A European parliamentary delegation has held talks with the exiled leadership of Hamas in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The group said its first public move would be to encourage more Europeans to recognise Hamas as a legitimate movement that has been democratically elected.
The delegation included Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews.
Speaking after the meeting, he said it was time to engage in direct talks with Hamas in order to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The US and the EU consider Hamas a terrorist organisation and have refused to have direct contact with the group.
