Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Daly is aware, the reasons given on the deportation order do not tell us anything and that is why the Department has asked for an explanation. It may be that the refusal was on foot of legislation enacted earlier this year which provided for admission to be refused to any person who has advocated or is a member of a group which has advocated a policy of boycott in relation to Israel or Israeli settlements in Palestine, known as the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, BDS, movement. All four of the individuals were asked about alleged previous attendance at a demonstration in Palestine. However, I am not sure that either explanation was justified. I am happy to restate that the Government is not aware of any concerns about the actions of the individuals or their group such as could form a legitimate basis for concern or exclusion. We must first allow the Israeli authorities to respond to our inquiry before commenting definitively but it does not currently appear that there was any legitimate reason for those persons' expulsion.

See this speech in context