01/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2026 06:03
Dublin, Croke Park, 28 January 2026
Today, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade hosted the eighth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution at Croke Park in Dublin.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, opened the meeting, which brought together senior officials and diplomats from more than 50 countries and international organisations. The event focused on sharing lessons from Ireland's own experience of peacebuilding in Northern Ireland and how dialogue, inclusion and strong institutions can help turn conflict into lasting peace.
In her address, Minister McEntee spoke about how Ireland's foreign policy is shaped by our history and values and by our own experience of building peace on this island. Minister McEntee highlighted Ireland's strong empathy with people who seek self-determination, dignity and the chance to live in peace.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern also addressed delegates. Participants heard directly from former political leaders from Northern Ireland, who shared first-hand reflections on the peace process and the journey towards the Good Friday Agreement. These discussions took place at a critical moment for the Middle East.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister McEntee said: "Today, we stand at a crossroads, with a unique opportunity to implement the necessary measures for lasting peace and justice for Israelis and Palestinians alike. This is an opportunity to move beyond symbolic gestures and to build upon existing processes that centre on human rights, international law and accountability, processes that ensure an inclusive way forward. Here, in Ireland, we have reaped the rich reward of peace - imperfect and built on hard compromises - and we want nothing more than the same peace for our Israeli and Palestinian friends".
The Minister's full speech can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/speeches/speech-by-minister-mcentee-at-the-global-alliance-for-the-implementation-of-the-two-state-solution/