Ceann Comhairle refuses PBP request to fly Palestinian flag in Leinster House
A view of the Palestinian flag flying outside the Palestinian Embassy in Dublin.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl has refused to fly the Palestinian flag in Leinster House, despite requests from People Before Profit.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said that there were calls to fly the flag on Wednesday as part of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. He said he first wrote to Mr Ó Fearghaíl last Thursday.
In a letter to People Before Profit, Mr Ó Fearghaíl said that he appreciated the “deep concern” of TDs over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
However, the Ceann Comhairle said that he believed it would be “inappropriate” to fly either the Palestinian flag or the Israeli flag at Leinster House at present.
“Given the sensitivities of the situation at present, with negotiations at an advance stage for the release of hostages and to advance the cause of a ceasefire, I believe it would be inappropriate to display any symbols including the Palestinian or indeed, the Israeli flag at Leinster House at this juncture,” Mr Ó Fearghaíl wrote, in a letter dated November 23, just days before a ceasefire was agreed.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy described the refusal by the Ceann Comhairle as a “blatant double standard”, given the Ukrainian flag continues to be flown in the Leinster House lobby.
The flag is also projected onto the back of Leinster House in the evening.
“Imagine if you swapped Palestinian and Israeli with Ukrainian and Russian? How inappropriate a sentence would that be?” Mr Murphy said, adding that he continues to support Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
The Dublin South-West TD said that PBP will continue to raise the issue in the future and hopes that the Ceann Comhairle will reconsider the matter.
Richard Boyd Barrett also raised the matter in the Dáil on Wednesday, with the PBP TD questioning why it is not possible for a flag to be flown in Leinster House, citing it being permitted at local authorities across the country.
In response, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said that Ireland has been showing solidarity with Palestine through its actions, rather than by flying flags.
“It is clear as a Government that we have continued to support the Palestinian people in the position we have taken on a two state solution. We have consistently called for a ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to be provided,” Ms McEntee said.
