Written Answers Nos. 1-59
24. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach the rationale for not seeking a veto on any aspect of either the separation or future relationship talks with regard to Brexit on any aspect, including Anglo-Irish relations and Northern Ireland with regard to Brexit negotiations. [24371/17]
View answerWe are confident that the European Council’s adoption of the EU’s negotiating Guidelines on April 29 gives Ireland its strongest hand going into these complex negotiations. The unique circumstances of Ireland have been recognised as part of the negotiations from the outset.
The Irish Government’s priority is to ensure that the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, including the Good Friday Agreement which already exists, is recognised and protected within the context of the Article 50 negotiations leading to a withdrawal agreement. The Good Friday Agreement is an internationally recognised Treaty, registered with the UN. This is a key distinguishing factor regarding what is a unique political and constitutional framework on the island of Ireland.
As the Government has consistently said, the only way for us to influence this process and protect our national interests, including with regard to Northern Ireland and the Common Travel Area, is to win the understanding and support of EU partners for Ireland’s unique concerns. From the outset, these concerns have been recognised as part of the negotiation Guidelines, and we have achieved this understanding through the extensive programme of outreach and engagement undertaken with our EU partners.
There will be a separate agreement on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, which is likely to cover a broad range of policy areas, including trade, and which is likely to take longer to conclude than the EU-UK exit agreement. Depending on the nature of this agreement, which is subject to negotiations, approval by each Member State may be required in accordance with their own domestic procedures.
It is also important to remember that the future relationship agreement will require ratification by all EU27 Member States, including Ireland. An EU-UK exit agreement will be approved by a majority in the European Council, therefore no one member state will be in a position to block or veto a deal. Even if it were possible to veto a deal, it would not mean that the UK would not leave – Under Article 50, it would simply mean that the UK would depart without appropriate arrangements in place.
28. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the publication of a document outlining the Government's approach to mitigating the impact of Brexit on the economy, trade and jobs; and the expected publication date of this document. [24373/17]
View answerOn 29 April, the European Council adopted Guidelines establishing the framework for negotiations with the UK on its exit from the EU. On 22 May, the Council of Ministers at 27 adopted a decision authorising the beginning of the negotiations, which are expected to start soon after the UK general election.
The negotiating directives under which the talks will be conducted reflect Ireland's unique concerns - support and protect the achievements, benefits and commitments of the peace process; avoid a hard border; and protect the Common Travel Area.
Now that the terms on which the negotiations are to be conducted have been established, the Government has stated its intention to intensify its focus on the economic implications of Brexit, including on domestic policy measures to reinforce the competitiveness of the Irish economy; to protect it from potential negative impacts of Brexit; and to pursue all possible opportunities that might arise.
Work is under way on a paper, which will be published in due course and which will draw on the extensive work already being undertaken across Departments, including sectoral analyses, and will reflect the core economic themes of my speech to the Institute of International and European Affairs of 15 February, including:
- sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and help businesses adjust to any new logisitical or trade barriers arising;
- making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
Policy decisions in support of these objectives will be reflected in, inter alia, the annual Budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new 10-year National Capital Plan; the review of Enterprise 2025; and sectoral policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy.
In taking this important work forward, the Government will continue to engage with stakeholders, including through the All Island Civic Dialogue process.
57. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the way in which the occupation can be ended and the steps he is taking in this regard, in view of the 50-year anniversary of the occupation of the West Bank, Golan Heights and Gaza. [25660/17]
View answerThe resolution of the Middle East conflict, and the ending of the occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel, is an important foreign policy priority for Ireland and for the Government, and has been a principal focus of my own work at the EU Foreign Affairs Council and in the UN and other international fora.
I have continued to argue to maintain an EU and a broader international focus on the Middle East Peace Process, despite the many crises elsewhere in the region. The 50th anniversary of the beginning of the occupation, which we will reach in a few days, strongly reinforces the argument I have been making, that the status quo of the continuing occupation is unacceptable, and that a solution to the conflict is as urgent as ever.
I therefore strongly supported the initiative led by France in 2016, which concluded at the Paris Conference, which I attended in January this year. The conference produced an important restatement of international consensus behind a two state solution to the conflict, but was unable to impart renewed momentum to the peace process.
The interest shown by President Trump last week in brokering a peace between the two sides was certainly welcome, and it remains to be seen what follow up there is to this. Ireland, and I am sure the EU, will provide any assistance we can.
I believe the wider international community, including the EU, must do more to encourage and press the current governing majority in Israel to recommit to the peace process, and also to bolster the waning belief of Palestinians that the political path can bring results.
Finally, in order to preserve the space on which an agreement can be built, I believe that Ireland and our EU partners need to continue the engagement we have made to defend the two state solution on the ground, and resist the ongoing Israeli settlement project which is deeply damaging to the prospects for peace.
58. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will undertake an information campaign to ensure that passport applications are submitted allowing for extra time for processing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being advised nationally that the passport express service is a 15-day turnaround as opposed to a 15-working-day turnaround; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25364/17]
View answerThe target turnaround period for Passport Express renewal applications is fifteen working days. The Passport Express service operates in partnership with An Post and this revised target has been in place for over a year. It is a target rather than a stated guarantee of service delivery.
The fifteen working day target is communicated very clearly on the website and in all promotional materials of An Post including Passport Express receipts and on the website of my Department. The Passport Service also promotes messages on turnaround times in all customer contacts, including on social media and via stands at travel exhibitions. I regularly provide information and guidance on turnaround times in responses to parliamentary questions, through frequent written updates for Members and correspondence with those who have queries.
I want to reiterate that the target for renewals is fifteen working days - in other words, effectively three weeks. It is not fifteen days, ten days or any other period. An Post is kept apprised on a regular basis of any fluctuations in average turnaround times.
The average turnaround time for Passport Express renewals is currently fifteen working days, in line with the published target.
All applicants are advised on notes accompanying the passport application form to check current turnaround times online on the website of my Department. First time applications take longer due to the need for extra security checks. The turnaround times are updated weekly. Applicants who do not have sufficient time to make a Passport Express application are advised to book an appointment online and to submit an application in person at the Passport Office in either Dublin or Cork.
In all cases, applicants are advised not to book travel unless in possession of a valid passport.
I recently launched the Online Passport Application Service, which allows adult citizens to renew their passports online from anywhere in the world at any time of the day or night, without any paperwork or witnesses. The turnaround time for the online service is ten working days plus postage time and the response from online applicants has been very positive so far. I urge deputies to encourage all eligible applicants to avail of this fast, secure and convenient facility. A promotional campaign on social media and on public transport is underway which should lift the numbers further. As more applicants avail of the service, the efficiency gains will help improve turnaround times more broadly.
I have repeated the advice I have provided today on many occasions in this House. Despite this and the public information efforts it is clear that a number of people continue to use an incorrect channel and this results in follow-on requests and representations to expedite applications. I have asked therefore the Passport Service and the Communications Unit in my Department to look at further steps in the coming weeks to help improve public awareness of best practice in submitting passport applications. This complements the ongoing advertising campaign to promote use of the new online passport application service.
