Push to expand overseas aid budget

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan wants to expand the overseas aid budget in the Coalition’s final months and have Ireland officially recognise Palestine as a state.

Mr Flanagan says there should be “common ground” between Fine Gael and Labour in the run-up to the general election, which he thinks will be next spring.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Fine Gael minister also outlined his vision for peace in the Middle East and spoke about internal party matters.