Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.

My Department is in regular contact with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel regarding a number of visa applications, from residents of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. The Embassy are actively engaging with the applicants to gather the required documents to ensure that the Visa Division of this Department have everything needed progress these applications.

The DFA continues to advocate with the authorities in relation to those who have not yet been able to leave, including the immediate dependants of Irish citizens.

While all immigration schemes are kept under constant review, currently, there are no plans to introduce a new scheme along the lines suggested by the Deputy.

Insofar as the Temporary Protection Directive is concerned, this Directive is applicable to what is defined as a "mass influx" into the EU of displaced persons from third countries who are unable to return to their country of origin, circumstances which do not apply at this time in this instance. Activation of the Protection Directive requires a proposal from the EU Commission and a majority decision by the Council of the EU.