Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2024
53. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures being taken to ensure safe passage of Irish citizens from Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40483/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to thank the Deputy for his question regarding the situation of Irish citizens in Lebanon.
Throughout the current crisis, my Department, including through our Embassy in Cairo, has remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in Lebanon. As part of ongoing consular coordination amongst states, we worked closely with our EU, UK and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation in Lebanon, including for assisted departures.
As a result of this cooperation, 26 Irish citizens were assisted to depart Lebanon on flights operated by partners since last Friday. The citizens departed on flights operated by Ireland’s international partners.
This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation. I would like to record my thanks to the governments of The Netherlands, Canada, and the UK, who organised flights on which Irish citizens were accommodated. Let me also note here the work of our consular response teams in Cairo, Dublin, and across the Middle East who continue to support Irish citizens in the region.
Many Irish citizens in Lebanon are deeply rooted in the country, with family, work, and other links. While we have been able to assist almost all Irish citizens who have expressed a wish to leave, understandably a number have decided to remain.
The Department is continuing to monitor the situation and will remain in close contact with all citizens still in Lebanon over the days and weeks ahead. If further Irish citizens contact us seeking to leave, we will engage directly with them on options that are available at that time.
