Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank all Members across the House for agreeing to the change to the Dáil schedule and facilitating this debate on the concerning developments regarding the Global Sumud Flotilla. I know that everyone’s overriding concern is for the safety and welfare of our Irish citizens who are on a mission of solidarity with the people of Palestine. This House, the Oireachtas and our people across the country are united in this solidarity. Indeed, we are united today in our urgent wish that no harm should come to those who boarded the Sumud Flotilla, to those who still in transit and to all those who have set out on a mission to bring humanitarian assistance to Gaza and highlight the horrific humanitarian catastrophe.

First, I wish to inform the House of the latest developments. This morning, I convened and chaired a special consular co-ordination group within my Department, which includes our consular director, the head of crisis planning, the assistant secretary general for citizen services and the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to respond in real time to what is a fast evolving situation off the coast of Gaza. The co-ordination group was joined by our ambassador in Tel Aviv via video link, who updated the group on the current status of Irish citizens who have been detained. We now have confirmation that at least 14 Irish citizens are among those intercepted and detained by Israel. There may be two other citizens whose presence is still being verified as I am here now. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv has formally requested consular access to those Irish citizens. I was informed on the call that there are no reports of any injuries currently among our Irish citizens.

I also wish to inform the House that my Department has now established a dedicated point of contact for the families of those detained or on the flotilla in addition to the broader contact point for those co-ordinating the flotilla activity more generally. Our embassy in Tel Aviv assures me it is well resourced to support our citizens, and we continue to monitor this. Our consular team in Dublin is also supporting our efforts on the ground in Israel.

This morning, I have instructed my officials to contact the non-resident Irish ambassador to Israel to register our strong condemnation of the actions of the Israeli authorities and highlight our absolute expectation that the welfare of our citizens is protected in line with international law. I have also requested an urgent call with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Kaja Kallas. Indeed, shortly before coming to this House, I spoke again with my Spanish counterpart about trying to take a co-ordinated, European approach to ensure the upholding of international law.

As Members will recall, Ireland signed a joined statement that recalls that any violation of international law or the human rights of the participants of the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability. I assure the Dáil and the people of Ireland that this remains our position today. International law matters. It is the cornerstone of our foreign policy and must be upheld. I will consider with counterparts how best to advance this in the time ahead. We will assess what options are available to us with other European countries to uphold international law, seek accountability and hold Israel to account. I will keep the House updated on these next steps.

However, in the first instance, colleagues will understand that my absolute responsibility and priority, and that of the Government and Oireachtas, must be to ensure the welfare and well-being of our citizens. Officials from across my Department, including those in our embassy in Israel, are actively engaged with the situation and providing consular assistance to those affected.

What I have been informed is likely to happen now is that all detainees will be transferred to Ashdod Port for processing. From there, they will likely be taken to a detention facility south of Tel Aviv where they will have access to medical teams. We expect this to take quite a number of hours. This is the latest information we have available. It is my understanding that those who have been detained will be given the option to leave immediately and, if not, they will have a deportation hearing within 72 hours. That is how the Israeli system works. Given the religious holiday of Yom Kippur, however, we expect that processing time to be somewhat impacted. Department officials are also in direct and ongoing contact with the designated point of contact for the flotilla.

Let me be clear: these are Irish men and woman who sought to deliver aid and acted on conscience. They now find themselves in uncertain and potentially dangerous circumstances. A blockade that starves a people of hope and aid is inhumane. Seeing peaceful activists detained while simply seeking to relieve suffering is inhumane. The Government remains deeply and continuously engaged on this issue. We will work across this House tirelessly to safeguard the welfare of our citizens. We remain in constant contact with our consular team on the ground. They are working to establish the precise whereabouts of every Irish citizen to ensure their safety and dignity and secure their swift release.

Our ambassador and officials in Tel Aviv have been active from the first reports of interception. I thank them for their incredible work and diligence in difficult circumstances. They have made clear Ireland’s expectation that our citizens be treated fully in line with international law. I assure family and friends who are following events with understandable anxiety that they are not alone. The entire resources of the State, the Department of foreign affairs, our diplomatic network and European partners are being brought to bear on this issue. We are using every channel available to us.

It is in times like these that the value of maintaining diplomatic relations, even when it may seem to cut against the grain of justice, is most clearly seen. We will speak directly and persistently to those who hold our citizens. We press our case in European and international fora and we remind all parties that Ireland will never be silent when the safety of our people is at stake. We cannot be silent when humanity itself is at stake in Gaza. We will continue to insist calmly and firmly, but without equivocation, that those detained be released without harm, because they are wrongfully detained; humanitarian principles be upheld; and that the right to bring aid to desperate civilians not be criminalised. We will speak out against the outrageous slurs against those on the flotilla. They are decent people who are doing their best to advance the cause of peace.

Our solidarity today must also extend to the people of Gaza amidst a horrific man-made famine and genocide. Ireland has long championed the principles of peace, justice and international law. We will persist in calling for a massive and sustained flow of humanitarian aid, an end to collective punishment and the protection of civilians. Our first priority at this moment, however, is clear and immediate, that is, to safeguard the welfare and well-being of our citizens. That is what we are doing hour by hour, call by call and action by action.

I know this House and the Irish people stand united in that effort. We are united in passion, determination and hope that soon we will welcome our fellow citizens safely home and that the horrific humanitarian blockade and genocide in Gaza will end.

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