237. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps she will take to guarantee the protection and safe return of Irish citizens (details supplied), illegally abducted while on board a Gaza bound flotilla in international waters off the coast of Cyprus by the IDA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38980/26]

259. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide details of Ireland's response to the latest attacks on the global Sumud Flotilla, which currently has a number of Irish citizens onboard; the engagement her Department has had to ensure their safe release; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39291/26]

260. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken to ensure citizens such as a person (details supplied) are being released from Israeli custody after their vessel, part of the Global Summud Flotilla, was detained by the IDF; if her Department has been in contact with any Irish citizens who have been detained; the response the Government will take to sanction Israel for detaining Irish citizens in international water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39362/26]

267. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide details of Ireland's response to the latest attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which currently has a number of Irish citizens onboard; the engagement her Department has had to ensure their safe release; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39703/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237, 259, 260 and 267 together.

I am aware of the recent Israeli operation on 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 and 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 Turkiye, 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 pleased 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.