Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
124. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide greater detail regarding the evacuation of 15 Irish citizens from Israel, specifically the role of Austria in the evacuation, and the reasoning behind the Defence Forces not performing the evacuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35442/25]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of its Consular Assistance Charter.
Throughout this crisis, my Department and our Embassies in Tehran and in Tel Aviv have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in the region as well as with our EU, UK, and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation.
In assessing opportunities to support the departure of Irish citizens, we evaluate the most effective, timely and pragmatic options available. In this instance, it was judged most appropriate to avail of the operations organised under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), as activated by EU partners.
I would like to put on record my thanks to the Governments of Austria and The Netherlands for their close cooperation and support in recent days. Both Governments undertook complex operations which involved transport across land borders and subsequent air travel to their respective countries. In the case of Austria, family members and citizens from 16 partner countries were supported, including Irish citizens and dependants.
This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation. Owing to this close cooperation, my Department has successfully supported 24 Irish citizens and their dependants to depart the region in the last ten days .
My Department also continues to work closely with the relevant authorities in Ireland, including with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, with whom my Department has an important structured relationship.
My Department is continuing to monitor the situation and will remain in contact with citizens still in Iran and Israel over the period ahead.
