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 the critical skills necessary for them to take up work offers in Ireland.
Overall, during this period, my Department has supported and facilitated the travel of more than 220 people from Gaza to Ireland, with further evacuations planned.
However, facilitating an exit from Gaza is not straightforward. As I know you will appreciate, evacuations from Gaza are complex operations requiring close cooperation, and detailed planning across multiple organisations. Success is dependent on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, receipt of permissions from the relevant authorities. Much of this rests outside the control of the Government of Ireland.
I can assure you that where we can exert influence, every effort has been made.
I would like to assure you that my Department has facilitated the lodging of visa applications from Gaza, including through the removal of administrative barriers that might otherwise have impeded this process. The Department of Justice has also facilitated the expedited processing of these applications.
My Department continues to explore options to assist individuals in Gaza, but unfortunately, travel cannot be guaranteed.
Ireland has welcomed the Gaza peace plan and that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire and peace deal for Gaza. The deal offers an opportunity to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation and unconscionable human suffering in Gaza. We urge all parties to do everything they can to make this deal a reality.
