Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123, 124 and 125 together.

Since the appalling Hamas violence on 7 October and the start of the Israeli military operation, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has continued to deteriorate.

In response, on 18 October, the Government announced immediate Irish humanitarian assistance of €13 million for Gaza, through the United Nations - €10 million in additional core funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and €3 million to the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Fund. This additional funding brings Ireland’s support to the Palestinian people to over €29 million so far this year. We expect to announce additional humanitarian assistance shortly.

Ireland also provides prepositioned funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) which has released $15 million in funding for medical response in Gaza, and for readiness in the region.

We are continuing to call for a durable humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The civilian population of Gaza urgently need fuel, food, water, and medical supplies, on a sustained basis and at scale.

Ireland has been clear that continued development and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people is essential. We will continue to clearly make that case internationally and at EU level. On 27 November, the Tánaiste met with EU and regional partners at the Union for the Mediterranean meeting in Barcelona. He had bilateral meetings with the Lebanese, Saudi, Turkish, Belgian, and Luxembourg Foreign Ministers. The focus was on developing a credible pathway to peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Movement of supplies, equipment and personnel into Gaza continues to be severely constrained. Hospitals are overflowing, with an urgent need for supplies and infrastructure. The WHO is working closely with partners on the ground including the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and UNRWA and is working to deliver vital supplies.

Emergency Medical Team is the term now used by the WHO to classify various types of ‘field hospital’. An Emergency Medical Team (EMT) coordination cell has been established in Cairo by the WHO and will soon be operational inside Gaza. This coordination cell will support the existing health system in Gaza though the deployment of EMTs across all levels of health care.

Ireland does not currently maintain military or civilian EMTs for international deployment. The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently leading an interdepartmental review assessing Ireland’s deployable capabilities for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Both the Egyptian health authorities and the World Health Organisation have made requests through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) for healthcare related assistance. Ireland has attended frequent coordination meetings hosted by the ERCC on the crisis since the outbreak of hostilities

In addition to increased humanitarian funding, the EU is providing transport solutions to humanitarian partners and EU Member States, through an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge to Egypt. Between 16 October and 26 November, 20 flights to Al-Arish carried about 890 tonnes of cargo including significant quantities of medicines and medical supplies. Ten more flights are being prepared.