Israel's war in Gaza since the 7 October attack has revived a global push for Palestinians to be given a state of their own.
Ireland, Norway, and Spain have become the latest countries to recognise a state of Palestine, breaking with the long-held view of Western powers that Palestinians can only gain statehood as part of a negotiated peace with Israel.
Their move, which has infuriated Israel, brings to 145 out of the 193 UN member states that have recognized a Palestinian state.
They include many Middle Eastern, African, and Asian countries, but not the United States, Canada, most of western Europe, Australia, Japan, or South Korea.
Read more: Head of Palestinian Mission in Dublin expected to become ambassador
Following today's Cabinet decision to recognise the state of Palestine, the Irish Government will await a formal request from the Palestinian Authority.
At that point, the Government will upgrade the status of the Palestinian Mission in Ireland to that of an Embassy.
Read more: Spain, Norway, and Ireland formally recognise Palestinian state
It will also authorise the appointment of an Ambassador from the State of Palestine.
It is widely expected that the current head of the Palestinian Mission in Dublin, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, will become Ambassador of the State of Palestine.
A formal ceremony would then be arranged to take place at Áras an Uachtaráin with President Michael D Higgins.
It is likely that Feilim McLaughlin, currently head of mission in Ramallah, will become Irish Ambassador to Palestine.
