Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023
125. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of Irish citizens and their dependents who were present in Sudan at the outset of recent violence in that country; their reasons for being present in the country, to the extent that his Department is aware; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/23]
View answerIrish 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 available as to the exact number of Irish citizens living in any given place, nor is there information available for citizens' reasons for being in a particular country.
At the onset of the crisis in Sudan, a total of 34 individuals were registered on the Department’s Citizens’ Registration platform as present in the country. Over the course of the crisis, a large number of additional registrations were made, and our Embassy in Nairobi (which is accredited to Sudan) maintained close contact with all those who had registered throughout.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has assisted over 250 Irish citizens and their dependents to evacuate from Sudan since the crisis began. This operation is being led by a consular crisis response team for Sudan in the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has been in place since the outbreak of conflict on 15 April, and by our Embassy in Nairobi, together with other Embassies of Ireland in the region.
I am particularly grateful for the efforts of all those who have been involved, and the assistance of our EU and international partners during this period.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is in ongoing contact with remaining Irish citizens in Sudan who wish to leave. Our experienced consular teams in Dublin and in the region will continue to respond actively to the needs of our citizens as the situation evolves.
