Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
60. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any communication with the Irish citizens seeking to get out of Gaza; to provide an update on their current situation; and what plans he has in place to make sure they can safely return to Ireland. [49697/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs has remained in very regular phone contact with a number of Irish citizens in Gaza. Let me assure you that we have been providing extensive consular assistance and will continue to do so.
There are many thousands of foreign and dual nationals and immediate dependents in Gaza who are seeking to leave. The departures are being managed country by country on a phased basis. It will take some time for this process to be completed.
The names of all Irish citizens in Gaza who have asked to be included on the list of those due to leave have been submitted to the relevant authorities. We do not know exactly when they will be able to leave.
However, I can assure you that our Embassies in Cairo and Tel Aviv are in constant communication with the authorities in Egypt and Israel to press for our citizens to be allowed to leave as soon as possible.
We continue to directly update Irish citizens in Gaza as we have confirmed information.
