Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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201. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken to raise the issue of the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the detainment of 16 Irish citizens by the Israel Defence Forces at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61226/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased that all of the Irish citizens detained following their participations on the Global Sumud Flotilla, and the Freedom Flotilla, have now returned home. Throughout the period my primary concern, and that of my Department, was to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those detained. As such, officials from across my department, including our Embassy teams in Tel Aviv, Amman, Istanbul, and Ankara, provided all possible and appropriate consular assistance to all those affected.

I repeatedly expressed my concerns about the security of the Flotilla and continually urged for respect for international law and international humanitarian law. I joined with the Foreign Ministers of 15 other countries to express my concern about the security of the Global Sumud Flotilla. I raised the matter directly with the EU’s High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas as well as with my EU counterparts. I also raised the matter publicly during my intervention at the UN during the Global Alliance for the Two State Solution meeting.

As I have repeatedly stated, I understand that the peaceful efforts of those on board reflect an understandable desire by many people around the world to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza. The situation in Gaza was at the centre of discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg last month and I will continue to ensure that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains a focus at EU level.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the planned attendance of the head of the Israeli Sailing Association at the World Sailing Annual Conference being held in Dún Laoghaire between 7 to 9 November 2025; his views on whether this is appropriate given the Israeli interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61227/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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203. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding engagement his Department has had with the Israeli Sailing Association in relation to their attendance at the World Sailing Annual Conference being held in Dún Laoghaire between 7 to 9 November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61228/25]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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204. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding engagement his Department has had with the Israeli Sailing Association (ISA) in relation to their attendance at the World Sailing Annual Conference being held in Dún Laoghaire between 7 to 9 November 2025; if any support was provided to this organisation in terms of visa requirements or other travel related requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61229/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 203 and 204 together.

Israeli passport holders can visit Ireland for up to 90 days without a visa. No assistance was provided by officials from my Department, including those at the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv, to the Israeli Sailing Association in relation to travel or visa related support to facilitate their participation in the World Sailing Annual Conference.

Ireland has registered our strong concern about the actions of the Israeli authorities against the Global Sumud Flotilla, and highlighted at all times our absolute expectation that the welfare of our citizens was protected in line with international law.