Ceann Comhairle refuses request to fly Palestinian flag in Leinster House

Richard Boyd Barrett said he found it 'hard to understand' why the Oireachtas continues to fly the Ukrainian flag, but refuses to fly the Palestinian flag.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl has refused a request from People Before Profit to fly the Palestinian flag in Leinster House to commemorate Nakba Day, saying it would not be appropriate.

Nakba Day is a day of commemoration for the 1948 Nakba, following the destruction of the Palestinian society and the permanent displacement of Palestinians following the establishment of the Israeli state.

PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett said his party had sought to fly the flag as a commemoration of the “massive, brutal, murderous ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948”.

In a letter to People Before Profit TDs, Mr Ó Fearghaíl declined the request to fly the Palestinian flag, highlighting Ireland’s efforts to recognise Palestine, while saying it would not be appropriate to display either the Palestinian or Israeli flag at present.

“As you are aware, Ireland and Spain are leading a European initiative on the recognition of the State of Palestine, which hopefully will bear fruit shortly. Like so many people, I abhor the human suffering and deaths of so many innocent people and I have no hesitation in condemning the attacks and breaches of international law,” Mr Ó Fearghaíl wrote in his letter.

However, I want to ensure that the Oireachtas does nothing which is unhelpful to the situation, insensitive to either side in the conflict or hinders Ireland’s important work at international level.

“Accordingly, I do not believe that it is appropriate at the present time to display either the Palestinian or Israeli flag in Leinster House.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett: 'It’s really just hard to understand the double standards that sees the Ukrainian flag flying for two years here.' File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

“It is my fervent wish that the wars and conflicts in various parts of the world end soon.” 

Reacting to the letter, Mr Boyd Barrett said he found it “hard to understand” why the Oireachtas continues to fly the Ukrainian flag, but refuses to fly the Palestinian flag.

“It’s really just hard to understand the double standards that sees the Ukrainian flag flying for two years here,” Mr Boyd Barrett said.

“Leinster House draped in the colours of Ukraine because of what is undoubtedly the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Putin, but we can’t even get agreement to fly the Palestinian flag for one day on the anniversary of a horrific catastrophe for the Palestinian people in 1948.

“And against the background of a genocidal assault being waged by Israel against the Palestinian people.” 

Mr Ó Fearghaíl had previously declined a request by PBP to fly the Palestinian flag last November.

However, in his letter, the Ceann Comhairle urged all TDs and senators to attend an event in Leinster House to commemorate the UN International Day for Living Together in Peace, which takes place on Thursday.