In July, the Taoiseach's Government blocked 33 Palestinian children and their coaches from taking part in a GAA tour of Ireland for over a hundred host families and communities nationwide who had raised funds and planned their welcome. The Taoiseach's justice Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, and the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, told us that the reason was insufficient documentation, but we now learn through freedom of information that Department of justice officials were concerned mainly that Israel would not let them return or that there was a risk of overstay. I believe the Tánaiste and the justice Minister should apologise to the House for misleading it, but I ask the Taoiseach to ensure that future visits are not blocked in this way and that Israel's threats do not dictate Irish visa policy.

The Ministers were very clear and acted in good faith. The Minister for justice was clear that there was not sufficient documentation. Any future visit should be properly organised well in advance and there should be engagement with the national sporting authorities of any particular code of sport and then with the Government well in advance of the submission of any applications in order that we can avoid any issues that emerged as in this occasion. That might be one way of avoiding what transpired the last time.

The argument was insufficient documentation. The documentation was there.

It was more than that. There were issues of minors and accompanying them.