Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

188. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation of Irish activists detained by Israel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40933/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of a recent Israeli operation that took place from 18-19 May to intercept vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters to the southwest of Cyprus. This was the second such operation to take place in international waters, and it resulted in the detention of 14 Irish citizens.

As I am sure you are aware, I condemned the interception of vessels in international waters, and called on the Israeli authorities to release all Irish citizens detained, and to uphold their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and welfare of all those on board the Flotilla.

I am appalled by the treatment of illegally detained participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Irish citizens. The Taoiseach has written to the President of the European Council to express his grave concern about the shocking treatment of EU citizens. Ireland has also been clear over many months on the need for action at EU level in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and international law.

At my instruction, Ireland’s Ambassador to Israel demanded immediate assurances that the welfare and wellbeing of all Irish citizens be safeguarded, that they would be treated with dignity and respect, and that they be afforded all the protections that they are entitled to under international law.

I can assure you that throughout this period, officials from my Department, in particular teams from our embassies in the region, were in regular contact with the relevant local authorities to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of all those detained. Officials from the Embassy of Ireland to Israel were present on the ground to seek consular access at the detention centre, and later at the airport ahead of the deportation of our citizens and other detainees.

I am pleased to confirm that all our citizens arrived in Istanbul on Thursday, 21 May, where they were met by a consular team from the Irish Embassy to Türkiye, which offered them all appropriate consular assistance and support.

I can further assure you that consular officers in Dublin were also in direct and continuous contact with the Ireland-based Flotilla organisers, and with the families of all those detained.

I am happy to confirm that all our citizens have since returned home, either to Ireland, or to their place of usual residence. Eleven of the 14 originally detained arrived safely in Dublin on Saturday 23 May.

I can assure you that throughout this process, the safety and wellbeing of our citizens was my primary concern.

Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

189. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will follow the example of France and other countries ⁠in banning Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41289/26]