Written Answers Nos 448-471
448. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total humanitarian aid provided to date for the Philippines following typhoon Haiyan in November 2013; if it is proposed to provide further assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48985/14]
View answerTyphoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded made landfall across the central Philippines on 8 November 2013. It is estimated that the Typhoon affected more than 14 million people, with almost 4 million displaced, including some 1.5 million children. Over 6,000 lives are known to have been lost with more than 28,000 injured and 1000 people missing.
Ireland was among the first to respond to this disaster, providing immediate, life-saving assistance. To date we have provided funding of over €7.1 million and, with an additional estimated €4 million in voluntary donations by the Irish public. This makes Ireland one of the most generous contributors to the relief effort on a per capita basis.
Over €4.9 million of Ireland’s funding was provided through key non-governmental partners. Funding was used for the provision of emergency food and non-food items; water, sanitation and hygiene; emergency health care and the protection of vulnerable women and children in the initial emergency response phase and in support of recovery and reconstruction efforts in 2014. In the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, we arranged four airlifts of essential relief items - over 166 tonne valued at €967,000 - from Irish Aid emergency pre-positioned stocks.
My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, approved a contribution of €500,000 to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to support its work to restore the livelihoods of farmers affected by the Typhoon. My predecessor, Minister of State Joe Costello, visited this programme, along with others supported by Irish Aid, in March 2014 and was impressed by the positive impact of the support on the ground and by the remarkable resilience of the communities affected who are rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.
An enormous amount has been achieved over the past twelve months. I am pleased that a delegation from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, led by Chairman Pat Breen, T.D., had the opportunity last month to visit Irish Aid-supported programmes for communities recovering from Typhoon Haiyan in and around Tacloban. The delegation saw at first-hand the positive impact that these shelter reconstruction, education and livelihoods programmes are continuing to have on the local communities and in support of the Philippines government.
We are monitoring the situation closely following Typhoon Hagupit which struck the Philippines recently, also causing extensive damage in areas near to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan. We are currently considering what further assistance Ireland might provide in 2015 to support ongoing recovery in the Philippines.
449. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total humanitarian aid provided to date to assist in dealing with the Ebola outbreak in west Africa; if it is proposed to provide further assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48986/14]
View answerThe spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa continues to present an enormous challenge to the international community. Working together we must continue to strengthen our response so that the necessary skilled personnel and medical facilities are funded, mobilised and deployed to West Africa to deal with the crisis. It is only by tackling this devastating Ebola outbreak at its source that we can eventually overcome it and save lives.
The EU and its Member States have now committed over €1.1 billion to the international Ebola response. Ireland too has been playing its part, financially and through the work on the ground of our Embassy in Sierra Leone. This year, Ireland has provided over €18 million, directly and through NGOs. Some €10 million has been provided through our annual development programmes in our partner countries in West Africa - Sierra Leone and Liberia. This support is focused particularly on strengthening the national health systems. We have also provided over €5.5 million in recent months specifically for Ebola treatment facilities and for work on contact-tracing, community mobilisation and child nutrition programmes, among other activities. We have delivered all of our announced funding.
Ireland will continue to support Sierra Leone and Liberia throughout 2015, and indeed beyond, as they emerge from the Ebola crisis and begin the process of restoring their economic and social structures.
450. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total humanitarian aid provided to date for Syria and that region; if it is proposed to provide further assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48987/14]
View answer451. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the failure of the international community to provide adequate humanitarian aid to Syria and that region was discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; if the failure of the international community to honour the commitments made following the Humanitarian Aid Pledging Conference was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48993/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 450 and 451 together.
The protracted crisis in Syria has resulted in immense humanitarian need. More than 200,000 people have lost their lives, and there are now over 12.2 million people in need of immediate life-saving support within Syria. There are a further 3.3 million Syrian refugees requiring assistance in neighbouring countries. The revised UN response plan for Syria and the refugee populations requested US$6.5 billion dollars in total for operations in 2014, of which approximately 53% has been provided by the international community to date. This represents the largest humanitarian appeal in the history of the UN. In Syria alone the EU has provided €1.5 billion to assist refugees so far. Ireland strongly supports the continuation of the EU’s role as the largest donor to this prolonged crisis and has used every opportunity to encourage donors to honour their pledges towards the humanitarian response.
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 the Syrian people, delivered through UN partners and NGOs.
Ireland has also been consistent in our efforts to ensure that the necessary attention is given by the international community to this crisis, including at the most recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. At this meeting discussions were focussed on efforts to strengthen the security of Syrian refugees and the shortfall in funding to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in their response to the crisis. Fortunately, WFP has been able to resume its provision of food aid in Syria. It was agreed that the suspension of the WFP activities should not be allowed to happen again, and that longer term support to the organisation is needed.
The UN appeal for assistance to the Syrian people for 2015 is due to be launched today, 18 December, in Berlin. Once these detailed plans are available, I will consider how we can best respond to the need for additional assistance in 2015, while remaining mindful of the huge needs of people affected by other humanitarian crises, in Africa and elsewhere.
452. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of personnel that were employed in the trade division of his Department prior to March 2011; the number of personnel that are now employed in that division; his proposals to expand the role and responsibilities of this division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48999/14]
View answerThe staffing information for the Trade and Promotion Division requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables. It should also be noted that bilateral trade promotion is the responsibility of each geographic division and unit in my Department. Staffing resources in the Trade and Promotion Division and elsewhere in the Department have been reduced in order to comply with our Employment Control Framework (ECF) targets.
Promoting Ireland Abroad Division March 2011
|
Assistant Secretary |
Counsellor |
First Secretary |
Third Secretary |
Executive Officer |
Clerical Officer |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
Trade and Promotion Division March 2014
|
Assistant Secretary |
Counsellor |
First Secretary / Assistant Principal |
Third Secretary / Administrative Officer |
Executive Officer |
Clerical Officer |
|
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
Following a Government decision, certain trade promotion functions were transferred from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to the then Department of Foreign Affairs on 1 June 2011. This transfer has given the newly constituted Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade an enhanced role in trade promotion. In particular, I chair the Export Trade Council which brings together relevant Ministers and representatives of Government Departments, as well as the heads of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland, and representatives of the private sector to oversee implementation of the Government Trade Strategy. The Trade and Promotion Division provides the Council’s secretariat and led the recently completed review of the Trade Strategy.
I will shortly bring forward for consideration by Government a comprehensive review of Ireland’s foreign policy, which my Department has been undertaking. The review will set out the important contribution of economic diplomacy and the work of the embassy network and overseas offices of the State agencies to the promotion of the Government’s trade, tourism, education and investment goals, and to its objectives of job creation and economic growth.
453. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49024/14]
View answerThe mission of my Department remains to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and prosperity of Ireland and its people.
The vital work of restoring our international reputation, promoting our economic recovery, and the creation of jobs are at the heart of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with our embassy network playing a particularly crucial role.
The provision of high quality services to Irish citizens travelling abroad through an excellent and efficient passport and consular service remains a central focus in my Department, in particular ongoing work on the reform of the passport service.
The further development of the all-island economy and strong support for political stability in Northern Ireland are high priorities for this Government. I will continue to work closely with the British Government, with the Northern Ireland Executive and with civil society actors, North and South, to advance implementation of the Good Friday and Saint Andrews Agreements and to address those issues which have had a detrimental impact on advancing the reconciliation agenda and economic renewal in Northern Ireland.
Engagement with our EU partners and the broader region will remain a priority for promoting and protecting our interests. Ireland will continue to be a strong supporter of the EU Enlargement policy, which is one of the Union’s most powerful tools in pursuing our strategic objective of promoting peace, stability, democracy and prosperity throughout Europe. The crisis in Ukraine, coupled with the profound implications for the EU’s relations with Russia, will remain an important priority on the international agenda for some time. We will continue to engage closely with our EU partners in supporting international efforts aimed at de-escalating the crisis and finding a peaceful, inclusive and negotiated settlement.
Ireland will also remain actively engaged in promoting a more active EU role in relation to the Middle East Peace Process and in sustaining the viability of a negotiated, two-State solution.
I am deeply conscious of Ireland’s proud tradition in international affairs as a country which seeks to promote and share its values. I am determined to ensure that we seek at every opportunity, to make a direct and significant contribution to the promotion of global peace and stability, most notably through our membership of the United Nations and our support for its peacekeeping operations.
Ireland continues to be a world leader in effectively tackling hunger and poverty and assisting the world’s poorest communities to survive and thrive as was confirmed in the OEDC DAC Peer Review, published earlier this month. A major immediate priority in this area is Ireland role as co-facilitator of the final phase of negotiations on a new global development agenda to success the Millennium Development Goals.
A more comprehensive statement of my Department’s priorities will be contained in our forthcoming Statement of Strategy, which will set out specific goals for the period 2015-2017, informed by the Review of Foreign Policy and External Relations which will I hope to bring Government in the near future.
454. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Irish authorities sought a deletion of any references to Ireland in the CIA torture report in view of the fact that it has been established that Britain's intelligence agencies were deleted at their request from the report. [49034/14]
View answerI wish to confirm that the Government did not seek any redactions to the report referred to by the Deputy.
455. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council regarding Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49068/14]
View answer456. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council regarding the crises in Iraq and Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49069/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.
Minister of State Murphy attended the recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.
The discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council was focussed on the situation in Syria, Iraq and the threat from ISIL. Ministers agreed on Council conclusions on Syria and discussed the preparation of an EU comprehensive regional strategy. Ministers also exchanged views on the crisis in Syria with UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. The EU is fully committed to support his efforts to achieve a strategic de-escalation of violence as a basis for a broader political process. The EU stands ready to concretely support the development of his proposal to build on local freezes of hostility in Aleppo and elsewhere. Ireland reiterated the need to prioritise the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the region and to work for the constructive engagement of regional and international stakeholders in efforts to renew the political process for ending the Syrian conflict.
Ministers also exchanged views on possible EU actions to support the ongoing reform efforts by the Al-Abadi Government in Iraq, in particular its proposals for national decentralisation and inclusivity and a possible EU role in supporting Iraqi police reform measures.
The Council also agreed a declaration on Libya which reaffirmed the EU’s support for the UN-led Ghadames talks process on Libya’s national future. The EU called on all parties in Libya to participate in this process and urged regional partners to support these efforts. The EU condemned terrorism in Libya and violence against civilians, and urged the UN Security Council to take appropriate action against those obstructing national dialogue.
457. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary State for Northern Ireland or with the British Foreign Secretary regarding the motions passed by Dáil Éireann in 2008 and 2011 regarding to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49070/14]
View answerI have raised the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and the question of the British Government providing access to relevant documents on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers. She has assured me that she would reflect afresh on what the British Government could do to respond. She confirmed to me in July that the matter was being given active consideration in London.
The need to establish a fair, balanced and comprehensive framework for dealing with the past is currently under discussion at the political talks in Belfast convened by the British and Irish Governments. The Government continues to believe that a framework for dealing with the past that better meets the needs of victims and survivors, while also contributing to the peace and reconciliation agenda, is an urgent requirement.
458. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has had, at political or official level, discussions with Irish emigrant groups in Britain regarding the proposal by RTE to close the long wave radio service; if the widespread concerns regarding this proposal have been conveyed to RTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49071/14]
View answerSince RTE announced their plan to close their longwave radio service, I have followed the situation closely.
Visiting Britain, I have heard first-hand the concerns raised by members of the Irish community about the proposed closure, in particular the concerns of the older members of our community.
My colleague, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., the Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs, has also met with concerned groups and individuals, and our Embassy in London stays in ongoing contact with them.
While this is an operational matter for RTE, I have written to the Director General of RTE to draw his attention to the depth of concern among the Irish community in Britain about the proposed closure.
I welcome the fact that the closure, initially planned for October, has been deferred until January and I hope that the interim period can be used to find a satisfactory solution for all concerned.
459. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years and more than five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49127/14]
View answerA total of 23 officers are currently availing of the Career break scheme in my Department. Details of these officers are set out in the following table:
|
Number of staff |
Grade |
Duration of career-break |
|
1 |
Counsellor |
0 – 6 months |
|
0 |
- |
6 – 12 months |
|
5 3 1 |
Clerical Officer Third Secretary Development Specialist |
Up to 2 years |
|
1 1 |
Clerical Officer First Secretary |
From 2 years up to 3 years |
|
8 2 1 |
Clerical Officer Staff Officer Executive Officer |
From 4 years up to 5 years |
|
0 |
- |
5 years + |
460. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49142/14]
View answerMy Department only avails of the services of external photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular, for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that the media can easily and freely avail of photography where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated. Events such as the visit of the President of Mozambique, the visit of the Thai Royal Family and the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards resulted in positive coverage of Ireland.
In September 2011, my Department led a collaborative advertised tender process for the procurement of a multi-supplier competitive framework of photographic service providers. This is now available for use by all Government Departments. Details of the framework arrangements and the photographers used are posted on the National Procurement Service website: www.procurement.ie/suppliers/contracts/1298. The purpose of this framework is to ensure Departments’ compliance with EU procurement rules and to ensure value for money by having a competitive process for photographic assignments.
In addition, my Department now makes greater use of in-house resources for photography, including, for example, at the Irish-Africa Economic Forum in October.
The total cost of photography to my Department over the period in question is €17698.14.
The table indicates the cost associated with particular events.
|
Event |
Costs |
|
Visit of President of Mozambique |
3102.5 |
|
Official visit to New York and Washington DC |
2683.78 |
|
Diplomatic Credentials Ceremonies |
2493.9 |
|
Expenditure at Missions* |
2261.27 |
|
Visit of the Thai Royal Family |
1377.6 |
|
Presidential Distinguished Service Awards 2014 |
783.14 |
|
National Ploughing Championship |
687 |
|
Schools Awareness Programmes |
561 |
|
Irish Aid Awards 2014 |
560.88 |
|
Visit of Scottish Minister Hyslop |
551.04 |
|
Reconciliation Forum |
516.6 |
|
Irish Aid Zero Hunger Event |
398.46 |
|
Unveiling of W.B Yeats Statue |
378.84 |
|
Visit by Canadian Foreign Minister |
378.84 |
|
Iveagh House Commemorative Lecture by Congressman John Lewis |
327.18 |
|
Irish Aid Volunteering Fair |
241 |
|
Meeting with Senator Gary Hart |
240.45 |
|
Irish Aid Annual Report Launch |
103 |
|
Images of Seal of Office |
34.44 |
|
Image Xi Jinping Visit |
17.22 |
|
17698.14 |
*It was not possible to provide a full breakdown in the time available.
461. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49157/14]
View answer475. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total external public relations costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49382/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 475 together.
As the questions differ slightly in the time frame specified, my response will cover the full period, 2011 to 2014. Over the years 2011 to 2014, my Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations and communications services. Although it has been our practice not to engage the services of external public relations firms, we have from time to time commissioned consultants or companies with a public relations and communications background to provide other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management.
DHR Communications is the only company which has been contracted since 2010, to manage and administer grants under the Simon Cumbers Media Fund (SCMF) and Africa Day celebrations.
The SCMF involves managing three funding rounds each year and managing the SCMF student competition. This typically involves the following activities:
Convening national and regional information workshops;
Managing and administering the application process;
Organising the judging process
Providing detailed feedback to all applicants;
Processing grant payments and keeping detailed administrative and financial records;
Maintaining and updating the SCMF website.
It should be noted that expenses paid to third parties account for approximately 30% of the total paid to DHR for managing and administering the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. This includes costs associated with maintaining and updating the SCMF website, facilitating the judging process and raising awareness of the Fund among journalists. DHR was awarded a two-year contract to 2012 and was re-engaged in February 2012 for a further two years following a competitive tendering process. The contract was extended in 2014 for a further year.
Following a competitive tendering process, DHR was also engaged to plan, manage and execute a national Africa Day flagship event in Dublin. This includes the administration of a small grants scheme for regional events which DHR managed on behalf of the Department in partnership with a number of local authorities. DHR also worked to raise public awareness of the Africa Day events, including through the use of social media and the Africa Day website. This ‘public relations’ work represented a very minor element of the overall project and was conducted in close cooperation with my Department’s communications office.
Africa Day Family Days, incorporating musical entertainment, cultural activities and an African Bazaar, were hosted by the Department in Iveagh Gardens in 2009 and 2010, in CHQ in Georges Dock in 2012 and at the Farmleigh Estate in 2013 and 2014. In 2011, the Department supported a series of smaller-scale performances, family events, art exhibitions, debates and educational activities instead of hosting a flagship event.
In relation to the expenditure on Africa Day, expenses paid to third parties accounted for between 70% and 80% of the total costs listed. This included expenditure on security, sanitation, venue set-up, health and safety issues and small grants to facilitate the participation of community groups.
DHR also provided short-term management support services for the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid, including the logistical management of the nationwide public consultation activities.
The table sets out the payments to DHR since 2011.
Payments to DHR Communication for Project and Event Management 2011 to 2014
|
Name of Project/Event |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (estimate) |
|
SCMF |
€73,237 |
€47,430 |
€73836 |
€55,227 |
|
White Paper Review |
€25,000 |
€26,026 |
nil |
nil |
|
Africa Day |
€6,806 |
€90,851 |
€118,644 |
€143,829 |
|
TOTAL |
€105,043 |
€164,307 |
€192,480 |
€199,056 |
462. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent on external IT consultants by his Department in 2010 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49172/14]
View answer463. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has renegotiated external IT consultancy contracts and costs since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49187/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together.
While my Department makes use of external IT service providers for various support and maintenance requirements for its data and communications networks, it has not engaged, nor re-negotiated contracts with, any IT consultants since March 2011.
In 2010 and 2011 the Department engaged consultants for the purpose of providing infrastructure and systems-related security advice and the amounts expended were €65,545 and €23,529 respectively.
It is my Department’s policy to seek competitive tenders and to test the market on a regular basis for all IT requirements.
464. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [49202/14]
View answer474. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form all appointments made by him to State boards since taking office; the qualifications held by those persons making them appropriate for that office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49360/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 474 together.
There are no State boards under the aegis of my Department.
465. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the steps being taken to carry out the commitment in the programme for Government regarding use of Irish airspace and the need to ensure Irish airspace and related facilities are not used for any purposes not in line with international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49219/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government states that the Government ‘will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law’.
The Government has repeatedly stated that Ireland does not tolerate and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised detention of any individual. The Government has sought, and received, categorical assurances from the US Government that no prisoner had been, or would be, transferred through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, which it was made clear, would not be forthcoming.
I welcome the publication last week of the United States Senate Intelligence Committee’s summary report on its investigation of the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation programme. The report does not identify specific countries where interrogation or detention took place, nor countries through which prisoners were transferred. I have instructed my officials to approach the US authorities to enquire whether this report found any evidence or drew any conclusions in relation to the use of Irish airspace or Irish airports in connection with the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Programme.
466. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the steps taken regarding a person (details supplied) held by the authorities in Egypt; if reassurances have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49220/14]
View answerSince August 2013, when this individual’s detention began, there has been ongoing and regular contact at official and ministerial level with the individual and with the individual’s family in Ireland. Additionally, we have had high level engagement with the Egyptian authorities on the case.
From the outset, the Embassy of Ireland in Cairo has had ongoing contact with the Egyptian authorities in relation to the case. 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. Embassy officials have also visited the individual in detention on over thirty occasions.
I have met the individual’s family and given them assurances regarding the continued assistance of my Department. Separately, officials in the Consular Division of my Department remain in ongoing, regular contact with them and have discussed the case with representatives of the Egyptian Embassy here in Dublin.
I have raised this case through direct contacts with the Egyptian government and through the European Union, including the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
On my first day in office as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I called my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Shoukry, to raise the Government’s concerns about the continued detention of this individual and the importance of due process in his case. I have since discussed this case with Minister Shoukry on a number of occasions. I have emphasised that this individual was only seventeen when the alleged offences took place, and the necessity for him to return to Ireland as soon as possible to continue his studies for his Leaving Certificate examination. I have asked that the charges against this individual be reviewed, and that he be released and permitted to return home to Ireland.
Ireland is precluded from directly interfering with the judicial process in Egypt. This is a difficult case in a complex and challenging context.
However, our concern at the continued and lengthy period of detention continues to be raised with the Egyptian authorities in a clear and sustained manner, together with the critical importance of due process in this case. 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 trial of this individual and his co-accused which was scheduled to be heard on 1 December was postponed until 6 January 2015. The Ambassador in Cairo attended the court on 1 December, and met with the individual after the hearing.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that my officials continue to work on this case, including investigating the ambit of a recently announced Egyptian Presidential decree, as well as raising the issue with our counterparts in Egypt with a view to securing a review of his case, his release and return to his family.
467. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form per annum from 2009 to date in 2014, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; total granted; total part-granted; total appealed; total successful appeals; total part-successful appeals; total refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49245/14]
View answerDetails requested by the Deputy are provided in tabular format. My Department returns annual figures on FOI requests to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC); however, as the OIC does not request details of decisions at internal review stage, these statistics are not available for all years.
The total number of requests refused includes cases where the information requested did not exist.
Number of FOI requests received by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
|
Year |
Total Requests* |
Requests Granted |
Requests Part-granted |
Requests Refused |
|
2009 |
86 |
37 |
33 |
8 |
|
2010 |
87 |
23 |
27 |
19 |
|
2011 |
68 |
16 |
34 |
8 |
|
2012 |
138 |
39 |
47 |
17 |
|
2013 |
88 |
29 |
23 |
21 |
|
2014 to date |
117 |
26 |
35 |
13 |
*Total Requests includes requests subsequently withdrawn or transferred.
Number of FOI requests appealed and subject to an internal review
|
Internal Reviews |
Original Decision Annulled |
Original Decision Varied |
Original decision affirmed |
|
|
2009 |
4 |
Not available |
Not available |
Not available |
|
2010 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
2011 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
2012 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
2013 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
|
2014 to date |
9 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
468. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form per annum, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [49260/14]
View answerMy Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).
The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and particularly where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagements, these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department. In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed - and continues to inform - my Department’s policies, allowing for more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
The following tables set out the details of external reports commissioned under Vote 28 and Vote 27 since March 2011.
External Reports commissioned under Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade)
|
Date of Commission |
Experts/Consultants |
Report/Subject |
Cost (€) |
Date of publication |
|
06.09.2012 |
Mike Williams |
Evaluation of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation |
12,247 |
July 2013 |
|
16.11.2012 |
PA Consulting Group |
Evaluating the value of the economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland. |
73,083 |
July 2013 |
|
06.05.2013 |
Peter McEvoy |
Evaluation of a number of Organisations funded by the Emigrant Support Programme(ESP) |
13,075 |
July 2013 |
|
11.07.2013 |
Wright Consultancy Ltd |
Gender Equality Audit |
14,000 |
Publication Imminent |
|
13.05.2014 |
Tierney & Associates, Risk & Governance Consultants |
Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme. |
19,934.03 |
Ongoing. |
|
25.07.2014 |
Hogan Lovells, Washington |
Review of tax, social insurance and health obligations and other conditions of service in respect of locally-recruited staff members at our 7 missions in the United States. |
39,923.35 |
* |
*This report commissioned by the Department is an internal management report and not for publication.
External Reports commissioned under Vote 27 (International Cooperation)
|
Date of Commission |
Experts/ Consultants |
Report/Subject |
Cost (€) |
Date of Publication |
|
28.04.2011 |
Kevin Moore |
Support to the Governments of Zambia and South Africa to develop Special Economic Zones for the promotion of inward investment and employment |
17,861 |
Not Applicable – see footnote* |
|
28.04.11 |
Paul Sheane |
Support to the Governments of Zambia and South Africa to develop Special Economic Zones for the promotion of inward investment and employment |
9,965 |
* |
|
05.05.2011 |
Stefanie Meredith |
Review of Irish Aid Support for Product Development Partnerships in developing countries. |
10,100 |
* |
|
05.05.2011 |
Samia Saad |
Review of Irish Aid Support for Product Development Partnerships in developing countries. |
9,198 |
* |
|
05.05.2011 |
Paud Murphy |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work). |
9,064 |
* |
|
05.05.2011 |
80:20 |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work). |
9,870 |
* |
|
05.05.2011 |
Eilis Murray |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work). |
6,068 |
* |
|
05.05.2011 |
ISOS |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work). |
42,247 |
* |
|
01.06.2011 |
Bernard McLoughlin |
Review of the Irish Aid Centre, Dublin |
6,143 |
* |
|
01.06.2011 |
Cathal Higgins |
Preparation of a report on the programme of education sector budget support towards school infrastructural development in Karamoja region and skills development in the oil sector (Uganda) |
5,000 |
* |
|
12.09.2011 |
Humanitarian Policy Ltd |
Review of Security Policy & Practice among Irish Aid Humanitarian Partners |
33,930 |
* |
|
12.08.2011 |
Mike Williams |
Review of Humanitarian Programme Plan for Irish Aid |
18,742 |
* |
|
09.01.2012 |
Cathy Roche |
Review of the Our World Awards 2005-2011 |
6,300 |
* |
|
18.05.2012 |
Everywhere Consulting |
Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Humanitarian Hub at Shannon Airport |
40,584 |
* |
|
01.06.2012 |
Fintan Farrelly |
Review of the Irish Aid Strategic Environmental Partnership Programme |
6,000 |
* |
|
01.11.2012 |
Mike Williams |
Review of Misean Cara |
15,099 |
* |
|
01.02.2013 |
Mary Jennings |
Review of HRD (Human Rights and Democratisation) Scheme Irish Aid Palestine |
15,500 |
* |
|
01.03.2013 |
Bronagh Hinds & Karen McMinn Consultants |
Report on the implementation of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security |
20,811 |
June 2013 |
|
01.04.2013 |
ASTEC Global Consultancy Ltd |
Review of Irish Aid Financial Policies and Procedures |
44,493 |
* |
|
07.07.2013 |
Gareth Williams |
Review of Financial and Programme of the Camara Education Programme |
20,000 |
* |
|
05.07.2013 |
John Geraghty |
Review of University College Cork’s Programme of Technical Support Internships for Food Security |
7,568 |
* |
|
01.07.2013 |
Natural Research Institute |
Review of Irish Aid Support to Fair and Ethical Trade Initiatives |
19,292 |
* |
|
01.03.2014 |
Andy Pollak |
Review of Irish Aid support for Initial Teacher Education |
11,564 |
* |
*Reports commissioned by the Department in relation to Irish Aid matters are generally for internal management usage and not for publication. However, many are published on the Irishaid.ie website or, in appropriate cases, can be made available on request.
469. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49326/14]
View answerMy Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation. The total amount spent per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments is as per table.
|
Year |
Subsistence |
Taxi fares Reimbursed |
Total |
|
2011 |
754,865 |
151,755 |
906,620 |
|
2012 |
793,643 |
166,775 |
960,418 |
|
2013 |
829,662 |
182,027 |
1,011,689 |
|
(To 16 Dec)2014 |
726,494 |
161,189 |
887,683 |
|
TOTAL |
3,104,664 |
661,746 |
3,766,410 |
Given the nature of my Department’s responsibilities, officers are obliged to undertake a significant amount of official travel. Travel and meetings often take place out of hours and away from the officer’s headquarters leading to subsistence and/or taxi requirements. The central aim of the Departmental travel policy is to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties.
The Department complies with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars in relation to subsistence payments, including reimbursement of taxi costs. The Department is subject to audit by both the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Department’s Internal Audit function.
In September 2014 the Revenue Commissioners commenced an audit of my Department. Prior to this audit my Department reviewed findings of similar audits of other Government Departments previously undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners. On that basis my Department undertook a review of certain expenditure for the period to be audited. Based on this review my Department made a voluntary declaration to the Revenue Commissioners in relation to certain taxi costs where it was considered that there was an additional tax liability.
The Revenue audit covered the period 1 January 2012 to 31 July 2014. On the completion of the Revenue audit in November 2014 my Department made a payment of €33,570.12 in respect of taxes, interest and penalties.
This settlement comprises €22,340.97 in respect of under paid PAYE; €5,614.36 under paid Employer PRSI; €2,820.23 interest on late payment and €2,794.56 penalties. Because of the voluntary declaration the Revenue applied a penalty rate of 10%.
The settlement covers the following areas:
1. Taxis €26,660.90 - this relates to taxi journeys between officers’ home and headquarters. In accordance with Departmental policy officers who come in before 07:00 and leave after 21:00 may use a taxi. Under tax legislation travel between home and headquarters gives rise to a Benefit in Kind tax liability.
2. Interview Boards €2,679.65 - while the Department deducted withholding tax from payments to individual board members the Revenue have advised that these payments should be processed through payroll. This would result in the Department paying Employers PRSI.
3. Payments to two retired staff taken back to undertake project work €4,229.57 - while the Department deducted withholding tax from payments to these individuals the Revenue have advised that these payments should be processed through payroll. This would result in the Department paying Employers PRSI.
As a result of the Revenue Commissioners audit, my Department has introduced new procedures for processing payments to external members on interview boards and retired civil servants returning to work on contract; and to applying tax on official taxis costs taken by officers between headquarters and home in accordance with Revenue regulations.
470. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total legal costs incurred by his Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49341/14]
View answerMy Department is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The amount incurred by my Department in legal costs (excluding settlement costs/awards) in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 is set out in the table.
With regard to the estimated costs for 2014, it is not possible to predict legal costs with certainty. The provision in the 2014 estimates for legal costs at HQ and Missions is €303,000.
|
Year |
Total costs |
|
2011 |
100,821 |
|
2012 |
79,854 |
|
2013 |
162,129 |
|
2014 (to 16 December) |
163,654 |
471. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has held discussions with the US authorities following recent reports of torture methods being utilised by the United States; the content of those discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49357/14]
View answerI want to reiterate that Ireland condemns, at the highest level, all forms of torture and ill-treatment. We strongly believe that the absolute prohibition of torture is one of the cornerstones of the international human rights framework and we recall that all countries are obligated to comply with this unconditional prohibition and that no exceptional circumstances may be invoked as a justification for torture or any other form of ill-treatment.
I welcome the publication last week of the United States Senate Intelligence Committee’s summary report on its investigation of the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation programme. Ireland does not tolerate and will not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised detention of any individual.
I have instructed my officials to approach the US authorities to enquire if this report found any evidence or drew any conclusions in relation to the use of Irish airspace or Irish airports in connection with the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Programme.
