Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 772: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will contact the Egyptian authorities to urge them to facilitate a humanitarian convoy of medical aid for Palestinians in Gaza which is being detained in Port Said; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38911/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have not been contacted by any charitable group in connection with this convoy. However, I have had enquiries made with the Egyptian authorities in relation to it.

I understand that the convoy in question is a very large shipment of aid organised by Palestinian groups in a number of European countries, primarily the UK. It was organised in proper consultation with the Egyptian authorities, and permissions issued. Unfortunately, however, the shipment was sent to Port Said, whereas all shipments for Gaza are now to be routed through the port of Arish, closest to Gaza. I understand Egyptian officials and the Egyptian Red Crescent are arranging its transfer to Arish.

A separate difficulty is that a very large number of persons have travelled with the convoy intending to enter Gaza, and the Egyptian authorities had not been notified of this. They are now processing these individuals and will in due course decide if some or all of them can be admitted to Gaza.