I thank the Social Democrats for bringing forward this motion. I also congratulate Teachta Ennis on his maiden speech. Sinn Féin fully supports the motion to exclude Israel from sporting fixtures. We also stand with the Stop the Game campaign, which includes a huge number of organisations and individuals across Ireland, from football clubs, fan clubs and trade unions to students, players and pro-Palestinian groups, all of whom are united in making sure Israel's genocide is not legitimised or sportswashed, in a coalition across Ireland campaigning to stop the Ireland versus Israel games in September and October. There must be accountability for Israeli crimes against humanity. Israel should face boycotting, divestment and sanctions. The least we can do in Ireland is ensure the green jersey is not used to rehabilitate Israel at a time when the IDF is involved in genocide in Gaza and the first annexation of the West Bank. I have been around long enough to remember and to have stood in support of the brave stance taken by Dunnes Stores workers in Henry Street in 1984, when union members decided to take a stance against apartheid in South Africa. The Dunnes Stores strike led to the Irish Government introducing legislation to officially boycott apartheid in South Africa, contributing to the further international isolation and eventual downfall of apartheid there. It is a proud example of what we should be doing now with Israel. Ireland should not play Israel in sport. Doing so legitimises genocide and gives cover to statute violations, apartheid and war crimes. Attempts to move the football games behind closed doors or to a different country are cowardly and have to be called out. The game should not go ahead, whether in Dublin, Hungary or anywhere else. That is not the point. We are witnessing is genocide in Gaza and the destruction of Palestine in real time. We know what is going on. There should be no excuses, no change of venue, no games - just no way. The Government must rise to the challenge and show real leadership. It cannot pass the buck and leave it to sporting bodies, and most definitely not to the players. Only last year, the Government failed children in Palestine who could not visit Ireland to play Gaelic games. The excuse at the time related to visas. There should be no excuses. The Government must do the right thing and be the leader it claims to be. Irish people have consistently stood shoulder to shoulder with Palestine. We have marched in our thousands in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Government must respect the values of human rights, justice and international law. It must stand up against genocide in Gaza and Israeli apartheid and stop the games now.

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