Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
4. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will support the exclusion of teams representing Israel from international sport in the context of the genocide in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64363/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational governing bodies of sport (NGBs) and their overarching international sporting federations are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures whether in domestic or international competitions.
As such, it's important to make clear that neither the Government nor Sport Ireland has a role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations. International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules. The international federations have a leadership role for their global games and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ NGBs.
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.
