Billy Timmins
Question:70 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of embassies that are based here. [7358/10]
Priority Questions.
Diplomatic Representation.
There are currently 56 resident bilateral diplomatic missions in Ireland. In addition, the Government last year approved the establishment of an embassy in Dublin by the United Arab Emirates and the first resident ambassador is expected to present credentials to President McAleese this week. A full list of resident bilateral diplomatic missions will be placed on the record of the House.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
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Resident bilateral diplomatic missions |
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1. |
Argentina |
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2. |
Australia |
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3. |
Austria |
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4. |
Belgium |
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5. |
Brazil |
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6. |
Bulgaria |
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7. |
Canada |
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8. |
Chile |
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9. |
China |
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10. |
Croatia |
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11. |
Cuba |
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12. |
Cyprus |
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13. |
Czech Republic |
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14. |
Denmark |
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15. |
Egypt |
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16. |
Estonia |
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17. |
Ethiopia |
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18. |
Finland |
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19. |
France |
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20. |
Germany |
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21. |
Greece |
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22. |
Holy See |
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23. |
Hungary |
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24. |
India |
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25. |
Iran |
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26. |
Israel |
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27. |
Italy |
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28. |
Japan |
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29. |
Kenya |
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30. |
Korea, Republic of |
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31. |
Latvia |
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32. |
Lesotho |
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33. |
Lithuania |
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34. |
Malaysia |
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35. |
Malta |
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36. |
Mexico |
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37. |
Morocco |
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38. |
Netherlands |
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39. |
Nigeria |
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40. |
Norway |
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41. |
Pakistan |
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42. |
Poland |
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43. |
Portugal |
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44. |
Romania |
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45. |
Russia |
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46. |
Slovak Republic |
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47. |
Slovenia |
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48. |
South Africa |
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49. |
Spain |
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50. |
Sweden |
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51. |
Switzerland |
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52. |
Turkey |
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53. |
Ukraine |
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54. |
Great Britain |
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55. |
United States |
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56. |
General Delegation of Palestine |
I thank the Minister for his reply. I wish to ask some brief supplementary questions. Did the Minister have any forewarning that the Swedish embassy is to close in August this year and if so, has he taken any steps to address the matter? Does the Minister have regular contact with ambassadors based in Ireland? For example, we are aware of the well-documented difficulties with respect to Greece over the past few weeks and the doubts about its financial returns. Does the Minister have any contact with the Greek ambassador to express Irish concerns in that regard or is it an issue that would be taken up?
This is a great broadening of the question about the number of embassies.
The Minister has a very broad remit and intellect and I am sure he will not be hassled in answering the questions. Does the Minister have any view on the recent controversy concerning our own embassy in Ottawa?
On the matter of the Swedish embassy, I had contact with the Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, who made contact with me in advance of the decision, albeit only 24 hours in advance of the publication of the decision. I expressed my regret at the decision. I conveyed the view we had taken in Ireland that as members of the European Union and as a manifestation of solidarity between member states and a policy objective, there should be some presence of member states in other member states. This comes from the perspective of co-ordinating policies across Europe and so forth.
He explained that he is facing budgetary constraints and additional expenditure in a variety of locations, some relating to security. He was also closing facilities in Bratislava, Luxembourg, Sofia, Dakar and Ljubljana. There were other issues in the Caucuses, the Balkans and Africa and in that context, he made his decision. We do not decide on the basis of what others do. We decide in respect of our strengths. It is a matter for each country to decide where it locates according to its strategic objectives. However, we were disappointed and I articulated that to the Swedish foreign minister.
I have regular contact with embassies and we meet all ambassadors on a regular basis. I often meet them in groups, and I recently met with the African ambassadors for a working lunch, where we discussed diplomatic, political and economic issues. I also had meetings with Latin American ambassadors on similar themes, and on how to enhance relations between our two regions.
We are not just talking about a residence in Ottawa, but an embassy with very substantial conference facilities for use by State agencies such as the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, and Bord Bia to promote goods and services that we want to sell abroad. Canada is a particularly important location for our exports.
I do not doubt the importance of investing in proper facilities abroad. However, what happened in Ottawa seems to be over and above what was actually required.
The Minister mentioned that an ambassador from Dubai was coming to Ireland. Did the Minister have any contact with him?
He is on his way.
Has the Minister had any contact with the authorities?
He is expected to present credentials to President McAleese this week. I was in Dubai last year with the President, and we indicated that we were opening an embassy in the UAE. The government in that country independently indicated its own decision to——
When he meets the ambassador, will he speak about the alleged use of Irish passports in the assassination or murder of a member of Hamas in Dubai in the last few weeks? Does he have any concerns that Irish passports were falsely used in this? Does he have any information for the House on this matter?
That is a great use of a question.
I can relate some information on that to the Deputy. We have already had contact with officials in the UAE, and our ambassador, Mr. Ciarán Madden, has sought clarification on the media reports of the issue. We have not been able to verify any of these reports yet.
Did the Minister contact the ambassadors of other countries that used passports to find out the extent of all this? It is a very serious matter that Irish passports may have been falsely used.
The Deputy should have no doubt that we will pursue these issues.
Overseas Development Aid.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:71 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the media reports which suggest that a court in Switzerland has found that a family (details supplied) is entitled to millions of dollars held in bank accounts in that country, money which had been previously awarded to aid groups; his views on these reports; and if it is proposed that the EU would make its stance on this known and oppose the ruling. [7361/10]
On foot of a request by the Haitian authorities, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice decided in February 2009 that funds linked to the former president of Haiti, Jean Claude Duvalier, should be returned to the people of Haiti. The Swiss Federal Criminal Court upheld this decision in August, confirming that the funds in question were of criminal origin. Following a further appeal, the Federal Supreme Court ruled that the funds should not be returned to Haiti. The Federal Supreme Court did not call into question the decision regarding the criminal origins of the assets, but found that the statute of limitations on any crimes committed by the Duvalier family would, according to Swiss law, have expired in 2001.
The Swiss Government responded quickly to the decision of the Federal Supreme Court. As no further appeal was possible under the Swiss legal system, the Government invoked a provision in its constitution which enabled it to issue an emergency decree to block the release of the funds. The Swiss Government has also instructed its Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to finalise the text of draft legislation regarding the confiscation of illegal assets. It aims to present the new draft law to the Swiss Parliament for its consideration as soon as possible and that in the meantime, the funds will remain frozen.
I welcome the swift response of the Swiss Government to block the release of the assets in this case. I also welcome the fact that the drafting of new legislation concerning the confiscation of illegally acquired assets is underway. Given the scale of the challenges facing Haiti in the wake of the recent devastating earthquake, it is a matter of regret that legal constraints currently prevent the speedy transfer of the funds for the benefit of the Haitian people. The Swiss Government fully supports the return of the assets held in the Duvalier accounts to Haiti and I hope that this will be possible in due course.
Switzerland is an important contributor to the international relief effort for Haiti. The Swiss Government is providing over €5 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti. It has also pledged to provide further assistance to Haiti after the emergency relief phase is ended.
The EU has not adopted a formal position on this particular case. The recent ruling by the Federal Supreme Court and the subsequent response of the Swiss Government have not been jointly discussed by member states to date, nor has the EU raised the matter directly with the Swiss Government. However, I am satisfied that concerns at the implications of the Federal Supreme Court's decision will have been allayed by the speed with which the Swiss authorities moved to block the release of the funds.
Additional information not provided on the floor of the House.
By its actions, the Swiss Government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that this money will be finally returned to the people of Haiti as soon as new domestic legislation empowering it to do so is in place.
The humanitarian needs of the Haitian people are enormous. Ireland's response to the crisis has been swift and effective. We have provided more than €3 million to the relief effort in Haiti through both direct financing and in-kind assistance. In addition, Ireland will make a significant multi-annual pledge at an international conference for the reconstruction of Haiti which will take place in April.
I am grateful for the Minister's reply. There is no difference between the Minister and I on the volume or quality of Irish aid in response to recent events in Haiti. However, I would like to ask about a co-ordinated response at EU level.
Between 1830 and 1947, Haiti paid reparations to slave owners through the banking system in Paris. The removal of Jean Bertrand Aristide from power in 2003 had the support of President Chirac. President Aristide, on behalf of the people of Haiti, had asked for the return of $21.7 billion that had been paid by people in Haiti to former French slave owners. I have been concerned at the amnesia that has happened in respect of the people in Haiti. It is being suggested that they are just unfortunate people in a hurricane and earthquake prone region. The fact is that the country was exploited by France, thousands were killed in the 1930s by the US, and they had to get rid of the British.
Is the Minister asking at EU level for the Swiss Government to accede to the opening of what I call dictatorship accounts? The Duvalier family, who were dictators for 30 years, stand to benefit to the extent of $5.7 million, at a time when the people they robbed are starving. Will there be an Irish request for a common position at EU level? The Minister has stated that no such common position exists, and this might not be unrelated to the French participation in extracting payments for the benefit of slave owners.
We will be seeking such a common position, although Switzerland does not maintain an institutionalised political dialogue with the EU due to its traditional policy of neutrality. Having said that, there should be a common response from the EU on this issue and we will be raising it at the next available opportunity.
Switzerland is a traditional location for the transfer of such funds, due to banking secrecy rules and so on. There have been reforms in recent decades that have made it harder to hide money in Switzerland. There have been examples in Nigeria and the Philippines, where substantial sums of ill gotten gains by dictators were returned. I do not disagree with what the Deputy has said and I will be raising the issue at EU level.
Does the Minister agree that the Swiss position fundamentally changed when it decided, at a late stage, to join the United Nations, despite previously enjoying the benefit of having United Nations institutions located in Geneva? The issue is that dictatorship funds and illegal African debt — money robbed from aid organisations — have transferred through Liechtenstein and Luxembourg into Swiss banks. In the case of the Duvalier family, it is interesting that the French position was that it was happy to have the elected President of Haiti exiled to the Central African Republic while it supplied residence for the remnants of the Duvalier family which had been robbing the people of Haiti for two generations.
I am broadly in agreement and do not have any issue with the Minister — my apologies, the Deputy — and I am supportive of his impulse and instincts in this matter.
Human Rights Issues.
Pat Breen
Question:72 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty and the refusal of the Israeli authorities to grant a visa to him to visit Gaza, the European Union will make a more concerted effort under the Spanish Presidency to reconstruct Gaza in view of the fact that the ongoing blockade is resulting in a deepening humanitarian crisis with four in five persons dependent on some form of foreign aid. [7362/10]
I have paid particular attention to the worsening conditions in Gaza, even before the conflict one year ago. I have stressed the humanitarian needs of the population and urgent necessity to end the blockade and open the border crossings not only to unrestricted humanitarian aid, but also to reconstruction materials and ordinary commercial traffic.
While the blockade of Gaza is unacceptable in itself, it is also politically counter-productive. It enriches militants through their control of smuggling but prevents ordinary citizens from rebuilding their homes and businesses. Virtually no reconstruction has been possible and families have been unable to rebuild their homes or even replace windows and doors. Economic life is virtually impossible so that an ever growing population is almost entirely dependent on outside aid.
The continuing blockade of Gaza is, in this sense, the collective punishment of a population of 1.5 million for the unacceptable actions of a small minority in their midst in launching indiscriminate and deadly attacks into Israel. It is also difficult to understand the reason, in periods such as now when the level of such attacks has been greatly reduced or minimised, the blockade continues unchanged.
I discuss these issues regularly with my European Union colleagues. The Foreign Affairs Council in December adopted detailed conclusions on the Middle East, including clear language on Gaza and the need for an immediate and unconditional opening of the crossing points. High Representative Ashton has responsibility under the Lisbon treaty for clearly articulating the European Union viewpoint on the Middle East and the need for urgent progress towards a negotiated two state solution.
It has always been my intention to visit Gaza and see the problems there for myself. I also wish to see the impact and effectiveness of the substantial assistance we give to Gaza from Irish Aid. My interest in a visit was only strengthened by the disastrous course of events in Gaza over the past year. I sought to make a visit last December which would have included Gaza as well as Israel and the West Bank. As Deputies know, the Israeli authorities refused to allow me permission to cross into Gaza. Israel contends that a visit to Gaza would serve to legitimise Hamas, irrespective of whether meetings with Hamas representatives took place. I continue to find this explanation unconvincing.
It is clear the Israeli authorities are refusing all political level visits to Gaza at this time. Supposed security considerations have also been cited. This is a matter of deep disappointment and concern to me. It is still my intention to make such a visit and I hope to be given a positive response in future. However, the main issue for me remains the unacceptable restrictions placed on the people of Gaza.
I thank the Minister for his reply and commend him for highlighting problems in Gaza, specifically the refusal of Israel to allow him to visit Gaza. Since the Lisbon treaty entered into force, the European Union has a High Representative, Catherine Ashton. It is time to translate our words into actions. As the Minister noted, Gaza is experiencing a major humanitarian problem caused by the displacement of people, destruction of schools and factories and inhuman living conditions. Conditions are terrible, as an Irish delegation, which included me, observed on a visit to the region last year. I understand from people who visited Gaza in the past month that the position has not changed.
Does the High Representative intend to visit Gaza? Is Gaza high on the agenda of the new Spanish Presidency? It is vital that the European Union, the United States and non-governmental organisations work together to rebuild Gaza where people live in isolation in an open prison.
As the Deputy will be aware, I wrote to the Spanish Foreign Minister Moratinos on this issue and, given the incoming Spanish Presidency, the need for co-ordinated, collective action by European Union Foreign Ministers on visiting Gaza. The European Union, under the High Representative, is committed to doing everything possible to rebuild Gaza and provide substantial moneys, as pledged by the European Union in the donor conference held some time ago, to support reconstruction. It is clear the will is there.
The moneys are not allowed to be spent.
That is the key problem at the moment. We will do everything we can to ensure Gaza remains a key priority in the wider issue of the Middle East process. In the early months of last year, as a result of renewed optimism about the prospect of talks, people may have taken the view that Gaza would be unlocked once the talks process was unlocked. This has not occurred and, if anything, the position in Gaza has become worse.
At meetings of foreign ministers, most recently in December, we have consistently raised the issue of Gaza in discussions on the Middle East as a key humanitarian consideration and one which demands immediate action. Ireland was influential and partially responsible for the strong conclusions of the December meeting on Gaza.
Of the $4 billion pledged for Gaza, not one cent has been spent. Is the Minister aware of the problems with electricity in Gaza? Is it not the case that the $97 million per annum the European Union provided towards the costs of operating a generator in Gaza been transferred to Ramallah? As a result of this decision, many residents only have electricity for eight hours per day, which exacerbates the problems they experience as a result of the war. I ask the Minister to endeavour to have the EU funding reallocated to the company which generates electricity in Gaza. The lack of access to electricity supplies is a major problem, as is the EU decision to cease providing funds to Gaza for this purpose.
I concur with the Deputy. The blockade has had a devastating impact on life in Gaza. As I noted, in essence the blockade constitutes collective punishment of 1.5 million people and is unacceptable. I am angry because in terms of international law and convention, humanitarian rights and so forth the blockade is unacceptable and without justification. It is also having the impact to which the Deputy referred.
What is the position on European Union funding for Gaza?
I have no doubt the EU funding will continue to be available. I also have no doubt that the European Union has the capacity to do the work it wants to do, particularly in terms of infrastructural requirements such as sewage and water treatment plants, electricity supply and hospitals. The French Government made a key proposal on Gaza's hospitals. All the aid is waiting to get into Gaza and we will continue to maintain pressure as best we can to ensure a resolution is found to this unacceptable and unjustifiable situation.
Is the Minister aware of the electricity problems being experienced in Gaza?
Ireland’s Role in Europe.
Lucinda Creighton
Question:73 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will establish an all party task force to implement the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Ireland’s Future in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7582/10]
The Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union analysed the issues arising from the first Lisbon treaty referendum and its report was a major contribution to our understanding of those complex issues. The report unequivocally stated that Ireland's place is at the heart of the European Union and recommended that key concerns be addressed, that public understanding of the EU be improved and that the Oireachtas role in EU affairs should be enhanced.
In regard to the Lisbon treaty, the sub-committee identified a series of issues and options which were very relevant to the discussions leading to the legal guarantees agreed by the European Council in June 2009. The sub-committee also identified measures which could be taken at local, national and European levels to improve public, political and media understanding and engagement on European issues.
The Government is committed to improving communication on Europe and this is reflected in the revised programme for Government which contains a specific commitment to further enhance Ireland's place at the heart of Europe by encouraging the deepening of engagement by civil society at a European level. My Department's own Communicating Europe Initiative provides financial support to non-governmental and educational bodies for events and activities which aim to raise awareness of the EU in their community. A call for such proposals for 2010 was advertised last weekend in the national and regional press and the application form is available on www.eumatters.ie, http://www.eumatters.ie/the website created by my Department to provide easily accessible and reliable information about the European Union.
With regard to the role of the Oireachtas in European Union affairs, this House approved a motion on 10 December last on the implementation of new powers of national parliaments under the Lisbon treaty. This motion took note of the coming into effect of the Lisbon treaty and the European Union Act 2009 and also the Joint Report of the Joint Committees on European Affairs and European Scrutiny on Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty: Interim arrangements on the enhanced role of the Houses of the Oireachtas, of October 2008. The motion provides that detailed work to support the role of the House will continue to be undertaken by the relevant committees. I also understand that it is the intention of the joint committees to consult, over the coming period, with key stakeholders, including the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach, the Government, party Whips, the Leader of the Seanad, party leaders and the Irish MEPs. I shall be happy to appear before the joint committees as part of this process.
In light of the positive developments since the sub-committee's report, and particularly in the context of the forthcoming comprehensive review of the role of the Oireachtas in European Union affairs, I would not see added value in the establishment of an all-party task force on its recommendations.
I take this opportunity to express again my appreciation of the work of the sub-committee which made a substantial contribution to the debate on the Lisbon treaty leading to the referendum last October. In deference to the House, there was a reluctance on my part to prescribe to the House what should happen. It is in the hands of the House to create its response to the Lisbon treaty.
I thank the Minister for his reply. It is important that we send a message to the people of Ireland, the electorate, that Europe is not just about referenda or treaties and that the role of Ireland in Europe is much more than that.
I appreciate the Minister's point on the role of the committees. There is an important role for the committees but there is a possibility that much talking can be done over an extended period. We can have debates in the Dáil, the Seanad, the Joint Committee on European Affairs and the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny. We can continue going around the Houses, so to speak, but there is an opportunity for the Government, and more specifically for the Minister as Minister for Foreign Affairs, to front-load much of that and to show a certain initiative in terms of implementation.
I do not want to go through the recommendations of the committee but, for example, would the Minister consider, and I raised this matter during Question Time some months ago, doing something to celebrate Europe Day such as inviting MEPs to address the Chamber, making it an occasion of national importance, putting these two Houses at the very centre of that and making it the focal point in that regard? That would be a positive move. The Minister might agree with me on that.
The Taoiseach, the Government and myself are keen to be proactive in response to proposals from this House on how we now implement the Lisbon treaty and enhance the role of the Oireachtas in terms of European Union affairs. That means more plenary sessions in this House on European Union matters. We would respond very positively to that. I am impatient. I would like the House to get on with it and come to us with clear proposals. I believe that is possible, particularly given the enhanced role from the legislative perspective in terms of the issue of subsidiarity, for example, and assessing each directive that comes through and the legislation proposed.
There is a need to ensure that we create the mechanisms within the House that enable us to deal efficiently and expeditiously with EU legislation in an informed way and also, in more general debates, to bring European Union issues more into the mainstream of Oireachtas work. It is a major problem here compared to other European Union states, which I believe get a greater hearing in their Parliaments.
I agree with what the Minister said, but this is not just a question of dealing with legislation and legislative proposals coming from the European Union. It is fair to say that both the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny and the Joint Committee on European Affairs have a large workload. We meet with both committees almost every week, which is unusual. Most committees do not meet as frequently as those two committees. It is not just about the legislative aspect, therefore. It is also about the communication aspect. I believe there is a bigger role for the House and for the Government. The Minister might share his thoughts with the House on having a European affairs office here in Leinster House, for example, as is the case in the Parliament in Denmark. School tours to Leinster House, for example, do not make it over to the European Commission office or the European Parliament office. They have no engagement. It would be a very constructive move for the Government to initiate something like that here in the House.
I am on record already as supporting the establishment of a European affairs office in the House. I understand it was recommended by the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny chaired by Deputy Perry, if my recollection is correct. It is a matter, therefore, for the parliamentary commission to prioritise and implement that, but I am supportive of it.
At Government level we are responding to the Lisbon treaty by enhancing the level of engagement with the European Union institutions at all levels, including Cabinet and interdepartmental level, to ensure the structures we have are robust and effective in terms of dealing with increasing volumes of directives and legislation.
I agree there should be more plenary sessions here on European Union issues. I would support that enthusiastically.
Irish Diaspora.
Billy Timmins
Question:74 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated number of Irish diaspora. [7359/10]
The Government takes a broad and inclusive approach when it comes to defining our global community. The Irish diaspora is not limited to Irish-born people living overseas or to those who have activated Irish citizenship. Instead, it encompasses all those who believe they are of Irish descent and feel a sense of affinity with this country. I believe it is essential that we in Ireland value and affirm the validity of this sense of Irishness, felt by so many people abroad.
Although it is not possible to put a precise figure on the numbers, it is widely estimated that up to 70 million people consider themselves to be part of the global Irish community. The most recent US census recorded 42 million US residents who claimed Irish origins; this includes 6 million who claim Scotch-Irish origins. A total of 124,000 Irish-born US residents were counted. The 2001 census in Britain showed that there were 750,000 Irish-born people living in Britain and it is estimated that a further 1.7 million people are born to Irish parents. There are also significant numbers of people with Irish ancestry living in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Canada. In 2009, some 580,000 Irish passports were issued, with 81,000 of these issued through our diplomatic missions abroad.
Supporting Irish communities abroad is a priority for the Government. Since 2004, almost €70 million has been allocated, cumulatively, through the emigrant support programme, mainly to Irish community organisations throughout the world. Despite the difficult economic position, a further €13 million has been allocated to the emigrant support programme for 2010.
The Government has also developed new initiatives aimed at creating a more strategic relationship with the global Irish, particularly in the economic sector. The Global Irish Economic Forum and the subsequent establishment of the Global Irish Network clearly demonstrate our commitment to achieving this objective.
The figure of 72 million people whom the Minister estimates have Irish connections is startling, although the criteria for the categorisation is rather broad in that people who feel they are Irish are also included. Many people who feel they are Irish may have no Irish connections but everyone is welcome. It is a resource that we should tap into and utilise.
The Minister set up the conference in Farmleigh and I understand the Global Irish Network has approximately 280 members. I assume the majority of those come from North America, and the United States in particular. Can the Minister give me any indication of the membership of the Global Irish Network, including its areas of expertise, because in trying to utilise this resource it is important that we look east and west rather than confining ourselves to the United States? Has the network put forward any proposals and strategies for the future? Has the Department brought forward any initiatives following the meeting in Farmleigh?
The Deputy is correct that the Global Irish Network has had close to 300 responses. I will get back to him on the precise figures in terms of the breakdown per destination, but I understand a substantial proportion are from the United States, United Kingdom, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. We launched the network only the week before last, during a one-day trip to London which took place as the marathon talks at Hillsborough were coming to an end.
As is the case with the conference at Farmleigh, our objective is to listen to what members of the network tell us in terms of how they envisage an engagement with Ireland and how that might add value to Irish economic, cultural and social thinking and artistic endeavour. We must not begin by being overly prescriptive. Having said that, our fundamental objective is that the network should have an advisory role in terms of providing solid ideas on how the Government should tackle various issues and identifying trends in technology and the markets that can be of value to us. The people involved are at the cutting edge of various sectors of industry and have a contribution to make in that respect. Following on from that, the other general objective is to develop an effective network that will assist the indigenous sector of the economy by providing advice to people who are endeavouring to penetrate foreign markets.
The Minister indicated in his response that more than 500,000 passports were issued last year, with approximately 81,000 of those issued through the diplomatic service abroad. I understand an extraordinarily high figure of some 35,200 passports were either lost, stolen or misplaced up to 4 December 2009. Has the Minister any indication of how many of these lost passports are part of the 81,000 issued abroad? Has he any proposals to reduce the number of misplaced passports, which equates to almost 7% of the 500,000 issued? It is worrying that more than 35,000 passports have fallen out of their owners' hands at a time when there are such concerns about international terrorism and security. That figure is startling.
The Deputy has been creative in his supplementary question, but I will allow it.
He is in a very creative mood this afternoon.
My question followed on from the Minister's reply.
I expected the Deputy to have more detailed questions on the diaspora, but he has moved quickly to specific questions about passports. I will return to the House with detailed figures regarding the numbers lost and believed stolen. We must be cautious about drawing conclusions, particularly in respect of terrorism and so on. It is important to maintain perspective. I assure the Deputy that significant prioritisation is given to security aspects of passport production and so on. That is why it is retained in-house within the Department.