I thank all Members across the House for agreeing to the change to the Dáil schedule and facilitating this debate on the concerning developments regarding the Global Sumud Flotilla. I know that everyone’s overriding concern is for the safety and welfare of our Irish citizens who are on a mission of solidarity with the people of Palestine. This House, the Oireachtas and our people across the country are united in this solidarity. Indeed, we are united today in our urgent wish that no harm should come to those who boarded the Sumud Flotilla, to those who are still in transit and to all those who have set out on a mission to bring humanitarian assistance to Gaza and highlight the horrific humanitarian catastrophe.

First, I wish to inform the House of the latest developments. This morning, I convened and chaired a special consular co-ordination group within my Department, which includes our consular director, the head of crisis planning, the assistant secretary general for citizen services and the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to respond in real time to what is a fast evolving situation off the coast of Gaza. The co-ordination group was joined by our ambassador in Tel Aviv via video link, who updated the group on the current status of Irish citizens who have been detained. We now have confirmation that at least 14 Irish citizens are among those intercepted and detained by Israel. There may be two other citizens whose presence is still being verified as I am here now. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv has formally requested consular access to those Irish citizens. I was informed on the call that there are no reports of any injuries currently among our Irish citizens.

I also wish to inform the House that my Department has now established a dedicated point of contact for the families of those detained or on the flotilla in addition to the broader contact point for those co-ordinating the flotilla activity more generally. Our embassy in Tel Aviv assures me it is well resourced to support our citizens, and we continue to monitor this. Our consular team in Dublin is also supporting our efforts on the ground in Israel.

This morning, I have instructed my officials to contact the non-resident Irish ambassador to Israel to register our strong condemnation of the actions of the Israeli authorities and highlight our absolute expectation that the welfare of our citizens is protected in line with international law. I have also requested an urgent call with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Kaja Kallas. Indeed, shortly before coming to this House, I spoke again with my Spanish counterpart about trying to take a co-ordinated, European approach to ensure the upholding of international law.

As Members will recall, Ireland signed a joint statement that recalls that any violation of international law or the human rights of the participants of the flotilla, including attacks against the vessels in international waters or illegal detention, will lead to accountability. I assure the Dáil and the people of Ireland that this remains our position today. International law matters. It is the cornerstone of our foreign policy and must be upheld. I will consider with counterparts how best to advance this in the time ahead. We will assess what options are available to us with other European countries to uphold international law, seek accountability and hold Israel to account. I will keep the House updated on these next steps.

However, in the first instance, colleagues will understand that my absolute responsibility and priority, and that of the Government and Oireachtas, must be to ensure the welfare and well-being of our citizens. Officials from across my Department, including those in our embassy in Israel, are actively engaged with the situation and providing consular assistance to those affected.

What I have been informed is likely to happen now is that all detainees will be transferred to Ashdod Port for processing. From there, they will likely be taken to a detention facility south of Tel Aviv where they will have access to medical teams. We expect this to take quite a number of hours. This is the latest information we have available. It is my understanding that those who have been detained will be given the option to leave immediately and, if not, they will have a deportation hearing within 72 hours. That is how the Israeli system works. Given the religious holiday of Yom Kippur, however, we expect that processing time to be somewhat impacted. Department officials are also in direct and ongoing contact with the designated point of contact for the flotilla.

Let me be clear: these are Irish men and woman who sought to deliver aid and acted on conscience. They now find themselves in uncertain and potentially dangerous circumstances. A blockade that starves a people of hope and aid is inhumane. Seeing peaceful activists detained while simply seeking to relieve suffering is inhumane. The Government remains deeply and continuously engaged on this issue. We will work across this House tirelessly to safeguard the welfare of our citizens. We remain in constant contact with our consular team on the ground. They are working to establish the precise whereabouts of every Irish citizen to ensure their safety and dignity and secure their swift release.

Our ambassador and officials in Tel Aviv have been active from the first reports of interception. I thank them for their incredible work and diligence in difficult circumstances. They have made clear Ireland’s expectation that our citizens be treated fully in line with international law. I assure family and friends who are following events with understandable anxiety that they are not alone. The entire resources of the State, the Department of foreign affairs, our diplomatic network and European partners are being brought to bear on this issue. We are using every channel available to us.

It is in times like these that the value of maintaining diplomatic relations, even when it may seem to cut against the grain of justice, is most clearly seen. We will speak directly and persistently to those who hold our citizens. We press our case in European and international fora and we remind all parties that Ireland will never be silent when the safety of our people is at stake. We cannot be silent when humanity itself is at stake in Gaza. We will continue to insist calmly and firmly, but without equivocation, that those detained be released without harm, because they are wrongfully detained; humanitarian principles be upheld; and that the right to bring aid to desperate civilians not be criminalised. We will speak out against the outrageous slurs against those on the flotilla. They are decent people who are doing their best to advance the cause of peace.

Our solidarity today must also extend to the people of Gaza amidst a horrific man-made famine and genocide. Ireland has long championed the principles of peace, justice and international law. We will persist in calling for a massive and sustained flow of humanitarian aid, an end to collective punishment and the protection of civilians. Our first priority at this moment, however, is clear and immediate, that is, to safeguard the welfare and well-being of our citizens. That is what we are doing hour by hour, call by call and action by action.

I know this House and the Irish people stand united in that effort. We are united in passion, determination and hope that soon we will welcome our fellow citizens safely home and that the horrific humanitarian blockade and genocide in Gaza will end.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I will divide my time between some comments and questions. I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this debate. It is vitally important that we address this issue today on behalf of our colleagues, the Irish citizens and the citizens of the world. For the past number of years, people have monitored and looked at the situation in Gaza in revulsion, fear and disgust. There is a genocide ongoing before our eyes. It is a war on civilians and children like we have not seen in our lifetimes. For a brief period yesterday and previous days, however, people looked towards Gaza, and more particularly to the flotilla, with a degree of hope. They hoped the flotilla might reach its destination and be able to deliver its cargo. What we must bear in mind and not lose sight of is that the flotilla’s cargo was aid, such as baby food, food and medical aid, for a starving, beleaguered population.

The flotilla also represented hope for what it said about humanity. Those on the flotilla gave inspiration to people. In many respects, the people on the flotilla represent the very best of us. Facing nigh-on insurmountable odds, they are standing up for the voiceless where the international community and institutions have failed so profoundly.

Unfortunately, between last night and the early hours of the morning, the flotilla was intercepted illegally in international waters by the Israelis. This includes Irish citizens, including our colleague, Senator Chris Andrews. Reports have emerged of a water cannon being used against small crafts and ships being rammed by the Israelis. Given the horrors they have been responsible for, unfortunately, that would be little surprise.

Léirigh na daoine ar an flotilla cuid mhaith crógachta agus thug siad inspioráid do dhaoine ar fud an domhain ag cur i gcoinne an tslada agus an chinedhíothaithe in iarracht stop a chur leis an mbac ar chúnamh, bia agus ábhair shláinte. Tá muid ag impí go dtabharfar cúnamh dóibh láithreach.

Along with some colleagues, I met family members and loved ones of those on the flotilla on Tuesday. They were anxious. I spoke to Senator Chris Andrews as well. Of course, he was worried. You would have to be mad not to be, I imagine. While they were justifiably very worried, they were also full of pride. They were full of respect for the wishes of the people on the flotilla and their objective in taking part in this. Their feelings mirror the determination of those on the flotilla. They would not be deterred because they understood, as did those on the flotilla, that they did this because of what was happening in Gaza on a daily basis while an international community watches it happen. It is a genocide, the most profound crime in humanity.

It is barbarism of the highest order happening in front of our eyes and the international community is doing practically nothing. Their objective was to break the blockade and to break through. It is a noble and high-minded ideal. I salute those Irish people and citizens of the world who stepped in where states and institutions have failed so profoundly. Unfortunately, the slaughter goes on; approximately 73 were killed yesterday alone in Gaza. The Tánaiste and the Government have a responsibility to act, both for our people on the flotilla and for the people of Palestine.

My leader, Deputy McDonald, and I have been in close contact with the Department in recent hours. I appreciate the work of the Department's staff. The Tánaiste gave a bit of an account of what has been confirmed. It seems from what he says that not all Irish citizens have been accounted for. Could he confirm whether the Department has sight of the whereabouts of the 22 Irish citizens – if that is the correct number? Could he give an update on the current health and welfare of those citizens? Do we know if they are safe and well?

I too spoke to Senator Andrews, at the Deputy's request, the other day. I have kept in contact with him in recent days. I had the opportunity to meet some of the families here the other day when we had the all-party motion in the Dáil, as did our head of consular services and the Minister of State with responsibility for international aid, Deputy Richmond.

My understanding is that there are 16 Irish citizens in the current part of the flotilla. He is right about the number 22. I was teasing through this - there is a further part of the flotilla to come. To the best of our knowledge, the part of the flotilla that has been intercepted has 16 Irish citizens on board. We have confirmation that 14 of them have been detained. We believe 16 have been detained. I want to give the House very accurate information. I expect all 16 have been detained but to date we have confirmation that only 14 have been detained. Our ambassador, Sonya McGuinness, is doing a very good job. She has already been in touch with the Israeli foreign ministry and has requested consular access to those citizens. We are continuing to pursue that.

Has the Tánaiste or the Department contacted the families of those who are confirmed to have been detained, or even those who are expected to be detained? Does he have confirmation on when staff on the ground will have access to those who are detained illegally by the Israelis, and when they might have access to lawyers?

I am sorry but I forgot to answer the Deputy's specific question about injuries. We have no reports of any injuries to Irish citizens. I am very conscious of the volatile and dangerous environment. We have no information on any injuries. Our head of consular services has been in regular contact with the point of co-ordination for the flotilla – someone familiar to both of us. We have also made a decision to put in place a dedicated contact point for families. That contact point is now in place. I believe the contact is under way for families.

We do not yet have confirmation on the exact time at which we expect to get access to our citizens. We are working on this constantly. Our citizens need to be brought ashore and when they are, I assure the Deputy that the Irish ambassador to Israel has made it very clear that she will expect very urgent access to them. I am keeping a very direct interest in that myself.

Contact with the families is vitally important. It must be of the highest priority. I urge the Tánaiste to be the first to pick up the phone if there is any escalation or downturn in the situation. The families and people generally are concerned about when these Irish citizens can return home. Does he have any sense of a timescale about how long the process is likely to take and when these citizens are likely to be returned home safely?

The first priority is the Irish citizens who are detained and the absolute priority alongside that is to keep their families informed about any information we have. We are working closely with the families and trying to keep the lines of communication open. I have shared all of the information we have available and I and my Department will continue to do so. It is an evolving situation.

My understanding, having been briefed again this morning by our ambassador, is that once people are brought to a detention centre, they have to be brought before an Israeli deportation court within 72 hours. They are afforded an opportunity to sign a waiver form to waive that period and ask to leave Israel with immediate effect. I do not yet know the decision individual citizens will make on that, but we will provide all consular advice and assistance to people in that regard. People will be afforded the opportunity to sign a waiver form to say, "I want to leave Israel immediately", or to go before a deportation court. Under Israeli law, my understanding is that is meant to happen within 72 hours.