Written Answers Nos 178-186
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which ongoing efforts remain to encourage re-engagement in the peace process in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3249/15]
View answerFollowing the end of the recent round of direct negotiations in April 2014, the EU, UN and others, including the US administration, have made clear their continued support for a renewal of dialogue and negotiation, which is the only way to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. However, there is no move under way at the moment to try to achieve such a resumption, nor is such a move expected without a strong indication that the parties, and in particular the Government of Israel, are ready to negotiate seriously. The Deputy will be aware that a General Election has been called in Israel and will take place on 17 March
The basis for talks remains the same: to reach an agreement incorporating a two state solution based on the 1967 borders, with appropriate agreed adjustments if necessary. While some analysts now question if such a solution is still possible, no workable alternative has been put forward which would reasonably satisfy the needs and aspirations of both peoples.
Considerable efforts have been made in recent years, most notably the work of US Secretary of State Kerry, to work towards a lasting solution to the conflict in the Middle East. But these have not so far been successful.
It is only reasonable to acknowledge that a number of serious crises in the wider Middle East and elsewhere have also made great demands on the attention and resources of the international community in recent years.
But it remains our view that the EU and the wider international community need to work and press harder for the achievement of a solution to the long running Israeli-Arab dispute. I welcome High Representative Mogherini’s indications that she intends to enhance EU engagement in the MEPP.
Ireland has worked and will continue to work, at EU and UN level and in our bilateral relations, to encourage that necessary focus. Above all, however, a solution to the conflict needs leadership of vision and courage from the leaders of the parties directly concerned, leadership which has in some quarters been sadly lacking.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress in the follow up to the announcement by President Obama in respect of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3250/15]
View answerLast November President Obama announced new measures which should benefit thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants based in the US. Pending further possible measures being considered by the US Congress, the President’s announcement is a step forward which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on immigrants’ lives. At the core of his proposals is that undocumented immigrants in the US for more than 5 years, who have children who are US citizens or legal residents, who register, go through background checks and pay their taxes, will be protected from deportation and given temporary legal status.
Work continues within the US administration to finalise all the details and bring these measures into force. This will be a major administrative and logistical exercise, with current indications that the application process will be in place sometime later this year.
I am determined that as many Irish citizens as possible will benefit from these changes and, to that end, our missions in the US will continue to work in partnership with the Irish immigration centres there whose work my Department supports.
While these executive measures clearly represent real progress, I’m well aware that some will not benefit from these new arrangements and that our work for further changes in this area must be pushed forward through encouraging legislative action in Congress.
Through our Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. and through direct political contacts with the Administration and all sides in Congress, we will continue to encourage further steps that will reflect the concerns and needs of the undocumented Irish and their families, as well as ensuring improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America.
Our Ambassador and her team in Washington are continuing their ongoing engagement with the US administration on this priority issue for the Government. We also keep in close contact with the US Ambassador to Ireland and his team at the US Embassy.
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which aid continues to be made available to refugees arising from the ongoing situation in Syria and other similar locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3252/15]
View answerThe protracted crisis in Syria and the region 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. Due to the violence and the lack of access to aid, 3.8 million people have left Syria for neighbouring countries.
Ireland is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis. Since 2011, Ireland has provided nearly €29 million in humanitarian support, delivered through UN partners, the Red Cross and Irish NGOs. Ireland’s support has been focused on supporting people displaced within Syria and those across the wider region.
One of the most difficult features of this crisis is that many of those who are most in need are beyond the reach of humanitarian workers. Both the Syrian Government and rebel factions are using siege tactics and heavy weaponry in populated areas. The targeting of humanitarian workers by the group Islamic State (ISIS) means that millions living in the areas which ISIS currently controls do not receive the help they so desperately need. The UN has responded by delivering cross-border aid, even where the Assad regime has withheld permission.
Winter has brought more hardship to Syrians already struggling to find safe shelter and ways to feed, clothe and protect their families from illness and exposure to risk. The United Nations and partners launched a US$206 million winterisation plan in October 2014, targeting 3.3 million people inside Syria. As part of this plan, UN agencies as well as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and NGOs, have in recent months distributed vital assistance to hundreds of thousands of people across Syria. Assistance has also been provided in the fact of difficult winder conditions in Lebanon and, in Jordan, the UN and NGO agencies has begun an emergency cash program to assist 41 000 vulnerable Syrian refugee children in refugee camps.
The humanitarian situation in Iraq remains precarious for the estimated 2 million internally displaced Iraqis and more than 233,625 Syrian refugees. Many areas in Iraq, especially those under the control of ISIS, remain inaccessible for international organisations. This has hampered the monitoring of needs and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable groups. Some five million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland has provided €1,155,000 in humanitarian assistance in response to the recent crisis which escalated in August 2014.
Palestinian refugees continue to suffer profound hardship as a result of the conflict in Syria. Inside Syria, more than 95 per cent of the 480,000 Palestine refugees remaining in the country are in continuous need of humanitarian aid. Additional funds are required for the almost 60,000 Palestine refugees from Syria seeking refuge in Lebanon and Jordan with little access to livelihood opportunities and services
In December, the UN released its 2015 Syria Crisis appeal plans, requesting over $8.4 billion to meet the needs of 18 million people in Syria and across the region. We are now considering how Ireland 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.
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which trade continues to develop with various and new markets established through the efforts of his Department, embassies and consulates worldwide; the most successful locations in this regard in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3253/15]
View answerThe advancement of Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education promotion objectives is a central aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy and of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network.
While the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US and we must continue to cultivate these markets, the Government is strongly focused on the further development of trading partnerships with other important emerging markets.
Following the launch of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, ‘Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, 2010 - 2015’ in September 2010, and based on State agency priorities, a list of 27 priority markets were identified. Local Market Teams were established in each of these, chaired by the local Ambassador and consisting of representatives of the Embassy and the relevant State agencies present on the ground. These market teams submit annual market plans that are reviewed by the Export Trade Council, which I chair, and which encourages cooperation between all Government Departments and State agencies that work on trade, tourism, investment and education promotion.
In the Review of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, published in February last year, seven additional high potential and exploratory markets were identified as part of a ‘new market approach’, aimed at increasing our engagement with high growth markets in Asia, Latin America and Africa. The markets in question are as follows: Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand and Chile.
Ireland now has a presence in all but one of the above markets. Guided by the Review, new Embassies have been opened in Bangkok (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), Nairobi (Kenya) and Zagreb (Croatia), alongside the reopening of Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See. Consulates-General have also been opened in Hong Kong (China), Austin (Texas, USA) and in Sao Paulo (Brazil). These new Embassies and Consulates will strengthen Ireland’s capacity to take advantage of emerging opportunities in these important markets, as well as complementing the existing trade promotion work of our Embassy network.
The Embassy network plays a crucial role in proactively addressing market access issues, supporting Irish businesses seeking to grow overseas, holding promotional events for, and in association with, State agencies and actively contributing to the organisation and conduct of Enterprise Ireland Ministerial-led trade missions and events overseas.
An Annex follows which details Ireland’s trade in goods and services by destination in 2013 and 2012 respectively.
Annex: Ireland’s Trade in Goods by Destination
|
- |
Trade partner |
Value of Trade 2013 (€ billion) |
|
1 |
United States |
23.6 |
|
2 |
Great Britain |
14 |
|
3 |
Belgium |
12.2 |
|
4 |
Germany |
10.6 |
|
5 |
Netherlands |
6.3 |
|
6 |
France |
6.1 |
|
7 |
Switzerland |
5.9 |
|
8 |
China |
5.02 |
|
9 |
Spain |
3.4 |
|
10 |
Italy |
3.2 |
|
11 |
Japan |
2.7 |
|
12 |
Northern Ireland |
2.4 |
|
13 |
Norway |
1.4 |
|
14 |
Denmark |
1.2 |
|
15 |
Sweden |
1.2 |
|
16 |
Poland |
1.2 |
|
17 |
Canada |
1.1 |
|
18 |
Mexico |
1 |
|
19 |
Singapore |
0.9 |
|
20 |
Australia |
0.8 |
Ireland’s Trade in Services by Destination
|
- |
Trade partners |
Value of Trade 2012 (€ billion) |
|
1 |
United States |
30.6 |
|
2 |
United Kingdom |
27.5 |
|
3 |
Netherlands |
18.6 |
|
4 |
Germany |
10.9 |
|
5 |
Gibraltar |
10.9 |
|
6 |
France |
8.8 |
|
7 |
Italy |
7.9 |
|
8 |
Bermuda |
4.4 |
|
9 |
Spain |
4.3 |
|
10 |
Switzerland |
4.2 |
|
11 |
Japan |
3.6 |
|
12 |
Belgium |
3.5 |
|
13 |
China |
2.6 |
|
14 |
Sweden |
2.1 |
|
15 |
Australia |
2.0 |
|
16 |
India |
1.7 |
|
17 |
Denmark |
1.5 |
|
18 |
Norway |
1.1 |
|
19 |
Singapore |
1.0 |
|
20 |
Finland |
0.9 |
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his Department continue to support a person (details supplied), currently detained pending trial in Egypt, who is an Irish citizen; if he is satisfied that due process is being followed in their case; if it is expected that a breakthrough will be achieved resulting in their release or return to this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3254/15]
View answerI remain deeply concerned at this individual’s continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial.
Previous PQs, including my response to question 19 today (2657/15), have set out my approach to this case, and the steps taken, in some detail. Most recently I discussed the case with EU High Representative Mogherini in Dublin on 12 January. She confirmed that the EU and its institutions would continue to assist in this case.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that my officials will continue to provide consular assistance to this individual and his family, and will continue to work on this difficult case with a view to securing a review of the individual’s case, his release and return to his family.
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which progress continues in regard to the application for EU membership of countries in the western Balkans; the extent to which the acquis communautaire continues to be met in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3255/15]
View answerThe countries of the Western Balkans are making steady progress in their preparations to join the European Union. Within the region of the Western Balkans, there are four candidate countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania. In addition, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.
The enlargement process is founded on the Copenhagen criteria, which reflect the EU’s founding values: peace, democracy, the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, and a functioning market economy. Countries wishing to join the Union are assessed according to these criteria and their ability to take on the obligations of membership by successfully adopting, implementing and enforcing the cumulative body of EU laws, otherwise known as the acquis communautaire.
The European Commission published its annual Progress Reports on 8 October 2014. These Progress Reports outline in detail the extent to which the candidate and potential candidate countries have advanced to fulfil the necessary conditions for membership and highlight areas where further reforms are necessary. In common with the other EU Member States, Ireland participated in the examination of these reports at official level before they were discussed by Ministers at the General Affairs Council in December 2014.
The European Union began accession negotiations with Montenegro in June 2012 and sixteen negotiating Chapters are now open, of which two have been provisionally closed.
Serbia began accession negotiations on 21 January 2014. Since then, the screening process has been on-going to determine the extent of Serbian alignment with the acquis communautaire. The first Chapters are expected to open for negotiation during 2015. A major focus during the process will be on the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, with the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue expected to resume in February.
Macedonia was granted Candidate Status in 2005 but it has yet to open accession negotiations, pending a resolution of the name dispute with Greece.
Albania was granted Candidate Status in June 2014. Ireland supported this step as a signal of positive encouragement to the Albanian Government, and the region as a whole, to maintain reform momentum.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has not yet formally applied for EU membership and thus remains a potential candidate country. At the Foreign Affairs Council in December, EU Ministers agreed on a renewed approach that will seek to further advance the country on its EU path. By focussing on clear reform objectives by the political leaders of BiH, the renewed approach aims to facilitate the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between BiH and the European Union.
Kosovo has continued negotiations with the European Commission on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), the first step on the EU accession path. The SAA was initialled in July 2014 and the next steps will be discussed later this year.
Ireland remains very supportive of EU enlargement, one of the EU’s most successful policies, promoting peace, prosperity and stability in candidate and potential candidate countries. Together with our EU counterparts, we will continue to support the countries of the Western Balkans, as they undertake the reforms necessary for eventual EU membership.
184. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 857 of 14 January 2015, the number of staff in her Department who were responsible for the further education, FE, budget prior to 1 January 2014; the number currently employed in her Department involved in the FE function; the actual value of the FE budget these staff were responsible for prior to January 2014; the value of the budget they are currently responsible for; the value of the budgets managed by FÁS prior to 2014 that specifically related to the training function and the actual value of the budget currently managed by SOLAS exclusive of the FE funding previously allocated by the Department directly to the vocational education committees-education and training boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3099/15]
View answerPrior to January 2014 there were 9 staff involved in managing the budget for the Further Education sector. They were also involved in a range of other matters remaining with the Department, relating to policy development, staffing issues, governance and servicing EU and other international bodies. There was also 3 staff involved in managing the FÁS training budget. Currently there are 6 staff, part of whose role includes the management the combined Further Education and Training Budget. The reduction in staff numbers in this area is due to the transfer of operational matters relating to Further Education programmes from the Department to SOLAS in 2014. It should be noted that my Department remains responsible for managing the estimates cycle in respect of the FET budget and retains responsibility for managing the National Training Fund.
The actual amount of the Further Education Budget prior to January 2014 was €238.6 million. The budget for FE in 2015 is €231.2 million. The value of the budget managed by FÁS prior to 2014 that specifically related to the training function was €381.3 million. The actual value of the budgets managed by SOLAS exclusive of the FE funding previously allocated by the Department directly to the vocational education committees/education and training boards in 2015 is €374.2 million.
185. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 858 of 14 January 2015, the budget currently administered by education and training boards other than those in category three; her plans to ensure category three ETBs will have full responsibility for these actual allocations that relate to their functional areas; the provision she or SOLAS will make to ensure the training function will be delivered within the functional areas of these category three ETBs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3100/15]
View answerThe 2015 further education and training service planning process is currently underway in all Education and Training Boards (ETBs), supported by SOLAS. Until this process is complete it is not possible to be definitive about training allocations in Category 3 ETBs. Assuming a similar level of provision for training as in 2014, the expected training allocations for the 5 ETBs without a Centre in 2015 is estimated as follows: Cavan Monaghan, €6.8 million; Kildare Wicklow, €9.4 million; Kilkenny Carlow, €9 million; Laois Offaly, €6 million; Tipperary, €8 million.
A National Education and Training Boards Steering Committee, consisting of the 5 ETBs which do not have training centres and the 5 ETBs which provide training services on their behalf, has been established by the sector to facilitate the transfer of staffing and budgets to the category 3 ETBs to enable them to undertake responsibility for delivery of training in their functional areas by the target date of 1 July 2015. The steering Committee last met on 16th January and a further meeting has been arranged for 9th February next. As part of this process, engagement is being facilitated between the ETBs concerned with a view to determining the resources which will transfer from the ETBs with training centres to the ETBs currently without training centres to enable the target date to be met.
186. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the decision regarding the Student Universal Support Ireland student grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3112/15]
View answerWhen considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, grant awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant.
In exceptional circumstances, where it is not possible to produce such proofs of residence for demonstrable reasons, the awarding body may, at its discretion, agree to accept other documentary evidence that provides an acceptable degree of proof of independent living. For example, while an affidavit, if accompanied by other supporting documentation, may be considered as evidence of independent living, an affidavit in isolation is not considered acceptable as sole proof of residency. Individual circumstances should be discussed by an applicant with the grant awarding authority.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to their awarding body.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by their awarding body, and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grant Appeals Board.
