Written Answers Nos. 55-62
56. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when an application for a passport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be dealt with pursuant to the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3478/13]
View answerThe Passports Act, 2008 provides, among other things, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Passport Service must, therefore, demonstrate that person’s entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue to him/her. As regards the person in question, I can confirm that an application for a passport was received by the Department last August. The child was born in Mullingar on 1 April 2009. His entitlement to Irish citizenship is subject to the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended (the Act). The Act provides that a person, born in the State on or after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without restriction at the time of that person’s birth, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for an Irish passport) only where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three years of the four years preceding that person’s birth.
Moreover, the Act makes particular provision for nationals of EU Member States, who may make a declaration concerning their residence in the island of Ireland within the four years preceding their children’s birth. In such cases, the EU national is regarded as having resided in the island of Ireland for the declared periods for the purposes of the Act, unless the contrary is proved. These declarations must be supported by documentary evidence (e.g. tax documents, bank statements, social welfare benefit payments, work permits, rent leases etc) to verify actual and continuous residence.
The submitted application did not demonstrate the child’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. The Department wrote to the applicant’s parents on three occasions to inform them of this and to advise them of the requirements, which were needed to finalise the application to passport issue. It should be noted that attempts were also made to contact the applicant’s mother by telephone but these were unsuccessful.
On 3 January, 2013 the applicant’s mother wrote to the Department and to indicate that they did not wish to pursue their child’s passport application any longer. The application was subsequently cancelled.
It remains open to the parents to submit another application for a passport for their child. However, such an application must address the identified failings of the recent application. In this regard the following advice is offered:
(a) the declaration made by either parent in respect of their residence on the island of Ireland must state the date of their arrival into the State. This is important detail as it acts as a mark in terms of the four year review period of their residence prior to their child date of birth (i.e. 1 April, 2005 to 31 March 2009);
(b) sufficient evidence must be submitted to show the parents’ continuous residence during the four year review period. The evidence submitted (i.e. payslips and a single P60) are the type of documents that are acceptable for this purpose.
57. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will give an up to date account of his discussions in Belfast regarding the flag protests and riots in Northern Ireland; and the way in which Northern Ireland might move away from such behaviour. [3525/13]
View answer61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to Belfast; the issues discussed at the various meetings; the proposals, if any, arising from such meetings; if he will deal with the recent outbreak of sectarian violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3584/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 61 together.
On Thursday 17 January, together with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP and her colleague Minister of State Mike Penning MP, I had a positive and productive meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA.
We reviewed the situation following the recent flags controversy across the three dimensions of public order, political leadership and rebuilding Northern Ireland’s reputation. The Secretary of State and I, in accordance with normal practice, briefed the press afterwards. We emphasised the need for protests to stop as well as our support for the PSNI who have been at the frontline in dealing with the violent incidents unfortunately associated with some of the protests. The Secretary of State and I encouraged the First Minister and deputy First Minister to work with other Party Leaders in Northern Ireland to move on from the current controversy towards building a shared, cohesive and integrated society. We also offered to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that the good work done by the Executive and others on attracting inward investment and tourists to Northern Ireland is not put at risk.
While the numbers involved in the street protests are small, the eight week long protest has given rise to significant public disorder, major disruption of public transport services, interference in the daily routines of ordinary people, significant damage to the commercial life of Belfast and to the reputation of Northern Ireland as a safe place to invest and to visit. I have condemned the attacks on the nationalist community in Short Strand and my officials are continuing to monitor the situation there and at other interface areas in Belfast very closely.
The persistence of sectarianism in Northern Ireland, with the absence of political agreement on how to make progress towards a truly reconciled society, contributes to the likelihood of incidents such as those we have witnessed in recent weeks. This crisis will not be resolved other than by a cross-party, cross-community response. I am hopeful that party leaders will shortly agree on a framework for talks to address the issues that have arisen in relation to flags and symbols. These are political issues that require a political solution. The sooner a framework is agreed, the better. Moving forward, the focus of political leadership in Northern Ireland should be on maintaining and creating jobs through economic recovery, in which inward investment and tourism have such a crucial role. The Government are ready to support the Executive and political leadership in Northern Ireland in whatever way we can.
58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to amend the existing network of embassies and consulates in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3553/13]
View answerIreland’s diplomatic network includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis which enhances the cost-effectiveness of our external representation.
The scale and deployment of our diplomatic network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to adjust the State’s external representation by closing, opening or relocating missions will have regard to national priorities and available resources.
59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the most recent discussions he has had with the authorities of the United States in relation to the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3554/13]
View answerThe welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially to the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States remains an important priority for the Government. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish migrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The advice of Ireland’s friends and contacts within the US Administration and Congress has long been that comprehensive reform of the US immigration system and procedures is likely to be the only manner by which such a resolution can be achieved. The prospects for such reform would appear to have advanced in the wake of President Obama’s re-election and his emphasis on immigration reform in his inauguration address sends a positive signal.
Through our Embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, our contacts with the US Administration and Congress continue with a view to ensuring that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are captured in any future legislative deal in this area that emerges. In this regard, I raised the issue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during our bilateral meeting on 6 December last and recalled our strong support for comprehensive immigration legislation and the passage of E3 visas for Irish citizens. The Taoiseach also discussed immigration reform when he spoke with President Obama to congratulate him on his re-election.
Much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what any future legislative deal might comprise. It is therefore not possible at this stage to specify its contents or identify an exact timescale in which these may become clear but the area will continue to receive the Government’s close attention over the period ahead.
60. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the outcome of the special meeting of EU Foreign Ministers last week in relation to Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3583/13]
View answerA meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council was held in Brussels on 17 January to discuss the situation in Mali. Ireland was represented at the meeting by the Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD. The Council was briefed by the Malian Foreign Minister and the Foreign Minister of France. The Council had a detailed discussion on the crisis and made important decisions on the EU’s collective response in the period ahead.
The Council adopted comprehensive conclusions. These include a strong reiteration of the EU’s condemnation of the acts being carried out by terrorist groups in Mali, which are jeopardising the country's territorial integrity and the safety of its population. In line with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, support was expressed for the efforts being made by the region and by the international community in response to the request for assistance by the President of Mali.
Ministers supported the rapid deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2085, and reiterated their commitment to providing swift financial assistance to that Mission. The Council called for the organisation of a donors' conference as soon as possible to provide logistical and financial support for AFISMA's deployment, as required by UNSC Resolution 2085. It has since been confirmed that this will take place on 29 January in Addis Ababa and the question of financial support by Ireland is currently under consideration.
The Council adopted a formal decision to establish the European Union Training Mission (EUTM Mali), which will be responsible for providing the Malian Armed Forces with training and advice within the framework of UNSC Resolutions 2071 and 2085, and in response to the direct request by the Malian authorities to the EU. It also decided to appoint a Mission Commander for EUTM Mali and invited him to speed up the plans and preparations so that the EUTM can be launched by mid-February.
Ministers urged the Malian authorities to adopt and implement a roadmap for the restoration of democracy and constitutional order in Mali as soon as possible and encouraged a national inclusive peace-building dialogue. In that context, the Council reiterated its willingness to gradually resume its development cooperation with Mali as soon as the conditions in the roadmap are met.
The Council also underlined that the EU is prepared to step up its support for the efforts being made by humanitarian organisations to assist people in need in Mali and its neighbouring countries. It underlined the importance of effective coordination between humanitarian organisations under the auspices of the United Nations, and reiterated the EU’s appeal to all the parties concerned to allow unhindered humanitarian access to people in need, to ensure the safety of aid workers, to guarantee the protection of civilian populations and to comply with international humanitarian law and human rights.
62. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials met any representatives of the tobacco industry in the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3621/13]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that neither myself nor any of my officials have had meetings with representatives of the tobacco industry in the last six months.
