National Governing Bodies
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-11
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Charlie McConalogue (FF), Donegal

I thank Deputy Coppinger. I have not personally received a legal letter. There was correspondence to our Department. That legal letter was actually addressed to the previous Cabinet Minister, Catherine Martin, but it has been assessed and considered by the Department. As I have said in this House on numerous occasions this week, this is an issue that, from a footballing perspective, is one for the FAI to work on within the structures it has within UEFA and FIFA. It has been proactive within UEFA in bringing a motion seeking to have Israel excluded from competitions. Unlike what happened with Russia, where UEFA and FIFA banned Russia from participating in competitions, the FAI got very little support within UEFA whenever it brought that motion forward. The FAI then had a decision to make as to whether it will fulfil those games and it has decided and has been very clear that it intends to do so.
From a political point of view, the Government will continue to lead out in the international arena, particularly in the European scene, on addressing Israel's behaviour and the absolutely unacceptable conduct we saw in the war, the unacceptable loss of innocent lives and genocidal behaviour. We will continue to do that. Between now and the summer, we will bring forward an occupied territories Bill in the Dáil to be passed by the Oireachtas as the latest step in providing that leadership and example internationally.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-11/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:05+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-11