Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A few minutes ago I was delighted to join colleagues from a number of parties on the plinth to stand with the Palestinian people and call for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest this weekend. There was a big representation from my party, Sinn Féin, but I also noticed Civil Engagement group and Labour Party Members, a broad range of Independent Members, as well as Social Democrats Members. I congratulate all of them on taking the time to do so and the principled stance they took. I congratulate, in particular, Senator Frances Black who has shown such principled leadership on the issue of Palestine in the time she has been in the House. It is truly disappointing, however, that nobody from Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael could find the time to come and join us. I call for a further debate on the issue. Anyone who has been to Palestine knows the reality of what is going on there. A further 65 people were injured this morning on the 71st anniversary of the Nakba, otherwise known as the catastrophe. I think back to the movement of artists against apartheid in South Africa which, unfortunately, I am old enough to remember. Can Members imagine the horror in the 1980s if South Africa was to host a song contest? Would anybody really have stood up and said it was fine to go ahead and send our representatives there to sing and dance? Of course, they would not have because it would have been horrific, but there is a wall of silence among the conservatives in this Chamber on the issue of Palestine. It is truly shameful. The Members to whom I refer are on the wrong side of history in that regard. Just as the South African people found justice, the Palestinian people will also find it. It is hugely disappointing that the Members to whom I refer have decided not to take a principled, cross-party stand with the people of Palestine. It is shameful that Ireland is taking part in the contest and that RTÉ is supporting that stance. We can and must do better. The people of Ireland are behind the Palestinians. There were commemorations across the State yesterday, including in my city of Limerick, to remember the Nakba. I express my genuine disappointment that the parties to whom I refer are not prepared to stand with the Palestinian people.