Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

There seems to be one law for Palestinians who are applying for visas in Ireland and one law for Israelis applying for visas in Ireland. There are no restrictions on Israelis applying for visas here. Looking at the recent example of GAA Palestine trying to bring 33 children here to Ireland to play GAA - Gaelic football and hurling - it would be a huge opportunity for the children and mentors. We are all aware that the Minister for Justice rejected their initial application, and they now have an appeal in. I ask that the Minister expedite it. He said he was not going to break the law. GAA Palestine is not looking for the Minister to break the law. They are looking for him to expedite the case so they can travel on Friday, which is their due date to travel. Many families around the country are waiting, looking forward to hosting the children coming over for two weeks to play football and sport. The suggestion that GAA Palestine was looking for the Minister to break any laws is unfair on GAA Palestine. They have put in a huge amount of work. The appeal is in and it should not take months. It can be expedited. We know the Government can do this. We know the Minister for Justice can expedite applications. The information is in. I ask that it be expedited and that the Minister come in here and explain how he could refuse these applications.

On another note, I agree with Senator O’Loughlin regarding a national science museum. It is important that we have a national science museum. However, we should not have one at the expense of the Iveagh Gardens. Irish Children’s Museum Limited is an organisation that has no transparency and is looking to inflict much damage on the Iveagh Gardens. We need to protect the Iveagh Gardens. We can have a museum and we can have the gardens. One is not dependent on the other.