I will be supporting the measured and balanced amendment proposed by Deputies Collins, O'Donoghue, O'Flynn and Fitzmaurice. Let me make clear that I recognise the grave humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the continuing heartbreaking loss of innocent civilian life. No one with a conscience can look at the suffering of families and children there and remained unmoved. I also unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism, violence and attacks on citizens and civilians, wherever they occur, such as the barbaric attack by Hamas when innocent men and women were murdered at a music festival. That was particularly sickening and should not have happened either. The recognition of suffering cannot justify turning Irish sport into a political battlefield. Sport must be depoliticised as much as possible. Irish sportspeople, men and women who have given years of dedication, sacrifice and discipline to represent this country, should not be punished or dragged into international disputes that are far beyond their control. There is also a glaring moral contradiction at the heart of this debate. We are told that playing against Israel is somehow unconscionable. However, Ireland happily competes against Qatar, whose human rights record includes the exploitation of migrant workers, the denial of basic freedoms and appalling records on women's rights, religious freedoms and political repression, all of which are synonymous with that country. The selective outrage directed as Israel, and only Israel, undermines the credibility of those demanding a boycott. This House has spent a disproportionate amount of time on this one international conflict, while urgent domestic issues - the housing emergency, the crippling cost of living, the chaos in our health service and the rise in crime on our streets - receive far less attention. Irish citizens watching these debates must wonder why Gaza dominates the agenda here, when families in their own communities cannot find a home. We owe it to the people who elected us to get our priorities straight and right. This amendment rightly states that decisions on fixtures and tournament participation are matters for UEFA and the international sporting bodies, not unilateral grandstanding by the Irish Government. We should respect those determinations. Withdrawing or boycotting carries real consequences - sporting, economic and reputational - for our teams and supporters and our ability to host major events in the future. Sport should be a source of national unity and pride, not a vehicle for political activism.

Sentiment score: -0.15