Almost 200 people were on board the flight chartered by the Government from Oman.

He described as “absolutely mental” the suggestion that his pregnant wife and her 91-year-old grandfather should be expected to get on a lengthy bus journey to get to Oman for a chartered flight back to Ireland.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, said she hopes the flight from Oman will be the “first of many”.

Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said there are currently ‘no evacuation routes recommended for Gulf countries’.

Simon Harris will also attend a meeting of the European Council during his visit to Brussels.