Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update in relation to a response to previous correspondence (details supplied). [51867/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since the start of this crisis my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit of Irish citizens and accompanying dependents from Gaza that have expressed a wish to leave. To date 56 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to leave Gaza.

Clearance to exit from Gaza is decided by the relevant local authorities. These authorities have made clear to all countries with citizens in Gaza that the focus for facilitated departures from Gaza is for foreign and dual nationals, and immediate dependents accompanying them.

In line with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter, the remit of my Department is to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad. This has been our focus over the last seven weeks. The population of Gaza is 2.3 million people. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and many of those living in Gaza are seeking to leave, including people holding a visa for Ireland or others with ties to Ireland. For those who do receive clearance to exit Gaza from the local authorities, a visa application for Ireland can be made in the normal way.