Written Answers Nos. 72-93
72. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will initiate discussions with the Northern Irish and British authorities with regard to the need for a Patten-style commission regarding the prison service in Northern Ireland. [25454/17]
View answerSince the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive in the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010, prison policy has been a devolved matter. An executive agency of the Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, has operational responsibility for prisons, while the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland retains certain responsibilities around separation.
Prison issues feature regularly in my discussions with the Secretary of State and with successive Northern Ministers of Justice. I will continue my discussions on prison issues with the next Minister for Justice following the restoration of the Institutions.
The Northern Ireland Executive last summer agreed to implement the recommendation of the Fresh Start Paramilitary Panel that a review of the separated regime in Maghaberry be established. This would, I believe, involve assessing how the separated regime impacts on the operation of the prison itself.
My Department engaged fully in the Paramilitary Panel’s consultation process.
I look forward to that review panel being appointed and to seeing their work completed. That cannot happen until the new Executive is established and a Minister of Justice is in place. Clearly the sooner an Executive is formed the better.
I believe that such a review opens up an opportunity to address genuine concerns regarding separation, including such issues as association on the landings and access to education. I know the Deputy and a number of colleagues have strong concerns about these and related issues. It may open a wider discussion on other potential reforms in the prison service.
My officials at the Secretariat in Belfast continue to monitor prison issues closely and to meet with the range of agencies responsible for prisoner issues in Northern Ireland, including the Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Prison Ombudsman, and on non-devolved aspects, with officials from the Northern Ireland Office.
73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify the indications he has received from President el-Sisi of Egypt that he will exercise his presidential powers to return a person (details supplied) to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25607/17]
View answerThis consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and very substantial resources and time are being devoted to it.
The Government has been doing everything possible to secure this citizen’s release. We have supported petitions for him to be returned to Ireland under Egyptian Law 140; we have appealed for him to be released under the Egyptian President’s ‘Youth Amnesty’ Scheme, and we have stressed in all contacts the humanitarian dimensions of the case as grounds under which we believe he should be released.
The Taoiseach has raised this case directly and personally with Egyptian President el-Sisi on numerous occasions. In April, the Taoiseach once again made direct contact with President el-Sisi to renew the Government’s appeal to the Egyptian authorities to release this Irish citizen and return him to Ireland without delay.
For my part, I have also been working continuously on this young man’s behalf, meeting regularly with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, including during visits to Cairo, to make sure that the Egyptian authorities are in no doubt about our position. I once again underlined our demand for our citizen’s release when I met with Minister Shoukry face-to-face again in Brussels in March. I have also led and been proactive on efforts to build and maintain international support for our efforts on this case, including through my regular contacts with EU colleagues including High Representative Mogherini and my fellow EU Foreign Ministers.
The court case in which this man is accused is now moving forward and the presiding judge has invoked new legal provisions to speed up the trial process. These are indications that an end to the trial may, finally, be in sight.
President el-Sisi has powers under the Egyptian constitution and laws which would allow him to order the deportation of our citizen to Ireland. However, he has repeatedly said that he cannot consider using these powers while the case remains before the courts. President el-Sisi has consistently made clear to the Government that he is anxious to resolve this issue as soon as he can, and that he will be able to intervene in the case once the trial has ended.
The Irish Government cannot intervene in a case that is before the courts in another jurisdiction. What we can do, and what we are doing, is working constantly to maintain maximum pressure on the Egyptian Government to ensure that they are in no doubt about our wish to see that this trial proceeds now to a conclusion and, once it is concluded, that our citizen is returned to Ireland without delay.
74. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the aid that is being allocated to the Syrian crisis; his plans for escalation of this aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25499/17]
View answerSince 2012, Ireland has provided €76.5 million in humanitarian assistance to those affected by the Syria crisis. This represents Ireland’s single largest response ever to a humanitarian crisis. Our funding has supported those in need within Syria as well as Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan. We work with UN and Red Cross partners, and as well as NGO partners, to ensure that our funding reaches the most vulnerable. These partners provide humanitarian supplies and urgently-needed health, education, water and sanitation services, as well as implementing measures to protect women, children and vulnerable families.
Through our annual contributions to EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response in Syria.
At the pledging conference for the Syria crisis in Brussels in April, I committed to providing at least €25 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria in 2017. This pledge is in line with Ireland's expenditure on this crisis in 2016, when we exceeded our pledge of €20m.
We have already begun to fulfil our 2017 pledge, having provided funding to the UN Humanitarian Country Based Pooled Funds in Jordan and Lebanon in February. We are currently preparing an additional disbursement to partners in the region.
The Government remains strongly committed to supporting those affected by the Syria crisis. I had the opportunity to visit Lebanon and Jordan in February where I met with Syrian refugees who are benefitting from Ireland’s humanitarian assistance. I witnessed first-hand the immense needs within the region and also the impact of the support that Ireland is providing. We will continue to provide that support and to work with our international partners in the search for a political solution to the crisis.
75. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the unrest in Venezuela and anti-government protests there; the way in which Ireland can support the democratically elected Administration, which is being destabilised by commercial interests and foreign regimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25451/17]
View answerI am concerned at the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, and in particular the reported deaths of at least 56 people in clashes between security forces and opposition demonstrators. Despite having the world’s largest proven petroleum reserves, Venezuela’s population faces a shortage of food and medicines.
While there have been long-running demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro, the most recent wave of protests began in January 2017. They worsened following two Supreme Court rulings in March rescinding the constitutional powers of the National Assembly. While these rulings were since largely reversed, it remains the case that the Court has declared the National Assembly in contempt of the Constitution and suspended its right to pass legislation. My EU counterparts and I discussed the situation in Venezuela at the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 May. Ireland and other EU member States have condemned the use of force in Venezuela and have called for the fatalities of recent weeks to be fully investigated. We have urged both the Government and opposition to seek peaceful and democratic solutions to the crisis and called on the Government to facilitate external agencies in addressing the urgent needs of the Venezuelan population.
Our view is that the establishment of a clear electoral calendar and the full restoration of the country’s democratic institutions will be critical to achieving a settlement to the crisis and we have urged the Government to engage in dialogue with the National Assembly and other involved parties.
While Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in Venezuela, officials at my Department and our accredited Embassy in Mexico will continue to follow the situation closely and use any bilateral contacts with the government or opposition to urge a peaceful settlement to the crisis.
76. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for Ireland in respect of Brexit negotiations. [19864/17]
View answerOn 2 May, the Government published a comprehensive document, setting out in detail its approach to the forthcoming negotiations on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This document was drafted with the Department of the Taoiseach and in consultation with all relevant Government Departments.
The document reflects the findings and outcomes of the extensive preparatory work and consultations undertaken to date by the Government at EU level and on the island of Ireland, including through the All-Island Civic Dialogue. It focuses in particular on the withdrawal negotiations, which are anticipated to get underway in the coming weeks. It also looks ahead to the future relationship negotiations and the issues that will need to be addressed in this second phase of the negotiations.
A priority for the Government over recent months has been to ensure that Ireland’s interests – as set out in the comprehensive document – are fully reflected in the EU’s negotiating position. The Government has undertaken an intensive campaign of engagement with EU partners and the EU institutions to ensure our specific concerns were fully recognised. For my part, I have had nearly 100 engagements on Brexit since the referendum with EU partners, including with each of my EU counterparts.
This campaign of engagement has delivered for Ireland. I welcome that the Negotiating Guidelines adopted by the European Council on 29 April and the more detailed negotiating directives adopted by the General Affairs Council on 22 May deliver on the objectives the Government identified in its comprehensive document published earlier this month.
In particular, the EU Guidelines and the directives express the goal of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process, including the need for flexible and imaginative solutions to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. They also recognise the bilateral agreements and arrangements between the EU and the UK, including the Common Travel Area. Additionally, the directives address the need to take full account of the situation of Irish citizens residing in Northern Ireland who will continue to enjoy rights as EU citizens and the need to address issues arising from Ireland’s unique geographic situation, including the transit of goods to and from Ireland via the UK.
Ireland also fully supports the phased approach that has been adopted by the EU, which foresees that discussions on the future EU-UK relationship will get under way as soon as sufficient progress has been made on the EU’s key priorities under the withdrawal process – notably citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement and border issues, including in relation to Ireland.
My immediate focus – and that of my Government colleagues – will therefore be on working with our EU partners to ensure a positive start to the negotiations with a view to ensuring that swift progress can be made on the withdrawal issues. In this regard, it is also important that the UK comes to the table with an open mind and a constructive approach. This will be vital in ensuring that we can move on to discussing in parallel the future EU-UK relationship, including in relation to trade, as soon as possible.
My Department will continue to play a central role in preparing and supporting these efforts. Given the cross-cutting nature of the EU-UK dossier, a number of Divisions are very closely engaged with this issue, as are our Missions, under the overall direction of the Secretary General. The European Union Division contains a specific team dedicated to the EU-UK negotiations, which will take the lead on the Article 50 process within the framework of the whole-of-government approach to Brexit, which is led by the Department of the Taoiseach. Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels will also play a key role. Resources both at home and in our Permanent Representation in Brussels, as well as in our Embassies in London, Paris and Berlin, have been reinforced. We are therefore well placed, both in terms of our preparedness and in terms of our core priorities, for the upcoming negotiations which will be long and complex.
77. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the State can realise commitments in One World, One Future; and the steps that can be taken to realise Ireland's 0.7% target in overseas development assistance in order to continue untied aid directed at the poorest. [25450/17]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s development aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Ireland’s policy for international development, One World One Future, defines the goals and priorities that guide all decisions on Ireland’s development cooperation programme. Our aid is untied and provided wholly on the basis of need. Our policy clearly commitments us to making progress towards the UN 0.7% target as economic conditions allow. The current Programme for Government reiterates this position, and sets out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target as resources permit.
Last month the OECD published the official ODA figures for 2016. Ireland’s total contribution to ODA in 2016, increased by some 12 % on the 2015 levels, to almost €724 million. This is the third consecutive year of growth in ODA volumes, and is a very clear demonstration of this Government’s commitment to increasing resources to our Aid Programme as economic conditions allow. The OECD also confirmed that last year we reversed the trend of a declining ODA / GNP percentage. Ireland’s percentage rose to 0.33% for 2016, up from 0.32% in 2015. For the current year we have increased the budget allocation to ODA by €10 million on the 2016 level.
The 2018 estimates process is due to commence shortly. And while the decision on final allocations to ODA, as with all public expenditure, will ultimately be a matter for Government, and will be made in the context of available resources and the competing budgetary demands facing Government, I can assure the Deputy that, I and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, will be making the strongest possible case for an increase in ODA for next year.
The challenge now is to continue to make sustained, manageable progress in meeting our commitment towards moving towards the UN target, while ensuring our aid programme continues to focus relentlessly on the core objectives of eradicating global hunger, reducing extreme poverty and providing humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
78. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions with his Chinese counterparts regarding the proposed belt and road initiative dubbed the new Silk Road. [24356/17]
View answerI have had discussions with Chinese counterparts regarding the Belt and Road initiative, notably with the Chinese Foreign Minister when he visited Ireland in May 2015. The Taoiseach also raised the initiative with the Chinese Premier, and other Government Ministers have held discussions with counterparts in relation to the issue. Furthermore, officials from my Department have engaged with their counterparts on the initiative, in both Dublin and through Ireland’s Missions in China.
Such discussions have taken place within the context of exploring opportunities for strengthening trade and investment links between Ireland and China, and for enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia more broadly.
Ireland was invited by China to participate in the Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing on 14-15 May of this year, and was represented by a senior official from the Department of Finance.
The Irish Government will continue to engage with Chinese counterparts on the Belt and Road initiative with a view to maximising the potential benefits to be accrued through the strengthening of the relationship between Ireland and China.
79. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the state of democracy and human rights in Turkey and the state of emergency that allows President Erdoğan to rule by decree, which is to be continued indefinitely; his further views on the fact that these powers have to date allowed the Turkish Government to jail more than 40,000 persons, fire or suspend more than 140,000 persons, shut down circa 1,500 civil groups, arrest at least 120 journalists and more than 150 news media outlets; and his further views on the health and well-being of the Peoples' Democratic Party Members of Parliament that remain in jail in Turkey. [25636/17]
View answerI have consistently raised my concerns about recent negative developments in Turkey and called on the Turkish authorities to uphold core European values of democracy, human rights, respect for rule of law and freedom of expression, including media freedom, as well as the rights of minorities and other fundamental freedoms. Turkey was the main topic of discussion at the Gymnich on 28 April, where I, along with other EU Foreign Ministers, expressed my deep concern at the situation in Turkey. We agreed that it is important to keep the lines of communication open with Turkey and that our engagement must be open and frank.
The State of Emergency has been renewed three times since it was first imposed on 20 July in the immediate aftermath of the attempted coup last year. I have called for the measures taken under the State of Emergency to be proportionate and urged the Turkish authorities to revert to ordinary procedures and safeguards as soon as possible and return to a sense of normalcy. Although the attempted coup was an attack on democracy, and we cannot underestimate the impact that this and terrorist attacks have had on Turkey, the fundamental rights of citizens must be respected, whatever the level of threat.
The scale of detentions and dismissals of public servants, including teachers, civil servants, judges and academics, as well as the ongoing media crackdown, is a cause of grave concern and was highlighted by the Amnesty report, ‘No end in sight: Purged public sector workers denied a future in Turkey’ published on 22 May. People have been dismissed or detained due to their alleged association with the Gulenist movement, which President Erdoðan blames for masterminding the coup, or, in many cases, given no reason for their removal from office. I fully agree that a fair and swift appeals procedure must be established to allow those dismissed to have their cases heard.
I have repeatedly voiced my serious concerns about the impact of the deteriorating situation on the lives of the Kurdish population in Turkey. I have called for the rights of all minorities in Turkey, including the Kurdish minority, to be respected. Late last year, the two co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish HDP and other members of the Turkish parliament were arrested – I made a statement on 4 November highlighting that this was a very worrying development and had a negative impact on democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law.
My officials met with Mr Faysal Sarýyýldýz, an MP in the pro-Kurdish HDP party on 18 May, when he raised, inter alia, the case of his imprisoned colleagues. It is my understanding that eleven HDP MPs are still in custody, while four have been released on bail.
I have previously expressed my concerns at the conditions of all those in detention in Turkey and repeat that it is critically important that the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial are respected.
80. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the date on which the Government will formally recognise the state of Palestine; the reason for delays in doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25639/17]
View answerI am continuing to consider, on an ongoing basis, if and when recognition by Ireland of a state of Palestine, in advance of its actual achievement on the ground, could play a helpful part in advancing a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
There are many varied factors bearing on this question. They include the likely impact of such a move on the peace process, the possible value of recognition as a symbolic gesture, the likely impact on other initiatives and perception by other actors, and the likely effect on Ireland’s ongoing influence on the issue. My continuous consideration of this question has included discussions with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, with EU and other Foreign Ministers, and my own visits to the region. I hope to make a further visit in the near future.
I have not yet assessed that the moment is right for this action. If and when I do reach that conclusion, I will have no hesitation in recommending immediate recognition of Palestine to the Government.
81. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his efforts to have a person (details supplied) released from prison in Cairo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25655/17]
View answerThis consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and very substantial resources and time are being devoted to it.
The Government has been doing everything possible to secure this citizen’s release. We have supported petitions for him to be returned to Ireland under Egyptian Law 140; we have appealed for him to be released under the Egyptian President’s ‘Youth Amnesty’ Scheme, and we have stressed in all contacts the humanitarian dimensions of the case as grounds under which we believe he should be released.
The Taoiseach has raised this case directly and personally with Egyptian President el-Sisi on numerous occasions. In April, the Taoiseach once again made direct contact with President el-Sisi to renew the Government’s appeal to the Egyptian authorities to release this Irish citizen and return him to Ireland without delay.
For my part, I have also been working continuously on this young man’s behalf, meeting regularly with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, including during visits to Cairo, to make sure that the Egyptian authorities are in no doubt about our position. I once again underlined our demand for our citizen’s release when I met with Minister Shoukry face-to-face again in Brussels in March. I have also led and been proactive on efforts to build and maintain international support for our efforts on this case, including through my regular contacts with EU colleagues including High Representative Mogherini and my fellow EU Foreign Ministers.
The court case in which this man is accused is now moving forward and the presiding judge has invoked new legal provisions to speed up the trial process. These are indications that an end to the trial may, finally, be in sight.
President el-Sisi has powers under the Egyptian constitution and laws which would allow him to order the deportation of our citizen to Ireland. However, he has repeatedly said that he cannot consider using these powers while the case remains before the courts. President el-Sisi has consistently made clear to the Government that he is anxious to resolve this issue as soon as he can, and that he will be able to intervene in the case once the trial has ended.
The Irish Government cannot intervene in a case that is before the courts in another jurisdiction. What we can do, and what we are doing, is working constantly to maintain maximum pressure on the Egyptian Government to ensure that they are in no doubt about our wish to see that this trial proceeds now to a conclusion and, once it is concluded, that our citizen is returned to Ireland without delay.
83. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the oppression of Kurdish political activists and political parties in Kurdish areas with the authorities of the Republic of Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25658/17]
View answer84. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns either within the European Union or directly with Turkish President Erdoğan regarding the continued imprisonment of 15 opposition parliamentarians from the HDP party and up to 150 journalists by the Turkish Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.
I have repeatedly voiced my serious concerns about the deteriorating situation in Turkey, including its impact on the lives of the Kurdish population. The increasing tensions in the south-east of the country are deeply troubling, and I am also gravely concerned at the mounting threat to civil society by breaches of human rights and democratic norms.
I have called for the rights of all minorities in Turkey, including the Kurdish minority, to be respected at every opportunity, including in this House, at the Council of Europe, and at meetings with my EU colleagues, most recently at the Gymnich on 28 April. I have also repeatedly called for a resumption of dialogue to allow the political process on the Kurdish issue to resume.
On 4 November I issued a statement expressing my serious concern at the arrest of the two co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish HDP and other members of parliament. I made clear that this was a very worrying development and had a negative impact on democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law.
My officials met with Mr Faysal Sarýyýldýz, an MP in the pro-Kurdish HDP party on 18 May, when he raised, inter alia, the case of his imprisoned colleagues. It is my understanding that eleven HDP MPs are still in custody, while four have been released on bail. I have repeatedly expressed my concerns at the conditions of all those in detention in Turkey and that it is critically important that the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial are respected.
My statements on developments in Turkey have been brought to the attention of the Turkish authorities, and I raised the issues of democracy and human rights, including the scale of those dismissed and detained since last July, with the Turkish Minister of the Economy when I met him on 25 April. I will continue to use every appropriate opportunity to highlight my concerns on these issues.
85. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with European Parliament Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt and MEPs in Strasbourg; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25644/17]
View answerI most recently met with the European Parliament’s Brexit Coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, in Brussels on 9 February. This meeting formed part of the Government’s continued programme of extensive engagement with EU partners to emphasise Ireland’s unique set of priorities with regard to Brexit.
The meeting with Mr. Verhofstadt provided an opportunity to take stock on key aspects of the Article 50 negotiations process and I underlined the importance of maintaining close co-operation with the European Parliament given that MEPs will be required to consent to the withdrawal agreement concluded between the EU and the UK. I also explained Ireland’s specific issues and concerns relating to Northern Ireland, the Common Travel Area and the depth of our trading relationship with the UK. I was pleased to see that there is a strong acknowledgement of our unique concerns in the European Parliaments resolution on Brexit adopted by an overwhelming majority of MEPS on 5 April.
During my visit to European Parliament on 9 February, I also met with Gianni Pittella, President of the Socialist and Democrats Group, the Irish MEPs and other key MEPs, including Elmar Brock, the EPP’s coordinator on Brexit and David McAllister, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. These meetings where another opportunity to set out Ireland’s concerns regarding Brexit to who influential members of the European Parliament.
More recently, on 16-17 May, the Minister of State for European Affairs, visited the plenary session of the European Parliament to hold a series of Brexit related meetings with key MEPs, including some involved in the Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group Committee and with Guy Verhofstadt.
These meetings provided a further opportunity for Minister Murphy to underline the Irish approach to the Brexit negotiations, emphasising our key priorities, and to learn more about the Parliament’s work and preparedness for the negotiations.
It also provided an opportunity for the Minister to thank the MEPs personally for their role in the adoption of the European Parliament’s resolution on Brexit, which, as I said, contains a very strong acknowledgement of Ireland’s unique concerns on Brexit.
86. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the escalating campaign of reprisals against human rights defenders and their families in Bahrain; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that civil and political society leaders have been subject to a pattern of intimidation, including the vandalising and destruction of their property with apparent impunity; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the families of exiled human rights defenders have been recently summoned to appear at police stations at which they were instructed to call their family member and ask for them to give up their activism abroad or their families would all be arrested; and his views on whether the latest acts of reprisal against activists inside and outside Bahrain and the continued use of both judicial and extrajudicial means to crack down on any and all dissent in the country are completely inexcusable. [25634/17]
View answerI am keenly aware of the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain, which I have remarked on in this House several times of late. I have noted that this deterioration has particularly targeted those who express dissent or criticism of the Bahraini Government.
Ireland attaches a high priority to safeguarding human rights defenders, and has continually advocated for freedom for civil society actors to operate in a safe and enabling environment, without repression. I am aware of the clashes that took place this week in the Bahraini village of Diraz, of the shootings, mass arrests and destruction of property. Preventing people from expressing their views does not quash people’s grievances; it only reinforces them. I call on the protesters and the Bahraini authorities alike to exercise restraint, for the protesters to express their views peacefully and for the authorities to permit them to do this.
Ireland’s concerns about human rights issues in Bahrain, in particular around civil liberties, are regularly conveyed to the Bahraini authorities. In March, officials from my Department met with an official from the Bahraini Embassy in London to discuss the human rights situation in Bahrain. Ireland’s (non-resident) Ambassador to Bahrain met with the Bahraini Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, at the beginning of this year and they discussed human rights.
My officials also raised ongoing human rights issues with Bahrain in the context of Bahrain’s Universal Periodic Review, which took place in Geneva at the beginning of the month. In advance of this review, in early February the Irish Mission to the UN in Geneva supported an event by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. Ireland also made specific reference to Bahrain in our Item 4 (Human Rights situations that require the Council's attention) Statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva last September, expressing concern about “restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association aimed at silencing the voice of civil society and human rights defenders in countries including… Bahrain”.
Further, my Department, both here in Dublin and in Geneva, engages with a number of Irish and international NGOs on human rights issues in Bahrain. For example, in October 2015, the Bahrain National Institution for Human Rights came to Ireland on a training visit, which included meetings with Irish human rights and civil society organisations. Officials from my Department also met with this group, and set out Ireland’s support for human rights promotion across the Middle East region.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation in Bahrain, and will continue to call on the Bahraini Government to make good on their stated commitment to make progress in the area of human rights.
87. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support his Department provides for the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council. [24359/17]
View answerEstablished under the Good Friday Agreement, the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has played a key role in developing consultation, cooperation, and action on the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest and within the competence of the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. My Department works closely with the Department of the Taoiseach in regard to NSMC matters and the Taoiseach co-chairs the NSMC Plenary meetings with the Northern Ireland First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The NSMC is supported by a standing Joint Secretariat in Armagh, staffed by members of the Irish and Northern Ireland Civil Services, with staff costs met separately. There are nine officers from my Department currently working there. In addition to servicing the Council which meets in Plenary, Institutional and Sectoral formats, my officials in the Joint Secretariat also perform other important functions focussed on advocacy for North-South co-operation. They are involved in developing networks of contacts, actively pursuing our priorities for advancing cooperation, as well as analysing and reporting on the progress of such cooperation, including on the work of the North-South Implementation Bodies. My officials in Armagh also play a co-ordinating role across Government in encouraging and advancing cross-border co-operation in all Departments.
As the formal mechanism for bilateral discussions between the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, the NSMC has a crucial role to play in the Brexit discussions and the negotiations ahead. The most recent NSMC Plenary meetings in July and November 2016 saw the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive agree on a number of important common principles for dealing with Brexit on an all-island basis, scoping out the sectoral implications of Brexit for Ireland, North and South, and agreeing to work together to optimise North-South planning in the phases preceding and following Brexit. For this reason especially, I hope that a new Executive can be formed soon and that the NSMC discussions can resume quickly thereafter so that the Executive can represent Northern Ireland’s interests, including in relation to the upcoming EU-UK negotiations.
In regard to British-Irish Council (BIC), the Government provides support in a number of ways, with lead responsibilities for the BIC held by the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In terms of practical support, my Department seconds an experienced diplomat to the permanent secretariat of the BIC, based in Edinburgh. This officer jointly heads the secretariat along with an official nominated by the UK government in London. As well as funding the salary and related costs for this official, my Department also makes a financial contribution towards the secretariat’s running costs.
At the Department’s headquarters at Iveagh House in Dublin, responsibility for the British Irish Council is assigned to the Ireland, UK and Americas (IUKA) Division. This is supported further through engagement as appropriate by our diplomatic missions and offices in London, Edinburgh and Belfast, given that the BIC’s membership consists of Ireland, the UK, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
My Department works closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, which provides Ireland’s representatives to the BIC’s central co-ordination group and leads on preparations for BIC Summit meetings, at which Ireland is represented by the Taoiseach. At these summit meetings, the Taoiseach is always accompanied by a minister or ministers responsible for the policy areas being discussed, along with officials from his Department and my own. Throughout the year, ministers and officials also participate in meetings related to the BIC’s twelve policy work streams, which involve direct engagement by a number of different Government Departments.
Established in the context of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the British Irish Council provides Ireland and all member administrations with valuable opportunities to engage with each other and make progress on the various policy work streams. The summit meetings since the UK referendum of June 2016 have also included specific and valuable conversations on the UK’s exit from the EU, thereby providing a clear capacity for discussion of key strategic issues.
88. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that according to an organisation (details supplied) 51 social leaders, activists and human rights defenders have been assassinated to date in 2017 in Colombia and this list has been verified against statistics from a human rights think tank (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that a union (details supplied) has denounced threats made to a person (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that after the killing of two members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, and six of their relatives in April 2017 threats and assassinations against FARC are not ceasing; and his views on the safety of human rights defenders and the peace process in Colombia. [25635/17]
View answerThe level of threats and attacks against human rights defenders in Colombia to date this year, as well as against members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), is a matter of great concern. The situation is being closely monitored by officials in my Department and by the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia. I reiterate that I unreservedly condemn any intimidation, violence, or discrimination perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights, whether in Colombia or elsewhere.
I firmly believe that the Colombian peace process, which aims to create a virtuous circle between peacebuilding and respect for human rights, provides the framework in which the endemic violence and impunity which has afflicted Colombian society can successfully be addressed. However, we know from our own experience in Ireland that peace processes are complex, challenging and can suffer unexpected setbacks.
Officials from my Department regularly engage with human rights defenders and civil society leaders active in Colombia, including those involved in the energy and mining sector. In November 2016 and March 2017, they hosted delegations from Peace Brigades International to discuss the worrying increase in violence against local leaders and human rights activists in Colombia to which the Deputy refers. Furthermore, officials from our Embassy in Mexico regularly interact with organisations working to promote and defend human rights in Colombia.
As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is a founder member and one of the largest contributors to the EU Trust Fund for Colombia. We have committed to providing €3 million in funding over the lifetime of the Fund, which aims to support the implementation of the peace agreement. In keeping with Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights internationally, we have advocated a strong human rights perspective for the Fund in discussions regarding its strategic direction.
In addition, Ireland has provided more than €5 million to international and local civil society organizations in Colombia since 2009, including to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Christian Aid, amongst others. Ireland regularly raises issues relating to human rights directly in Bogotá and via the UN and European Union. We will continue to prioritise such issues as the agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC is implemented in the months and years ahead.
89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of the recent announcement of €6 million in humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25642/17]
View answerWe, and our EU partners, are very concerned about the long-standing humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR), where insecurity, displacement and chronic vulnerability continue to cause great human suffering. Over seven million people in the DRC and 2.3 million people in CAR need humanitarian assistance. Just last week, a report was issued by the Norwegian Refugee Council which stated that in 2016, more people were newly displaced in the DRC than anywhere in the world, even Syria. Nonetheless, regrettably, these humanitarian crises are slipping from the international agenda and are severely underfunded.
Ireland has a clear focus on forgotten crises in our humanitarian response and we have maintained consistent support to the crises in CAR and DRC in recent years. Earlier this month, I approved an additional €6 million for these two crises. This funding has already been provided through contributions of €3 million each to UN managed DRC and CAR Humanitarian Funds. These funds allow donors to pool their contributions to support the humanitarian efforts of NGOs and UN agencies on the ground, who are best placed to respond. This ensures that the most urgent needs can be met quickly, be they for food, shelter, health or protection for the most vulnerable.
This 2017 allocation brings our total humanitarian assistance to DRC and CAR since 2012 to over €32 million and €25 million respectively. We will continue to keep these evolving crises under review. I expect that further funding for the crisis in the Central African Republic will be allocated in the coming weeks.
90. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on trading with a country that has received international criticism regarding its treatment of women and minorities in view of the findings of the UN Comtrade database, which found that Ireland's exports to Saudi Arabia in 2016 amounted to over €800 million; the details of Ireland's relationship with Saudi Arabia, particularly in terms of UN bodies; if Ireland played a role in the recent election of Saudi Arabia to the UN Commission on the Status of Women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25610/17]
View answerIreland has close economic ties with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia represents a significant market for Ireland. Total bilateral trade was worth approximately €1.96 billion in 2015, with the balance, €1.6 billion, greatly in Ireland’s favour. Total trade in goods in 2016 was worth €840,729, of which exports accounted for €821 million, with medical and pharmaceutical products, and food ingredients as the principle exports. Trade in services figures for 2016 are not yet available. The economic relationship with Saudi Arabia therefore has considerable benefits for the Irish economy.
Last November, I led a trade mission to the Gulf, accompanied by a diverse range of Irish companies, some of which are seeking to enter the Gulf markets for the first time and some of which are seeking to strengthen their position in those markets. I undertook a large number of engagements in support of these companies, and I saw first-hand the interest that Irish companies have in the Saudi market.
The economic partnership that we have with Saudi Arabia does not prevent us from raising human rights issues in the appropriate channels. For example, on my November visit to the Kingdom, I had a meeting with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nizar Madani. We had a discussion around human rights, including the position of women in society and the use of the death penalty. The Irish Embassy in Riyadh raises human rights issues directly with the Saudi authorities including, most recently, issues around religious freedom and the death penalty. We also raise human rights matters in conjunction with other EU missions in Saudi Arabia. Further, officials from my Department here in Dublin raise specific human rights cases with the Saudi Embassy in Dublin when the need arises.
Regarding the parts of the Deputy’s question on the UN, the UN is a forum for dialogue and partnership, for all 193 of its Member States. At the core of Ireland’s approach to the UN is our belief in shared responsibility, and that the values of our foreign policy – peace and security, justice, equality and sustainability – must remain at the centre of the work of the UN.
Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN and his staff interact with all member states on a wide range of issues, including our national priorities across the three pillars of the UN’s work, namely, peace and security, development, and human rights. We recognise that no State by itself can resolve the vast challenges the world faces. We therefore see great merit in an inclusive UN, where all member states have a voice and an opportunity to contribute to its work.
Since 1947, the rules of procedure governing General Assembly elections provide that UN elections take place by secret ballot. The well-established convention among the 193 Member States of the UN is that votes are not publicly disclosed, as to do so could seriously damage the management and conduct of sensitive international relations between States of very different views and political backgrounds. It would also likely seriously disadvantage smaller States. Accordingly, I do not propose to abandon a practice that has been in place for over six decades and observed by all previous governments. To do so would be harmful to Ireland’s capacity to engage at the UN, and harmful to our capacity to conduct sensitive international relations.
It should be noted that in the election to the Commission on the Status of Women, the Asia-Pacific Group put forward five States for five seats on the 45-member Commission, which produces non-binding conclusions on an annual basis.
Ireland has a very strong record on promoting the rights of women and girls at the UN. We are a leading voice in this field and we currently chair the Commission for the Status of Women.
We will continue to maintain relations with Saudi Arabia: economic, for the benefit of our economy and trade; and diplomatic, to facilitate our continued engagement with the Kingdom on human rights and also on other matters as they arise.
91. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a system can be implemented whereby a person who has submitted a passport application through the Passport Express service can have an application expedited by paying the emergency charge remotely through a secure line in view of the fact that some An Post outlets are advising inaccurate turnaround times and the seasonal increase in the volume of passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25442/17]
View answerThe target turnaround time for Passport Express renewal applications is 15 working days. The target is currently being met despite large volumes of applications. It has been in place for over a year and is communicated very clearly in all An Post promotional materials and on my Department’s website as well as in public communications. My Department also keeps An Post apprised of any fluctuations in the average turnaround time. I would be grateful to the Deputy if he would provide me with details of Post Offices where inaccurate turnaround times are being advised and I will have any such cases examined in conjunction with An Post.
It is very important that applicants choose the most appropriate channel, depending on their individual circumstances. Passport Express should only be used by those who are travelling in three weeks or more. Anyone renewing a passport who needs to travel in under fifteen working days should either apply online or by appointment at the Passport Office in either Dublin or Cork.
The Online Passport Application Service enables adults to renew their passports within ten working days, plus time for postage, without the need for paperwork or witnesses. This is a fast, secure and convenient way to renew a passport and I urge Deputies to encourage all eligible applicants to make use of it.
Anyone whose travel plans do not allow time to apply online or through Passport Express should make an appointment on the Department’s website to submit an application in person at the Passport Office in Dublin or Cork. Applicants who need their applications processed within three working days and have proof of travel pay an additional fee.
Expediting significant numbers of Passport Express applications is not a realistic option. Having staff locate individual applications among the 80,000 or so that are being processed at any one time during busy season is time-consuming and disruptive given the limits of the existing processing system. It would also have possible knock-on consequences for other applicants. It is neither equitable nor operationally efficient to process certain applications ahead of others in the same queue.
I do appreciate that there are situations in which people are faced with genuine emergencies that require them to travel abroad. In limited circumstances, such as the illness or death of an immediate family member abroad, a Passport Express application can be expedited ahead of the fifteen working day target without any additional charge. Anyone who finds themselves in such a genuine emergency and does not have an application already in the system will be accommodated without an appointment at the public offices in Dublin and Cork.
It is best practice in all cases to apply for a new passport in plenty of time and to allow at least six weeks for a passport to be processed in case any issues such as incomplete documentation arise.
First-time applicants in particular should note that their applications will take longer to process due to security considerations and the complex checks involved. This is widely publicised and advised on the Passport Express receipt. At the moment, the average turnaround time for these applications is 24 working days - four days over target.
I strongly advise that applicants check the remaining validity on passports before booking travel, paying particular attention to the validity of children's passports, which are shorter. My Department provides a free e-mail renewal reminder service to all passports holders, available on our website. I urge Deputies to join me in promoting that service so that people can avoid the stress of making last-minute applications.
92. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the outstanding requests with the British Government regarding inquiries into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25651/17]
View answerDealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin Monaghan bombings.
The 17 May marked the 43rd anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which saw the biggest loss of life in a single day during the Troubles.
I was glad to participate on behalf of the Government in the commemoration ceremony on that day, to stand - along with other Deputies - in solidarity with the victims of the appalling attacks in Dublin and Monaghan, 43 years ago. As I said in addressing the commemoration ceremony, the Government is determined to continue - and to complete - our efforts to seek the truth of those awful events of 17 May 1974.
The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings that was adopted by the Dáil on 25 May last year has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow.
The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these all-Party Dáil motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government. The Taoiseach has raised the issue with Prime Minister May, emphasising the Government’s continued support for the Dáil motions. I have also raised the matter on a number of occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, and am actively engaging with the British Government on an ongoing basis, as are my officials.
In our discussions, I have advised Secretary of State Brokenshire that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin Monaghan atrocities. I have also underlined to the Secretary of State that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and indeed this House, and emphasised the urgent need for a response from the British Government.
Secretary of State Brokenshire has acknowledged the importance that the Government and Dáil Éireann attach to this case, but indicated that the British Government is still considering how it could respond in a way which would adequately address the motions and be consistent with its obligations.
Further to these discussions, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 17 May this year, to formally reiterate the request on behalf of the Irish Government and Dáil Éireann and the expectation of a timely response to the all-Party Motions on the Dublin Monaghan bombings.
The Government will continue to pursue this matter with the British Government, urging them to provide a satisfactory response to the motions that have been adopted by this House. The Taoiseach and I will also continue our engagement with party leaders in the Oireachtas on the issue.
There are many families throughout these islands and beyond who continue to deal not only with the awful pain of losing a loved one, but also with the struggle for answers decades after these traumatic events. Accordingly, the establishment of a new comprehensive framework for dealing with the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement, is a priority for the Government.
There has been intensive engagement on legacy issues as part of the current talks process in Belfast that will resume after the UK general election on 8 June. In these discussions, I have been very clear on the urgent need to achieve progress, so that the institutions can be established and start working to meet the needs of victims and survivors and to support broader societal healing and reconciliation. I have also emphasised in discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties, the need to ensure that legacy inquests are properly resourced, and urged all with responsibilities in relation to the legacy inquests to move forward as quickly as possible to implement the helpful proposals of the Lord Chief Justice.
The Government will continue its intensive engagement with the British Government and the political parties to move forward with the Stormont House legacy framework, and I hope that this can be achieved in the period immediately ahead.
93. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the criteria and standards that have to be met for Ireland to vote for a state to be on a United Nations body in view of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia being elected to the United Nations women's rights commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25659/17]
View answerThere are numerous elections across a range of bodies at the UN on an ongoing basis. Membership of these bodies is an important aspect of Member State engagement at the UN and many view participation in these bodies as part of their responsibilities as UN members.
UN bodies have differing rules of procedure governing elections, and it is necessary for Member States to follow these rules. In certain circumstances voting is limited to members of particular bodies. For example, only members of the Economic and Social Council are eligible to vote in elections to its subsidiary bodies, including the Commission on the Status of Women.
Many of the 193 Member States of the UN present candidatures for election from time to time. In some instances it is the State itself which stands for election, for example in seeking to join the Human Rights Council. In other cases, Member States nominate individuals for UN positions. An example of this would be for membership of UN human rights treaty bodies.
Many factors are considered by my Department when reaching decisions regarding elections to UN bodies. Where candidatures are for the appointment of individuals to a UN body, a candidate’s relevant professional experience and academic qualifications; ensuring equitable geographic representation of the body in question; and gender balance are among the criteria given consideration in advance of an election.
In relation to the election of Member States to UN bodies, the need to ensure equitable geographic representation is also of importance. However, in many cases this element may be regulated by the rules of procedure of the relevant body, with a particular number of seats allocated to each regional group in advance. Other factors of importance which are considered in advance of such elections include Ireland’s bilateral relationship with the Member State in question, as well as their track record at the UN and their record of achievement or progress on issues relevant to the body to which membership is being sought.
In addition, Ireland attaches significant weight to the principle of rotation. It is essential to securing representation from a cross-section of the membership over time that a wide range of States have the opportunity to secure positions to allow for the airing of the broadest possible range of views, something which is important for the legitimacy and proper functioning of the UN. This can affect most acutely small countries, such as Ireland, or those with fewer resources.
The candidature of a Member State or State representative cannot be assessed in isolation. It is important, therefore, to assess the merits of candidatures relative to each other in deciding how Ireland’s vote is to be cast.
