Ivana Bacik (Independent)

A Leas-Chathaoirligh, I cannot make a contribution if I am continually interrupted.

I also wish to renew calls for a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. We are doing our best to bring him to the House to speak on a number of issues, but in particular, all of us are very concerned at this morning's news about Gaza and the position of the 14 Irish citizens who were on the MV Saoirse. Yesterday, the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins, was able to update all Members with the latest information from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which was that flights with British Airways had been booked for seven Irish citizens to leave Israel this morning. It is of immense concern that those seven Irish citizens were not in fact on that flight this morning as had been expected.

It has been reported that a protest has been lodged with Israel by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about the failure of the seven citizens to board the flight. I have seen the news from the shore team that the seven were prevented by Israeli armed guards from boarding the flight. We all know their families are in great distress. It is a matter of immense concern. I spoke directly to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade this morning to seek an update and express our concern, not on behalf of any particular party but on behalf of everyone in the House. I was told the Department hoped the first seven would be able to fly home later today. The Department is engaging in urgent and intense contacts with the Israeli authorities to ensure they can be flown home. The other seven are booked on a flight tomorrow morning. It is to be hoped that all 14 will be home by tomorrow. Pressure on the Israeli authorities is ongoing.