Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Heneghan. I am really pleased that all of the Irish citizens detained following their participation on the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition have now returned home. I thank them, and the Deputy as part of that flotilla, for what they did to highlight the horrific humanitarian catastrophe, the genocide and the famine in Gaza. It takes guts. It was an act of courage by a well-meaning, peaceful global citizens who posed no threat whatsoever to Israel. That is the very clear position. I also thank officials in my own Department, including our embassy team in Tel Aviv, led by our ambassador, Sonya McGuinness, working in conjunction with our international partners, because I know they put a lot of work into ensuring the release and the well-being of our citizens. The Deputy will be aware that my clear priority throughout this was to ensure the safety and well-being of Irish citizens. As such, officials from across my Department, including our embassy teams in Tel Aviv, Amman, Istanbul and Ankara, provided all possible and appropriate consular assistance to all of those affected. I also thank those involved in the flotilla who acted as liaison points with my Department. I had an opportunity to meet some of them and some of the families who were gathered in the Gallery here. I and the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, met them at a time of great worry and anxiety.

As I have repeatedly stated and will restate this evening, I understand that the peaceful efforts of all those on board reflect an absolutely understandable human desire by many people around the world to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza. I am certainly happy in due course to meet people. I welcome that opportunity and I would perhaps suggest as a first step that my officials could meet with participants as well if that happens in a speedier manner. I will link with the Deputy's office in that regard.

In terms of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, I can assure the Deputy that this was at the centre of discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg yesterday. We welcome the fragile ceasefire and the hostage release deal. Our focus now is on preserving the ceasefire and flooding Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian aid.

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