I want to raise the serious issue of Irish citizens currently stranded in the Middle East. Since the weekend's events, I have been contacted by constituents who are on holiday or working in the region and find themselves trapped. Airports are closed and flight paths are suspended. People are in a frightening and volatile situation through no fault of their own. I commend the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and her team on working around the clock to provide consular assistance to those people. However, the reality is extremely worrying for those citizens and their families in Ireland, at least 14 of whom are in my own county of Laois. At present there are no recommended evacuation routes from the Gulf countries. If this conflict continues, is the Government prepared to implement an evacuation plan for the Irish citizens in the affected region? Those people deserve clarity, reassurance and the full protection of the State.

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