Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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93. To ask the Taoiseach for an update on his engagements with other EU leaders in relation to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. [48036/23]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I took part in an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders by video conference on the 17 October, convened by President Michel following Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October.

At the meeting, we reaffirmed our statement of October 15th, condemning Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate attack; acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself, while reiterating the importance of ensuring the protection of civilians at all times in line with International Humanitarian Law; calling on Hamas to release all hostages without precondition; and expressing our commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution.

At the meeting, I called for a humanitarian pause to hostilities to enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and to facilitate those EU citizens who wished to leave to do so safely.

The situation in the Middle East was also discussed at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 26 and 27 October. On that occasion we expressed our grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Gaza and called for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access though all necessary measures, including humanitarian corridors and pauses. We said we would work closely with partners in the region to protect civilians, provide assistance and facilitate access to food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter.

We also stressed the need to avoid escalation in the region and the importance of engaging with partners in this regard, including with the Palestinian Authority. We also expressed our readiness to contribute to reviving a political process.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs has remained in very regular phone contact with a number of Irish citizens in Gaza, including the family in question. Let me assure you that we have been providing extensive consular assistance and will continue to do so.

We are engaging with local authorities and with EU and international partners to support Irish citizens to exit from Gaza when that becomes possible.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the situation in Gaza is critical. Ireland has echoed the UN Secretary General’s call for a humanitarian pause, to allow aid to reach those now in desperate need in Gaza.

Ireland welcomes the entry of the first convoys of trucks carrying much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the level of aid passing through needs to be accelerated as a matter of urgency.

As with all consular cases we do not comment on the detail of individual cases.