Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)

The urgent issue I am raising concerns 40 students who have secured places in Irish universities but are trapped in Gaza. These students have previously been told by the Irish Embassy in Tel Aviv that their visa applications would be approved as they met all the necessary criteria and that they would be on the next evacuation flight. They have been waiting for over three months in the most severe and dangerous conditions without any updates or indications as to what the next steps are, what actions are being taken and why there are such delays in the evacuation process.

The students have shown formidable tenacity in the face of indescribable destruction and hardship, in the context of every university in Gaza having been destroyed, and have worked despite these circumstances to be accepted to Irish universities. This is deeply impressive. All of them have worked very hard during an ongoing genocide to earn these places. Their efforts are a testament to their steadfastness, their work ethic and the qualities that have already been noted and recognised by the corresponding universities and by the communities who are anxiously waiting to welcome them to Ireland. The application process required reviews of their transcripts, assessment of their English proficiency, letters of recommendation from living professors in order to qualify for the university places and to obtain scholarships in a number of cases. The visa application required that students demonstrate they would not be a financial burden to the State and they have shown this with support from scholarships and surrounding communities. They have met every single requirement for university placement and for visa applications and are now simply awaiting information on when those visas will be received and how evacuation from Gaza will be organised.

Even though there do not seem to have been Irish evacuation flights since April, other evacuation flights are still taking place. Just last Wednesday, another evacuation, including university students to other European countries, was carried out. The evacuees were taken via bus to the Karem Abu Salem crossing, through occupied Palestine and into Jordan, where they were flown to their respective countries. We know from this that evacuations are possible if the will is there.

Given that the academic term will start in September, I hope we can be provided with some useful information indicating that these students will be able to take up those places in September, especially given the unbearable uncertainty from day to day of their current living circumstances. What steps is the Department taking to ensure these students will be in a position to commence their studies in September? Is detailed information available in respect of evacuation flights or the steps being taken to arrange evacuation flights? Why have there been none since April? Are they scheduled? Are plans under way in relation to this? What are the necessary criteria to receive assistance from the Department? We have heard worrying references to a new layer for those who have already overcome such obstacles. It consists of additional criteria, different from what was in place in April, that they may need to meet in order to have basic assistance with this evacuation. Will be processes in place in the event of a ceasefire to expedite the evacuation from Gaza of these students and the others who are awaiting visas? As we know, it may be a very small window if it occurs. Have there been attempts to co-ordinate with other countries on shared evacuation flights or shared practices for same? Will any information be provided to the applicants to give them a sense of clarity? What has the engagement been between the Departments of foreign affairs and justice on these matters?