Wednesday, 17 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 1155-1183

Health Services

Questions (1156)

Regina Doherty

Question:

1156. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to deaf advocacy groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

This matter has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy in respect of HSE funding provided to deaf advocacy groups.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1157)

Brian Walsh

Question:

1157. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Galway may be considered for insulin pump therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32945/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1158)

Jack Wall

Question:

1158. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a date for surgery at Tallaght General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32948/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1159)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

1159. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who is on the emergency surgery list will be operated on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32951/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy's query relates to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

Question No. 1160 answered with Question No. 1043.

Medicinal Products Licensing

Questions (1161)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

1161. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to allowing L-carntine to be recognised as a medication rather than a food supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32953/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Under EU legislation, L-carnitine is one of the ingredients which can be added to foods for particular nutritional purposes. Foods presented with certain ingredients must comply with EU Regulation (EC) No. 953/2009 on the substances that may be added for specific nutritional purposes in such foods. These substances have first to be evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority before they can be considered for inclusion on the list of approved substances.

This does not mean however, that other products containing L-carnitine could not be recognised as medicines.

Under European and Irish legislation, before a medicine can be placed on the Irish market the manufacturer has to seek an authorisation from the Health Product Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or in the case of certain medicinal products, the European Medicines Agency (EMA). To be classified as a medicine, the product has to make a medicinal claim. Clinical data to support the medicinal claim is required and the product has to meet the requirements of medicines legislation.

HPRA has advised that there is currently no application from a manufacturer seeking an authorisation under the medicines legislation.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1162)

Robert Troy

Question:

1162. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a gall stones procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford [32973/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him on this matter.

Medical Card Appeals

Questions (1163)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

1163. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [32974/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

Military Aircraft Landings

Questions (1164, 1201)

Joe Higgins

Question:

1164. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether a military air display from the United States military is appropriate for any sporting event; the role his Department played in granting permission for this air display over Croke Park, Dublin, on 30 August 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34054/14]

Joe Higgins

Question:

1201. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the decision to permit the entry of the United States military to the State's airspace on 30 August 2014 for the purposes of an air display at a sporting event compromises the Government's position of military non-alignment. [34056/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1164 and 1201 together.

Permission was sought for two US aircraft to fly over Croke Park in the context of the opening ceremonies on 30 August for the 2014 Croke Park Classic. This event gave a significant boost to tourism and provided a unique opportunity to showcase Ireland and encourage trade, investment and closer business collaboration between Ireland and Florida and Pennsylvania and, in turn, support jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. The procedure for dealing with all requests of this nature is that the Embassy of the country in question submits a request for permission to my Department.

As part of the decision-making process the Department circulates these requests to relevant government Departments and agencies; input received is reflected in the responses issued by my Department. In this case, the US Embassy submitted a diplomatic note to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade seeking approval for the two aircraft to enter Irish airspace in the context of the Croke Park Classic opening ceremonies. The request was processed in accordance with these established procedures. In addition, my Department also consulted with the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The request was approved subject to a number of conditions which were outlined in the reply that issued to the Embassy. Clearance was granted on the basis that the aircraft would carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, would not engage in intelligence gathering and would not form part of any military exercise or operation.

Officials separately informed the Embassy of a number of technical and operational matters which had been brought to the Department’s attention by the Irish Aviation Authority and they directed the Embassy to contact the Safety Regulator of the Irish Aviation Authority to follow up on the technical arrangements for the flyover.

The decision to grant permission for this flyover is consistent with past practice. Permission for this category of aircraft to enter Irish airspace has previously been granted with a view to facilitating their participation in public events such as airshows.

I am satisfied that the circumstances and conditions under which permission was granted were appropriate in the context of the Croke Park Classic opening ceremonies and did not in any way compromise Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (1165, 1212)

John Deasy

Question:

1165. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the additional steps he intends taking to regularise the situation of undocumented Irish living in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/14]

Brendan Smith

Question:

1212. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact he has had with members of the US Congress in relation to the immigration reform legislation; the timescale he envisages for the completion of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34667/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1165 and 1212 together.

This has been, and will remain, a key priority for the Government in our bilateral relationship with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the U.S., we are working closely with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond, such as ILIR, the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform and the AOH, towards achieving some relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the United States and improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America.

Following the bipartisan U.S. Senate bill last year, and despite extensive combined efforts at Government, Embassy and Irish-American community levels, the U.S. House of Representatives, has not yet taken action in this regard. As a result, President Obama and his Administration have been looking at the scope for action on immigration via executive authority. While he had set a target of making decisions “by the end of the summer”, President Obama announced on September 6 that he would delay any such action until after the November U.S. elections.

I am conscious that many within the Irish-American community will be disappointed by this latest development. The extent and nature of any action that the U.S. Administration will be ready to take remains to be seen and the legal and political terrain involved is highly complex and there is clearly no guarantee as to the outcome that can be achieved via executive action. However, the Government will continue to work resolutely for some progress possible over the coming months from which currently undocumented Irish migrants in the U.S. and their families can benefit.

I will visit Washington D.C. at the end of September and intend to pursue further discussions on the matter with the U.S. Administration during that visit.

Consular Services Provision

Questions (1166, 1182, 1189, 1193, 1209)

Joe Higgins

Question:

1166. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken by his Department to provide assistance to an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33050/14]

Finian McGrath

Question:

1182. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who is being detained in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33367/14]

Joe Higgins

Question:

1189. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the latest position of a person (details supplied) who is detained in Egypt; and the efforts that his Department has made to seek their release. [33510/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU colleagues continue to assist in the secure release of a person (details supplied) who is an Irish citizen imprisoned in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33592/14]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1209. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken over the summer recess to ensure the human rights of a person (details supplied) have been upheld; when the Irish Consulate in Egypt last visited the person; and the actions that have been taken to ensure the person has access to their legal representatives and medical care. [34417/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1166, 1182, 1189, 1193 and 1209 together.

My Department and the Irish Embassy in Cairo continue to provide consular assistance to this individual and close consular support to his family, both in Ireland and in Egypt.

I have taken a close personal interest in the case. I have met with the family concerned and have had a number of phone calls and contacts with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Minister Shoukry, in this regard. In those contacts, I have asked that the charges against this individual be reviewed, and that he be released and permitted to return home to Ireland. The considered and persistent actions taken to date by the Embassy in Cairo and officials in my Department have also been in pursuit of that objective, and to support this individual’s welfare and well-being while he remains in detention.

I raised this case with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Catherine Ashton at the recent Gymnich meeting of Foreign Ministers on 29 and 30 August 2014.

This is a difficult case in a complex and challenging context. While Ireland cannot interfere with the judicial process in Egypt, our concern at the continued and lengthy period of detention has been raised with the Egyptian authorities in a clear and sustained manner, as has the critical importance of due process in this case. I have also emphasised that this individual was only seventeen when the alleged offences took place. It is the Government’s view that this individual should not be tried as part of a group trial involving a large number of defendants and on the basis of group charges, but solely on the basis of specific evidence.

The Embassy of Ireland in Cairo has been in sustained and direct contact with the Egyptian authorities in relation to the case, and contacts have included numerous meetings at Ambassadorial level with senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Justice, and the office of the Prosecutor General. Consular officials, including the Irish Ambassador to Egypt Isolde Moylan, have visited this person on 24 separate occasions. The Ambassador and Consul from the Embassy also attended what was to have been an initial hearing in the case on 12 August. Diplomats from the Embassy have also met with his lawyer to discuss the case.

On 6 August 2014 this individual was moved from the prison where he had previously been held. During a visit by a representative of the Embassy on 19 August, he raised concerns with the Embassy about his treatment and conditions at the prison. Following representations by the Embassy, on 20 August he was moved to a separate section of the prison which we are satisfied has more favourable conditions and a better environment for the individual. Consular officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin have met with family representatives on nine separate occasions and continue to keep the family updated and provide consular assistance.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis raised this case with the then Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, and the Prosecutor General, Hisham Barakat, during his visit to Cairo in February 2014.

My predecessor the then Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore TD, raised this case with the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 23 June 2014. This followed a letter from the then Tánaiste to Lady Ashton on 9 May 2014. Also, the then Tánaiste raised concerns at this person’s detention with the then Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, on 11 November and 23 December 2013.

The then Minister of State for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, also raised the case in person with High Representative Ashton at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 12 May 2014.

In March 2014, the former Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD wrote to the then Egyptian Minister for Justice Abdel-Moneim Othman, raising the Government’s concerns at the individual’s continued detention.

Together with Ambassador Moylan and consular officials in my Department I will continue to seek a review of his case, his release and return to his family and, in the meantime, to provide all possible consular assistance to this individual and his family.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (1167)

Joe Higgins

Question:

1167. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position regarding prisoners' rights and freedom of expression and protest in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland has made clear on a number of occasions its continued strong concerns over the human rights situation in Egypt under a wide variety of headings. These concerns are widely shared by our European partners and have been repeatedly stressed by the EU and individual Member States, including Ireland, as central concerns in the future development of our relations with Egypt.

Ireland intervened at the UN Human Rights Council to express these concerns yesterday, indicating our continued concerns over arbitrary detention, selective justice and respect for the rule of law, impunity in cases of civilian deaths at the hands of the security forces and sexual abuse and violence against prisoners, as well as proposed new measures to restrict the freedom of civil society. Many of these issues were also raised in the separate EU statement delivered during the same debate.

I have also raised our concerns directly with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry in a phone conversation I had with him on Monday 14 July, stressing the importance we attach to upholding basic rights such as the freedom of expression and the rights of a free press. I also set out our strong concerns in respect of the case of Ibrahim Halawa.

Egypt’s new constitution provides guarantees for the fundamental rights of its people which the Egyptian courts, regrettably, do not appear to have fully recognised in a number of recent verdicts. This is deeply worrying to those of us who wish to support Egypt and the Egyptian people in their ongoing difficult transition to democracy. It is a message which continues to be clearly communicated in our ongoing contacts with the Egyptian authorities, both here and through our Embassy in Cairo.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (1168)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

1168. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that sufficient measures have been taken to comply with the Phase 2 sanctions imposed at EU level on the Russian Federation; and if all State agencies have reviewed and withdrawn from any engagement with the listed persons or companies. [33089/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

At their extraordinary meeting on 6 March, EU Heads of State and Government set out a three-phase road map providing for progressively more punitive EU measures against the Russian Federation in view of its action in destabilising the situation in Ukraine. It was agreed at that meeting to suspend talks with Russia on visa liberalisation and on a new agreement to underpin bilateral relations as part of the first phase of measures. At its meeting on 17 March, the Foreign Affairs Council implemented the second phase of measures envisaged by the EU Heads of State and Government, namely travel restrictions and an asset freeze against named individuals responsible for actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

In the period since then, successive meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council have added new names to the list of those subject to a visa ban and asset freeze. In light of the deteriorating security situation in Eastern Ukraine, the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 May agreed to a broadening of Phase 2 measures to include companies based in Crimea which are deemed to have benefitted from its illegal annexation by the Russian Federation.

To date, 119 individuals and 23 entities have been targeted by Phase 2 measures.

My Department liaises closely with all relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Finance, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Central Bank, who are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of sanctions domestically.

I am satisfied that all necessary measures to comply with our obligations in relation to Phase 2 sanctions are being taken.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (1169)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

1169. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will place on the record the Government's welcome for the Russian Federation's release of political prisoners Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev last year; if he will urge the Russian Federation to also immediately and unconditionally release all remaining political prisoners; and his views on the imprisonment for more than 11 years of Alexey Pichugin as he marks his 52nd birthday on July 25. [33090/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The release from prison of Mikhail Khodorkovsky in December 2013, followed a month later by the release of his business partner Platon Lebedev, was welcomed by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the Union at the time. The Government fully shares this position. I would also recall that over the last 10 years, the EU had continuously expressed its concerns about alleged violations in their trials and had raised their cases with Russian interlocutors on a number of occasions, including at the regular EU-Russia Human Rights Consultations. The EU has consistently called on Russia to pursue its reforms towards establishing a transparent, independent and reliable judicial system and to uphold its commitments to human rights, the rule of law and non-discrimination, ensuring the respect for the freedom of assembly, association and expression. I support fully these calls. Alexey Pichugin is currently serving life imprisonment in the Russian Federation for a number of serious crimes. In 2003, Mr. Pichugin made an application to the European Court of Human Rights disputing the basis for his detention, trial and imprisonment. In its judgment of 18 March 2013, the Court found that Mr. Pichugin's rights under the European Convention on Human Rights to liberty and fair trial had been violated.

I understand that Mr Pichugin’s case is currently before the Committee of Ministers, which is responsible for the execution of the Court's judgments, for supervision. Our Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg will follow developments in this case closely. Ireland plays an active role at Committee of Ministers human rights meetings, and has called on Russia to implement in good time particular judgments of the Courts. Together with other like-minded countries, we are also working to improve supervision of execution of judgments, in the context of ongoing reform of the European Court of Human Rights.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (1170)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

1170. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps his Department is, or has taken, to highlight the situation of the Rohingya people in Burma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Irish Embassy in Vietnam, which is accredited to Myanmar/Burma, closely monitors this issue, and, in September 2013, Ambassador Damien Cole travelled to Rakhine state to assess the situation on the ground. Most recently, the Ambassador visited Naypyidaw on 23 May 2014 and met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. At that meeting he expressed Ireland’s concerns about the situation of the Rohingya people in Rakhine state and humanitarian access to the region.

Ireland is committed to the pursuit of progress on human rights in Myanmar/Burma. Towards this end, Ireland will support, this autumn, at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly Third Committee, a resolution raising concerns about the human rights situation in Myanmar/Burma.

The Government continues to closely follow the situation of the Rohingya people in Myanmar/Burma and has called on the Government of Myanmar/Burma to address the underlying causes of ethnic tensions in Rakhine State - between the ethnically distinct Muslim Rohingya population and the Buddhist Rakhine population - and guarantee respect for human rights and the rule of law for all people in Myanmar/Burma.

Ireland calls for more investment in early recovery and support for livelihood opportunities for both communities. Economic integration and interdependency can be a vehicle for cooperation and peace between the communities. A longer-term Government strategy for rehabilitation and reconciliation is required.

At the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 May 2014, EU Foreign Ministers approved the establishment of a formal EU-Myanmar Human Rights Dialogue. The first such Dialogue took place in Myanmar/Burma on 20 May. Discussions there touched on most topics of concern, in particular discrimination, hate speech and inter-communal violence against the Rohingyas in Rakhine, and in other parts of Myanmar. It also focused on political prisoners, land and labour rights, freedom of expression, and cooperation with international Human Rights mechanisms and in multilateral fora.

At the dialogue, the EU stressed that continued efforts to achieve ethnic peace and to end discrimination and violence in Rakhine State were absolutely key for the success of Myanmar/Burma’s continued transition to democracy. The EU encouraged the Myanmar/Burma government to address the underlying causes of inter-communal violence, including the status and welfare of the Rohingya and expressed regret that Rohingya could not self identify during the recent census. The EU also expressed readiness to cooperate with Myanmar/Burma on initiatives which promote inter-communal understanding.

In March 2014, the UN Human Rights Council, of which Ireland is currently a member, adopted an EU-led resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar/Burma, and urged the Government of Myanmar/Burma to step up its efforts to put an end to such remaining human rights violations and abuses. The resolution reiterated the Council’s serious concern about the situation of the Rohingya and other minorities in Rakhine State.

Previously, at the 23rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in May/June of 2013, Ireland urged the government there to grant full citizenship rights to the Rohingya in Rakhine, and review the 1982 citizenship law.

In relation to the UNHCR’s call for temporary arrangements to be made for the Rohingya until the situation stabilises in Rakhine, in 2009, 82 members of the Rohingya community were settled in Carlow and 5 others were settled in Dublin. The Rohingya has had only limited access to education in refugee and transit camps before arrival in Ireland and are reported to have settled well.

Currently, the EU is providing around 70 million Euro to the people of Rakhine State, most of which is used to meet the humanitarian needs of the people of the region. The EU will provide 688 million Euro in development aid to Myanmar/Burma over the period 2014-2020. The EU will also provide over 46 million Euro in funding to neighbouring states that have received Rohingya people fleeing from Rakhine due to inter-ethnic violence.

Since 2007, over 7 million Euro has been provided by Irish Aid to NGOs and Irish missionaries for both long term development and emergency and recovery responses in Myanmar/Burma. In December 2013, Ireland announced an additional programme of funding worth 500,000 Euro for a bilateral development assistance programme in 2013. The same level of funding has also been agreed for 2014. Trocaire have also received 425,825 Euro in funding in 2014 from Irish Aid under the Humanitarian Programme Plan for Food Security, Livelihood and Protection assistance programme in Laiza, Kachin State in Myanmar/Burma.

Foreign Policy

Questions (1171)

Clare Daly

Question:

1171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 147 to 151, inclusive, of 15 July 2014, the reason there were no overflights listed for Russian military aircraft in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33098/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 147 to 151, inclusive, of 15 July 2014 set out details of the overflights in Irish airspace by foreign military aircraft. My Department did not receive any requests to approve overflights by Russian military aircraft during the period in question.

Foreign Policy

Questions (1172)

Clare Daly

Question:

1172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all aircraft chartered to armies for transporting troops, munitions or military material should be designated as military aircraft and subject to the same restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33099/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft depends on whether such aircraft are designated as civilian or military.

The regulation of civilian aircraft is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention) which came into force on 4 April 1947. Ireland’s rights and obligations under the Convention have been incorporated into Irish law through the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, as amended. The legislation provides that the Minister for Transport has primary responsibility for the regulation of civilian aircraft, including chartered flights.

Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended in 1989, civilian aircraft are prohibited from carrying weapons or munitions over Ireland or into Irish airports unless they receive an exemption from the Minister for Transport. Before issuing such an exemption, the Department of Transport seeks the advice of relevant Government Departments and agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to any foreign policy issues which may arise.

Responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland is accorded to the Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952. This Order defines foreign military aircraft (“aircraft used in military service”) as “including naval, military and air force aircraft, and every aircraft commanded by a person in naval, military or air force service detailed for the purpose shall be deemed to be an aircraft used in military service”. In such cases, the Embassy of the country in question submits a request for permission to my Department. As part of the decision-making process the Department then circulates these requests to relevant government Departments and agencies, including the Department of Transport. Input received is reflected in the responses issued by my Department.

I am satisfied that the current arrangements, which provide for consultation between the Department of Transport and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are operating satisfactorily and I do not see a need to review the distinction between civilian and military aircraft.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (1173)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

1173. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to work with the organisation Church in Chains to help the release of Christian prisoners in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33142/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department works closely with the Church in Chains organisation which is represented on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights.

The situation of some Christian denominations in Iran, as highlighted by the work of organisations such as Church in Chains, is a cause of continuing concern. Some other religious minorities face similar persecution. It should be acknowledged however that a number of minority religious groups, including some Christian denominations, are specifically tolerated and protected under the Iranian Constitution.

The UN Secretary General’s report to the UN Human Rights Council in March of this year on the subject of human rights in Iran noted there had been no improvements in the situation of religious minorities, who continue to face violations of their rights which are entrenched in law and in practice. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran estimates, in his most recent report, that there were, as of January of this year, 307 members of religious minorities in detention in Iran, of whom 50 were Christians. He details a worrying pattern of persecution faced by Christians and other religious minorities and suggests that converts from Muslim backgrounds are most commonly prosecuted.

Ireland has repeatedly addressed the human rights situation in its bilateral contacts with Iran and in the relevant international fora. Just yesterday, at the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland expressed concerns about the persecution of some Christian and other religious minorities and our hope that the stated intention of Iran to improve human rights protection, an intention which we welcomed, will include these minority groups. Our concerns are also relayed directly to the Iranian Ambassador and Embassy on all appropriate occasions, including most recently at senior official level earlier this week.

Similar concerns regarding the plight of religious minorities were also expressed in two separate statements at the March 2014 session of the Human Rights Council. In addition, my Department is preparing to participate in the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of Iran which will take place at the UN Human Rights Council later this year.

More broadly, recent months have seen a serious deterioration in the situation faced by minorities across the wider Middle East region which is cause for great concern. This is most obviously evident in the extreme brutality and lawlessness demonstrated by ISIS in neighbouring Iraq and in Syria which is utterly abhorrent and unacceptable. Threats and violence aimed at minority communities, including Christians and Yazidis, are intolerable, wherever they occur.

On the broader international plane, Ireland has worked at UN and EU level to promote resolutions and actions on the principle of freedom of religious belief, notably during our 2013 EU Presidency, and now as a current member of the Human Rights Council for the 2013-2015 term. Freedom of religion or belief is a major priority for Ireland as a Council member and we have played a central role in the negotiation of resolutions on this issue. Ireland attaches great importance to combatting all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred.

Trade Agreements

Questions (1174)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1174. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will express opposition to the EU Preferential Trade Agreement with Israel until it ends the attacks on the Palestinian people. [33149/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The position in relation to the EU-Israel Association Agreement has been set out in the Oireachtas by successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs. The Association Agreement with Israel, and the trade terms which are a part of that, are similar to agreements between the EU and most of its immediate neighbours in the Mediterranean and with some countries further afield. We have concerns about human rights issues in several of these countries. In other regions, the EU seeks similar arrangements thought Partnership and Cooperation Agreements, or even full Free Trade Agreements. In other words, the ‘preferential’ trade terms referred to by the Deputy are the norm towards which the EU works in its international relations generally, and are not in Israel’s case any special departure from that norm.

Ireland, and the EU as a whole, have made and will continue to make strong criticisms of Israeli policies in relation to the Palestinian people. This has previously included freezing a planned enhancement of political relations, which remains the case.

However, no Irish Government has considered it advisable to advocate the end of the Association Agreement with Israel and there would be no possibility whatever of securing the necessary agreement at EU level for such a step.

Goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory are excluded from the lower tariff rates applying to goods from Israel (and many other countries), and Ireland has been instrumental in a number of recent EU actions in underlining the clear distinction between relations with Israel itself, and the Israeli settlements to which we are strongly opposed.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (1175)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1175. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will urge Israel to stop violence against civilians in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33151/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

During the course of the recent Gaza conflict, I repeatedly called for the end of attacks by both sides, and especially those which were aimed at or led to civilian casualties. I categorically condemned such attacks. In view of the very high level of civilian casualties in Gaza, I made clear in particular that the level of force being used by Israel could not in any way be regarded as proportionate or be justified by self-defence. I also stated that I believed both sides were failing to make every effort to avoid civilian casualties.

These points were made by me repeatedly in public statements, in statements here in the Dáil and in the Seanad, and by Irish representatives abroad. Many of these can be found on my Department’s website. These views were also reflected in Conclusions adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 22 July and 15 August, following discussions in which I took part. Our concerns and views were also conveyed directly to the Israeli Embassy here and by our Embassy in Tel Aviv to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. We do not have any direct contacts with Hamas.

The renewal of the ceasefire in Gaza through the agreement on 26 August was therefore extremely welcome, and unlike earlier attempts, this ceasefire has lasted. In welcoming the ceasefire, however, and subsequently, I have stressed that this opportunity must be taken for a genuine and concerted political effort to resolve the problems of Gaza, resulting in an end to the policy of closures. Otherwise this appalling episode will simply be repeated, and the cycle of violence renewed.

Northern Ireland Issues

Questions (1176)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1176. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government has any proposal to draft a White-Green Paper on national reunification (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33153/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Good Friday Agreement, whose values continue to be central to the Government’s approach to Northern Ireland, enshrines the principle of self-determination for the people of this island and makes provisions for circumstances in which this right can be exercised. To date, these provisions have not been activated. The Government’s priority at this time is ensuring that outstanding elements of the Good Friday Agreement, such as the provision of a Bill of Rights, Civic Forum and Irish Language Act, are fully implemented and that its political institutions not only function, but flourish.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (1177)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

1177. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of organisations have identified 60 countries throughout the world where Christians are persecuted for their religious beliefs; his position on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33177/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department has received a publication listing 60 countries where Christians are persecuted from Church in Chains. Church in Chains is a member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade- NGO standing Committee on Human Rights which meets 5 times a year. Ireland strongly condemns, and attaches great importance to combatting, all forms of persecution or discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred, irrespective of where they occur or who are the victims. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.

The persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East is a cause for particularly serious concern. In recent weeks, we have seen the extreme brutality and lawlessness demonstrated by ISIS in Iraq and in Syria which is utterly abhorrent and unacceptable. Threats and violence aimed at minority communities, including Christians and Yazidis, are intolerable.

I am extremely concerned for the plight of Christians and other minorities and the threat they face from ISIS. Accordingly, Ireland has allocated €1.1 million to the emergency response to the conflict and unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, with a focus which includes Christians and other minority groups.

In addition, Ireland presses for effective action to counter the persecution of minorities in all relevant international fora, including the EU and UN.

Ireland is also working within the EU to address these issues, notably with the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief adopted during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union last year. These Guidelines provide EU officials with an overview of the legal and policy framework within which the right to freedom of religion or belief is protected. They also elaborate an EU strategy on how to engage with third countries on the right to freedom of religion or belief, a strategy which we hope to see bear fruit as we assess the implementation of the Guidelines.

Ireland stands in solidarity with human rights defenders around the world advocating for their right to freedom of religion or belief, and we will continue to work to help to realise a world in which this right is respected and protected.

I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to actively support freedom of religion or belief across our foreign policy.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1178)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1178. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff who retired, left or otherwise departed from their employment from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013, and the expected annual savings arising therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2014, and the annual expected savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2015, and the annual savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2016, and the annual savings therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33205/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Staff who left the Department in the period 1 July 2013 – 31 December 2013

Reason for leaving	Number of staff	Approx. salary savings from date of departure to 31 December 2013 €
Retirement	15.6*	246,190
Ministerial Appointees – following resignation of Minister of State	6	134,117
Career breaks / Special Leave / Other	9	106,560
Total savings		486,867

Staff who left or are expected to leave the Department in 2014

Reason for leaving	Number of staff	Approx. salary savings from date of departure to 31 December 2015 €
Retirement	19.2*	873,678
Total savings		873,678

Staff expected to leave the Department in 2015

Reason for leaving	Number of staff	Approx. salary savings from date of departure to 31 December 2015 €
Retirement	19.2*	873,678
Total savings		873,678

Staff expected to leave the Department in 2016

Reason for leaving	Number of staff	Approx. salary savings from date of departure to 31 December 2016 €
Retirement	13.8*	347,042
Total savings		347,042

*FTE – Full-time equivalent

The table does not include Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) who are engaged annually on fixed-term contracts primarily to assist the Passport Service during the annual peak passport demand period. Nor does it include a number of Interns who are also recruited on fixed-term contracts to assist mainly in the sections dealing with Human Rights, Legal, Middle East, Disarmament and Irish Aid issues.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1179)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1179. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new staff employed since 1 July 2013 up to 31 December 2013 and the expected annual costs arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2014 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2015 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2016 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33222/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

New staff employed in the period 1 July 2013 – 31 December 2013

Number of staff	Grade	Approx. salary costs from date of appointment to 31 December 2013 €
1	Assistant Legal Advisor	27,324
4	Ministerial Appointee	58,589
3	Development Specialist	36,003
2	Assistant Principal	31,852
1	Third Secretary	11,776
1	Higher Executive Officer	18,771
Total costs	-	184,315

New staff employed in 2014

Number of staff	Grade	Approx. salary costs from date of appointment to 31 December 2014 €
21	Ministerial Appointee	483,978
2	Second Secretary General	150,856
1	Chief Finance Officer	105,777
2	Development Specialist	77,151
26	Third Secretary	418,740
1	Administrative Officer	24,901
Total costs	-	1,261,403

The table does not include Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) who are engaged annually on fixed-term contracts primarily to assist the Passport Service during the annual peak passport demand period. Also not included are a number of Interns who are also recruited on fixed-term contracts to assist mainly in the sections dealing with Human Rights, Legal, Middle East, Disarmament and Irish Aid issues. Information in respect of 2015 and 2016 is not available at this point. However, it is expected that a number of new Third Secretaries will be engaged as well as TCOs for the Passport Service during 2015 and 2016.

Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Questions (1180, 1215, 1216)

Arthur Spring

Question:

1180. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action the Irish Government is taking to ensure Irish aid gets delivered cross-border to those in most acute need in opposition controlled areas in Syria. [33247/14]

Brendan Smith

Question:

1215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of humanitarian aid provided to date in 2014 for Syria and that general region; his proposals to provide further humanitarian assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34670/14]

Brendan Smith

Question:

1216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings the need for the international community to honour the commitments made at the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria and that region in relation to humanitarian assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34671/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1180, 1215 and 1216 together.

The protracted crisis in Syria has resulted in immense humanitarian need. More than 190,000 people have lost their lives, and there are now over 10.8 million people within the country who are in need of immediate life-saving support, 4.7 million of them in areas that are very difficult to access. There are a further 3 million Syrian refugees requiring assistance in neighbouring countries.

The operating environment for the provision of humanitarian assistance is volatile and insecure. As the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, questions persist as to how civilians in urgent need can be reached. Despite the immense constraints, Ireland has been working through a variety of channels, including our established UN partners, NGO partners and the Red Cross/Red Crescent in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to ensure that Irish aid is delivered across borders and conflict lines to those in acute need.

The scale and severity of the crisis requires a sustained response from the international community. Ireland welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2165 on 14 July 2014, which authorised the delivery of humanitarian aid by the UN and its partners across the border into Syria without the consent of the Assad regime. On 28 August, the UN reported that for the first time in six months there had been some improvement on humanitarian access to Syria as a result of the adoption of this resolution. Monitoring mechanisms are now operational at three border crossings in Turkey and Jordan.

As of 28 August, the UN had sent nine shipments to Syria from neighbouring countries pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 2165. This included seven shipments from Turkey and two from Jordan. More shipments are planned this month in close coordination with the UN humanitarian team in Damascus. This is in line with the UN’s ‘whole-of-Syria’ approach, to ensure that assistance across conflict lines and national borders reaches those most in need. Nonetheless, 241,000 people still remain under siege in a number of areas, and much more needs to be done by the parties to ensure that humanitarian access is rapid, regular, safe, and unhindered.

Ireland has been playing its part in helping alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, and will continue to advocate internationally for increased support to the humanitarian relief effort, as well as for the full and immediate implementation by all parties to the conflict of UN Security Council Resolution 2139 on humanitarian access and Resolution 2165 on cross-border and cross-line access. The EU is the largest donor in this prolonged crisis, and Ireland has used every opportunity available to encourage donors to honour their pledges towards the humanitarian response. EU Ministers are agreed on the need to provide such support to the people of Syria.

Ireland is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis. At the Second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria and the region held in Kuwait last January, Ireland pledged to provide €12 million in humanitarian assistance over the course of 2014. Given the scale of the crisis, we have already exceeded this pledge by €2 million. Since 2011, Ireland has provided over €28 million in humanitarian support to Syria, delivered through UN partners and NGOs. We are continuing to review developments and the need for additional assistance.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (1181, 1204)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

1181. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions that have been taken by the Irish Government to ensure the release of the Nigerian schoolgirls who were abducted from their school in Chibok, Nigeria in April 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33297/14]

Robert Troy

Question:

1204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria (details supplied) in April 2014, most of whom remain in captivity; and his plans to communicate to the relevant diplomatic authorities of Nigeria. [34135/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1204 together.

I was appalled by the abduction of more than 200 young girls from a school in the Nigerian town of Chibok in April. The Government strongly condemns these and other similar abductions. We have urged the Nigerian authorities to take all appropriate steps to protect their citizens and to accept international assistance to locate the schoolgirls. We fully support the clear demands of the United Nations Secretary General and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy that the abducted girls are freed and those responsible are brought to justice.

I am also deeply concerned about the ongoing security situation in Northern Nigeria. I welcome the continuing efforts of the EU as well as several individual EU Member States, the UN and the USA to assist the Nigerian authorities in strengthening their capacity to provide security and combat terrorism. The EU is currently funding the provision of technical assistance to the Office of the National Security Advisor of Nigeria to implement and coordinate counter-terrorism legislation and crisis management structures, and to develop capacity to address the problem of increasing radicalisation and recruitment.

The UN Security Council has also underlined the continuing international concern. On 22 May its Al Qaida Sanctions Committee added Boko Haram to the list of individuals and entities subjected to targeted financial sanctions and an arms embargo. Boko Haram was also added by the EU to its list of people and groups covered by the freezing of funds and economic resources with effect from 29 May.

Ireland supports the decisions reached at the Summit on Security in Nigeria held in Paris on 17 May, at which Nigeria and its neighbours committed to intensifying regional and international cooperation to combat Boko Haram terrorism. A follow-up conference was held in Abuja on 3 September. This process brought together Nigeria, its neighbours, the EU and other international partners to discuss regional security cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram. The conference also underlined the importance of creating a secure environment in which the human rights of civilians in affected areas would be promoted and protected.

Our Embassy in Abuja, working locally in cooperation with EU and other key partners, remains in close contact with the Nigerian authorities, which have primary responsibility for securing the safe release of the missing schoolgirls and addressing the broader security situation.

Acts of violence of this nature against schoolchildren are completely unacceptable. Ireland is a strong supporter of the rights of women and girls, and in particular the right of girls to education. We will continue to encourage and support the Nigerian Government in their efforts to locate and free the abducted schoolgirls, to counter radicalisation and terrorism within its borders and to promote full respect for human rights.

Question No. 1182 answered with Question No. 1166.

Diaspora Issues

Questions (1183)

Joe Higgins

Question:

1183. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens that are registered in the citizens' registration system; the number in each country; and, if possible, to distinguish between those identified as being resident abroad and those on short-term trips. [33382/14]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Citizen’s Registration service is a voluntary service which encourages Irish citizens travelling or living overseas to register their contact details with the Department of Foreign and Trade. This means that in the event of an unforeseen crisis such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, the Department can proactively contact the citizen, ensure they are safe, keep them informed of any evacuation plans and provide assistance where necessary. Due to Data Protection obligations, registrations received under the Citizens’ Registration facility are only valid for the duration of an individual’s visit to a country and are not kept for longer than is necessary for the purpose for which it has been given. As such, registrations where the citizens’ date of departure from a country has passed are deleted. Furthermore, the Citizens’ registration system was designed primarily for use in a crisis situation in a specific country or region. Accordingly, an overall total figure for all countries is not readily available to extract from the database. As records are not retained for longer than is necessary, it is only possible to give a snapshot of the number of citizens registered on a given day. Also, as citizens can register in advance of their actual travel abroad, the numbers registered for each country may not give an accurate reflection of the number of Irish citizens currently in that country. Furthermore, each citizen can also register up to ten additional adults and ten additional minors who may be travelling with them, the detail of which cannot be readily extracted for these statistical purposes.

As registration is voluntary, the figures provided below relate only to those people who have chosen to register and there may well be people either visiting or resident in any of these countries, who have chosen not to register. On 09 September 2014, the following are the number of individual registrations of Irish citizens who are currently in, or travelling at a specified date in the future, to:

Country	Total Number Of Citizens Registered	Resident	Short Stay (Tourist/Business Traveller)
Afghanistan	3	1	2
Albania
Algeria	1	1
American Samoa	1	1
Andorra, Principality Of
Angola	2	1	1
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina	40	30	10
Armenia	1	1
Aruba
Australia	106	66	40
Austria	2	2
Azerbaijan	2	2
Bahamas	1		1
Bahrain	2	1	1
Bangladesh	4	2	2
Barbados	2		2
Belarus	4	2	2
Belgium	7	7
Belize	2		2
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia	11	1	10
Bosnia-Herzegovina	7	4	3
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil	21	5	16
British Indian Ocean Territory	1	1
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria	1	1
Burkina Faso
Burundi	1	1
Cambodia, Kingdom Of	39	16	23
Cameroon	1	1
Canada	68	60	8
Cape Verde	1	1
Cayman Islands	2	2
Central African Republic	1	1
Chad
Chile	22	9	13
China	216	189	27
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia	18	4	14
Comoros
Congo
Congo, The Democratic Republic Of	4	3	1
Cook Islands
Costa Rica	14	9	5
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)	1		1
Croatia	18	12	6
Cuba	3	1	2
Curacao
Cyprus	8	7	1
Czech Republic	41	38	3
Denmark	6	6
Djibouti	1	1
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador	16	9	7
Egypt	96	85	11
El Salvador	1		1
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia	3	3
Ethiopia	49	43	6
Faroe Islands
Fiji	2		2
Finland	3	3
France	29	22	7
French Guiana
Gabon	2	2
Gambia
Georgia	9	3	6
Germany	67	65	2
Ghana	9	4	5
Greece	24	20	4
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe (French)
Guatemala	5	1	4
Guinea	2	1	1
Guinea Bissau
Guyana
Haiti	1		1
Heard & McDonald Islands
Holy See
Honduras	3	1	2
Hungary	2	1	1
Iceland	8	2	6
India	93	51	42
Indonesia	28	7	21
Iran	8		8
Iraq	15	12	3
Israel & the Occupied Territories	82	38	44
Italy	82	80	2
Jamaica	2	2
Japan	149	142	7
Jordan	33	28	5
Kazakhstan	3	3
Kenya	26	12	14
Kiribati
Kosovo	1		1
Kuwait	5	3	2
Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)
Laos	13	4	9
Latvia
Lebanon	22	16	6
Lesotho	1		1
Liberia	8	7	1
Libya	100	97	3
Liechtenstein
Lithuania	17	15	2
Luxembourg	5	4	1
Macedonia, Republic Of
Madagascar	3	2	1
Malawi	29	26	3
Malaysia	43	39	4
Maldives	2	1	1
Mali	1		1
Malta	6	5	1
Marshall Islands
Martinique (French)	1	1
Mauritania	1	1
Mauritius	2	1	1
Mayotte
Mexico	32	16	16
Micronesia
Moldova, Republic Of
Monaco
Mongolia	3	2	1
Montenegro	1	1
Montserrat
Morocco	7		7
Mozambique	6	4	2
Myanmar/Burma	14	10	4
Namibia	2	1	1
Nauru
Nepal	14	5	9
Netherlands	16	16
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia (French)
New Zealand	20	10	10
Nicaragua	2		2
Niger
Nigeria	42	34	8
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea	1		1
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway	40	38	2
Oman	3	2	1
Pakistan	5	3	2
Palau
Panama	2		2
Papua New Guinea	1	1
Paraguay
Peru	19	2	17
Philippines	13	7	6
Pitcairn Island
Poland	19	16	3
Polynesia (French)
Portugal	4	2	2
Puerto Rico
Qatar	41	36	5
Reunion (French)
Romania	8	7	1
Russian Federation	21	10	11
Rwanda	1		1
S. Georgia & S. Sandwich Islands
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts & Nevis Anguilla
Saint Pierre & Miquelon
Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe
Saint Vincent & Grenadines	1	1
Samoa
San Marino
Saudi Arabia	28	17	11
Senegal	3	1	2
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone	35	29	6
Singapore	39	37	2
Sint Maarten
Slovak Republic	2	2
Slovenia	20	19	1
Solomon Islands	2	2
Somalia	3	2	1
South Africa	32	17	15
South Korea	118	113	5
South Sudan	33	21	12
Spain	71	60	11
Sri Lanka	6	2	4
St. Lucia
Sudan	15	15
Suriname
Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands
Swaziland	1	1
Sweden	8	8
Switzerland	12	11	1
Syria	3	2	1
Taiwan	1	1
Tajikistan	1	1
Tanzania	14	6	8
Thailand	245	133	112
Timor Leste (East Timor)	2	2
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga	1		1
Trinidad & Tobago
Tunisia	18	6	12
Turkey	50	20	30
Turkmenistan
Turks & Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda	11	7	4
Ukraine	23	18	5
United Arab Emirates	98	92	6
United States of America	95	53	42
Uruguay	3	2	1
USA Minor Outlying Islands
Uzbekistan	1	1
Vanuatu
Venezuela	4	4
Vietnam	63	31	32
Virgin Islands (British)	1		1
Virgin Islands (USA)
Wallis & Futuna Islands
Western Sahara	1		1
Yemen	1	1
Zambia	37	36	1
Zimbabwe	2	2
Totals	3,239	2,351	888