‘Ireland isn't tearing up migration system in relation to this' – Simon Harris on visa refusal for Palestinian children on GAA trip

Irish Independent

2 days ago

Tánaiste Simon Harris said: 'Ireland isn't just tearing up its migration system or rules in relation to this.'
The Fine Gael leader said there were 'legitimate checks in relation to child protection' involved, even though the tour body from the West Bank says it has repeatedly sent documentation and been ignored.
But the denial of entry to 33 Palestinian children and 14 parents and sports officials was held up as an example of double standards by Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú.
"The approach of the West to the war in Ukraine and the war in Palestine could not be more different. Ireland's approach could also not be more different. Is the refusal of visas for the 33 Palestinian children from the GAA Palestine project not an example of this?'
The Tánaiste said: "Every visa has to be issued on its merits", even as he came under pressure from TDs on all sides.
Mr Harris pointed to an appeals process as a possible way forward -- even though the tour was scheduled to take place this month and hosts were in place.
It has been the subject of applications from the territory of the Palestine Authority as far back at least as last January.
But Mr Harris said the Department of Justice 'will continue to "robustly" apply the rules.
This was the case "particularly when it involves minors and particularly when it involves minors travelling without their parents and accompanied by other adults,' he said.
Jennifer O'Keefe (59), a member of the Good Counsel Liffey Gaels GAA club and based in Palmerstown, was due to welcome two Palestinian children into her home later this month.
In all there were 47 participants travelling to Dublin – including 33 children aged between nine and 16.
The athletes were due to come from the West Bank as part of a two-week tour aiming to foster friendship, solidarity and sporting connection through the GAA.
Ms O'Keefe says she was 'devastated' to learn of the refusal of the players visas.
'We're letting these children down. Their mentors and coaches have taken on our national sport as their sport of choice. Why would you do that to a group of 33 children?,' she said.
'These children have been excited and looking forward to this trip for months. They're so grateful to the Irish people for allowing the trip to happen. I just can't imagine how devastated they must feel at the prospect of not being able to travel.
'We have to fight and push and make sure that this does happen. We have to keep fighting, we can't let the children down.'
Donal Dempsey of Fingallians GAA club in Donabate was also due to take two athletes overnight. Mr Dempsey says the refusal of the athletes visas was 'devastating'.
'It's really, really disappointing. I have a 13-year-old boy myself. He was really looking forward to them coming over,' he said.
The new row comes a day after the Taoiseach denied there was any blockage to Palestinian child victims of Israel's war on Gaza coming to Ireland for treatment.
Only two of four promised surgery flights have arrived, but Micheál Martin rejected Sinn Féin suggestions of bureaucratic impediments.
Mr Tóibín called for "a compassionate response", even though there should be a strict visa system in place.
There are 'dozens of children coming into this country unaccompanied on an annual basis,' he claimed, particularly from United Kingdom.
The Tánaiste responded: 'We do try to take a compassionate approach.' He insisted the Government did not doubt the good faith of the organisers of the Palestinian junior GAA tour.
'Unfortunately not all people will be able to demonstrate that they satisfy the conditions to be granted a visa to come to Ireland,' he said
'These applications were given very careful consideration," he said.
"A visa officer has to be satisfied that children are travelling in the company of their parents or an appropriate guardian.
"Additional documents such as birth certs, consent letters are regularly requested to establish the relationship and there is an appeal.'
Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger said the question had to be asked why a Palestinian tour had been 'faced with all these barriers', and pointed to "massive" GAA child protection safeguards.
Sinn Féin's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire called for 'some political will' to sort out the issues and to quickly get them rectifiedy.
But Mr Harris insisted: "If children from far flung parts of the world are travelling to this country in the company of adults -- some of whom are not their parents -- there does need to be legitimate checks.'
He added: 'I don't think any immigration system in the world would grant visas, without satisfying itself in relation to visa applications for minors."
GAA Palestine have said they are 'deeply disappointed and shocked' by the decision as they called on authorities to reconsider.
The organisation said the visa applications were submitted in mid-May with 'comprehensive documentation' including detailed itineraries, with all applications fulfilling 'all requested requirements and provided all necessary documentation as per the application process'.
It said that despite this, the visa applications of the 47 Palestinian children, including 33 children aged between 9 and 16 years, and their coaches were refused due to 'insufficient documentation'.
In response to queries, spokesperson for the Department of Justice said each visa application is 'decided on its own merits' and an application will be refused if it does not 'demonstrate compliance' with certain conditions for children and adults.
They said: "Confirming that appropriate child protection requirements are in place is essential when considering visa applications for minors.
'This includes a requirement that a child is travelling with their parents or an appropriate guardian, which requires additional documents to be verified such as birth certificates and consent letters.
'In adult cases, evidence of financial means, employment or other ties that indicate a person intends to return home are important criteria. These help to establish that a person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland, and that they will comply with the conditions of a short-term visa.
'An application will be refused if it cannot demonstrate compliance with such conditions. An appeals process is available to anyone who has a visa application refused.'
In a statement, GAA Palestine said it was 'under the impression that all necessary documentation and information had been provided and met the requirements for visa approval as stated by the Irish Embassy in Israel'.
"Seven days before these young boys and girls were meant to leave the West Bank, we are told that additional documentation is now required – documentation that was already provided or never previously requested or indicated as necessary,' said GAA Palestine chair Steven Redmond.
"We went as far as sending a volunteer to the West Bank to assist with additional documentation that was requested as part of our application.'
He said GAA Palestine 'remains committed to collaborating closely with the Department of Justice to resolve this matter swiftly'.
"We have a dedicated team of volunteers ready to respond and take immediate action.
'We are fully prepared to see this process through. We kindly ask the Government to partner with us in making this happen.
"Volunteers across Ireland are just utterly and completely devasted after all the work and effort put into making this tour happen. It's heartbreaking to see such a promising cultural exchange fall apart at the very last moment.'
The organisation called on authorities to reconsider the decision and work with them to 'facilitate the participation of these young Palestinians in future cultural and sporting initiatives'.
"We extend our sincere thanks to the Irish host families, clubs, and supporters who have shown unwavering support and solidarity. We remain hopeful that this unfortunate setback will not deter us.'