Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and their immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. My Department has also supported the evacuation of other Palestinians seeking support from Ireland, including students, medical evacuation patients and individuals with work offers in Ireland. Overall, during this period, my Department has supported and facilitated the travel of more than 200 people from Gaza to Ireland, with further evacuations planned.
With regard to the query on the legislative basis regarding the non-issuing of travel documents to non-nationals, all passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of the 2008 Act provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (“the Minister”) to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit evidence to the satisfaction of the Minister, among other things, that that person is an Irish citizen and as such is entitled to a passport. Section 12(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that the Minister shall refuse to issue a passport to a person if the Minister is not satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen. The entitlement of a person to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended (“the 1956 Act”).
There is no consideration for legislation to allow for the issuing of Irish passports to non-citizens.
I should also note that it remains possible to secure travel documents for those in Gaza. Indeed, so far this year, approximately 40 individuals seeking to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland have secured reissued Palestinian passports. With this in mind, I would advise anyone wishing to leave Gaza, but does not have the necessary travel documents to take the issue up with the Palestinian Authorities via the Embassy of Palestine in Dublin.
I fully appreciate the appalling conditions on the ground in Gaza, and how difficult a time this continues to be for those separated from their families. I can assure you that Ireland will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, and immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access at scale into Gaza.
