Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2026
408. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has considered the suspension of visa free travel for Israeli citizens; and the mechanisms by which he ensures that individuals who may have committed war crimes in Gaza in the course of Israel's genocide do not pose a risk to the safety of Irish communities. [67866/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Ireland's visa requirements, including the list of countries whose nationals are required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland, are kept under review.
At present, there are no plans to suspend visa free travel for Israeli citizens.
When a non-EEA national presents at a port of entry, an Immigration Officer must determine whether that person should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry and may grant leave to enter for a maximum period of three months. They may also refuse entry to the State or grant permission for a period of less than 3 months. Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 sets out the full range of grounds on which a person may be refused entry.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implements UN and EU Sanctions, under which a large number of individuals are subject to travel bans under a range of sanctions regimes.
