Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I offer my support and that of Fianna Fáil for what has been outlined by Deputy Daly. When I was contacted by two of those affected, who are constituents of mine, I contacted Deputy Darragh O'Brien, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on foreign affairs, who in turn contacted the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the ambassador.

Human rights and their infringement have to be hugely important for all Members. It is unacceptable that these four people who have given so much time to support Palestinians and make the world aware of the problems there were deported. I have been to Palestine and Israel. It is very important that the message of what is happening in Palestine gets out to the world. The four people that were deported have been doing a huge service for us all.

Approximately 25 years ago I organised for a group of young people from Kildare to go to Northern Ireland to see the unionist and nationalist traditions and areas. I was reminded of that when Ms Elaine Daly contacted me in regard to her deportation. I could have been stopped from going into Northern Ireland because I had organised that fact-finding mission. I would have found that appalling and a huge breach of my rights.

I stand with Deputy Daly in regard to everything she has said.

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