Written Answers Nos. 328-353
328. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on a review of eligibility conditions for participation in community employment schemes with a view to shortening the duration which a person has to be in receipt of a jobseeker's payment in order to qualify (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6125/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Community Employment (CE) is a labour market activation programme which helps long-term unemployed people (those 12-months or more in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment) and other disadvantaged groups to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine. The programme assists participants to enhance and develop skills which can then be used in the workplace.
A substantial number of people who sign on to the Live Register exit it again within a short timeframe, without any recourse to employment schemes or intensive activation measures. Accordingly, it is considered appropriate that CE schemes should remain focused on those who are long-term unemployed.
Furthermore, the Department has a range of other interventions and activation measures targeted at assisting the newly unemployed return to work. This includes support from Intreo case officers who, amongst other things, provide advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools.
With the ongoing welcome reductions in the Live Register, the Deputy will appreciate that issues such as the appropriate level of expenditure, the number of places and the criteria for participation on employment schemes will all need to be considered. I hope to bring a Memo for Government in the coming weeks about these matters. If there are changes to be made, consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
329. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of the response of the President of the European Commission for Ireland to retain its existing relationship with Britain. [5336/17]
View answerThe Government’s preparations for the upcoming negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have been extensive.
From the outset of our preparations we have been clear about our priorities, which remain: minimising the impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Good Friday Agreement; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and working together with our partners to support the effective functioning of the European Union.
Of course, Ireland's relationship with the UK will inevitably change as a result of its departure and our objective is to minimise these potential negative impacts. It has consistently been this Government’s position that we wish to see a strong and positive future relationship between the UK and the rest of the EU, including Ireland.
The Government shares the UK’s objective of maintaining the Common Travel Area as it now stands. We also welcome the UK’s objective of achieving as close and as frictionless a trade relationship as possible with the EU after it departs.
In our meetings with other Governments at Head of State or Government or Foreign Minister level, as well as with Commission President Juncker and European Council President Tusk, the Taoiseach and I have ensured that they have a strong and sympathetic understanding of the unique historic, social, political and economic relationship between these two islands, above all as regards our shared responsibility for Northern Ireland. There is general support for addressing and resolving these issues.
It is also extremely positive that both Michel Barnier, chief Brexit negotiator for the Commission, and Guy Verhofstadt, lead for the European Parliament on Brexit, have highlighted the need to address Ireland’s specific concerns as a priority in the upcoming negotiations.
We will continue to build on this excellent start throughout the negotiations. Of course, much will depend on the final outcome of the wider EU-UK negotiations.
330. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if discussions have taken place with the British administration regarding the status of Irish citizens living in the UK post-Brexit. [5342/17]
View answer345. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any correspondence regarding the status of Irish citizens living in the UK post-Brexit has been received, requested or is taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5871/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 345 together.
It is the firm objective of the Government that Irish citizens will be able to continue to live and work freely in the United Kingdom following the UK’s exit from the EU. Since the referendum in June, my Ministerial colleagues and I have discussed the status of Irish citizens on numerous occasions with our UK counterparts. Most recently, my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, visited London last week and met with the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions as well as with Irish community groups.
A key factor in achieving this objective will be the continuation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements between Ireland and the UK. At their meeting in Dublin last week, at which I participated, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister May reaffirmed their joint commitment to maintaining the CTA and to continuing the two Governments’ work in this regard.
For her part, Prime Minister May has listed the CTA as one of her priorities for the exit process. On 2 February the UK Government published its White Paper on Brexit, in which the special status afforded to Irish citizens in the UK in the Ireland Act 1949 was noted, as was the mutual desire of the UK and Irish Governments to protect the reciprocal treatment of each other’s citizens.
In the particular case of the CTA, and as with other specific-Irish related issues, it is clearly important that we secure the understanding and support of the EU institutions and Member States regarding this long-standing and important bilateral arrangement. Accordingly, the Government continues to engage very actively at both the political and official/diplomatic levels in setting out our key priorities to various EU interlocutors. As part of this work, I had a very positive meeting yesterday with my new Italian colleague, Foreign Minister Alfano, and will be visiting both Brussels and Helsinki later this week.
It is important and welcome that Ireland’s concerns have been explicitly and publicly recognised by the chief negotiators of both the Commission and the European Parliament, Michel Barnier and Guy Verhofstadt respectively.
Therefore, while formal negotiations have not yet begun, and as we await the triggering of the Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union by the United Kingdom, important groundwork has been done with both the UK government and with our EU partners.
In tandem with these efforts, the Government, my Department, and our diplomatic missions in the UK will continue their close contact with the Irish community as the exit process continues. Since before the referendum, the Government has been engaging closely with the Irish community about practical issues which might arise from the UK’s decision to leave the EU. On 19 and 20 January Minister of State McHugh visited London where he had a series of engagements with representatives and members of the Irish community there, and I will also meet with them during my next visit. The Irish Embassy in London and our Consulate in Edinburgh continue to provide support to the Irish community in a variety of ways, including through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme.
331. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if English will continue to be one of the working languages of the European institutions post-Brexit. [5343/17]
View answer335. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if English will remain an official language of the European Union after Brexit; and the discussions taking place in this regard. [5865/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 335 together.
The status of the English language as an official and working language of the EU institutions will not be altered as a result of the UK leaving the EU. Article 342 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that the rules governing the languages of the EU institutions shall be determined by the Council, acting unanimously by means of regulations. Regulation No. 1 of 1958, as amended over the years, is the relevant Regulation in this regard. A unanimous decision of the Council is required to add a new language to the list contained in the Regulation, or to remove a language from the list.
332. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the future status of the Good Friday Agreement and institutions set up as a result of the peace process. [5345/17]
View answerThe Government will continue to work with the British Government and the political parties to support the fulfillment of the full promise of the Good Friday Agreement and to advance political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland.
The interlocking political institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are at the heart of the Agreement, and are the delivery vehicle for many of its commitments.
Within this framework, the devolved power-sharing institutions are vital - both for effective government in Northern Ireland and for the overall functioning of the Agreement. For instance, without the devolved institutions, the North-South Ministerial Council cannot be convened and North-South co-operation on a wide range of matters is compromised. This has tangible and serious impacts on all people across this island.
It is therefore of vital importance that the institutions of the Agreement return quickly to full operation after the current election. In this regard, the relevant legislation provides a narrow window of three weeks from the date of election to when a new First and deputy First Minister must be nominated.
It will therefore fall to the parties to form a power-sharing Executive and this will require them to find a way forward on issues which contributed to the calling of the election. To be effective and sustainable, devolved Government in Northern Ireland must be underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership and mutual respect; that is what the people of this island voted for in 1998.
The Government is of course always ready to support and assist the parties in any way we can. As reflected in the Government’s co-convening of the talks that led to the Stormont House (December 2014) and Fresh Start (November 2015) Agreements, our commitment as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement is constant and resolute.
The Government is also working to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the European Union. The legal and political obligations of both the Irish and British Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain unchanged, regardless of the status of the UK within the EU. The Taoiseach and Prime Minister May have confirmed that the Agreement remains the basis for the two Governments’ approach to Northern Ireland.
I have met with all of my EU Foreign Minister counterparts to sensitise them to the Government’s concerns in regard to the disproportionate impact of Brexit on the island of Ireland. From that engagement, I believe there is a good understanding among my EU colleagues of the unique situation of Northern Ireland and of the importance of the European Union continuing its historic supporting role for the peace process there. As the date for the UK triggering Article 50 draws closer, I expect that engagement with our EU partners will further intensify.
333. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will support British requests for access to the single market without reciprocal rights for freedom of movement for other EU states. [5349/17]
View answerIn their statements of 29 June and 15 December 2016 the Heads of State or Government of the twenty-seven other Member States of the EU, including the Taoiseach, have been clear that the four freedoms that underpin the Single Market, including the freedom of movement of people, are indivisible and that continued membership of the Single Market would include agreeing to the freedom of movement. However, the British Government, in setting out its vision of a future EU-UK relationship, has now made clear that it does not seek to be a member of or retain full access to the Single Market. It has made clear that being able to control the immigration of EU workers into the UK is a top priority. We nonetheless welcome the commitment by the British Government to seek as close and as frictionless a trade relationship with the EU as possible. This very much aligns with Ireland’s priorities.
However, the future relationship will in due course be the subject of negotiations. It is to be hoped that all concerned, including the British Government, will take a realistic and constructive approach.
334. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government's plans to organise a global Irish Brexit forum along the lines of previous global Irish forums held in Farmleigh. [5351/17]
View answerSince well before the UK referendum of 23 June 2016, the Government, its diplomatic missions and state agencies have engaged with influential Irish people in the UK and elsewhere. The input and ideas gained from these contacts is of great value as we respond to the UK exit from the European Union. This includes helpful analysis and guidance on both the challenges and opportunities involved, especially in the areas of trade and investment.
A key element of the Government’s consultation work so far has been the ongoing All-island Civic Dialogue on Brexit, a process across the island of Ireland and including members of the Irish diaspora in the UK. The first plenary session of the All-island Civic Dialogue, which the Taoiseach and I hosted, took place on 2 November 2016 at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin. This event has since been supplemented by a series of All-island Civic Dialogue events at sectoral level. Drawing from the work of these sectoral meetings, a second plenary event will take place in Dublin Castle on Friday 17 February.
This consultation process allows the Government to listen to, and to capture, the views of those most directly affected by the impact of Brexit from across the island in advance of formal negotiations.
336. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Good Friday Agreement will be amended following Brexit; and the negotiations and discussions that are taking place in this regard. [5866/17]
View answerThe Government’s priority is to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the European Union.
The legal and political obligations of both the Irish and British Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain unchanged, regardless of the status of the UK within the EU.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister May have confirmed that the Agreement remains the basis for the two Governments’ approach to Northern Ireland.
I have met with all of my EU Foreign Minister counterparts to sensitise them to the Government’s concerns in regard to the disproportionate impact of Brexit on the island of Ireland. From that engagement, I believe there is a good understanding among my EU colleagues of the unique situation of Northern Ireland and of the importance of the European Union continuing its historic supporting role for the peace process there. As the date for the UK triggering Article 50 draws closer, I expect that engagement with our EU partners will further intensify.
As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined that all aspects of the Agreement – including its provisions relating to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland - are fully protected and reflected in the new relationship between the EU and the UK.
337. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the composition of the European Union's team that will be engaged in the Brexit negotiations; and if representatives of the Government will be directly involved in those negotiations. [6024/17]
View answerAt the meeting on 15 December 2016 of 27 Heads of State or Government (HoSG), including the Taoiseach, agreement was reached on the procedural arrangements to apply on the EU side in the upcoming negotiations process. These are based on the provisions of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.
Following notification by the UK Government, the EU27 HoSG will adopt guidelines defining the framework for the negotiations.
The General Affairs Council will then adopt more detailed negotiating directives and will authorise the opening of the negotiations.
The guidelines and negotiating directives will be updated as necessary in the course of the negotiations.
The European Commission will be the Union negotiator. Its team will be led by Michel Barnier and will include a representative of the rotating Presidency of the Council. Representatives of the President of the European Council will be present alongside the European Commission representatives at all negotiating sessions. As is the case in all European Union negotiations, Individual Member States will not be present at these sessions.
However, progress will be monitored, and guidance given to the Commission, by a dedicated Working Party involving all Member States, which in turn will report to COREPER, on which Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the European Union sits. It is expected that the Working Party will meet at least once a week.
The negotiations will therefore be under the overall strategic and political guidance of the European Council and the General Affairs Council, and will be scrutinised in great detail at senior official and Ambassadorial levels.
We will pursue our national interests and priorities fully within this framework.
338. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the final terms of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union will need to be ratified by Dáil Éireann. [6025/17]
View answerArticle 50 of the Treaty on European Union provides the legal framework for withdrawal by a Member State from the EU. It provides that agreement between the EU and the UK on British withdrawal has to be concluded within two years, unless there is unanimous agreement on the extension of the period.
If after the two year negotiation period an EU-UK agreement has not been reached, the UK will exit the EU without such an agreement.
Assuming there is an agreed outcome to the Article 50 negotiations, on the EU side this will need to be approved by a qualified majority in the Council of the European Union, with the consent of the European Union. Unanimity among the Member States is, therefore, not required.
Article 50 does not require that the agreement be ratified by the Member States, so the question of ratification by Dáil Éireann will not arise. However, the Oireachtas has an important role in the national discussions now underway and I expect that these matters will continue to be discussed and debated in both Houses and in Oireachtas Committees on a regular basis.
It is hoped that there will be a further agreement on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, which may cover a broad range of policy areas, including trade. The negotiation of such an agreement is likely to take considerably longer than two years, and in any event could not legally be concluded before the UK leaves the EU. Depending on the content of this agreement, which is subject to negotiation, ratification by each Member State may be required in accordance with its own constitutional procedures. In such an event, it is highly likely that the approval of Dáil Éireann would be required before Ireland could ratify.
339. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has issued clarification for persons with dual nationality and dual passports that were born in one of the seven countries named in the US President's executive orders and wish to travel to the United States and avail of the preclearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6054/17]
View answer343. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the executive order signed by US President, Donald Trump, which bans citizens from seven Muslim majority countries from entering the USA; his further views on whether this order may violate the USA's obligations to accept persons seeking asylum on humanitarian grounds under the Geneva Convention; if he will examine the consequence of President Trump’s executive order for persons with dual citizenship of one of these seven countries and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5635/17]
View answer349. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his discussions with members of the United States administration and with members of the Senate and House of Representatives in relation to the undocumented Irish and the need for immigration reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6050/17]
View answer350. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he had discussions during his recent visit to the United States with representatives of the Irish community in relation to the undocumented Irish and immigration reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6051/17]
View answer351. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his meeting with the United States' National Security Advisor. [6113/17]
View answer352. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America. [6114/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339, 343, and 349 to 352, inclusive, together.
Regarding the Executive Order signed by President Trump on 27 January, 2017, and as made clear in my statement on 29 January, I fully share the concerns on humanitarian grounds expressed by other EU partners regarding this development. The US cannot suspend its obligations under the Geneva Convention by means of this Executive Order. I have noted the clarification issued by the Embassy of the United States in Dublin on 31 January, 2017, to the effect that the Executive Order in question does not restrict the travel of dual nationals to the United States, so long as they hold the passport of an unrestricted country and possess a valid US visa, if required. In recent days, the US courts have intervened and imposed a temporary suspension on the implementation of the Executive Order.
Issues regarding the recent Executive Order and immigration reform were high on the agenda for my visit to Washington DC from 31 January to 2 February. I had a number of engagements with the Administration and Congressional leaders, including the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the House majority leader and the House minority leader, among others.
In my meetings with Congressional leaders, as well as with the US National Security Advisor, General Flynn, I expressed Ireland’s deep concerns with regard to the nature and impact of the recent Executive Order. In response, General Flynn outlined to me the rationale - in terms of US immigration policy - for these temporary measures, while I pointed out their damaging consequences in humanitarian terms, as well as for the international reputation of the United States.
In regard to immigration reform, achieving relief for the undocumented Irish citizens in the United States and securing a legal pathway for migration to the United States remain key objectives for the Government. These priorities featured in all of my meetings in Washington, DC – including with General Flynn in the White House, with Speaker Ryan and other Congressional leaders.
Both the Administration and members of Congress are fully aware of the importance of this issue for Ireland and appreciate our strong continuing interest in securing immigration reform. The Taoiseach’s forthcoming visit to Washington DC for St. Patrick’s Day will provide a key opportunity to raise the issue of immigration reform – especially the plight of our undocumented – directly with President Trump.
During my visit, I also met with members of the Irish community in Washington, DC and re-assured them of the Government’s commitment to immigration reform. I emphasised that, while the political context in Washington may have changed, the Government’s objectives remain constant: relief for the undocumented and finding some legislative pathway for legal immigration. I noted that we can only advance these objectives if we engage and build relationships with the key decision makers in the Administration and Congress.
In addressing these immigration issues, the Embassy of Ireland in Washington and our Consulates across the United States continue to work with Irish Immigration Centres on a daily basis in providing support to Irish citizens in the United States.
Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Ms Anne Anderson, held a workshop with key immigration stake-holders, in the Irish community, from across the United States at the Embassy on 12 January last. The conclusions emerging from that meeting will help to guide the future efforts of the Embassy and our Consulates in providing practical support to undocumented Irish citizens across the US.
340. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the comments of the British Secretary of State, Mr James Brokenshire, on the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when he intensified the British Government's public opposition to properly dealing with the past and that the British Government is trying to write itself out of its responsibility for the conflict and to obscure its central role in the conflict; and his views on whether Mr Brokenshire should cease making such offensive remarks and instead release the funds for legacy inquests, lift the British Government veto on maximum information disclosure and allow the legacy mechanisms to be established immediately. [5535/17]
View answerI discussed legacy issues with the Secretary of State when we met in Dublin on 30 January. This discussion included reference to the Secretary of State’s opinion editorial in the Sunday Telegraph in relation to legacy investigations.
I have consistently made clear that the rule of law, including the requirement for effective investigations of unlawful killings, irrespective of who the perpetrators might be, must be upheld. In that regard, I welcomed the statement of clarification that had been issued by the British Government earlier that day on the content of the opinion editorial. An effective and adequately resourced inquest system is an important element of dealing with legacy issues and I am fully supportive of the proposals made by the Lord Chief Justice in this regard. I would hope to see these proposals funded and implemented as soon as possible and have made this clear both to the Executive Parties in Northern Ireland and to the British Government.
The Government is strongly committed to the architecture set out in the Stormont House Agreement. This architecture provides a framework for dealing comprehensively with the legacy of the past in a way that can bring whatever healing is possible to those affected by the Troubles.
I will continue to work with the British Government and the Northern Ireland political parties so that a way forward will be found to establish these institutions in the near future.
341. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a series of deaths at the Moria asylum camp on the Greek island of Lesbos and that aid agencies have long complained regarding the poor conditions at the camps; and if his Department will provide assistance to improve conditions in the camp. [5606/17]
View answerI am aware of the recent tragic deaths which have occurred at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos to which the Deputy refers. The situation on the ground in Greece remains extremely challenging with tens of thousands of refugees and migrants dispersed across the country in several sites on the mainland and islands. The situation has been exacerbated in recent months by severe winter weather. The island of Lesbos has experienced heavy snowfall and recently-arrived refugees living at the Moria camp are especially vulnerable.
The Greek Government, working with international partners, has taken steps over the last number of days to improve conditions in the camp. This includes moving a number of families to another facility on the island and providing winter tents for camp residents. There are further plans to develop a new plot on the island to improve conditions.
In 2016, the European Commission announced €198 million in funding to projects which aim to improve living conditions for refugees in Greece under the Emergency Support Instrument proposed by the Commission in March 2016. This emergency humanitarian assistance was channelled to UN agencies, NGOs and international organisations, including UNHCR, IOM, IFRC and the International Rescue Committee. The activities funded under this Emergency Support Instrument include winterisation, health care, protection assistance and provision of food and non-food items and services including water, sanitation and hygiene.
Under Ireland’s Rapid Response Initiative, Irish Aid has deployed five rapid responders to Greece since the beginning of 2016. These highly-skilled and experienced personnel have provided much needed additional capacity to our UN partners’ refugee response operations on the ground, helping to improve access to clean water and to sanitation services in camps, and helping to deliver protection services.
Ireland also provides practical solidarity to Greece through our participation in the relocation programme. This week, Ireland’s tenth relocation mission to Greece is on the ground in Athens conducting interviews to pave the way for another group to travel to Ireland. To date 240 people have benefited from the programme and two more groups are expected to arrive in Ireland this month.
342. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to media reports that the EU Ambassadors to Palestine 2016 annual report said that the number of illegal Israeli settlers moving to occupied East Jerusalem is growing by 3% a year and that it blamed Israel for violence in occupied East Jerusalem; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the report stated that EU countries should impose immigration regulations or visa bans on known violent settlers and those calling for violence; and his views on imposing these sanctions against illegal Israeli settlers. [5607/17]
View answerIreland contributed to the compilation of the report in question, and the developments and observations contained in it underpin the continued emphasis we have placed on settlement and other issues affecting the lives of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and elsewhere.
The purpose of these reports is to act as a basis for policy discussion within the EU, and in general it is not helpful to discuss their details publicly. I cannot comment on specific elements reported in the media, but the factual details are to be found in other publicly available sources.
I would have no difficulty examining a proposal to place travel sanctions on known individuals promoting violent acts, if this was both practicable and helpful. There is however no suggestion in the report of extending such measures to all settlers, and I would not propose such a measure.
344. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will investigate a case (details supplied) as a matter of urgency. [5640/17]
View answerI am very much aware of this particularly distressing parental child abduction case.
Regrettably, my Department’s consular team and our Embassies are being called on to deal with an increasing number of cases involving parental abduction of minors across international borders. These cases are particularly difficult and complex where, as in this particular case, the country to which the children have been abducted is not a party to the Hague convention on the Rights of the child.
Officials from my Department’s Consular Assistance Unit and the accredited Irish Embassy are providing ongoing consular assistance to this family and are in ongoing liaison also with An Garda Síochána on the case.
Due to the sensitive nature of this consular case, which involves minors, it would not be appropriate for me or my Department to disclose publicly any details of this ongoing case. However, I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department, both from our Consular Assistance team at HQ and at the Irish Embassy accredited to Algeria, will continue to provide all possible appropriate consular advice and assistance to the family.
346. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of attendance at the sectoral meetings of the All-Island Civic Dialogue held to date; the details of the representation of political parties at those meetings; and if he will provide a breakdown of attendance and invites issued and accepted on a North-South basis. [5913/17]
View answerThe All-Island Civic Dialogue Process is an ongoing series of engagements at both sectoral and plenary level, with the next plenary meeting scheduled for 17 February. As was the case at the first plenary meeting on 2 November 2016, the Government’s policy for these engagements has been to ensure appropriate and proportionate representation by political parties from across the island.
To date, sectoral dialogues have taken place on the following themes – Agrifood; Further Education and Training; Education and Research; Transport, Tourism and Hospitality; Schools; Children and Young People; Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; and Seafood. Further sectoral dialogue events are taking place this week and in the coming weeks, including one on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement which I and my Department will host on 13 February.
In the time available and on the basis of data supplied by the relevant lead Departments organising and hosting the sectoral meetings taking place up to 3 February 2017, I can advise that a combined number of approximately 840 organisations and/or appropriate individuals participated.
The Civic Dialogue process is ongoing by nature and forms part of broader consultation work being carried out across the island by the Government in its response to the UK’s exit from the European Union. If the Deputy wishes to obtain further information on individual sectoral Civic Dialogue events, I would invite him to request this from the relevant sponsoring Minister.
347. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Darragh O'Brien den Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála an bhfuil sé i gceist aige, ag a Roinn nó ag an Rialtas ceist Acht na Gaeilge a chur i gcroílár aon phléití a tharlóidh ó thuaidh sna seachtainí agus sna míonna atá amach romhainn. [5937/17]
View answerTá roinnt eilimintí de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm go hiomlán go fóill, iad siúd a bhaineann le hAcht Teanga ina measc. Is é seasamh daingean an Rialtais ná go gcaithfidh Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus na Comhaontuithe comharba a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm ina n-iomlán, agus feictear é seo sa Chlár do Rialtas Comhpháirtíochta. Rinneadh foráil i gComhaontú Chill Rímhinn in 2006 d’Acht Teanga i dTuaisceart Éireann a bheith achtaithe ag Rialtas na Breataine.
Rinne Rialtais na hÉireann i ndiaidh a chéile tacú le hAcht Teanga agus leanann muid ar aghaidh ag obair ar a son. Faraor, go dtí seo ní raibh aontas laistigh den Fheidhmeannas ar ábhar atá anois déabhlóidithe chun é a thabhairt chun cinn.
I gComhaontú Teach Stormont in 2014, rinne an Rialtas agus Rialtas na Breataine, ag cuimhniú ar na gealltanais ó na Comhaontuithe a tháinig roimhe, eadóirseacht don gá le meas agus aitheantas don Ghaeilge i dTuaisceart Éireann.
Déanann Comhaontú Teach Stormont foráil i gcomhair cruinnithe athbhreithnithe rialta idir an Rialtas, Rialtas na Breataine agus ceannairí páirtithe an Fheidhmeannais. Ag an dá Cruinniú Athbhreithnithe dheireanach – an ceann is déanaí i Mí na Nollag – bhí an deis agamsa aird a tharraigt ar na gealltanais nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm, ina measc iad siúd a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge, agus d’iarr mé go bhfanfadh siad ar an gclár oibre i gcomhair cruinnithe athbhreithnithe sa todhchaí.
Leanfaidh an Rialtas ar aghaidh ag tacú leis an nGaeilge ar bhonn uile-oileáin, ag cur san áireamh an tacaíocht airgeadais a chuireann muid ar fáil d’obair Fhoras na Gaeilge.
Leanfaidh an Rialtas ar aghaidh freisin ag dul i ngleic le Rialtas na Breataine agus na páirtithe polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann le cur i bhfeidhm iomlán na bhforálacha de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus na Comhaontuithe comharba, ina measc iad siúd ag baint leis an nGaeilge.
REPLY
A number of elements of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements have not yet been fully implemented, including in relation to an Irish Language Act. The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and the successor Agreements must be implemented in full, and this is reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government.
An Irish Language Act in Northern Ireland to be enacted by the British Government was provided for in the St Andrews Agreement in 2006.
Successive Irish Governments have advocated in favour of an Irish Language Act and continue to do so. Regrettably to date, there has been no agreement within the Executive to take forward what is now a devolved matter.
In the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government and the British Government, recalling the commitments from previous Agreements, endorsed the need for respect for and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland.
The Stormont House Agreement provides for regular review meetings with the participation of the Government, the British Government and the Executive party leaders. At the last two Review Meetings – most recently in December – I had the opportunity to draw attention to these outstanding commitments, including in relation to the Irish Language, and asked that they remain on the agenda for future review meetings.
The Government will continue to support the Irish language on an all-island basis, including through financial support for the work of Foras na Gaeilge.
The Government will also continue to engage with the British Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to seek the full implementation of all provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and successor Agreements, including those relating to the Irish language.
348. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government has been approached to provide funding for a programme (details supplied); the position of the Government on this issue if approached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5952/17]
View answerOn 23 January, the US President signed an Executive Order reinstating the so-called ‘Mexico City Policy’.
Ireland shares the concern of many partner countries in terms of the potential negative impact on organisations which provide a range of maternal health services and reproductive health care including basic family planning services in developing countries.
In relation to the specifics of the question, my Department has had contact with the Netherlands to exchange views on these concerns; the Dutch government has confirmed that it is not establishing a new fund.
Maternal and reproductive health in Africa and elsewhere is a priority focus for our aid programme and is also critical to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Almost 20% of the Irish Aid budget is invested in global health and HIV programmes. In 2016, for instance, we provided almost €12 million in funding to UN organisations to support a range of programmes to improve maternal and reproductive health. We also provided some €32 million in health sector programmes in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. These focus on a range of services including the expansion of maternal and reproductive health services, the provision of training for midwives and the distribution of medical supplies.
353. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that the Houses of the Oireachtas are leading by example on environmentally friendly initiatives; his views on whether more could be done on environmental policies within the Houses; and if consideration will be given to following the example of the Bundestag in becoming a carbon neutral national Parliament. [5581/17]
View answerThe staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas have been actively involved in the OPW’s Optimising Power @ Work energy conservation initiative for many years. Regular events are held to elevate energy awareness for Members and Staff in the Oireachtas. The Houses of the Oireachtas previously won the “Best Energy Team” at the OPW’s national awards. The Oireachtas is fully compliant with the SEAI reporting requirements. The management and staff also participate in waste and paper recycling schemes. From an energy usage perspective, a large Biomass Boiler (wood chip) provides a substantial proportion of the heating and hot water requirements to the entire Leinster House campus. The current refurbishment of Leinster House will provide an opportunity to further reduce the energy demands as far as possible, within the architectural constraints of the protected structure.
The Houses of the Oireachtas continue to explore opportunities and adopt specific policies and practices that will further their efforts in this area.
The environmental initiatives in the Bundestag are far reaching and capital intensive. Consideration will be given to include appropriate measures where they are technically and economically feasible.
