Written Answers Nos. 357-374
357. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) who is being detained in York County Prison, Pennsylvania, USA, will be deported; and if his Department is providing them with consular assistance. [36875/16]
View answerMy Department is aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. However, the Deputy will appreciate that, where we do not have the consent of the individual concerned, it is not the Department’s practice to share information about a consular case with a third party or to place it on the public record.
358. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to other Departments or agencies in the Civil Service per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36966/16]
View answerThere are currently 12 staff on secondment from my Department to other Departments or agencies, within the timeframe requested. The details are outlined in the table. In addition my Department also has a number of officers who are serving as Seconded National Experts with the European Institutions.
|
Number |
Grade |
Body |
Year of start of secondment |
|
1 |
Counsellor |
D/Taoiseach |
2013 |
|
1 1 |
Counsellor Third Secretary |
D/Taoiseach D/Finance |
2014 |
|
1 2 1 |
Counsellor First Secretary Clerical Officer |
D/Finance D/Taoiseach President’s Office |
2015 |
|
1 1 1 1 1 |
Counsellor Assistant Principal Third Secretary HEO Clerical Officer |
D/PER D/PER IDA Ireland Government Press Office President’s Office |
2016 |
359. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff from his Department who have appealed against secondment per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; the appeals mechanism involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36982/16]
View answerThere were no such cases in my Department.
360. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; the details of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36998/16]
View answer361. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff from his Department currently seconded from a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; the details of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37014/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 360 and 361 together.
My Department actively facilities staff who wish to undertake secondments in other relevant organisations, including in other Government Departments and the Oireachtas, as well as the UN and EU institutions. In recent years, we have also operated an exchange scheme with the IDA. In keeping with this policy, and in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Staff Exchange Scheme between the Civil Service and the private sector, my Department last year agreed to a temporary exchange of personnel with a private sector organisation, Avolon Holdings, a leading global aviation firm. An experienced officer from my Department and an official from Avolon Holdings were selected to participate in this staff exchange scheme for a six-month period in 2015.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU and UN colleagues continue to focus on the Arab-Israeli situation with a view to reducing the extent to which the ongoing contentious issues remain; if any efforts continue to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37051/16]
View answerIreland remains active and engaged on the objective of trying to achieve a two state solution in the Middle East; few European countries are as consistently engaged on this issue as we are. There is an urgent need to find ways to end the occupation, and to achieve lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
I have worked continuously to try and maintain the Middle East Peace Process on the international agenda, in particularly at EU level, despite a wave of concurrent crises in the immediate neighbourhood, and have urged for stronger international actions. For example, the week before last I was in the Gulf, and I took that opportunity to discuss the MEPP with Foreign Ministers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In Council Conclusions, EU Foreign Ministers have continued to call for the resumption of a political dialogue, which is the only solution to the current situation, and to offer both parties political, economic and security support in the event of a final peace agreement.
Ireland strongly supports the French efforts to rebuild momentum in the Middle East Peace Process, which has been in effective suspension since 2014. I attended the Paris Conference in June to this end, and my Department has engaged in official-level work on the foot of the French initiative. I hope that another conference can take place before the end of the year.
The Middle East Peace Process is a priority foreign policy for the Government, and I will continue to encourage the parties to this conflict to engage with it, and the international community to support it, as it remains the best way to end the occupation and create peace.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the international community has investigated the destruction of property owned by Palestinians on the West Bank or elsewhere in the region; if the replacement with Israeli settlements is in any way monitored and discouraged by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37052/16]
View answer364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community might negotiate compensation for Palestinian settlements destroyed by the Israelis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37053/16]
View answer365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the EU representative in Jerusalem has carried out an audit of the damage done by the Israelis to Palestinian property; when the result of such an audit might be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37054/16]
View answer366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Palestinian schools, hospitals or other such structures funded by international aid, including EU aid, have been damaged by the Israeli authorities in the past five years; if restoration or restitution is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37055/16]
View answer389. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will, along with his EU Council of Minister colleagues, press the Israeli authorities for an immediate moratorium on demolitions and confiscations and request compensation for confiscated or demolished EU assets in area C of the West Bank; if he will raise the concern regarding the urgent spike in demolitions and confiscation of EU-funded structures in area C of the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37659/16]
View answer390. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will, along with his Council of Minister colleagues, mandate the European External Action Service, EEAS, to publish and proactively disseminate the biannual EU Representative in Jerusalem's, EUREP, report on demolitions and confiscations of EU-member state funded structures and put pressure on the EEAS to mandate the EU delegation in Jerusalem to step up its role in co-ordinating demarches with heads of missions after demolitions and urge continuing support for aid operations in area C financially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37660/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 366, inclusive, and 389 and 390 together.
I would also refer the Deputy to my answers to Priority Question 25 (36375/16) and Question 55 (36124/16) on 23 November, which addressed this topic.
The issue of demolition by Israeli authorities of property of Palestinian residents and communities, including homes, schools, water and power infrastructure, and animal shelters, is a serious and growing concern in the West Bank, in particular. This practice is unjust and illegal, and in most cases is intended to push the inhabitants from their homes and land in order to give it to Israeli settlers. This is wholly contrary to the protection that should be afforded a people under military occupation. Ireland and the EU have consistently opposed and condemned this practice for many years, but regrettably the tempo of evictions and demolitions has continued to increase markedly.
A growing aspect of this issue is the question of the demolition by Israel of humanitarian relief structures, including tents and water and power structures, funded by the EU or its member States. The issue of asking for compensation for confiscated or demolished EU assets in Area C of the West Bank is a matter that is currently under discussion at EU level. Ireland has argued for a stronger response to demolitions and confiscations and, in my view, the EU should request compensation in such instances. However, not all EU partners are of the same mind. Agreement on this point has not been reached, but I will continue to advocate for compensation.
Regarding the publication of the report by the EU Delegation to the West Bank and Gaza on demolitions and confiscations of EU-funded structures in Area C, the standard assumption is that such reports are not published, and they are prepared on this basis. I have no objection to this specific report being published, if agreed with EU partners. However, there is extensive information on demolitions and confiscations available through other sources.
367. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to Article 155 of the Egyptian constitution which allows President Sisi, with his cabinet's approval, to issue pardons to prisoners; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that President Sisi has used Article 155 four times in 2016, resulting in 859 prisoners being released, with the most recent pardon focusing on 82 young prisoners; and if he will explore the viability of this option for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37183/16]
View answer377. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has made contact with the Egyptian authorities with a view to seeking a presidential pardon for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37476/16]
View answer380. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will increase pressure on Egyptian authorities to consider a person (details supplied) for the presidential pardon for young prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37517/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 377 and 380 together.
At the outset, I would like to assure the Deputy that securing this citizen’s return home to Ireland continues to be a top priority for the Government. The approach to this case is under continuous review and is informed and shaped by, inter alia, constant coordination and dialogue with Ibrahim’s family and his legal representatives, by the experience and expertise of officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, by our consultations with other States who have had citizens in similar situations, and by advice from legal and human rights experts with knowledge of Egypt.
I can confirm that the Taoiseach wrote to the President of Egypt on 17 November to convey again the Irish Government’s strong concerns about this case, and to reiterate our call for his return to Ireland without delay. In his letter, the Taoiseach specifically requested that Ibrahim be considered for release under the ‘Youth Amnesty’ Scheme. On the same day, I contacted the Egyptian Ambassadors in Ireland and also discussed this issue and request with her.
Details of this amnesty scheme are opaque. The official Egyptian Government statement on the 17 November indicates that the 82 beneficiaries of the amnesty had received ‘final judicial verdicts’ and were being pardoned under Article 155 of the Egyptian Constitution.
Article 155 relates to the Presidential Pardon mechanism whereby the President has the power, having consulted with the cabinet, to set aside or mitigate sentences. Article 155 does not give the President the power to intervene in the judicial process or release prisoners who have not been convicted.
It is not clear if or how the current youth amnesty scheme may apply to detainees, such as our young Irish citizen, who have not been convicted of any offence.
Our Embassy in Cairo is seeking further information and clarification about the operation of this scheme.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to engage with this citizen’s family and Irish-based lawyers, and has strongly advised them to liaise closely with his Egyptian legal team on this matter and to seek their advice and guidance on how the issue can best be pursued.
368. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on that fact that the mailing preference database operates on a radically different legal basis than the telephone preference service, particularly in view of the potentially significant penalties which might be levied on businesses for failing to respect marketing opt outs under the EU General Data Protection Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37198/16]
View answer375. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to address a legal lacuna in the treatment of a valuable regulatory data asset; if it will be addressed in the forthcoming data protection Bill as with the telephone preference service; if ultimate responsibility and authority for the mailing preference service database will be vested in an appropriate independent entity such as the communications regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37362/16]
View answer376. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to address a legal lacuna in the treatment of a valuable regulatory data asset; if it will be addressed in the forthcoming data protection Bill as with the telephone preference service; if ultimate responsibility and authority for the mailing preference service database will be vested in an appropriate independent entity such as the communications regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37365/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 375 and 376 together.
Responsibility for revising the legal basis of the telephone preference service and the mailing preference service to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
369. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding that has been provided to County Louth over the previous three years, 2014 to 2016, by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37223/16]
View answer370. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the applications submitted for funding projects from Louth County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; and if the applications were successful. [37239/16]
View answer371. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding for projects in 2017 in County Louth to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37255/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 369 to 371, inclusive, together.
My Department administers a number of funding programmes, including Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid. As part of Irish Aid, funding is provided through the annual Development Education Grants Scheme for projects aimed at promoting awareness of and engagement with global development and justice issues. Information on Development Education grants is available on the Irish Aid website www.irishaid.ie.
Smaller funding programmes include the Reconciliation Fund. Through the Fund, my Department awards funding to organisations and projects aimed at advancing peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, on a cross-border basis and between Ireland and Britain. Information on Reconciliation Fund grants awarded is available at www.dfa.ie/reconciliation.
The table below lists funding provided to projects in County Louth through the Development Education Grants Scheme and the Reconciliation Fund in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Information on projects to be funded in 2017 is not yet available.
|
Applicant |
Project name |
Year submitted |
Location |
Funding approved 2014 |
Funding approved 2015 |
Funding approved 2016 |
|
Louth County Council |
Youth Councils for Peace [2015] |
2015 |
Dundalk, Co. Louth |
- |
- |
- |
|
Louth County Council |
Youth Councils for Peace [2016] |
2016 |
Dundalk, Co. Louth |
- |
- |
€18,000 |
|
Development Perspectives |
Insight (education project promoting awareness of global justice issues and engaging citizens in tackling these issues) |
Drogheda, Co Louth |
€45,000 |
€40,000 |
€40,000 |
|
|
Greenore Greencastle Community Association |
Reconciliation Through Drama Commemorative Event |
2015 |
Greenore, Co. Louth. |
- |
€10,000 |
- |
372. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding that has been provided to County Meath over the previous three years, 2014 to 2016, by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form. [37271/16]
View answer373. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the applications submitted for funding and projects from Meath County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; if the applications where successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37287/16]
View answer374. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding for projects in 2017 in County Meath to be funded by his Department by project name, location and funding amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37303/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 372 to 374, inclusive, together.
My Department administers a number of funding programmes, including Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid. As part of Irish Aid, funding is provided through the annual Development Education Grants Scheme for projects aimed at promoting awareness of and engagement with global development and justice issues. Information on Development Education grants is available on the Irish Aid website www.irishaid.ie.
Smaller funding programmes include the Reconciliation Fund and the Emigrant Support Programme. Through the Reconciliation Fund, my Department awards funding to organisations and projects aimed at advancing peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, on a cross-border basis and between Ireland and Britain. Information on Reconciliation Fund grants awarded is available at www.dfa.ie/reconciliation.
The Department’s Emigrant Support Programme supports Irish communities overseas by funding non-profit organisations and projects. From time to time funding is granted to an organisation based in Ireland for projects overseas which foster more strategic links with the global Irish and to support frontline welfare services that help the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities.
The table below lists funding provided to projects in County Meath through the Development Education Grants Scheme, the Reconciliation Fund and the Emigrant Support Fund in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Funding information for 2017 is not yet available.
|
Applicant |
Project name |
Year submitted |
Location |
Funding approved 2014 |
Funding approved 2015 |
Funding approved 2016 |
|
Kells Literary and Cultural Festival Committee |
Gallipoli 100 |
2014 |
Co. Meath. |
€5,000 |
- |
- |
|
Kells Literary and Cultural Festival Committee |
Hay Festival Kells, 2015 |
2015 |
Co. Meath. |
- |
€5,000 |
- |
|
Kells Literary and Cultural Festival Committee |
Kells 2016 |
2015 |
Co. Meath. |
- |
€10,000 |
- |
|
Glór na nGael |
Irish language projects abroad |
2014 |
Co. Meath |
€40,000 |
€35,000 |
€35,000 |
