As reported by Irish Examiner website, Irish Government is preparing to recognize Palestine as an independent state, the Deputy Prime Minister has said. Michael Martin has suggested that Ireland will soon recognize Palestine in support of a two-state solution in the Middle East.

"Our view is as part of the Program for Government that in terms of the recognition of Palestine, the Palestinian state, our view is that we favor it."

However, speaking at the UN in New York, Mr. Martin added that the timing of this will be critical and the "impact of taking such a decision has to be weighed up".

He suggested that such a strong declaration from Ireland would have to be done in the context of making an impact and "adding value to getting a resolution to the crisis".

He added, right now, the Government is engaged with all parties to the conflict and to all of those who are committed to trying to resolve this. We don't want to preempt those engagements.

Asked directly if this will happen within the lifetime of this Government he said: "It well may very well, but that's a call we will make. We're doing some assessment in relation to that internally within the Government".