Written Answers Nos. 246-263
246. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reopen an application for benefit in respect of a person (details supplied) with a view to granting them the benefit; and if he will expedite a positive response. [38802/16]
View answerDisablement benefit is one of the payments under the occupational injuries benefit scheme operated by my Department. It covers people who are or were engaged in employment that is/was insurable for occupational injuries and who suffer a loss of physical or mental faculty as a result of an occupational injury or prescribed occupational disease.
The scheme was introduced and took effect from 1 May 1967. Only injuries or diseases occurring on or after that date are covered under this scheme.
The person concerned made an application for disablement benefit in respect of a disease he contracted from employment that ceased prior to 1 May 1967.
As he was not engaged in insurable (occupational injuries) employment at the time that the disease was contracted, his application for disablement benefit was disallowed. The person concerned appealed the decision but the appeal was disallowed by the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Under Social Welfare legislation, the decision of an appeals officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of relevant additional evidence or new facts.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
247. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if a Christmas bonus is payable to a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of a jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38805/16]
View answerA Christmas Bonus payment of 85% of the appropriate weekly amount is to be paid to all customers on a long-term Social Welfare payment. In order to qualify for this bonus the person concerned must have been in receipt of a Jobseekers' Allowance payment in excess of 390 days.
In the case of this person he has been paid a total of 266 days and therefore does not have an entitlement for this year’s Christmas Bonus.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
248. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38818/16]
View answerAn application for Carer's Allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 7 September 2016.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have a disability whose effect is that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continuous supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.
The person concerned was notified on 28 October 2016 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. She requested a review of this decision and submitted additional evidence in support of her application.
Following this review, the application was awarded to her on 2 December 2016 and the first payment will issue to her nominated post office on 8 December 2016. Arrears for the period 7 September 2016 to 7 December 2016 have issued by cheque.
The person concerned was notified on 2 December of this decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
249. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal by a person (details supplied) which was furnished on 17 May 2016 and wherein a decision was made on 22 November 2016 without an oral hearing being afforded to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38830/16]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal relating to the Illness Benefit application of the person concerned was initially disallowed by an Appeals Officer by way of a summary decision.
A summary decision may be made where an Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can be determined on the basis of documentary evidence and without oral hearing.
However, the file has been recalled from the Department of Social Protection and will be returned to the Appeals Officer to determine if the appeal should be reviewed and if an oral hearing should be convened in order to facilitate that review.
The person concerned will shortly be informed of the Appeals Officer’s decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
250. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will reduce the cost of passports for old age pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38448/16]
View answerA decision was taken in the 2005 budget to exempt applicants aged 65 and over from the passport fee. In 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the exemption and to apply the same ten-year passport fee to all applicants aged eighteen years or over.
The annualized fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €9.60 for a French passport, €9.40 per year for a British passport, €9.90 per year for an American passport and €16.70 per year for an Australian passport.
Given that the shortfall in revenue would have to be met by the taxpayer I do not have any plans at this time to reduce the fee charged to older applicants.
251. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any of the funding allocated to Irish Aid for 2017 will be used to specifically support the Yazidi people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38468/16]
View answer252. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any consideration has been given at national, EU or international level to support a comprehensive programme of resettling and rebuilding of Sinjar, Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38469/16]
View answer253. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts are being made by the European Union and the international community to reconstruct Sinjar, Iraq and to support and assist the Yazidi community to safely return to Sinjar following the brutal assault by ISIS in August 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38470/16]
View answer254. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that he has had with his EU counterparts specifically regarding the Yazidi community that has been recognised as having been subjected to genocide by ISIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38471/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 to 254, inclusive, together.
Ms Nadia Murad, a survivor of the Daesh atrocities against the Yazidis, visited Ireland and met with a number of Deputies, and the Tánaiste as well as senior officials in my own Department in my absence on official business. I want to pay tribute to Ms Murad’s extraordinary bravery and her leadership in campaigning to protect and uphold the rights of her people.
I wish to record my absolute and unreserved condemnations of the vile and criminal acts committed against the Yazidis by the terrorist group Daesh. These crimes continue to this day, against Yazidis held captive by Daesh.
In September 2015, Ireland addressed UN Human Rights Council on the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry report which stated that the crime of genocide had been committed against the Yazidis, saying “the Commission’s report details unimaginable crimes. The suffering of the victims of Daesh’s terrorism and hatred is laid bare before this Council in the report. This Council and the membership of the United Nations have an inarguable duty to end these crimes and work to achieve justice and accountability for the victims of these crimes.
Ireland has long made clear its full support for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. Together with over 50 Member States of the United Nations, Ireland co-sponsored a proposed resolution to this effect in 2014. Ireland regards the failure of the proposed resolution as a breach of the Security Council’s obligations under the UN Charter. Ireland repeats its call for the Security Council to uphold international law and act on this report by referring the situation in Syria to the Court. It is intolerable that the terrorist perpetrators of the most heinous crimes would be granted impunity by the action of any member of the United Nations.
Ireland urges that all States engaged in countering Daesh in Syria and Iraq should place the protection of civilian populations, especially minorities at particular risk from Daesh’s murderous ideology of hate, as a priority in their instructions to members of their security forces.”
I have previously informed the Oireachtas that it is our policy that the responsibility for a legal determination of the crime of genocide is a matter for a legally competent and internationally recognised court. I regard the report of the Commission of Inquiry and its findings of genocide as authoritative and I repeat our long-standing demand that the Security Council fulfil its obligations under international law and act to ensure that the Yazidis can seek accountability for Daesh’s crimes before the International Criminal Court or another legally competent international tribunal. There can be no impunity for the horrific crimes committed against the Yazidis.
Given the continuing conflict and the ongoing threat of terrorism in Sinjar and Nineveh, the resettlement of the Yazidis and other minority populations in their ancient homelands remains too dangerous to implement immediately. However, this must be a priority for Ireland and its international partners, together with international action to ensure the protection of these populations after their return to their homes.
Funding from the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, has been provided to meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable people inside Iraq, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and those who have been displaced internally, or who have fled to neighbouring countries. Funding is channelled through Irish Aid’s NGO partners and UN organisations, who are best placed to respond, and is used to provide humanitarian supplies and urgently needed access to food, health, water and sanitation services, with a particular focus on the protection of children, women and the most vulnerable.
So far in 2016, Ireland has provided €1.5 million to Iraq, channelled through the UN Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, to provide life-saving assistance to the estimated 10 million people affected by violence in Iraq. The Humanitarian Pooled Fund supports the implementation of the Iraq Humanitarian Response Plan, which aims to meet the critical needs of displaced people. In Erbil and Dahuk Governorates, in particular, this includes members of the Yazidi community.
In addition, in October, the Irish Government dispatched 80 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies under the Rapid Response initiative. The relief items, which included blankets, jerry cans, cooking sets, water tanks, tarpaulins and shelter kits, at a total approximate value of €462,813, were donated to Oxfam for distribution to conflict-affected communities.
During 2015, Ireland also provided €1 million to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund and €250,000 in support of UNICEF’s Iraq Strategic Response Plan, which prioritised the protection of civilians displaced by conflict, as well as €330,000 to Christian Aid Ireland to support activities promoting the protection of displaced women and girls in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, where the Yazidi population is concentrated.
Ireland continues to closely monitor the situation in Iraq, and given its complexity and severity, it is likely that further support will be provided to affected communities in the coming months.
255. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that first time adult applicants for passports, who are requested to present a photocopy of their public services card, PSC, but do not have a PSC can take, in view of the fact that to acquire a PSC a copy of a current passport is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38484/16]
View answerAs of 29 March 2016 all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland are required to present a photocopy of their individual Public Services Card (PSC) for identification purposes.
The measure has been important in enhancing protection against fraud and identity theft and in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport. It also ensures that the identity of first-time applicants for Irish passports continues to be verified to a high standard.
First-time adult passport applicants who do not currently have a PSC can obtain one through a secure process of in-person registration via their local Department of Social Protection office. Details of documents needed to complete the PSC registration process and of an online appointment booking service are available via the website www.MyWelfare.ie.
While the basis for issuing a PSC is a matter for the Department of Social Protection and that department must be satisfied as to the identity of a person applying, it is my understanding that a passport is not the only form of identification that is acceptable.
256. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has requested the Irish ambassador to the United States to report on the issue of Standing Rock Reservation, the protests taking place and the reported emergency evacuation order by North Dakota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38550/16]
View answerThe Standing Rock Reservation, particularly with regard to the planned Dakota Access Pipeline, is a matter for the authorities in the state of North Dakota and the US Federal Government. As the Government has no locus standi in this matter, I do not propose to ask our Ambassador in Washington DC to become engaged on the issue.
257. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the Government of Pakistan to pardon a person (details supplied); if he will highlight the person's case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38567/16]
View answerI remain very concerned about this case and my Department avails of every opportunity to convey our concerns at this conviction. The case is expected to come before the Supreme Court of Pakistan for review in the near future.
Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Pakistan, and our Embassy in Turkey is accredited to Pakistan. The Irish Ambassador in Ankara has raised this case with the Pakistani authorities on a number of occasions. Officials in my Department have also raised this case, and our concerns regarding the blasphemy laws and persecution of Christians generally, with the Embassy of Pakistan in Dublin.
I personally raised Ireland’s concerns on the blasphemy laws with my Pakistani counterpart most recently on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2016, and also with the Pakistani Chargé d’affaires en pied in January 2016. It should be noted, however, that the Irish Government cannot intervene in the judicial processes in other countries.
The European Union also continues to raise this conviction with the Pakistan authorities.
Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combatting all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Ireland is deeply concerned by the persecution of Christians.
Ireland will also continue to raise the issue of the persecution of Christians, through its official bilateral contacts with Pakistan, stressing the responsibility of the government to protect all citizens and minorities, irrespective of their religion or belief.
258. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Serbia, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia and Iceland becoming members of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38749/16]
View answerIreland is a strong supporter of the accession process, viewing it as a transformative driver for peace, stability and prosperity. We support the aspirations of the countries involved in the accession process, including Serbia, Montenegro and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Ireland welcomed the publication by the Commission of the latest annual progress reports on each of the five candidate and two potential candidate countries on 9 November. The detailed reports give a ‘state of play’ assessment on the preparations for Union membership in each accession country across the acquis communautaire and set out guidelines on reform priorities.
Serbia was granted candidate status for EU membership in March 2012, and accession negotiations were opened in 28 June 2013, during the Irish EU Presidency. To date, four chapters have been opened, including the two ‘fundamentals first’ chapters on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights (Chapter 23) and on Justice, Freedom and Security (Chapter 24) in July of this year. It is expected that further chapters will be opened before year-end. Serbia has finalised rule of law action plans, reached key agreements with Kosovo, and been pro-active in developing regional co-operation with its neighbours. It has also embarked on an ambitious economic reform agenda.
We are pleased with the substantial progress made by Serbia so far on its European path, and we agree with the Commission’s report that there is still a need for further reform, including in the areas of public administration and the business environment. The Serbian government has demonstrated their commitment to EU accession at political level by making it a priority goal in their programme for government.
Montenegro was granted candidate status in 2010. Accession negotiations began in 2012, and 24 chapters have been opened. The Commission’s report recognises the considerable work on alignment with and preparation for the implementation of the acquis, which has already taken place. It acknowledges the constructive role which the country plays in enhancing regional cooperation. Advances in the rule of law have been made and the legal and institutional framework have been strengthened. The report recommends that Montenegro should now focus on its economic and monetary policy.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as it is called in the EU negotiations (though we use the name “Macedonia” in our bilateral relations) has been a candidate country since 2005. However, the opening of accession negotiations has been stalled, first as a result of difficult bilateral issues with neighbours and then by the ongoing political crisis. It is now contingent on the continued implementation of the Pržino agreement (2015) and substantial progress in the implementation of the "Urgent Reform Priorities". Having been postponed twice already this year, elections are now scheduled to take place on 11 December. We hope they will be free and fair and that the renewed opportunity they represent for the country to mitigate the divisive political culture in Macedonia and enhance its capacity to implement much needed reforms will be seized.
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009 and was granted candidate status in 2010. However, negotiations were halted after elections in 2013 and in March 2015 the then government requested that "Iceland should not be regarded as a candidate country for EU membership". Elections took place in October 2016 and no change in Iceland’s EU aspirations has yet been signalled by the new government.
The Commission’s progress reports are still being examined in detail at official level and it is hoped that Ministers will be able to reach agreement on an appropriate response at the General Affairs Council on 13 December. For the sake of completeness, the countries which will be under consideration, in addition to those mentioned in the Deputy’s question, are Turkey and Albania (candidate countries), together with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo (potential candidates).
259. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of first-time applications for Irish passports in the past three years to date in 2016 by county and jurisdiction, including the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38781/16]
View answerThe number of first time passport applications, broken down by ‘county of birth’ of applicants in Ireland and Northern Ireland, are set out in the following tables for 2014, 2015 and up to the end of November this year. Overall totals for the same periods are presented in respect of first-time applicants born in Great Britain.
The figures are for all first-time applications received, including those for infants and children.
First Time Passport Applicants
|
Applications received by ‘County of birth’ |
|||
|
Born in Ireland |
|||
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Carlow |
104 |
93 |
92 |
|
Cavan |
2,019 |
2,089 |
2,043 |
|
Clare |
177 |
150 |
161 |
|
Cork |
9,426 |
9,042 |
9,176 |
|
Donegal |
2,461 |
2,563 |
2,444 |
|
Dublin |
30,557 |
31,009 |
29,584 |
|
Galway |
6,290 |
6,147 |
6,039 |
|
Ireland |
109 |
87 |
119 |
|
Kerry |
1,960 |
1,906 |
1,829 |
|
Kildare |
180 |
140 |
159 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,159 |
2,161 |
2,152 |
|
Laois |
2,178 |
2,251 |
2,101 |
|
Leitrim |
86 |
67 |
60 |
|
Limerick |
5,526 |
5,316 |
5,411 |
|
Longford |
67 |
80 |
65 |
|
Louth |
3,910 |
4,093 |
3,931 |
|
Mayo |
2,421 |
2,217 |
2,155 |
|
Meath |
137 |
144 |
117 |
|
Monaghan |
232 |
196 |
177 |
|
Offaly |
156 |
149 |
129 |
|
Roscommon |
133 |
119 |
124 |
|
Sligo |
1,748 |
1,848 |
1,765 |
|
Tipperary |
4,585 |
1,539 |
1,519 |
|
Unidentified |
1 |
3 |
5 |
|
Waterford |
2,438 |
2,512 |
2,440 |
|
Westmeath |
2,620 |
2,721 |
2,839 |
|
Wexford |
2,436 |
2,408 |
2,463 |
|
Wicklow |
123 |
109 |
130 |
|
Totals |
81,239 |
81,159 |
79,229 |
|
% change on previous year |
-0.10% |
-2.38% |
|
|
Applications received by ‘County of birth’ |
|||
|
Born in Northern Ireland |
|||
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Antrim |
8,369 |
9,507 |
13,245 |
|
Armagh |
2,602 |
2,841 |
3,627 |
|
Belfast |
226 |
153 |
525 |
|
Derry |
4,341 |
4,666 |
5,563 |
|
Down |
3,947 |
4,721 |
5,562 |
|
Fermanagh |
1,060 |
1,280 |
1,667 |
|
Tyrone |
1,280 |
1,326 |
1,830 |
|
Totals |
21,822 |
24,494 |
32,861 |
|
% change on previous year |
12.24% |
34.16% |
|
|
Applications received by ‘Place of birth’ |
|||
|
Born in Great Britain |
|||
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Totals |
7,229 |
7,387 |
14,978 |
|
% change on previous year |
2.19% |
102.76% |
|
260. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts he has undertaken in regard to the conflict in Syria and the humanitarian crisis there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38807/16]
View answerThe continuing conflict in Syria has generated the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world today.
The Government is strongly committed to responding to the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. Since 2012, Ireland has provided more than €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region. This is Ireland’s largest response to any humanitarian crisis ever.
Of the €20 million in assistance provided by the Government so far in 2016, €14 million has been delivered through the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, and €6 million through the Department of Agriculture’s support to the World Food Programme’s Syria response.
Irish Aid funding seeks to meet the needs of those inside Syria, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and those who have fled to neighbouring countries. Funding is channelled through NGO, UN and International Red Cross and Red Crescent partners. These partners provide supplies and urgently-needed health, education, water and sanitation services, as well as implementing measures to protect children and vulnerable families.
In addition, members of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps have been deployed to the Balkans and Middle East, providing much needed additional capacity to UN agencies responding to migration challenges resulting from the Syrian conflict.
At a political level, both Minister Flanagan and I have focused on this crisis in discussions in recent months at the EU, UN, and with our civil society partners.
The crisis in Syria is a regular item on the agenda of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Minister Flanagan and his colleagues held extensive discussions with the UN Special Envoy de Mistura on 17 October, underlining continuing strong support for his work. The crisis was discussed again at the meeting of the Council on 14 November.
In September, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, visited Dublin and briefed Minister Flanagan on the EU’s Humanitarian Initiative for Aleppo. Minister Flanagan also had an opportunity to discuss the Syrian conflict with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on 30 October, and he addressed efforts to renew the political process during his recent trip to the Gulf, where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia.
On 21 November, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer, visited Dublin and provided us with an update on his organisation’s critical humanitarian work in Syria, which is strongly supported by Ireland.
I also met with the CEOs of Ireland’s 10 largest development NGOs in the last two weeks, many of whom receive funding from my Department to respond to the crisis in Syria, and assured them of our continued commitment.
We continue to monitor the situation in Syria very closely and are ready to provide further assistance to the Syrian people in the coming months.
261. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his meeting in Paris with his French counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38824/16]
View answerDuring a two-day visit to France last week, I met the French Foreign Minister, Mr Jean-Marc Ayrault, over a working breakfast at the Quai d’Orsay on Thursday 1 December. The meeting was very cordial and underscored the strength and range of the many links between Ireland and France. Mr Ayrault made a particular point, both in the meeting and at the following press conference, of thanking Ireland for its solidarity in response to the terrorist attacks suffered by France over the past two years.
We discussed Brexit at some length, and agreed that while we both wished to ensure the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, our primary objective was the maintenance of the unity and integrity of the Union itself. We both looked forward to greater clarity from the UK side in regard to its negotiating objectives. I took the opportunity to underline once ago the particular challenges Ireland faces in relation to the Common Travel Area, Northern Ireland and North-South connections. Mr Ayrault made clear his understanding of the importance and sensitivity of these questions and his support for maintaining the many gains of the peace process.
We agreed that the European Union needs to re-connect with citizens through the effective implementation of concrete commitments already made, but also through more positive messaging.
We also discussed a number of international issues, including the possible implications of the recent election of US President-elect Trump; Ukraine and Russia; and Syria. Mr Ayrault briefed me on the French initiative on the Middle East Peace Process and his plans for a possible further meeting before the end of the year.
We also reviewed some issues concerning the United Nations.
I brought the Minister up to date on the work under way in regard to the implementation of the recent Dáil motion concerning the transfer to Ireland of some of the unaccompanied minors recently taken from the irregular encampment at Calais.
262. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status and implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38825/16]
View answerFull and timely implementation of the Agreement is a key priority for the Government and this is reflected by its inclusion in the new Programme for Government. The Government continues to work closely with all relevant stakeholders in this regard.
Progress on implementing the provisions of both the Fresh Start and Stormont House Agreements are considered at periodic review meetings. These are attended by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First and deputy First Ministers and, where relevant to her portfolio, the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice. I represent the Government at these meetings.
The last review was held on 29 June 2016, and the next meeting is scheduled for 14 December. These review meetings are important in providing political direction and momentum for the full implementation of the Agreements.
There has been sustained progress with the implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement over the last year, with each administration actively pursuing the necessary work to fulfil the respective commitments.
Together with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, I hosted a trilateral ministerial meeting on enhancing law enforcement co-operation on the island, as envisaged by the Fresh Start Agreement, in Farmleigh on 21 December 2015. This meeting, which included the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive, also launched the Joint Agency Task Force on cross-border crime.
The Joint Agency Task Force quickly became fully operational and is progressing its work to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime and bring to justice those involved in it. The Task Force builds on existing operational arrangements to tackle organised crime, including that linked to paramilitarism, on a cross-border basis. The Task Force reports on its work to the two Justice Ministers within the framework of their regular meetings under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Criminal Justice Co-operation, as provided for in the Fresh Start Agreement.
The Government is meeting its commitments as regards infrastructure projects under the Fresh Start Agreement. This includes a contribution of €25 million from the Irish Government in 2019 for the upgrading of the A5 Western Transport Corridor road project, which is in addition to the €50 million previously committed. The Government’s committed funding of €2.5 million to the North West Development Fund has been provided and is to be matched by the NI Executive. Discussions are continuing at senior official level with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding co-operation on other infrastructure projects, including the Narrow Water Bridge project and the Ulster Canal and exploring financing options for future border infrastructure projects.
As provided for in Fresh Start, a three-person Panel was appointed last December to recommend the elements of a strategy for the disbandment of paramilitary groups. This panel, comprising Lord John Alderdice, Monica McWilliams, and John McBurney, made over forty recommendations. The Northern Ireland Executive updated the June review meeting on its then draft Action Plan to take these recommendations forward. In July, the Northern Ireland Executive published its Action Plan on Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime.
On 13 September, I signed an international agreement with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to establish the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC). The Fresh Start Agreement provides that the IRC will report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland. These reports will inform future Northern Ireland Executive Programme for Government commitments through to 2021. The Government will shortly bring forward legislative proposals before the Oireachtas to establish the IRC in law. The aim is to get the IRC established and up and running as soon as possible.
The NI Executive and the British Government are also proceeding with implementation of their respective commitments under the Fresh Start Agreement. The Executive signed off on the 2016-17 Budget last December and the Welfare Bill implementing the relevant provisions in the Agreement passed into UK law on 25 November 2015. The UK Treasury has also approved the release of monies from the Stormont House Agreement funding to support integrated education.
The institutional reforms provided for under the Fresh Start Agreement have also been implemented, including the reduction in the number of Executive Ministries from 12 to 9 and the option for parties entitled to a place in the Executive to instead designate as part of the formal opposition in the Assembly. This option was taken up by both the UUP and SDLP following the Assembly election last May.
In June, the Co-Chairs and members of the Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition Commission were appointed by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Commission is now progressing its work, as foreseen in the Stormont House Agreement and reiterated in Fresh Start.
With regard to the establishment of a framework for dealing with the legacy of the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement but on which final agreement could not be reached during the Fresh Start Agreement talks, the Government remains committed to the full implementation of these commitments.
I am continuing to engage with the Secretary of State and with the Northern Ireland Executive and other parties in Northern Ireland, to see how we can to find a route to a final agreement on legacy issues. While there remain a number of outstanding issues, there is an urgent need to achieve progress - so that the institutions can be established and start working to meet the needs of victims and survivors and support broader societal healing and reconciliation. I am therefore working to secure the necessary political agreement to get the legacy bodies established and up and running as soon as possible.
263. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the channels available to members of the public who are not employees to make a protected disclosure in instances in which they have a belief they have evidence of significant wide spread or systemic malpractice and policy failure in areas of the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38434/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is responsible for the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, which provides statutory protections to workers in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors against reprisals in circumstances where they disclose information related to wrongdoing that has come to their attention in connection with their employment. The term "worker" in this case includes employees, contractors, agency workers, people gaining work experience, and trainees. It also covers members of the civil service, An Garda Síochána and members of the defence forces.
Members of the public who have no connection with the relevant workplace are not covered by the provisions of the Act (including its protections) and cannot therefore make 'protected disclosures' under the legislation. However, in bringing forward evidence of malpractice or policy failure in the public service, a number of reporting channels are open to them. For example, in cases of suspected fraud or criminality, the matter can be reported to An Garda Síochána. Various regulatory bodies, such as the Data Protection Commissioner, the Health and Safety Authority, and the Health Information and Quality Authority, are empowered to investigate and sanction inter alia public bodies for legislative or regulatory breaches in their respective sectors.
In addition, under the statutory framework governing his office, the Ombudsman can also initiate an investigation to ensure that problematic issues in a particular sector are addressed and/or matters of significant public interest are brought to the attention of the public. Furthermore, as well as assisting workers seeking to make protected disclosures under the Act, Transparency International Ireland's 'Speak Up Helpline' also offers information, referral advice and advocacy support for other witnesses and victims of corruption and other wrongdoing on a confidential basis.
