Written Answers Nos 60-71
61. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of the requirement for all first-time passport applicants aged 18 years of age and over to have a public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25614/17]
View answerSince 29 March last year my Department has required all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland to hold a valid Public Services Card. This requirement also applies to the small number of adult passport applicants whose last passport was issued before 1 January 2005 and has since been reported as lost, stolen or damaged.
This measure has been an important step in protecting 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.
The impact on adult first-time passport applicants is that they no longer need to supply a certified copy of a document such as a driving license or student card for identification purposes. The card also dispenses with the current requirement for additional proof of name. Proof of address is still required. The introduction of the requirement has had no significant impact on customer service or on the processing time for first-time passport applications.
62. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of additional staff that have been deployed to embassies and consulates since 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25615/17]
View answerAdditional capabilities and resources have been assigned across my Department to address issues arising from the complex process of the UK exit from the EU. In general terms, all of our diplomatic Missions across the EU are working extensively on the UK exit issue as are a number of embassies further afield.
At Headquarters the key Divisions of European Union Division and the Ireland, UK and Americas (IUKA) Division, both headed at Second Secretary General level, have been assigned additional resources. The European Union Division contains a dedicated team focused exclusively on the EU-UK negotiations, led by a senior officer at Counsellor level. Within the IUKA Division, there is a Brexit-specific policy co-ordination function now in place and there are teams focused on Northern Ireland and on wider British-Irish Relations; their duties include Brexit related issues.
Many business units of the Department at its headquarters in Dublin are involved as part of the strategic response to the UK exit and staff numbers have been augmented, for example in the Legal Division, the Trade Division and the Policy Planning Unit. There is also an intra-Departmental senior management group focusing on issues relating to the UK exit, chaired by the Secretary General and comprising senior officials from across all relevant business units of the Department.
A number of officers are seconded to the Department of the Taoiseach and working on EU matters, while two officers are seconded to the International and EU Relations Division of the Department of Finance.
In relation to citizen services there has been a marked increase in demand for passports and citizenship via foreign birth registration from applicants in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. In response to this and a significantly increased seasonal demand, we have recruited over 300 temporary and full-time clerical officers to meet demands for our Passport and Consular Services and these additional resources have been assigned to our Dublin, Cork and London operations.
Overseas, specific additional senior diplomatic posts have been assigned to our Embassies in London, Berlin and Paris as well as the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels. The Permanent Representation in Brussels has a unit dedicated to managing our response to this issue comprising a Counsellor, First Secretary and Third Secretary.
Berlin and Paris each have had senior diplomats assigned to the embassy teams with a specific Brexit remit. London has augmented both its diplomatic staff and its administrative teams.
These measures, which comprise the initial phase of our response to the UK decision to leave the EU, remain under review as the Government carries out its work in response to the UK referendum decision and as preparations for the forthcoming negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU intensify.
63. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent actions taken to address the situation of the undocumented Irish in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25617/17]
View answer66. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions with US officials regarding immigration reform and, in particular, the plight of undocumented Irish citizens in the USA; his plans to meet US officials in the near future to discuss this further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25604/17]
View answerI propose to take questions Nos. 63 and 66 together.
The Government’s objectives regarding our undocumented citizens in the United States remain unchanged, namely: to achieve relief for the undocumented and facilitate greater pathways for legal migration to the United States.
In pursuit of these objectives the Government and Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the US systematically avail of opportunities to raise immigration and the situation of the undocumented with the US Administration and Congressional representatives.
I raised these issues myself during my meetings in January and early February with senior members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and representatives of the new Administration in Washington DC.
The Taoiseach subsequently used the opportunity of his meetings with President Trump, Vice-President Pence, Speaker Ryan, and other senior US leaders during the St. Patrick’s Day engagements in Washington DC to raise immigration-related issues and to convey the continuing importance which we attach to them.
My colleague, Minister of State Joe McHugh, visited New York in March, where he met a number of emigrant support groups who are directly involved in supporting the undocumented and heard their perspectives on recent developments. Subsequently, on 3 May, Minister of State McHugh convened a discussion in my Department’s Headquarters on the challenges facing the undocumented Irish community in the US. This event took place on the eve of the Global Irish Civic Forum in Dublin and brought together leading figures who are committed to this issue, including a number of our Senators and representatives of Irish Immigration Centers, as well as the deputy head of mission in our Embassy in Washington, and a representative of families of undocumented citizens abroad.
Minister of State McHugh also recently announced an additional €50,000 funding from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme budget for the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres, which provides authoritative advice and vital services to our undocumented citizens in the US.
Issues around immigration and the undocumented are an important element of the work of Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the US. Our Embassy in Washington and our six Consulates across the United States work with Irish immigration centres on a daily basis in providing support to Irish citizens.
I can assure the Deputies of the Government’s continued commitment to pursuing these matters on behalf of our citizens in the US.
64. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised or plans to raise at EU level or otherwise, the issue of potential safe passage for a person (details supplied) from the UK to Ecuador in view of recent legal developments in their case. [25453/17]
View answerThe case to which the Deputy refers is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom. As Ireland has no locus standi in this case, I do not plan to take any action on the matter.
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to press upon his EU and UN colleagues the urgency of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa; the extent to which plans are in hand to deal specifically with the issues arising, including the need to provide interim arrangements such as safe havens and a specific and comprehensive plan to provide drinking water throughout the regions; the extent to which adequate protection exists to ensure the safety of NGOs and volunteers and an assurance aid is directed to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25606/17]
View answerThe scale of the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa is unprecedented. Drought continues to worsen in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, where 13 million people are facing crisis levels of food insecurity. Somalia continues to face a significant risk of famine, and famine has already been declared in parts of South Sudan.
Ireland continues to prioritise this region in our humanitarian response. The Horn of Africa crisis was discussed at the recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 15 May which I attended. The EU has regularly emphasised the need to address the root causes of the humanitarian crisis, to work for peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region and to respect international humanitarian law.
Unhindered access to populations in need and the safety and protection of aid workers are essential. Providing safe havens within conflict zones is extremely difficult, especially where the warring parties do not prioritise the protection of civilians. Such safe havens require a mandate from the UN Security Council where political will is often lacking.
Ireland has provided €120 million in humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa region since 2012, including €29 million in 2016 and €17 million so far this year. Our assistance supports our UN and NGO partners’response, with particular focus on improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, food and treating malnutrition.
Together with EU and UN partners, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and to advocate internationally for respect for international humanitarian law and the safe delivery of assistance to those most in need.
68. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise concerns regarding the recently announced arms deal between the United States of America and Saudi Arabia at a European level; his views on the way in which the arms deal might impact on lives and further destabilise the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25448/17]
View answer96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had communication with President Trump in view of the €110 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia and in further view of the human rights issues in Saudi Arabia and the escalation of air strikes in Syria and Iraq since President Trump took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25647/17]
View answer99. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the arms deal between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; his further views on the impact of this on peace in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25657/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 96 and 99 together.
On his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, the President of the United States signed a significant arms deal with the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia, like a number of other states in the region, is a party to the conflict in Yemen. The war has now entered its third year, at a considerable cost to the civilian population.
I have consistently, and repeatedly, made known to this House my view that there can be no military solution to the conflict in Yemen. I am aware of comments made during the US visit to Saudi Arabia, that more military pressure is needed to get the Houthis to enter into peace negotiations. My clear view, however, is that what is most needed in Yemen is for those with influence in the region to put pressure on the parties to the conflict to make the concessions required for a peace agreement.
A solution to the conflict in Yemen would not only bring relief to the Yemeni population, but would also have positive, stabilising effects in the wider Gulf region. It would also mean that the Yemeni Government and its neighbours could focus on fighting the terrorist groups that have strengthened their presence in Yemen since the war began.
The longer the war continues, the longer the suffering of the civilian population. The conflict has had a terrible impact on what was already the poorest country in the Gulf. The current cholera outbreak is one example of the knock-on consequences that the fighting is having on civilians. This epidemic is impacting children in particular, reflecting the fact that conflict often has the most devastating effect on the most vulnerable groups in society.
My officials engage regularly with their US counterparts on a variety of Arms Control, Disarmament and non-Proliferation matters. With regard to arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, and to the problems posed by arms transfers to conflict regions generally, our efforts are concentrated on universalisation and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, which we strongly support. The US has signed the Treaty, but not yet ratified it. Ireland regularly encourages all States who have not yet acceded to the Treaty as full members to do so. We also participate actively in EU demarches to non-members to this effect, and will continue to do so.
Finally, regarding Syria and Iraq, the US has undertaken a number of operations in Syria and Iraq since the establishment of the Global Coalition to counter ISIS in 2014. Ireland does not oppose the legally sanctioned participation of countries in operations mandated under UN Security Resolution 2249. These operations are aimed at the liberation of Syrian and Iraqi populations under the control of Daesh, or ISIS, a terrorist group which a UN body has charged with the crime of genocide against the Yazidi population.
69. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement his Department has had with India and Pakistan regarding the status and humanitarian situation in Kashmir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25645/17]
View answerIreland is monitoring this situation via our Embassy in New Delhi and our Embassy in Ankara, which is accredited to Pakistan. Irish officials discuss India-Pakistan relations with their counterparts from those countries on a regular basis.
The EU, including of course Ireland, continues to support the reconciliation process between India and Pakistan over Kashmir with a view to finding a lasting resolution to the situation, particularly through dialogue, and by involving as far as possible the Kashmiri people in this process. The EU also advocates for accountability of armed forces responsible for abuses against civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan are important friends of the EU: India and the EU formed a Strategic Partnership in 2004, and Pakistan and the EU agreed a five Year Engagement Plan in 2012.
The EU Missions in New Delhi maintain an ongoing comprehensive discussion on India-Pakistan relations, including the situation in Kashmir, which resulted in a detailed report with recommendations earlier this year. While the EU is committed to working to improve the climate between the two countries, it was agreed that the EU should assess the political and human rights situation in Kashmir separately from India-Pakistan relations and cross-border terrorism.
No humanitarian funding has been provided directly by Ireland to programmes responding specifically to Kashmir, however broader humanitarian funding has been provided to both India and Pakistan. For example, in 2016 the Start Fund allocated €816,000 to NGOs to address the humanitarian impact of extreme weather events in India. Irish Aid is one of three donors to the Start Fund along with the UK and the Netherlands. In Pakistan, this year the Irish Government has allocated €400,000 to Trócaire to support communities who have returned to their homes after being displaced by the earthquake which struck near the border with Afghanistan in October 2015.
The EU and UN also contribute humanitarian aid to this region. In 2015 €3.4 million was allocated by the EU Commission to provide psycho-social support and livelihood means to people affected by conflict in Jammu and Kashmir and the north-eastern states, as well as health and protection services to communities in remote settlements in Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
Ireland is also the eighth largest donor (over US$179 million in total) to the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund, which has provided over US$193 million (in the 2006-2017 period) to support humanitarian organisations working to assist vulnerable and crises affected communities in Pakistan.
70. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 1,500 Palestinians are on hunger strike in Israeli jails; his views on whether Israel’s mass detention of Palestinians and its treatment of Palestinian prisoners and their families is inhumane and vindictive and that Israel should abide by international and human rights law; and his further views on whether the Israeli authorities should agree to the reasonable and humane reforms that the hunger strikers are demanding. [25632/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply earlier to Priority Question 49. Thankfully the hunger strike has now ended.
I would refer the Deputy also to the Topical Issues debate on 10 May, where I was able to address this matter in more detail.
71. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to an agreement between the RAF and the State concerning Irish airspace defence, if the Defence Forces including the Air Corps, are party to this agreement; if specific training has taken place regarding this agreement; if so, the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25611/17]
View answer82. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps are party to an agreement between the RAF and the State concerning airspace defence; if specific training has taken place regarding this agreement; if so, the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/17]
View answer101. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the person that has the ultimate responsibility for allowing RAF jets to fly over Irish airspace on intercept missions; the details of the bilateral agreement reached by his Department and the Irish Aviation Authority and its British counterparts (details supplied) that permits such missions; if RAF planes are allowed to conduct armed operations over Ireland in the event of a terrorist attack, real or suspected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23194/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 82 and 101 together.
The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs have put in place strict conditions which must be satisfied before permission to overfly the territory of the State may be granted.
Thorough and robust procedures are in place in my Department with a view to ensuring that the conditions for securing permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly the State are clearly understood and properly applied. These procedures are kept under ongoing review.
I cannot comment on any reports concerning national security matters or responses that might be taken in the event of an attack on Ireland or a serious and immediate security threat to Ireland and the Irish people.
As I previously stated in my response to question number 34 of 12 April 2017, I can confirm that no agreement has been entered into by the State to grant any permission to the RAF, or indeed the military aircraft of any other state, to shoot down planes of any type under any circumstances over Ireland.
In discharging the fundamental responsibilities of the Executive as set out in the Constitution, the Government’s engagement in international security cooperation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority and for Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
