Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

Israeli citizens can enter Ireland without a visa, yet yesterday 33 children and 14 mentors from Palestine GAA had their dreams of visiting Ireland in a couple weeks pulled from under them when their visa applications were denied by the Irish immigration service. It is a painful double standard that those living under apartheid are burdened with yet another layer of exclusion and discrimination while those enforcing it are welcomed with no restrictions. Clearly, the Government’s so-called claim of solidarity with the people of Palestine only goes so far. How can our Government say they are pro-Palestine when their actions prove to be pro-Israel? These are children who have barely left their refugee camp, never mind their country. They have never been to the beach, or on a plane or a train. They have never known what it feels to be truly free. They live in constant fear of being bombed, shot or imprisoned without trial. They live in fear of taking the wrong road or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The trip was going to be two weeks’ respite for them. My head spins when I hear the Tánaiste and Government Ministers get up and say they support Palestine and support sanctioning Israel, and yet their actions lead to the rejection of 33 children coming here to play GAA for two weeks during the summer. Palestinians are, unfortunately, used to being let down by others. Ireland cannot be another one to let them down. We owe them that much. Give them their visas. Let them in, just like the Government lets in Israeli citizens. It is important that the Minister for Justice comes in and explains the logic for refusing 33 young kids coming here to play sport for just two weeks in the summer. It is completely unreasonable and unfair. It highlights the double standards between the Government’s talk and claims and its actions.