Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024

Wednesday, 24 January 2024

Questions (193)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

193. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if, in light of the worsening humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, the alarming rate of conflict-related injury and illness affecting children there, the rate at which children are made orphans there, the destruction of Gazan hospitals, and the severe pressures on hospitals in the wider region, he is aware of calls to host Palestinian orphans in severe need of medical care in Ireland; if he is aware of pledges by the United Arab Emirates to evacuate up to 1,000 injured children from Gaza for treatment in hospitals in the UAE; if he is aware of the evacuation of dozens of displaced patients from Gaza to Turkey for treatment; if he is aware of any other medical evacuations of displaced Palestinians to other states; to look into undertaking a similar effort in Ireland; to outline what avenues humanitarians in the region could pursue to see sick and injured orphans from Gaza treated in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3152/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Stephen Donnelly)

I am appalled by the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the scale of civilian casualties. The Government continues to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for an increase in humanitarian access and for the protection of civilians.

Ireland’s response to the Gaza Crisis to date, includes the provision of in-kind assistance in addition to humanitarian funding. Ireland has provided €20 million in response to the Gaza crisis directed through a range of trusted partners (UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and International NGOs) who have the experience and capacity to deliver assistance and we are satisfied that it is reaching the most vulnerable and hard to reach populations.

There are well established formal procedures at EU and National level to deal with requests for humanitarian assistance. These procedure have been successfully utilised on several occasions in relation to Ukraine. At this point, no formal request for assistance has been received in relation to Gaza on the DG ECHO's platform: the Common Emergency Communications and Information System (CECIS) that would initiate an EU response. If such a request is made, the Civil Protection Services operated by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will act as the point of contact for such requests.