The Taoiseach refused to confirm when the recognition might take place

Simon Harris and Pedro Sanchez spoke in a telephone conversation on Monday morning following discussions last month

The leaders agreed to take the first steps towards recognising a Palestinian state following a meeting of the European Council in Brussels.

Leo Varadkar and Pedro Sanchez have written to the European Commission expressing their deep concern over the situation in Gaza

The department said they had been able to avail of a “preferential rate” for the VIP service at Dublin Airport.

Leo Varadkar will brief Pedro Sanchez on the new agreement between the UK and the EU.