Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
449. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made to repatriate to Ireland Irish nationals and Afghans currently in Afghanistan who have Irish residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42507/21]
View answerThere are approximately 70 Irish citizens and dependents currently in Afghanistan, the majority of whom, in addition to a number of Afghan citizens with Irish residency, have expressed a desire to leave the country. My Department, and our Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi, continues to provide assistance and advice in that regard.
Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, there has been close cooperation and coordination on evacuation with EU Member States, the UK, the US and other partners. The Emergency Civil Assistance Team (ECAT) which I deployed, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and with participation of Defence Forces personnel, succeeded in enabling 26 Irish citizens and residents to evacuate safely through Hamad Karzai International Airport, following on from the earlier evacuation of 10 Irish citizens.
The UN Security Council, of which Ireland currently holds the Presidency, passed a Resolution on 30 August that calls for the Taliban to facilitate safe passage for people wishing to leave Afghanistan, allow humanitarians to access the country, and uphold human rights, including for women and children.
We will continue to liaise with partners, including those who have a presence on the ground, to explore safe options for exit in the period ahead.
