Wednesday, 6 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 124-129

Crime Investigation

Questions (124)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

124. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to a private, registered members-only Internet chat and information forum (details supplied), the extent to which this forum would be liable under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 if a racist discussion took place against the Roma community, where the web chat site administrator was also involved in the conversation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47333/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the material referred to is being examined by An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will appreciate that the question of any further action or investigation in relation to this issue is a matter for the Garda authorities and it would not be appropriate for me to comment in this regard.

Missing Children

Questions (125)

Ciara Conway

Question:

125. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of minors who have been reported missing and were engaged in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service process nationally in 2011, 2012, and to date in 2013; the number who were found and re-entered the system; the age profile and country of origin of each of these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47227/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy should be aware that the 2004 Immigration Act does not require persons under the age of 16 to register their presence in the State with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Therefore, minors under the age of 16 do not in their own right engage directly with the immigration authorities. Children in care in the State are the responsibility of the HSE who liaise with the Garda authorities in the event that a child goes missing.

The HSE also has primary responsibility under the Child Care Act, 1991 for the care of separated or unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the State. In that regard, any persons deemed to be unaccompanied minors by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) are referred to the HSE under Section 8 of the Refugee Act, 1996.

On referral by the ORAC, the HSE determines whether it is in the child's interest to have an application for asylum made on their behalf. In the event that an application is made, I am advised that the HSE then assists the minor throughout the asylum process, including accompanying the minor during the course of their asylum interview.

I am also advised that the HSE takes all necessary steps to ensure the safety and welfare of these young people. Children who are unaccompanied and are seeking asylum are received into the care of the HSE under the Child Care Act 1991. They are allocated a social worker, their needs are assessed and a Care Plan is developed. These children are generally placed in a foster care family placement, although some older children are placed in regulated residential facilities that cater for small numbers. Younger children are, as a matter of policy, placed with families. The overall numbers of unaccompanied children seeking asylum has decreased significantly in recent years. There were 26 such applications in 2011, 23 in 2012 and 15 in 2013 (to end September).

In relation to unaccompanied asylum seekers who are reported to be missing, I can advise the Deputy that my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs who has overall responsibility in this area. However, for the sake of completeness, figures made available to my Department by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs indicate that in 2011 8 unaccompanied minors were declared missing whereas 5 were declared missing in 2012. The corresponding figures for those found or accounted for over the same period were 2 and 3 respectively. Any further detail or information required should be sought from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

Dual Citizenship Numbers

Questions (126)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

126. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department keeps or intends to keep a record in relation to non-nationals who acquire Irish citizenship but who also have national citizenship of another country and who retain passports in respect of both citizenships. [47314/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will be aware, under Irish law the acquisition of Irish citizenship is not contingent on the renunciation of the citizenship of another jurisdiction. There is, therefore, no requirement to ascertain if a person retains or renounces their original nationality. I have no plans to amend the law in this regard.

Defence Forces Representative Organisations

Questions (127)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he and the military authorities continue to engage with the various representative bodies in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47390/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Since taking up office as Minister for Defence, in March 2011, I have met with the Defence Forces Representative Associations on a number of occasions. On 8 April 2011, 9 November 2012 and 23 May 2013 I met with both the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA). I also attended the PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference last month and am scheduled to attend the RACO Biennial Delegate Conference next month. At these meetings the Associations raised with me the issues of concern to their membership. In that regard, inter alia , we discussed the Public Service Agreements; the major reorganisation of the Defence Forces; the reduction in the numbers serving in the Defence Forces and the importance of on-going targeted recruitment and the filling of vacancies in the command structure so as to maintain essential Defence Forces operations and capabilities; promotions; and, in respect of PDFORRA, their request for affiliation to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

On 6 May 2011, I also met with Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association (RDFRA) who outlined their concerns in relation to recruitment and promotion within the RDF so as to maintain its operational capability. All meetings were conducted in a very positive and constructive manner. I confirmed to the Associations that I was committed to maintaining the essential capabilities of the Defence Forces within the resource envelope available. I also assured them of my commitment to Defence Forces participation in international peace support operations and my understanding of the importance of such operations to maintaining military capability and the professional development of the Defence Forces. I recognised the important contribution which the Associations can continue to make to the ongoing modernisation of the Defence Forces. Despite the difficult circumstances we continue to face, it is important that we continue to engage all stakeholders in the process of reform and transformation and address, as far as we can, the concerns of those affected by the difficult decisions sometimes required. I also advised the Associations that they could seek to meet me at any time on issues of concern to them and assured them that my officials would continue to engage pro-actively with them through the various consultative arrangements already in place. My officials meet with RACO and PDFORRA on a regular basis in relation to work within the framework of the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013 – 2016. They also meet regularly in various Council and Council Sub-committee meetings under the auspices of the Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme.

My officials meet with RDFRA as required to discuss matters of concern to their members. In addition my officials have been having a series of bi-lateral meetings with RDFRA in relation to the re-organisation of the RDF which is currently underway. These meetings, chaired by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), attended by Military personnel and Departmental staff afford RDFRA an opportunity to raise issues they may have in relation to the re-organisation of the Reserve. Similar meetings were held with RACO and PDFORRA at which they were afforded the opportunity to raise issues they had in connection with the PDF Cadre support staff in relation to the re-organisation of the Reserve. In addition to these bi-lateral meetings my officials meet with RDFRA as required.

Military management also meet regularly with the Associations in Military Forum. I am regularly briefed by my officials and by the Military Authorities in relation to the issues and concerns of the Associations.

I remain satisfied that there are sufficient and robust systems in place within the Defence Organisation to ensure that issues of concern to members of the Defence Forces are brought to my attention, as appropriate.

Air Corps Strength

Questions (128)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the strength of the Air Corps has been maintained over the past two and a half years throughout all ranks; the extent if any to which recruitment is contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47391/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The tables contain the strength of the Air Corps for each of the years 2011 and 2012 and to the 30th of September 2013, the latest date for which figures are available. I wish to advise the Deputy that the strength figures for the period 2011-2012 include personnel who were on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. The September 2013 strength figures have been calculated on the basis of actual numbers serving on that date, excluding those members who are on secondment to, and being paid by other organisations, or on career breaks. All future strength figures will be calculated on this basis.

As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed stabilised strength of 9,500, it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. To this end, the Air Corps is currently in the process of interviewing applicants for the purpose of inducting 20 Air Corps Apprentices in December 2013.

STRENGTH OF THE AIR CORPS

31-Dec-11

LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
-	1	1	2	14	25	62	35	140	6	3	35	9	121	174	348	297	6	791

STRENGTH OF THE AIR CORPS

31-Dec-12

LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
-	1	1	1	14	32	56	32	137	8	4	35	13	107	180	347	299	8	791

STRENGTH OF THE AIR CORPS

30-Sept-13

LT	MAJ	BRIG	COL	LT	COMDT	CAPT	LT	TOTAL	SM	BQMS	CS	CQMS	SGTS	CPLS	TOTAL	PTES	CADETS	TOTAL
GEN	GEN	GEN	-	COL	-	-	-	OFFRS	-	-	-	-	-	-	NCOS	-	-	-
-	-	1	2	14	30	60	32	139	8	4	48	14	126	160	360	268	17	784

Overseas Missions

Questions (129)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the strength and location of various Irish overseas troop deployments at present; the extent to which further deployments have been sought or are contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47392/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

As of 1 November 2013, Ireland is contributing approximately 560 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 356 personnel, including the Deputy Force Commander. The joint Irish/Finnish Battalion is tasked primarily with patrolling, reconnaissance and occupying static posts while operating in close coordination and cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces in Sector West of UNIFIL’s area of operations.

Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia with eight (8) personnel, including the Mission Commander; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel who are based at mission headquarters in Sarajevo; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel based in the mission Headquarters; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel who are based in the mission Headquarters in Kabul. Ireland also contributes 24 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and 16 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.

The most recent deployment overseas was in response to a United Nations request and resulted in the deployment of the 43rd Infantry Group to United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria. This deployment was successfully completed on 28 September 2013. The 43rd Infantry Group is tasked primarily to serve as the Force Mobile Reserve within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility. A total of 118 Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with UNDOF, including four (4) personnel who were deployed to UNDOF earlier this year for service at the Mission Headquarters.

Also, at the request of the United Nations and following Government approval, four (4) members of the Permanent Defence Force deployed for service with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan in August 2013. Their role is to provide a specialist training team on Conventional Munitions Disposal (CMD), mine and specialist search awareness to South Sudan Police personnel.

The current contribution of some 560 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.

My Department constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. Apart from the recent requests to deploy personnel to UNDOF and UNMAS, no other requests have been received.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

AS OF 1 NOVEMER 2013

No.	Defence Forces Personnel Overseas	Total
1	UN MISSIONS	-
-	UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ	16
-	UNIFIL 108th Infantry Battalion	332
-	UNIFIL Sector West HQ	8
-	UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation ) Israel & Syria	13
-	MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)	3
-	MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)	3
-	UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast)	2
-	UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) Golan Heights Syria	118
-	UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service ) South Sudan	4
-	TOTAL	499
-	UN MANDATED MISSIONS	-
-	EUFOR (EU led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)	7
-	EUTM Somalia (EU led Training Mission)	8
-	EUTM Mali (EU led Training Mission)	8
-	KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ	12
-	ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan)	7
-	TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS	541
2	ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)	-
-	OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina	2
-	OSCE Mission in Belgrade – Serbia	1
-	Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group Vienna	1
-	TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING OSCE	4
3	EU MILITARY STAFF	-
-	Brussels	5
4	MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF	-
-	Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York	1
-	Military Adviser Irish delegation to OSCE, Vienna	1
-	Military Representative to EU (Brussels)	3
-	Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)	2
-	EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium	1
-	Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium	1
-	European Defence Agency (EDA) Brussels	1
-	TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS	560