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Government cop-out ignores previous political precedent of international game being cancelled  The government cannot continue to hide behind the FAI when it comes to its position on the Israel-Ireland game, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “Speaking on RTÉ today, Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue said it was […]

We cannot allow a genocidal Israeli state to launder its reputation through sportswashing The Social Democrats are bringing forward a Dáil motion demanding the government withdraw its support for the forthcoming Ireland-Israel soccer match, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “Not only is the Israeli state committing a genocide in […]

Progressing the Occupied Territories Bill without the inclusion of a ban on services shows the Government is crumbling under pressure from the United States, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “After kicking the Occupied Territories Bill to touch for more than a year, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has […]

The Irish Government must intervene to ensure the safety of Irish activists illegally detained in international waters by Israeli forces, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Yet again, we see Israel act with impunity as the latest Gaza-bound flotilla – carrying food, medicine and baby formula – is intercepted […]

Israel’s claim that a ceasefire deal to end the war in the Middle East does not include Lebanon must be immediately condemned by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Ireland has a long history of peacekeeping in Lebanon through our Defence Force’s participation in UNIFIL. […]

It is beyond pathetic that our Government has buried the Occupied Territories Bill while Israel ramps up its ethnic cleansing in Palestine and southern Lebanon, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “The chaos of the US and Israel’s illegal war in Iran and Lebanon is providing the perfect cloak […]

The government has now received legal advice from the Attorney General and should pass the Occupied Territories Bill, and must now do so without delay, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “At the Business Committee today, Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said that updated advice from the Attorney General […]

Our national broadcaster must stand up and lead the way by not broadcasting fixtures against Israel which are due to take place this year, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “I’ve written to RTÉ to ask that the planned Irish National Men’s Team fixtures in the Nations League versus Israel […]

UEFA must read the room and ban Israel from taking part in its competitions, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney and foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Deputy Gibney said: “Our national team players, elite athletes at the pinnacle of their career, have been put in a very difficult position after they were drawn […]

The government is acting as if there is a ceasefire in Gaza despite Israel’s ongoing killing of innocent Palestinians, according to Social Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Patricia Stephenson. Senator Stephenson said: “Israel continues to murder with impunity while European leaders talk about the progress of the Gaza peace agreement. “There is no peace; last night, […]