Ireland has pledged an addditional €40 million for reconstruction and development in Palestine.
The pledge was announced by Minister of State for Overseas Development, Michael Kitt, at the International Donors Conference for the Palestinian State in Paris.
Mr Kitt expressed the Government's support for the negotiations between President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and stated that "we want to see the establishment of an independent and democratic Palestinian State, living in peace with Israel and its other neighbours".
The EU has been the largest single donor to the Palestinian people, providing more than €800 million in assistance this year.
Mr Kitt said Ireland's assistance has increased by 70% since 2005 to €7.5 million in 2007. He stated: "In the context of political agreement, the Government of Ireland pledges additional assistance of €40 million for Palestinian recovery, reconstruction and development."