The FAI released a statement on 12 June justifying playing Israel behind closed doors and outside Ireland. It spoke of consultation with stakeholders, in particular the Palestinian Football Association which the statement strongly implied backed the FAI's position. Today, the Palestinian Football Association has had to release a statement saying it did not endorse or support the decision to proceed with the games: "[O]ur position regarding Israeli football remains unchanged and unequivocal." It stated that: "[T]he PFA categorically rejects any attempt to promote or impose matches with an occupying power that systematically targets Palestinian athletes and sports infrastructure."

Did the FAI not deceive the people of Ireland and the global media with this claim? Did it not shamefully twist the words of the most hard-pressed and vulnerable sports association? Will the Tánaiste call on the FAI to come in front of an Oireachtas committee to explain this and the entire venture? I refer also to the sports Ministers who are backing these immoral games and shameful decision.

Of course, the Ministers are not doing that at all. Let us be clear. This is a decision the FAI has to take. If we start making decisions on the floor of the 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 a process, I think it has gone through a robust process. It has made a decision. The last thing any one of us would want to do is take a decision that ends up benefiting the Israeli football team and disadvantaging the Irish soccer team. I hear about what the players have had to say about not wanting pressure in relation to them.

I have not seen that statement from the Palestinian Football Association. I take in good faith what the Deputy said. My own note tells me that the Palestinian Football Association stated: "The Palestinian Football Association expresses its appreciation for the principled positions taken by the Football Association of Ireland in support of the rights of the Palestinian people and Palestinian athletes."

Today's statement was contradicting the way the FAI used that.

In fairness, that statement says that the Palestinian Football Association expresses its appreciation. There should always be engagement between governing bodies that the taxpayer funds.