Written Answers Nos. 86-101
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the network of Irish embassies abroad has developed its capacity in promoting increased trade between Ireland and the various countries with which we have diplomatic representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1772/14]
View answerThe promotion of Ireland’s economic and trading interests overseas is a strategic priority for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network. Alongside its foreign policy, diplomatic and consular functions, the Embassy network is a key platform for the promotion of Ireland’s trade, investment and tourism objectives.
In June 2011, certain trade promotion functions were transferred to my Department from the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. My Department now has responsibility for the management of the Export Trade Council, which I chair. The Export Trade Council’s role is to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and state agencies involved in the promotion and development of trade, tourism and investment and to oversee the coordination and implementation of the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy ‘Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, 2010 - 2015’.
Following the launch of the Strategy, in September 2010, and based on State agency priorities, a list of 27 priority markets were identified. Local Market Teams were established in each of these, headed by the Ambassador and consisting of representatives of the Embassy and relevant State agencies. These market teams submit annual market plans as well as six-monthly reports of activity, which are reviewed by the Export Trade Council.
This process also facilitates the Department in identifying key challenges and barriers to trade and investment. The Embassy network plays a crucial role in proactively addressing market access issues, supporting Irish businesses seeking to grow overseas; holding promotional events for, and in association, with State agencies and actively contributing to the organisation and conduct of Enterprise Ireland Ministerial-led Trade Missions.
87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to encourage awareness at EU and UN level of the ongoing pressing issues of the requirement of humanitarian aid in its various forms and locations; the extent, if any, to which a more cohesive and rapid response strategy is emerging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1773/14]
View answer94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to offer support to the countries worldwide that have been affected by various natural disasters over the past ten years; the extent to which commitments entered into by the developed countries have materialised in places such as Haiti, the Philippines and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1780/14]
View answer96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the various commitments entered into by the international community in terms of humanitarian aid over the past six years have been honoured by the donors; the efforts ongoing to encourage such delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1782/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 94 and 96 together.
Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve the scale and effectiveness of the response of the international community to major disasters and humanitarian crises, with many lessons having been learned from previous crises such as the 2004 Tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Under the leadership of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), clear systems have been put in place to ensure the most effective, efficient and rapid delivery of aid possible. Ireland has and will continue to play our part in ensuring these reforms are implemented, and that responses are timely and effective, and meet the most critical, immediate needs.
The steps taken to strengthen humanitarian response include the provision by Ireland and other donors of predictable emergency response funding. However, disasters on the scale of the earthquake in Haiti, the famine in the Horn of Africa, the conflict in Syria and, more recently, the Typhoon in the Philippines and conflicts in the Central African Republic and South Sudan continue to challenge the humanitarian system. For such crises, international pledging conferences are often considered necessary in order to generate additional donor funding.
Two months after the January 2010 Haiti earthquake, an international donor conference was held in New York, at which US $4.5 billion worth of assistance over two years was pledged by the international community in response to the crisis. UN figures indicate that, by the end of 2012, just $2.38 billion of this had actually been disbursed. For our part, we worked hard to meet the Government’s commitments to the people of Haiti. By the end of 2012, our pledge of €13 million had been honoured and exceeded, with support totalling almost €14 million.
At a Ministerial mini-summit in New York in September 2011, An Tánaiste pledged that €10 million in humanitarian assistance would be made available to help the poorest and most vulnerable in the Horn of Africa before the end of 2012. I am happy to report that this pledge has also been met, with almost €12 million in funding provided by December 2012. Similarly, at the High-Level International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria in January 2013, I announced a commitment of €4.7 million to support the provision of humanitarian assistance in Syria and its neighbouring countries. By the end of 2013, this pledge had been exceeded by over €6.5 million, with a total of €11.3 million in assistance provided throughout the course of the year. We can be very proud of our record on delivery of our pledges.
Ireland, as one of the founding members of the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) initiative, takes seriously our commitment to act as a responsible and accountable donor. Equally, we are committed to the full implementation of the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, which clearly articulates the EU and its Member States’ commitment to ensuring that humanitarian aid pledges are transformed into commitments and disbursements in a timely way, and are clearly linked to the assessment of needs.
We are responding to large-scale and sudden onset emergencies. Ireland has a long-standing focus and commitment to so-called forgotten crises; ongoing, protracted and under-funded humanitarian crises such as those in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Western Sahara and the countries of the Sahel. These crises very often do not make the evening news, or fall off the political and humanitarian agendas of the international community. Alongside the provision of predictable funding to such crises, we take every opportunity, including throughout the course of our EU Presidency in 2013, to bring the attention of other donors to these situations.
In order to promote the importance of ensuring that donor aid pledges are credible, achievable, and properly monitored, the OECD has published a ‘Recommendation on Good Pledging Practice’. This comprises a set of principles relating to pledging practice for financial undertakings to developing countries and is designed to serve as a benchmark to help OECD Member States frame future aid pledges in terms that are clear, practical, realistic, and capable of being monitored. Ireland strongly supports this OECD initiative and will continue to use all appropriate fora to urge our fellow donors to ensure that they meet their humanitarian commitments in full.
90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he and the international community continue to positively influence the situation in Syria with particular reference to the need to protect the civilian population and address the widespread human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1776/14]
View answerEnding the conflict is Syria is a critical objective for the Government and the wider international community. The cessation of the present violence is essential to addressing the widespread abuses of human rights and the crimes committed by the Assad regime and opposition armed groups against the civilian population of Syria.
Ireland strongly supports the efforts of the UN and the international community to hold the Geneva II conference later this month and urges that all parties within Syria, as well as international stakeholders, should make every effort to reach a negotiated peace.
I have called on a number of occasions for the UN Security Council to refer the crimes committed in Syria to the International Criminal Court. There must be some form of accountability for the all too many serious human rights violations which have been committed in this conflict.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to monitor the situation in Egypt with a view to ensuring the observance of the principles of basic human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1778/14]
View answerThe protection of human rights in Egypt remains a matter of continuing concern to Ireland. I have previously raised these concerns in discussions with my EU colleagues, most notably at the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 August 2013. I have also discussed our concerns directly with the interim Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy.
Ireland has also expressed concerns about the protection of human rights and democracy in Egypt at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2013 and works constructively alongside other members of the Council in addressing this important issue.
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he and his EU colleagues continue to promote and encourage democracy in the western Balkans, with particular reference to the need to observe the acquis communautaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1779/14]
View answerThe EU remains committed to promoting peace, democracy and stability in Europe through its enlargement policy. This commitment was most recently reiterated in the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 17 December.
With regard to the Western Balkans in particular, the EU noted that ten years ago at the Thessaloniki Summit of 2003, the EU reiterated its unequivocal support to the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. In December’s Conclusions, the EU confirmed that these countries will become “an integral part of the EU, once they meet the established criteria.”
The EU is working actively with each country of the Western Balkans on their respective paths towards the EU to promote EU values and the Copenhagen criteria, including the alignment of those countries’ legislation with the acquis communautaire.
The EU is in active accession negotiations with Montenegro aimed at preparing it for EU accession. These negotiations are continuing, with seven chapters now opened for negotiations, of which two chapters have been provisionally closed. Two key chapters relating to the judiciary, fundamental rights and justice, freedom and security were opened last month.
The EU will begin, later this month, accession negotiations with Serbia, following the adoption of the EU’s negotiating framework in December.
Macedonia has yet to start accession negotiations, but the EU remains actively engaged in supporting the implementation of key reforms in that country through the High Level Accession Dialogue. In December, the General Affairs Council agreed that it would come back to the issue of beginning accession negotiations, on the basis of an update by the European Commission on the further implementation of reforms in Macedonia.
The EU is also engaged in a High Level Dialogue with Albania on key priorities for reform, in particular reform of the judiciary, the fight against organised crime and corruption and the protection of human rights and anti-discrimination policies. With regard to granting candidate status to Albania, the General Affairs Council last December agreed that “on the understanding that Albania continues to build on the encouraging progress made so far, the Council looks forward to a decision regarding granting candidate status to Albania in June 2014, subject to endorsement by the European Council.”
Negotiations began in autumn 2013 on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo. The SAA will represent the first comprehensive contractual relationship between Kosovo and the EU and an important milestone in Kosovo's European integration process. Under this Agreement, the EU and Kosovo shall gradually establish a bilateral free trade area and Kosovo will align its legislation with EU rules regarding competition, public procurement, intellectual and industrial property rights, consumer protection and working conditions.
Bosnia Herzegovina has negotiated and initialled an SAA with the EU, though this has yet to come into effect. The General Affairs Council in December noted its serious concern that the EU integration process in Bosnia has stalled due to a lack of political will on the part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina political leadership. The EU continues to facilitate dialogue among the Bosnian leadership aimed at reaching agreement on the way forward, as well as working with Bosnia through the Structured Dialogue on Justice issues.
Overall, enlargement remains a key policy of the European Union. Ireland remains committed to promoting peace and democracy throughout the region through the EU enlargement process and looks forward to further progress in 2014.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the ten most sensitive locations throughout Africa which remain currently the cause of greatest concern in the context of human rights abuse, famine, war, starvation, genocide, the need for humanitarian aid and the efficacy of the local administrative structures; the ongoing efforts being made to ensure that aid intended for particular areas actually goes to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1781/14]
View answerIreland, along with our EU Partners, pursues a strategic and comprehensive approach to countries in Africa suffering the consequences of conflict or natural disaster. This approach encompasses political and diplomatic engagement, development cooperation programming, humanitarian assistance, and support for peacekeeping operations.
The top ten poorest countries in the world are in Africa. The UN Human Development Index classifies Niger as the poorest, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Eritrea, Central African Republic, Guinea and Burundi. In an effort to help the continent to confront these far-reaching challenges, we allocate approximately 80% of Ireland’s development assistance to Africa. Ireland is comitted to supporting the recovery efforts and successful transition of countries emerging from conflict or significant and protracted humanitarian crises. The recent announcement that Sierra Leone will become one of Irish Aid’s nine Key Partner Countries is testament to this commitment. Ireland will further strengthen its support for long-term reconstruction and development in Sierra Leone, working in close collaboration with the authorities there and other partners such as United Nations agencies and NGOs.
The progress in African countries, particularly those emerging from conflict, and the approach the EU takes to promote peace and security and development, is discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. I have participated in some of the discussions on the latest developments in a number of Africa's most troubled regions -the Great Lakes, Somalia and Mali.
The EU is the largest donor to African countries providing approximately €21 billion in assistance annually. Together with other donor countries, Ireland has worked particularly closely with the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to put in place new systems to improve the way in which aid is delivered and to ensure that coordination on the ground is improved through enhanced monitoring systems. The EU, and Ireland as a bilateral donor provide very significant humanitarian support across Africa, in close cooperation with regional bodies, including the African Union.
Significant progress has been made on regional security with the support of EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions. Somalia is a good example of the EU’s Comprehensive Approach in action, with the Horn of Africa Strategy located within the wider framework for EU action in Africa. One element of this approach is Operation Atalanta, the EU’s first CSDP Maritime Mission which aims to protect World Food Program and merchant shipping transiting the Gulf of Aden against piracy. Another element is the EU’s Military Training Mission which has been training Somali defence forces since 2010. Ireland has and will continue to deploy personnel to civilian and military EU and UN missions.
Our aid programme is recognised as one of the best in the world. I am very conscious of the need to have a high level of assurance that our development assistance is fully accountable and that it makes a real difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people, reaches those most in need and without interference.
All proposals for funding are rigorously appraised by our aid programme staff using clear criteria, including quality of intended impact, sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency in the use of resources. All partners in receipt of Irish Aid funds are obliged to report regularly on the results being achieved. The programmes are subject to regular internal and external monitoring and are evaluated and audited by independent experts, as well as by my Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit.
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continue to respond to the development of the democratisation of Iran with particular reference to the need to eliminate human rights abuses and a recognition that the establishment of democratic principles can and will result in a commensurate lifting of economic restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1783/14]
View answerWhile there is more hope now of a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue, the Deputy’s Question is a timely reminder that there remain very considerable human rights concerns in relation to Iran, which have generally speaking worsened over the last ten years.
The new Government in Iran has made some welcome statements on improving the protection of human rights in Iran. Ireland and our EU partners would strongly encourage any such moves in Iran, and indeed I have myself discussed with Foreign Minister Zarif the possibility of resuming the EU-Iran Human Rights Dialogue, which was suspended in 2004. My Department has also provided the Iranian Foreign Ministry with information on human rights protection and mechanisms in this country.
Human rights is very much an area where positive words must be followed up with actions and changes on the ground, and this is an area we will continue to monitor closely, along with our EU partners.
The present economic restrictions on Iran relate to the nuclear issue, and there is a prospect now for removing those restrictions if agreement can be reached in that area.
I would hope that progress in these various areas can support each other, in the sense of increasing confidence, leading to better relations generally between Iran and the international community. If there is real commitment to do so on the part of the Iranian authorities, they will not find a response wanting on our part.
98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and the international community continue to encourage the Colombian peace process with particular reference to ensuring that all sides remain committed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1784/14]
View answerI strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there which has caused much suffering.
During the course of 2013, negotiators reached agreement on the land reform and political participation elements of their discussions and I commend them for the progress that they have secured.
In November 2013, the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon also welcomed progress achieved and wished the delegations further success in reaching agreement on the remaining items on their agenda.
The peace process is also supported by the European Union and the wider international community. The European Union has made clear its readiness to provide support for activities in Colombia that promote peace, truth, justice, reparation and reconciliation. Ireland fully supports this approach.
I wish the parties to the negotiations success in reaching agreement on the other important items remaining on their agenda, so that a final comprehensive peace agreement can be secured as soon as possible. Ireland will continue to follow closely developments on the talks underway, and to support a negotiated solution to the conflict in Colombia.
99. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the provision of an exchange agreement for Irish driving licences with Alberta, Canada, the delays in which are causing difficulties for Irish people who have moved there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1807/14]
View answerMatters relating to the processing of driver’s licences in Ireland and reciprocal exchange agreements are the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority which falls under the aegis of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
I am of course aware of the issues relating to driver’s licences in Alberta, and in other provinces across Canada. This is a matter of concern to me as it impacts on the welfare of Irish people in Canada. As such our Ambassador to Canada and his staff are assisting in advancing discussions and they have been working closely with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and with the Road Safety Authority to this end.
Driver’s licences in Canada are issued on a provincial rather than federal basis and the Ambassador has contacted all the main provincial authorities to establish details of their driving testing schemes and their willingness to enter into a reciprocal driving licence exchange scheme.
The Deputy may be aware that negotiations are well underway with the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland & Labrador. It is hoped that the basis for agreement with them will be agreed in the coming months, allowing for the necessary legislative process to take place soon thereafter.
Negotiations between the Road Safety Authority and the authorities in Alberta are also currently underway, but these are at a less advanced stage. The Embassy will continue to support the process and to work with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Road Safety Authority, and with the authorities in Alberta, to help advance matters as speedily as possible.
100. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the property tax collected in County Kerry in 2013, the amount that was given back to the local authority to use for improving services for the people in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1283/14]
View answerI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that compliance data in relation to the Local Property Tax (LPT) for 2013 are available broken down by city and county councils nationally and the most up to date figures are published on the Commissioners website at: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/lpt/lpt-stats-11-2013.pdf. As of 6 November 2013, a total of €6.6 m in LPT had been paid in County Kerry.
The Commissioners will publish 2013 year-end compliance data shortly.
The Commissioners have confirmed that by the end of December 2013 €318m had been transferred by Revenue to the Exchequer in respect of LPT.
Section 157 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, as amended, provides that, in each financial year commencing with 2014, the Minister shall pay from the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local Property Tax, including any interest paid thereon, paid into the Central Fund during that year.
Accordingly, receipts from the Local Property Tax received in 2013 will remain in the Exchequer and will be used to meet the many expenditure obligations faced by the State. The allocation to the Local Government Fund for 2013 had already been decided before the Local Property Tax commenced.
101. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the requirements imposed on banks seeking proof of identity for customers under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010; if the banks are required or permitted to hold the customer proof of identity on file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1567/14]
View answerThe customer due diligence requirements are set out in the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 (as amended by the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2013). Section 33 of the 2010 Act requires designated persons (such as banks) to apply customer due diligence measures prior to establishing a business relationship with a customer e.g. opening a bank account. The customer due diligence measures require that the designated person must identify and verify the customer’s identity on the basis of documents or information that the designated person has reasonable grounds to believe can be relied upon to confirm the identity of the customer.
Section 55 of the 2010 Act (as amended by the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2013) requires designated persons (banks) to keep a copy the proof of the customer‘s identity obtained during the application of customer due diligence measures. The documents or other records shall be retained for a period of not less than 5 years after the relationship with the customer has ended.
My Department has published Guidelines on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing on the application of the 2010 Act. These guidelines specify a non-exhaustive range of documentation which the bank may choose to accept for the purposes of verifying identity including in paper or electronic format. The Guidelines are available on my Department's website.
