Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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67. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will act on the call by an organisation (details supplied) for the removal of the Israeli Basketball Association from the FIBA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64397/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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National governing bodies of sport (NGBs) and international sporting federations, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the case of basketball, are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures. The Government has no role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations. Such federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules.

NGBs and international sporting federations are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures. The Government and Sport Ireland have no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures.

On a wider note, I can say that Ireland welcomes the agreement on the first phase of the 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. The first phase of the plan, the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, is an important step on a road to peace. Our immediate focus must be on ensuring humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza at scale. Ireland stands ready to play our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the implementation of the two-State solution.