Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
26. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action she has taken in relation to the illegal seizing of Irish citizens who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, in October 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72671/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra27. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further action she will take in relation to the illegal seizing of Irish citizens who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, in October 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72672/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I am pleased that all of the Irish citizens detained following their participations on the Global Sumud Flotilla, and the Freedom Flotilla, have returned home. Throughout the period the primary concern of the Government was to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those detained. As such, officials from across my department, including our Embassy teams in Tel Aviv, Amman, Istanbul, and Ankara, provided all possible and appropriate consular assistance to all those affected. Recently, officials from my Department met with representatives of the Flotillas to hear first-hand their experiences.
The Tánaiste repeatedly expressed Ireland’s concerns about the security of the Flotilla and continually urged for respect for international law and international humanitarian law – raising the matter at EU and UN fora, and joining other Foreign Ministers in joint statements. We understand that the peaceful efforts of those on board reflect an understandable desire by many people around the world to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.
This week I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels where I raised Ireland’s concern that the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza continues, despite two months of ceasefire. The people of Gaza do not have enough to eat, they do not have enough adequate shelter from winter weather, they lack sufficient access to healthcare, medicines and sanitation. I called on the EU to use its considerable leverage with Israel to urgently address this humanitarian catastrophe and will continue to ensure that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a focus at EU level.
