Sinn Féin senator Chris Andrews was among those detained after the boat he was on was boarded by Israeli soldiers.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is attempting to carry aid to Gaza, and includes Irish citizens.

The party said Chris Andrews was on board the Spectre which was ‘intercepted off the coast of Egypt’ on Wednesday.

A cross-party committee decided on Thursday night that a motion on the Gaza aid flotilla would be tabled on Tuesday.

It comes as Sinn Féin said one of its senators was on board a boat in the flotilla that was targeted by multiple drones.

Sinn Fein said it had six candidates in the Seanad elections, overlooking two long-standing representatives.

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said the party's position is clear, and a coalition of this kind would be incoherent from a policy point of view

The area where the belongings and tents of asylum seekers were set on fire was “a forgotten and neglected community”. Mr Andrews told RTÉ radio’s News at One.