared emergency procedures in accordance with EU operations regulations.”, the aircraft?? 3 separate aircraft, of the same design, from the same airline……
Hi Conor,
I wouldn’t say my views are unfairly biased. I have a passing interest in aviation safety and I also have an interest in current affairs. The recent Ryanair emergency landings have had quite a bit of media exposure and I had a conversation with an Aeronautical Engineer where I actually argued that Ryanair are one of Europes youngest airlines and that they have zero fatalities. The arguments that were presented to me regarding the sheer volume of incidents reported about Ryanair to aviation authorities recently and consequently in the media has lead me to believe that the person, which I originally thought was just hopping on the band wagon with the Ryanair bashing brigade, is correct (especially given their profession).
You are correct in saying I have a choice to fly with whatever airline I decide fit and I like most other I exercise my right to that choice but I also have a right to comment and have an opinion and in opinion there are too many Ryanair stories in the media these days for comfort.
The reality is that Ryanair have zero fatalities thus far but with the recent events I wonder when will be their first.
What we need to do here is have a holistic look at the situation. There is much comment about ‘Ryanairs impeccible safety record’ and lots of use of phrases like ‘second to none’ which are all meaningless in context.
Safety is not measured by number of incidents but the likelyhood of having an incident. Statements that Ryanairs safety receive is impeccible is simply not true. Ryanair have written of an aircraft in 1 particular incident, picture below.
Two more incidents being investigated (technical issue and engine fault). Are these vast number of issues in less than one year not enough? Does it actually require fatalities to be critical of this airline? Andrew is right – in this case minimum is not enough. There are peoples lives at stake and just meeting requirements or getting the minimum legal amount of fuel isn’t good enough.
I know if I was asked would I prefer to save some cash or some lives what my answer would be.
if they we’re carrying minimum how we’re they able to enter a holding pattern at Madrid, divert to Valencia enter another holding pattern and land with 30mins fuel remaining?? I think you’re still confused mate!
It seems that you are the confused one John. We’re = we are. Legal minimum does not mean the exact amount for the flight only.
In this particular instance, if what you are saying is correct, then I won’t argue but you should note that Ryanair have been ordered to review their minimum fuel policy as a result of multiple emergency landings recently – cause (according to cabin crew): insufficient fuel. There have also been a number reported incidents regarding loss of cabin pressure and other technical difficulties. These are the facts.
Wayne in all fairness an airline with over 230 planes will expect a certain amount of issues like this. A small airline like Aer Lingus for example you won’t hear about that often as they have a much smaller number of aircraft in the fleet i.e less than 50.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am by no means a fan of Ryanair but their safety record is beyond reproach. If you don’t like them then don’t fly with them but don’t try and impose your unfairly biased views on the rest of us.
have your say