Green Party calls on ministers to intervene over Gaza student visa refusals

Hannah Kate Costello

The Green Party has called on Government ministers to intervene in the refusal to issue visas to third-level students from Gaza.

Over 20 students from Gaza, holding fully funded scholarships to Irish third-level colleges, had their study visa applications refused. The reasons given include issues over bank statements and failure to account for gaps in their education.

Green Party Spokesperson on Higher Education, Eva Dowling, called on the Minister for Higher Education to work directly with his Cabinet colleague in Justice and to urgently find a solution for these students. Term starts in a matter of weeks, and students need clarity on this situation.

"I am also saying to the Irish Universities Association that they need to speak out publicly on this matter and to defend the affected students and their member universities who admitted these students.”

Green Party Spokesperson on Justice, Patrick Costello, said: "This government claims it is doing all it can to support Palestine. Here are Palestinians who want to learn the skills they need to rebuild their country, something the government claims to want, and yet we have a minister standing in the way."

"The minister has significant discretion in relation to this and should be looking for a solution. Sadly, it seems he isn’t helping at all."