Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023

Tuesday, 18 April 2023

Questions (111)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

111. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens living in illegal settlements built by Israel on Palestinian land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; the number of Irish passports issued or renewed for Irish citizens living in these settlements in the past ten years, and the procedure for the issue of Irish passports in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16436/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Irish citizens travelling or living overseas are encouraged to voluntarily register their contact details using the Citizens' Registration platform of the Department of Foreign Affairs, but there is no requirement to do so.  No authoritative records are maintained by Government of the number of Irish citizens living in any given place abroad.

Irish passports can be renewed from anywhere in the world using Passport Online. Irish citizens can apply for first time passports via the Embassy in Tel Aviv. Whichever application channel is chosen, all passports are issued via the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv. The Passport Service has issued 1,889 passports to applicants via the Embassy in Tel Aviv since 2013.

Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed illegal settlements, and this Government will continue to do so.