Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

199. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the legislative basis of the Government's policy not to issue travel documents to non-nationals experiencing grave humanitarian disasters whose passports have been lost, damaged or destroyed as a consequence of the conditions they are seeking to be removed from (details supplied); and whether he will consider legislation which will allow Irish embassies issue travel documents to non-citizens whose passports have been damaged, lost or destroyed and where issuing these documents will allow a person to be evacuated from a grave humanitarian disaster. [51176/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and their immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. My Department has also supported the evacuation of other Palestinians seeking support from Ireland, including students, medical evacuation patients and individuals with work offers in Ireland. Overall, during this period, my Department has supported and facilitated the travel of more than 200 people from Gaza to Ireland, with further evacuations planned.

With regard to the query on the legislative basis regarding the non-issuing of travel documents to non-nationals, all passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of the 2008 Act provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (“the Minister”) to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit evidence to the satisfaction of the Minister, among other things, that that person is an Irish citizen and as such is entitled to a passport. Section 12(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that the Minister shall refuse to issue a passport to a person if the Minister is not satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen. The entitlement of a person to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended (“the 1956 Act”).

There is no consideration for legislation to allow for the issuing of Irish passports to non-citizens.

I should also note that it remains possible to secure travel documents for those in Gaza. Indeed, so far this year, approximately 40 individuals seeking to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland have secured reissued Palestinian passports. With this in mind, I would advise anyone wishing to leave Gaza, but does not have the necessary travel documents to take the issue up with the Palestinian Authorities via the Embassy of Palestine in Dublin.

I fully appreciate the appalling conditions on the ground in Gaza, and how difficult a time this continues to be for those separated from their families. I can assure you that Ireland will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, and immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access at scale into Gaza.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

200. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of historical precedent for issuing travel documents to non-nationals outside of normal procedures during conditions of genocide (details supplied); and his plans to follow the precedent to enable the evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza where they are seeking to come to Ireland.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51177/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and their immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. My Department has also supported the evacuation of other Palestinians seeking support from Ireland, including students, medical evacuation patients and individuals with work offers in Ireland. Overall, during this period, my Department has supported and facilitated the travel of more than 200 people from Gaza to Ireland, with further evacuations planned.

However, facilitating an exit from Gaza is not straightforward. As I know you will appreciate, evacuations from Gaza are complex operations requiring close cooperation, and detailed planning across multiple organisations. Success is dependent on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, receipt of permissions from the relevant authorities. Much of this rests outside the control of the Government of Ireland.

My Department continues to explore options to assist individuals in Gaza, but unfortunately travel cannot be guaranteed, even for those that hold valid Irish visas.

I would like to thank you for sharing the example of humanitarian support during World War II. I note in the provided example that Chiune Sugihara provided visas to persons fleeing their homes, and I applaud the bravery demonstrated by this official to save the lives of many people at great personal risk. Officials in my Department are equally committed to supporting as many people as feasible to leave Gaza, and I can assure you that they have the full support of the Government to do so.

With this in mind, I would like to assure you that my Department has facilitated the lodging of visa applications from Gaza, including through the removal of administrative barriers that might otherwise have impeded this process. The Department of Justice has also facilitated the expedited processing of these applications.

Unfortunately, it is the case that while officials from my Department have granted several family groups all the necessary permissions to travel to Ireland, including long-stay visas, some have still been unable to leave due to absence of required permissions or travel documents from third countries. As I am sure you will appreciate, this is outside the control of the Government of Ireland. It is simply not legally possible to facilitate their travel.

I note that it remains possible to secure new travel documents, even for those in Gaza. Indeed, so far this year, approximately 40 individuals seeking to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland have secured reissued Palestinian passports. With this in mind, anyone without valid travel documents is advised to take up the issue with the Palestinian Authorities via Embassy of Palestine in Dublin

I fully appreciate the appalling conditions on the ground in Gaza, and how difficult a time this continues to be for those separated from their families. I can assure you that Ireland will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, and immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access at scale into Gaza.