Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. Clearance to exit Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities, essentially the Israeli and Egyptian authorities which facilitate and process it. These authorities have made it clear to all countries with citizens in Gaza that the focus for facilitating departures from Gaza is on foreign and dual nationals and immediate dependants accompanying them. In line with its consular assistance charter, the remit of my Department is to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad and this has been our focus in the past seven weeks.

The population of Gaza is 2.3 million people. The humanitarian situation is dire. Many are seeking to leave, including those who hold a visa for Ireland and others with ties to Ireland. It is not part of my Department's consular remit to provide consular assistance to those holding visas to come to Ireland, but Irish visa holders who receive clearance to exit Gaza from the local authorities may make arrangements to travel to Ireland. We are working with them in that regard.

I am aware of the individual the Deputy mentioned, Zak Hania. I met his family last Friday. It is for us to deal with the authorities and keep at it.

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