I, too, express my condolences to the family of Tony McKenna.

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, is sounding more and more like Donald Trump every day. Two weeks ago, he threatened to withdraw funds from innocent clubs because of a small few. He also proposed legislation to ban flares even though flares are already illegal. Now he has claimed Israel is a legitimate UEFA team. This is a bizarre statement. The Israeli team does not conform with its own governing body’s rules and regulations. How is that normal? Welcoming Israel and its supporters to play Ireland is insane. I sincerely hope the match will not go ahead, but if it does, it is really important that Israeli supporters and the management team all be security-screened to ensure those of them who are known to have participated in genocide or committed war crimes will be held to account.

Four years ago, the Irish Government and the FAI confirmed that no Irish team would play Russia at any level, yet now they are happy to play Israel. If there were a nations league for hypocrisy, the Irish Government would win it hands down. Irish football is against the game taking place. It is not me who is saying that; it is Irish football. The FAI congress, which is made up of grassroots supporters and members, said the game should not be played. UEFA has ignored Irish football. Even more worryingly, David Courell, who is now the CEO, is ignoring the wishes of Irish football. David Courell, it is important to remind him and everybody else, is not Irish football; he is the CEO, and he must not act as a puppet for the Irish Government. I believe the Government is pressuring the FAI into playing Israel. Why else would the CEO ignore the grassroots and Irish football fans? Why is the Minister for sport ignoring Irish football?

I often hear people say sport and politics should not mix. That is absolute nonsense, as was evident when we saw Gianni Infantino presenting Donald Trump with a peace award and taking a place on the Board of Peace for Gaza, as if Palestinians have not suffered enough without a madman like Infantino being on the board, pretending to do something for Gaza that is only going to enrich him. It is absolutely sickening. Irish Sport for Palestine has submitted a complaint to the International Criminal Court accusing the presidents of FIFA and UEFA of aiding war crimes against humanity. We need to have the Minister for sport in here to explain and debate why he sees Israel as a normal country.