Harmon calls on Jim O’Callaghan to urgently intervene on Gaza student visa refusals
Harmon calls on Jim O’Callaghan to urgently intervene on Gaza student visa refusals - The Labour Party
Labour spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Senator Laura Harmon, has called on Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to urgently intervene following reports that students from Gaza, who have been awarded fully funded scholarships at Irish universities, are being refused study visas.
Senator Harmon 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.
“I am calling on Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to urgently review these cases and to work with the Minister for Further and Higher Education and the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure there is a joined-up approach across Government. We cannot have one part of Government supporting these students while another prevents them from travelling to Ireland.
“Before entering politics, I worked in the higher education sector with international students, and I saw first-hand the enormous contribution that students from Gaza and Palestine make to our campuses and communities. They bring talent, resilience and invaluable perspectives to university life. These scholarships are awarded on merit, not charity.
“The reported reasons for refusal, including requests for original bank statements and evidence that students will return home, appear completely disconnected from the reality facing people in Gaza today. These are exceptional circumstances and they require a practical, compassionate response from Government.
“The Departments of Justice, Further and Higher Education, and Foreign Affairs must work together to resolve this issue immediately. Ireland has a proud tradition of supporting education and international solidarity. We must not allow bureaucracy or a lack of coordination between Government departments to deny these young people the opportunity they have worked so hard to achieve.
“I urge Minister Jim O’Callaghan to intervene without delay, review these decisions, and work with his Cabinet colleagues to ensure that students who have secured fully funded places at Irish universities can begin their studies this September.”
Labour’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Deputy Duncan Smith also added his voice to the call for fairness for these students:
“Support for Gaza should be more than words. We have an opportunity to support the transformation of these students through education.
“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 needs to urgently reflect and change course.”