Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-10
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Mary Lou McDonald (SF), Dublin Central

The Taoiseach has brushed aside growing calls to stop Ireland's Nations League fixture against Israel while the genocide continues against the Palestinian people. His response and that of the Government have been utterly disingenuous. Nobody is asking the Government to usurp the role of UEFA or the FAI. The Taoiseach is being asked to show leadership, support the position that this game must be stopped, protect Irish players from any repercussions, provide the political, diplomatic and financial backing necessary to make that position sustainable and protect the FAI. There is a clear precedent for this. The Irish Government supported opposition to sporting fixtures involving apartheid South Africa. The Taoiseach was in Cabinet in 1999 when the Government refused visas to the Yugoslav team ahead of the planned Ireland-Yugoslavia fixture. In neither case was the Government organising or cancelling sporting fixtures. It was, however, providing leadership, so the truth is the Taoiseach can act. I know my microphone has been switched off.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-10