Local TDs have criticised the government for denying visas to students from Gaza.
More than 50 students from Gaza were granted fully funded scholarships under the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme, with around 30 of them refusing to obtain a visa.
Despite Ireland being regarded as one of the most pro-Gaza nations in Europe, local Labour and Social Democrat TDs have remarked that Ireland’s image is only surface deep.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said “these are exceptional students who have earned their places through academic excellence. They have been offered fully funded scholarships by Irish universities, yet many are now being denied the opportunity to study in Ireland because of visa decisions that fail to reflect the reality they are living through.”
Bacik criticised Dublin Bay South stablemate, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, for sitting on his hands during the affair, which has seen protests outside the Department of Justice.
The protest, which took place on August 19, was organised by Trinity’s BDS and the NCAD’s student union.
“Ireland has consistently expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian people. That solidarity must mean something in practice. The government must find a solution that allows these students to take up the places they have earned,” she said.
Labour foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith, who was among the government and opposition TDs who attended the trial of Blackrock man Daniel Tatlow Devally in Germany, said that the government are only interested in the positive PR that comes with backing Gaza.
“Support for Gaza should be more than words. We have an opportunity to support the transformation of these students through education,” he said.
“It beggars belief that visas are being refused to these students. Ireland’s support for Gaza needs to go beyond rhetoric, and where possible we need to deliver practical supports. This is one such opportunity, and the Minister for Justice needs to urgently reflect and change course.”
Labour higher education spokesperson Laura Harmon said, “we cannot have one part of government supporting these students while another prevents them from travelling to Ireland.”
Trinity BDS said that the students who were denied visas are young people who survived genocide.
“They are students who earned places at Irish universities, who have buried family and classmates. They are young people who the Irish government has refused, or is still deciding on, while term starts in weeks.”
“Every single one of these students is fully financially supported. Some have university scholarships. Some have sponsorship from community groups and philanthropists. Others have funding from international bodies and NGOs. They all deserve our support.”
Trinity BDS noted that Tánaiste Simon Harris was supportive of students from Gaza being granted visas, quoting Harris as saying he “wished every success” for the students.
The decision by the Fianna Fáil-controlled Department of Justice to intervene hints at the tension at the heart of government.
Since the government took office in January 2025, Fine Gael have made a number of attempts to continue the social liberal streak of the Leo Varadkar era in an attempt to the culturally progressive voter who would give Labour, the Social Democrats and Greens a high preference.
This approach is best exemplified by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill stating in June, “if the Social Democrats are on the progressive left, then I am on the progressive right.”
By contrast, Fianna Fáil have undergone a pronounced shift back to social conservatism since they took office again in January 2025.
Since Jim O’Callaghan assumed the role of Minister for Justice in January 2025, millions of euros have been spent on deportation flights, and there has been a marked rise in the number of visas denied.
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Speaking to RTÉ, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice insisted that each visa application is “decided on its own merit, regardless of nationality.”
Per RTÉ reportage on the topic, the spokesperson was quoted as saying that Palestinian nationals must have a valid Irish visa before they enter Ireland and that 41 student visas have been granted to Palestinian nationals so far in 2026.
“In common with the position for all non-EU nationals, entry of Palestinian nationals is undertaken through the existing legal immigration pathways available,” the spokesperson told RTÉ.
Dublin South Central TD and Soc Dems education spokesperson Jen Cummins has criticised the attitude of the Department of Justice during the entire process.
“This situation has now moved beyond frustrating and into the realm of the indefensible. These students have been awarded scholarships and places in Irish universities, yet more than half are facing visa refusals from the government,” she said.
“We raised concerns weeks ago and called for the relevant government departments to work together to resolve the issue. Instead, as the academic year fast approaches, these students remain in limbo.”
Cummins said “these are young people trying to pursue an education while living through unimaginable circumstances. Applying the same document requirements as if they were applying from a functioning state completely ignores the reality on the ground in Gaza.”
The Soc Dems TD said “the government has demonstrated previously that it can facilitate the evacuation and arrival of Gazan students when there is political will. Ministers must now urgently review these cases and ensure that Palestinian students who have earned places in Irish institutions are not denied the opportunity to take them up because of unnecessary bureaucracy.”
Senator Patricia Stephenson, who serves as the party spokesperson on foreign affairs, said “to me, the blockage seems to be a result of three government departments not communicating with each other.”
“The Minister for Justice must immediately intervene and clear up this embarrassing mess, which is making Ireland’s support for Palestine look insincere and hypocritical,” she said.
“This government cannot claim to be a supporter of the Palestinian people when it acts with such cruelty and unfairness. With just weeks to go until the start of the academic year, Gazan students are being denied the chance of escaping a warzone and the opportunity of higher education.”
Green Party councillor Hazel Chu attended the protest on August 19 and noted “these are Palestinian students who want to learn the skills they need to rebuild their country, why is a minister standing in the way of that?
“The reasons given by the Department of Justice for this refusal cannot be taken seriously and show not just the cruelty of the department but their ignorance of the reality Palestinians face.”
The Pembroke councillor said, “when it comes to granting visas, the Minister for Justice has ultimate discretion and can step in to do what is right.
“Let them study, let them study so they can resist the occupation by rebuilding Palestine,” Chu said.