Richard Boyd Barrett: Artists' Boycott a Lesson for Government
Richard Boyd Barrett challenges the Taoiseach in a parliamentary exchange over the Irish government's response to artists who withdrew from Ed Sheeran's US tour in solidarity with Palestine. He cites Aaron Rowe and Beoga as examples of principle and asks why the government will not call for a boycott of the Irish football match against Israel.
Richard Boyd Barrett praised the actions of Aaron Rowe, Beoga and other artists who dropped out of Ed Sheeran's US tour, arguing their decisions reflect bravery, principle and Ireland's traditions of opposition to colonialism. He urged the government to apply the same courage by calling for a boycott of the scheduled football match with Israel.
The speaker referenced Aaron Rowe by name, noting his personal connection to Monkstown Farm and quoting Rowe's insistence that he must be true to himself and to ancestors who resisted colonisation. The speech frames artists' withdrawals as acts of solidarity with the Palestinian people and as moral examples for public institutions.
The Taoiseach was invited to respond and defended the government's record on Palestine. The reply referenced Ireland's actions at the EU and international level, support for UNRWA, intervention in the South African case before the ICJ, recognition of the Palestinian state, efforts to secure humanitarian aid into Gaza, and opposition to settlements and settler violence on the West Bank.
The exchange foregrounds a wider debate about cultural solidarity, foreign policy and the role of government in responding to acts of conscience by public figures. Richard Boyd Barrett frames the issue as a test of principle for the Irish government, especially in relation to the upcoming football fixture with Israel.
What was said
Richard Boyd Barrett praised the actions of Aaron Rowe, Beoga and other artists who dropped out of Ed Sheeran's US tour, arguing their decisions reflect bravery, principle and Ireland's traditions of opposition to colonialism. He urged the government to apply the same courage by calling for a boycott of the scheduled football match with Israel.
Artists and solidarity
The speaker referenced Aaron Rowe by name, noting his personal connection to Monkstown Farm and quoting Rowe's insistence that he must be true to himself and to ancestors who resisted colonisation. The speech frames artists' withdrawals as acts of solidarity with the Palestinian people and as moral examples for public institutions.
Government response
The Taoiseach was invited to respond and defended the government's record on Palestine. The reply referenced Ireland's actions at the EU and international level, support for UNRWA, intervention in the South African case before the ICJ, recognition of the Palestinian state, efforts to secure humanitarian aid into Gaza, and opposition to settlements and settler violence on the West Bank.
Implications
The exchange foregrounds a wider debate about cultural solidarity, foreign policy and the role of government in responding to acts of conscience by public figures. Richard Boyd Barrett frames the issue as a test of principle for the Irish government, especially in relation to the upcoming football fixture with Israel.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Carol Nolan
Carol Nolan: Defending the Three-Day Safeguard
Alan Kelly
Alan Kelly: Bill endangers privacy and journalistic privilege
Verona Murphy
Verona Murphy: Call for Respect and Safety in Leinster House
Louise O'Reilly
Louise O'Reilly: Demands halt to 15% commuter fare hike
Aisling Dempsey
Aisling Dempsey: Use Local Link to Ease School Bus Stress
Michael McNamara
Michael McNamara Calls for Action on Zambia
Transcript
Taoiseach, what does bravery and principle and honouring this country's traditions of opposition to colonialism look like? It looks like the actions of Aaron Rowe and Bioga and other artists who at considerable cost to themselves have dropped out of Ed Sheeran's US tour in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Aaron Rowe, who's from my area, from Monkstown Farm in my area and I'm proud to say I know him, said I need to be true to myself, to my ancestors who resisted colonisation and fought for freedom that I enjoy today in Ireland. Free Palestine. Isn't there a lesson for this government in Aaron and Bioga and the other artists' principled, selfless decision to take this action in solidarity with Palestine for the Irish government in relation to the Irish football game against Israel and the continued failure of the government to show the kind of principle and courage involved that we've seen from these artists in calling for that game to be boycotted in solidarity. Taoiseach to respond. First of all I disagree fundamentally with your characterisation of the government's position on Palestine. We've been very principled in relation to Palestine both at the European Union level and at the international level and in terms of our policies and allocations of resources. We stood up for UNRWA when it mattered most for that organisation and allocated when it was under threat from some EU member states at the time and the EU commission. We've intervened in the South African case in respect of genocide before the ICJ. We've recognised the Palestinian state and at every international forum we raise the issue of Palestine and we also try and seek solutions too in respect of a two-state solution in terms of trying to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and indeed to stop the sanctioning of, sorry, stop the settlements and the violence by terrorist settlers against Palestinians in their own homeland on the West Bank. you