Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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105. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to work with his counterparts at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to ensure that the family of a Palestinian individual living in Ireland (details supplied) are evacuated from Gaza. [43287/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case.

I appreciate that this is an extremely difficult situation for the individual concerned and their family, and I am acutely aware that the situation in Gaza is appalling and deteriorating. As the Deputy will know, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. Ireland has steadfastly advocated for an urgent end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access, and will continue to do so.

My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad in accordance with its Consular Assistance Charter. As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department is limited in its ability to provide consular assistance to non-Irish citizens. Moreover, exit from Gaza is dependent on receipt of permission from the relevant local authorities, both in Israel and in certain circumstances neighbouring jurisdictions. Such permissions are outside the control of the Government of Ireland.

Where an individual requires a visa to enter Ireland, they must apply to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration which will review the application in accordance with Irish legislation. It is the responsibility of the applicant concerned to engage with the Department of Justice regarding their visa application.

I wish to assure the Deputy, once again, that Ireland will continue to call for an immediate end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza.