Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is always edifying to see young people involved in charitable causes. It is happening every day in every village, town and city where young people are performing acts to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. That is what the pupils of Coláiste na Sceilge in Caherciveen were doing at Christmas time. They took to the streets in winter weather to raise funds for the beleaguered people of Palestine, to help alleviate a humanitarian crisis. One can imagine their horror to see themselves being pilloried and demonised in the Jerusalem Post by a named columnist and to have their photograph published without their consent.

It is ironic because they were raising funds to purchase olive trees for displaced families in Palestine. We always understood that the olive branch was a symbol of peace and reconciliation. I am delighted that the principal of that college, Mr. John O'Connor, and his staff and pupils stood up to this intimidation. They came out and stood up for their principles over the past 48 hours because it was intimidation.

If the Jerusalem Post has a political agenda, it should not try to impose it on the decent people of Kerry, or Ireland generally, who live up to a proud tradition of helping other nations when they are in trouble. I hope the message goes out loud and clear to Coláiste na Sceilge in Caherciveen that the people of Kerry, and of Ireland generally, should not be intimidated politically when we know we are doing the right thing. Shame on the columnist and the Jerusalem Post, and shame on Israel for allowing the situation that is happening in Palestine to continue.