16. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up to date advice for Irish citizens in the Gulf and Middle East; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18463/26]

25. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail the works being done by her Department to repatriate Irish citizens in the middle east; whether she has engaged with European counterparts to collaborate on the evacuation of Irish citizens; and when it is expected to be able to begin repatriation flights. [18721/26]

45. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens currently registered her Department, or travelling in Qatar that have requested consular assistance; the engagement her Department has had with them in relation to evacuation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19624/26]

46. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement she has had with EU partners regarding coordinated evacuation or consular assistance from Qatar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19625/26]

47. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether more charter flights or other evacuation supports are being considered for Irish citizens seeking to leave Qatar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19626/26]

67. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she accepts that Ireland has not done enough to date to bring people home from Dubai (details supplied); and if she will now do everything possible to bring people home safely and as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20939/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 25, 45, 46, 47 and 67 together.

A very significant consular support operation is ongoing for citizens across the Gulf and the Middle East impacted by the current conflict.

Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked closely with EU Member States, the European External Action Service, the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre, authorities in host countries, and others, with a view to identifying all possible options to support Irish citizens.

My Department's approach to the provision of consular assistance to those who wished to leave the region throughout this period has centred on two primary axes. First, to pursue all possible options to facilitate Irish citizens on the limited number of flights still in operation and to request that direct routes to Dublin from the Gulf would resume, as soon as it was safe to do so. And second, in parallel, there was a clear focus on identifying and delivering repatriation options for Irish citizens, both through Government charters and those of our EU partners.

My Department has organised two repatriation flights, which departed from Muscat on 7 March and from Abu Dhabi on 11 March. These flights assisted the return of 380 Irish citizens and their families to Ireland, with a focus on those most vulnerable or stranded in transit. My Department reached out to hundreds of citizens in both categories.

Currently, there are three daily flights from the United Arab Emirates to Dublin. My Department’s advice to citizens that wish to leave the region remains that they avail of commercial options. While such options were initially limited in Qatar, officials from my Department, including the Embassy team in Abu Dhabi, have supported over 420 citizens to depart the country. We also continued to work closely with Qatar Airways to facilitate additional travel options and this has resulted in Qatar Airways scheduling four direct Doha to Dublin flights per week from Friday.

In light of the ongoing security situation, my Department continues to advise Irish citizens against all travel to Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon. Citizens are also strongly advised against non-essential travel to Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Irish citizens remaining in the region are advised to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments and local media, and follow the advice of local authorities, including when this is to shelter in place.

Further information on my Department's travel advice is available at: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/

I encourage all Irish citizens in the Gulf or surrounding region seeking assistance to contact my Department’s Consular Crisis Team in Dublin directly on 01-4082000 or their nearest Irish Embassy.

My Department will continue to closely monitor the wider political and security context in the days and weeks ahead. I can assure you that my officials stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens that request it.