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members of UEFA. The FAI has to navigate UEFA in the same way it has to navigate FIFA. The Irish football team has had a lot of success recently

FIFA and UEFA. There is an issue here - of course there is - and the Government has taken a stand on a whole range of issues in respect of Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and much more in terms of the international positions we have taken. There … Irish football team in that it could be the main loser in all this, not anybody else - not FIFA and not UEFA. They continue on because those organisations have not, if we are honest, shown themselves to be very politically focused or conscious in what they

organisation of sporting fixtures, whether in domestic or international competitions; — it is the role of the FAI to decide to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel in September (home) and October (away); — the FAI has stated that it intends to fulfil both fixtures against Israel … These include, of course, the issue we are discussing tonight, which is the Football Association of Ireland being asked not to fulfil its UEFA Nations League fixtures against Israel in the autumn. It is important to note however that national governing bodies, NGBs, of sport, such

stated that it intends to fulfil both fixtures against Israel in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA and the Government acknowledges the FAI’s independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision and any decisions it may make in the coming days. The performance … international sporting federations who are responsible for deciding how to carry out their competitions and who may participate. International federations, in this case UEFA, have a leadership role for their global games, and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual

decided to play the fixtures against Israel in accordance with their obligations as members of UEFA. While there is speculation that the FAI may request that UEFA allow the game to be moved to a neutral venue abroad, this is ultimately a decision for the FAI to make

consequences? It is losing some points. There may be some financial consequences. We may have to answer to some people in UEFA. We should be leading the charge to UEFA in terms of garnering support for others to stand should to shoulder

significant and growing opposition to these fixtures. In November 2025, 93% of FAI members voted to instruct the association to call on UEFA to suspend Israel. In May of this year, FAI general assembly members secured the numbers needed to call an emergency general meeting to vote … Fianna Fáil government prevented the Euro 2000 qualifier between Ireland and Yugoslavia because of Serbian atrocities in Kosovo and in 2022, FIFA and UEFA banned Russia from all club and international games after Poland and Sweden refused to play World Cup qualifiers. Ireland as a nation

Irish team and we must stand by them. Whatever they want is what I want. They cannot be blamed for playing Israel. UEFA or whoever drew up the schedule and ordained that Israel was to play Ireland. Maybe it is UEFA have a right to kick Israel

comments yesterday. I would also make the point that the FAI gave its view on this. The FAI was very clear on this. UEFA as the governing body ultimately made that decision and that is the position. It is not a matter for the Government … matter for the governing body, which in this case is UEFA. My views on the genocidal activities of the Government of Israel are very clear and I think this Oireachtas and the people of Ireland are utterly appalled by the genocidal behaviour being undertaken by the Israeli government

role in deciding who plays who in international sports. The FAI is within its rights to decide to fulfil these upcoming UEFA fixtures and I note its intention to fulfil both fixtures against Israel in September and October. I support the FAI's right to make this decision … calling for a boycott of these games. The FAI has made this decision in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA, the governing body and confederation for football in Europe, and having consulted with An Garda Síochána and other key stakeholders. The FAI has also briefed

anything here, but I will say that this game should not be going ahead. Israel should be banned from participation in FIFA and UEFA competitions. The Israel Football Association has breached multiple UEFA and FIFA statutes. Six Israeli clubs play on occupied territories - Palestinian lands. There are reports

West Bank was ordered to be demolished by the IDF. Six Israeli teams currently play in occupied Palestinian territory in direct contravention of UEFA and FIFA's own rules, although UEFA and FIFA do nothing about it, and three of the biggest teams in Israeli football, Beitar Jerusalem

games. The first-ever NFL regular season game at Croke Park last Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Minnesota Vikings and the UEFA Europa League final that took place in Dublin last year brought a significant economic boost to the country, with over 54% of attendees coming … from abroad and a substantial global viewership of 49.5 million. This final gives us a taste of what the UEFA Euro 2028 championship will be like when we host games in Dublin in three years. This will be the largest sporting event Ireland has ever jointly staged

year of the permanent basic income for arts; increased funding for the Arts Council and Sport Ireland; support for the Ryder Cup and UEFA Euro 2028; the development of IE Alert, which is the new public warning system; and continued investment in the media sector. The overall increase

scheme; increased funding for bodies including the Arts Council and Sport Ireland; and the funding to stage the Ryder Cup in 2027 and UEFA Euro 2028. It also includes continued support for the media sector. The capital allocation to the Department in 2027 is €450 million. The reduction

clear from day one, that it was a matter for the footballing community and for the FAI, who had to work within the UEFA rules and frameworks. The Government has always been of the position that the Irish soccer team should not be a casualty of this

what was the response to that. I will check with the Minister. On the football matches against Israel, the FAI has sought, through UEFA and otherwise, to exclude Israel from all competition. That would be the desirable outcome. The first issue Deputy Smith raised concerned financial services

Irish manager, Heimir Hallgrímsson, who, like his players, is in total solidarity with the Palestinian people. The FAI has engaged with UEFA as part of addressing its concerns regarding this particular fixture. The Government has no role in organising fixtures or deciding whether they are played

taken. I support the views that it has, but that is the position it has taken. It is not the position that UEFA as a whole has taken. It is not for the Irish Government to decide what matches happen, where they happen or whether they are cancelled

Dáil in relation to running Irish soccer, God knows where we will end up. The reality is there are very clear rules that UEFA and FIFA have. Those rules specifically exclude and preclude parliaments from making decisions in relation to the governing authorities. The FAI has gone through

Government to underwrite any potential losses the FAI might endure. It is very clear, however, that the FAI has huge legal grounds because UEFA is breaching its own statutes and legislation. There is no way the FAI would face fines

sanctions against Russia, which have been implemented with unity across the EU and have been replicated at a sporting level by FIFA and UEFA, excluding Russia from competitions

history says otherwise. In 1999, Ireland was due to host Yugoslavia at Lansdowne Road while atrocities were being committed in Kosovo. UEFA refused to postpone the fixture. The then Government did not shrug its shoulders and hide behind the sporting authorities. It refused entry visas to the Yugoslav

Government's conscience when it comes to the Nations League fixture against Israel. There will be consequences, fines and penalties imposed by UEFA but do any of these stack up against the horrors of Gaza or against the incredible bravery of those who are persecuted

Government took a stand in response to the atrocities in Kosovo and refused visas for Yugoslavian players, which was against the position of UEFA at the time and without the approval of the FAI. In 1999, we were not pretending that football existed in some separate moral universe