'I don’t think it’s wise': Minister believes FAI should not host Israel game in Dublin

Republic of Ireland supporters protest against Israel during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Hungary last September at the Aviva Stadium. File picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The playing of Ireland's UEFA Nations League game versus Israel in Dublin would "not be wise", a government minister has said.

Informal talks have taken place between the FAI and An Garda Síochána since the countries were paired in group B3 alongside Austria and Kosovo at Thursday’s draw in Brussels.

Precedent was set by Belgium in 2024 when they deemed it “impossible to organise this very high-risk match” due to tensions linked to the degree of public ill-feeling towards the Israeli state.

Last week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the game should go ahead and that a decision on where the away leg of the fixture should take place was a matter for the football authorities.

He said security authorities in Ireland would make an assessment on safety for the home leg in good time before the fixture takes place to ensure that it could be "in a secure environment".

"It should go ahead, and I think the FAI has taken the correct decision to fulfil the fixture," Mr Martin told RTÉ News.

However, speaking in Maynooth, higher education minister James Lawless said playing the game is not wise.

“The situation in Israel and the Middle East is of concern to everybody and across Government, very much so. And it’s most unfortunate that we had that draw.

"I don’t think it’s wise for that to be played in Ireland. I think the suggestion is now that [it is] played in a neutral venue, I think that makes more sense. 

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"It’s unfortunate that the athletes are drawn into this, but I think it’s an inevitable consequence of the current geopolitical situation, particularly in the Middle East,” he said.

Mr Lawless denied questions over the game were a failure of the Irish state or security services.

"I don't think so. I think it's a very difficult fixture," he said.

"I think that Ireland is a country that has very strong views on Israel, that has been very vocal on those other countries around the world have different positions. We're well away from the fixture.

"It's some months away yet. So I think there'll be consideration given all around, including from the governing bodies, as to how this plays out."