There is no indication that "Ireland is somehow being penalised for the stance we're taking in our call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza, the Taoiseach has said.
No Irish citizens have been able to leave Gaza since foreign citizens were first allowed to leave the beseiged enclave last week.
There are "about 40 Irish citizens in Gaza", the Taoiseach said yesterday. Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand, eight, is also feared to be in the hands of Hamas in Gaza as a hostage.
Speaking in the Dáil, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy claimed these Irish citizens were being held hostage by Israel in Gaza.
In response, the Taoiseach said that just 20% of the roughly 8,000 foreign nationals in Gaza had got out through the Rafah crossing into Egypt so far.
He added that Ireland's position on the need for an immediate ceasefire will not change.
"Evacuations are being managed on a country by country basis and it will take time for this process to be completed," Mr Varadkar said.
"The names of all Irish citizens in Gaza who have asked to be included on the list of those two evacuations have been submitted to the relevant authorities," he said.
"We don't know when they'll be able to leave."
Watch: Taoiseach tells Dáil no indication Ireland being penalised for Gaza stance
Mr Murphy also called on the Government to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
The Taoiseach said he believed that a referral was not necessary, but he would seek further information.
Last week, the Taoiseach said that the Israeli response to the 7 October attack by Hamas was becoming "something more approaching revenge".
Asked about those comments earlier this week, Mr Varadkar said he does not regret the remark.
Yesterday, the Israeli Ambassador in Dublin has said she does not believe Ireland is politically neutral in respect of the Israel-Hamas conflict, as she warned of a rising "wave of antisemitism" internationally.
Dana Erlich was speaking after a screening of footage for reporters at the Israeli embassy that showed the 7 October attack by Hamas on southern Israel.
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Women in Gaza experiencing 'trauma and horror'
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has told the Dáil that women in Gaza are experiencing "trauma and horror", including emergency C-sections without anesthetic.
"There are 50,000 pregnant women who can't access basic basic health services," she said.
Israel is carrying out "vicious revenge and we are witnessing war crimes and Israel must be held accountable," Ms McDonald added.
Mr Varadkar responded that "the killing must stop", and "a immediate humanitarian ceasefire is required."
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said that the news from the last hospital providing maternity services in north Gaza is deeply distressing.
