Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I have already conveyed to the Israeli ambassador my views on their arrest and the length of time it is taking to have them returned. Yesterday he informed me that it was the intention to put seven of the 14 on a flight this morning and the remaining seven on a flight tomorrow morning. I understand that when those who were to take this morning's flight turned up at the airport, the airline was unwilling to board all seven of them. That is the information I have been given and I have asked the officials of our embassy to check it. As we speak, the embassy is working to secure alternative flight arrangements for the seven and to ensure all 14 are back in this country as quickly as possible.

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