Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
98. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the war in Iran and the Gulf region; the welfare of Irish citizens in the region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23096/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have covered the political situation in my replies to Questions 22941/26 and 22519/26 today. Further to those replies, I will turn to the consular aspect of the question.
A very significant consular support operation is ongoing for citizens across the Gulf and the Middle East impacted by the current conflict. With more than 27,000 Irish citizens registered as present in Gulf countries, this has been the most significant consular crisis since the COVID pandemic. My Department structured its response accordingly.
Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked closely with EU Member States, the European External Action Service, the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre, authorities in host countries, and others, including relevant Government Departments, with a view to identifying all possible options to support Irish citizens.
My Department's approach to the provision of consular assistance to those who wished to leave the region throughout this period has centred on two primary lines of operation. First, to pursue all possible options to facilitate Irish citizens on the limited number of flights still in operation and to request that direct routes to Dublin from the Gulf would resume, as soon as it was safe to do so. And second, in parallel, there was a clear focus on identifying and delivering repatriation options for Irish citizens, both through Government charters and those of our EU partners.
My Department contracted two charter flights to bring vulnerable citizens home from the United Arab Emirates. A flight from Oman on 8 March carried 189 citizens and dependants, and a flight from Dubai on 11 March carried 190, Each flight also included some citizens of other EU Member States.
I encourage all Irish citizens in the Gulf or surrounding region seeking assistance to contact my Department’s Consular Crisis Team in Dublin directly on 01-4082000 or their nearest Irish Embassy.
