Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is providing advice and assistance to pilgrims wishing to travel to the Holy Land; the contacts he has had with the authorities in Israel in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25097/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs provides travel advice to Irish citizens wishing to visit the Holy Land through its website. The current advice can be found at www.dfa.ie/services/ traveladvice/01.asp. The number of Irish citizens travelling to Israel annually is estimated at less than 3,000. Only a limited proportion of these would be pilgrims. Most pilgrim sites in Israel and in Jerusalem can be accessed without problem for pilgrims. However, some sites in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Bethlehem, can be problematic and involve delays at military checkpoints and road-blocks. The Deputy can rest assured that Ireland's Missions in the Holy Land will continue to monitor access issues for pilgrims, including with the relevant authorities, and, of course, will be helpful to any of our citizens who wish to make contact.