Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 17 September 2025, for an update on the evacuation process for an individual (details supplied); to outline the progress made in obtaining alternative travel documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55962/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since the start of the crisis, the 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. This 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, the Department has supported and facilitated the travel of more than 200 people from Gaza to Ireland, with further evacuations planned. We continue to explore options to assist individuals in Gaza, but unfortunately travel cannot be guaranteed, even for those that hold valid Irish visas

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. I can assure you that where we can exert influence, every effort has been made.

With regard to the actions within the control of the Government of Ireland, this Department 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. This includes the granting of visas in this particular case.

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.

The challenge for the person in question relates to the issuing of a new Palestinian passport. I 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 would urge the rest of the family to reconsider the decision not to exit Gaza, especially in the case of the young Irish citizen.

As we welcome the ceasefire, I fully appreciate conditions on the ground in Gaza remain dire. This continues to be an extremely difficult a time for those separated from their families. On 13 October, I announced a further €6 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to fund food, medical care and other vital aid. Ireland will continue to work together with international partners towards a path to peace leading to the implementation of the two-State solution.