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

On citizens, our advice is clear that people should leave Lebanon. There is an ongoing danger of significant escalation. An estimated 100 Irish citizens and dependants remain in Lebanon, many of whom are long-term residents and, as I said, do not plan to leave unless the situation deteriorates significantly. If it does deteriorate significantly, in essence if there is a war between Hezbollah and Israel, our aircraft options will be very limited, by definition, because that could become a war zone very quickly. Part of the co-ordination and the work that is under way is looking at all mechanisms and approaches that could be taken. That is working with all our partners, such as the Government of Cyprus, which has activated its ESTIA action plan, which puts in place the mechanisms needed for Cyprus to act as a transit hub for third-country nationals fleeing Lebanon, and we also have memorandums of understanding with the UK and other countries. This will be a co-ordinated approach.

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