Written Answers Nos. 248-269
248. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken with his counterpart in Egypt regarding the continuous cancellations of a court case in regard to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31022/17]
View answerI identified this citizen’s case as an absolute priority when I was appointed to my new role, and I am determined to do everything I can to ensure that he is back in Ireland as soon as possible.
The Taoiseach and I have met in recent days with senior officials, including Ireland’s Ambassador to Egypt, to discuss this case, and we have received comprehensive briefing on all of the aspects involved.
The first Ambassador of a foreign country with whom I met following my appointment was the Ambassador of Egypt, Soha Gendi. I made very clear to the Ambassador the priority that I attach to our citizen’s rights and welfare, and I underlined my strong determination to see early progress towards a resolution of this matter.
I will be continuing to look at the case in detail and engaging with key relevant parties, including representatives of the Egyptian Government. I have asked my officials to arrange an early contact with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, and efforts to prepare and arrange this are being pursued with the authorities in Cairo.
A further hearing in the court case is taking place today and our Embassy team is attending at the court to observe the proceedings. I have instructed my officials to provide me with a detailed report on the outcome of that hearing and an assessment on the status of the trial process.
249. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in Syria; the recent efforts made by the EU to resolve this conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31025/17]
View answerThe situation in Syria continues to be a matter of grave concern. 13.5 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria including 6.3 million internally displaced people, 1.5 million are living under siege conditions which gives rise to serious protection concerns, and a further 5 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region.
The search for a peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict remains a top foreign policy priority for Ireland and the EU. EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Syria at their April Council meeting.
They adopted a new EU Strategy for Syria which sets out the EU’s main lines of action in Syria including continued support for and direct assistance to the UN-brokered talks in Geneva, the next round of which is due to resume on 10 July. This includes, in particular, an EU-led initiative, in coordination with the UN, to develop political dialogue with key actors from the region to identify common ground for the end-state in Syria and the conditions for the reconciliation and reconstruction process. Named the EU Syria Peace Process Support Initiative, it aims to develop a concrete platform to support the peace process and ceasefire, strengthen the opposition parties and civil society, and support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Syria to include civil society in his work through the Civil Society Support Room and the Women’s Advisory Board.
It also includes support for transitional justice initiatives to help ensure accountability for war crimes, human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law and restrictive measures against Syrian individuals and entities supporting the regime as long as the repression of civilians continues. The sanctions currently in place include notably an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank within the EU, export restrictions on equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression as well as on equipment and technology for monitoring or interception of internet or telephone communications. In addition, over 200 persons and 70 entities are targeted by a travel ban and an asset freeze over the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria. In March, the EU added four high-ranking Syrian military officials to the sanctions list for their role in the use of chemical weapons against civilians. The EU keeps the sanctions regime under constant review and will expand and adjust it as appropriate.
The EU and its Member States are also playing a leading role in the humanitarian response to the crisis. More than €9.4 billion has already been mobilised for humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance to support Syrians inside the country and in neighbouring countries, making the EU the largest single donor to the effort. At the Brussels conference in April 2017 which was co-hosted by the EU, a further €3.7 billion for 2017 was pledged by the EU and its Member States, representing nearly 67% of the pledges.
Ireland fully supports the EU assistance to the UN-led peace talks in Geneva, the EU’s focus on justice and accountability, and the EU sanctions regime. We have also made a significant contribution to the humanitarian effort. Since 2012, Ireland has contributed €78.6 million to the humanitarian effort in response to the conflict in Syria. This is Irish Aid’s largest response to a single crisis in recent years. At the Syria conference in Brussels in March, Ireland pledged to provide at least €25 million in humanitarian assistance to the region during 2017. €11.1 million of this pledge has already been fulfilled so far this year. Through our annual contributions to EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, from which €445 million was contributed in 2016.
250. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in Hungary; the efforts being made at EU level to address issues such as the curtailment of the media and violations of democratic norms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31026/17]
View answerThe European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The foundations of the Rule of Law process are contained in the Treaties and these foundations have been strengthened successively with the establishment of the EU Rule of Law Framework in 2014.
The current situation in Hungary was extensively discussed in a debate in the European Parliament on 26 April last, at which time both Prime Minister Orbán and First Vice-President of the European Commission Timmermans made extensive contributions to the debate.
Fundamental values and the rule of law are a shared EU interest and call for a common approach. Ireland is supportive of the approach being taken by the European Commission in relation to developments in Hungary. The Hungarian government has consistently made clear its willingness to engage with the Commission and I look forward to the outcome of that process. It would be premature to come to conclusions before then.
251. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the efforts being made to bring peace to the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31027/17]
View answerI am extremely concerned about the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The crisis in the Kasai regions has reached an exceptional level in security, humanitarian and human rights terms. In a recent statement, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the appalling human rights abuses and called for an international investigation into the situation.
Ireland expressed concern at the UN Human Rights Council in June about the Kasai regions, in particular in relation to reports of the recruitment of children by militias and excessive use of force by state services against civilians. Ireland also co-sponsored a resolution calling on the High Commissioner to appoint a team of international experts to investigate alleged human rights violations, and violations of international humanitarian law. We also remain concerned about ongoing violence and human rights violations in eastern DRC.
In parallel, the political situation caused by the blockage in implementing the inclusive political agreement of 31 December 2016 is also cause for serious concern. EU Foreign Ministers adopted Conclusions in March calling for the full implementation of the agreement as the only way to establish the necessary institutional legitimacy to manage the transition and facilitate credible and democratic elections.
In May, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted restrictive measures against nine individuals who hold positions of responsibility in the State administration and in the DRC security forces. They join the seven people on whom the EU imposed sanctions in December 2016 in response to the obstruction of the electoral process and related human rights violations.
The mandate of the UN’s Stabilisation Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) was renewed in March, with a specific focus on implementing the 31 December political agreement. Four Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with the Mission.
Ireland has a clear focus on forgotten crises in our humanitarian response and has maintained consistent humanitarian support to the DRC. In May, we provided an additional €3 million to the UN-managed Humanitarian Fund for the country. This 2017 allocation brings our total humanitarian assistance to DRC since 2012 to over €32 million.
252. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent efforts that have been made to address the situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31028/17]
View answerThe Government’s objectives regarding our undocumented citizens in the United States remain constant, 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 all opportunities to raise immigration, including the prospects for immigration reform, and the situation of the undocumented in the United States, with members of the Administration and Congressional representatives.
In mid-March, the former Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny, TD, 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.
The Taoiseach spoke by phone to President Trump on the afternoon of Tuesday 27 June. During their brief conversation the Taoiseach raised a number of issues including the situation of the up to 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US. The Taoiseach looks forward to having an opportunity to discuss this, and other matters, with President Trump in more detail in due course.
I am aware of the understandable concerns among members of the Irish community in the U.S., in light of recent developments under the new Administration.
The Department has therefore funded the provision of factual legal advice, for information purposes, for undocumented Irish citizens in the U.S., which has been disseminated among Irish immigration centers in the United States and is available online. In addition, in advance of the recent Global Irish Civic Forum in Dublin, Minister Joe McHugh hosted a discussion in Iveagh House, with relevant stakeholders, on the issue of our undocumented citizens in the US.
Our Embassy in Washington DC is in close and ongoing contact with the U.S. authorities and has reported that, to date this year, the number of deportations of Irish citizens from the United State has not increased compared to recent years. While this is reassuring, it does not assuage the concerns of our undocumented citizens caused by the recent measures taken by the US Administration and their reporting in the media.
Accordingly, in May the Government announced an additional €50,000 funding from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme budget for the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, which provides advice and vital services to our citizens in the US.
The issues of immigration reform and the welfare of undocumented Irish citizen in the US are a central element of the work of Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the US. Our Embassy in Washington DC and our six Consulates across the United States work with Irish immigration centers on a daily basis in providing support to Irish citizens.
I can assure the Deputy of the Government’s continued commitment to pursuing these matters on behalf of our citizens in the US.
253. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the recent efforts being made at EU and international level to address the migration crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31029/17]
View answerThe migration crisis has been one of the greatest challenges facing the EU for the past two years. Migration has featured on the agenda of almost every European Council in the same period, including the recent June European Council.
The EU has responded to the crisis by adopting a range of measures to deal with this mass movement of people. These have included engaging with countries of origin and transit to address the root causes of migration including through the Migration Partnership Framework; agreeing a plan to relocate migrants from Italy and Greece across the Union; the launching of Operation Sophia to disrupt people smuggling in the Mediterranean; and substantial financial assistance to countries hosting large numbers of migrants. EU Heads of State and Government concluded a landmark migration deal with Turkey in March 2016, which has resulted in a very substantial reduction in the number of migrants risking their lives at sea to enter the EU from Turkey.
In the past year or so the migration focus has shifted from Turkey to the so-called Central Mediterranean Route, with more than 70,000 migrants crossing from Libya to Italy so far this year. In March 2017, EU leaders issued the Malta Declaration, which sets out the EU’s commitment to assist Libya, with a strong focus on capacity building.
The June European Council made clear that continuing migratory flows on the Central Mediterranean route leading to an ongoing loss of life remains an issue of urgent concern. It agreed that the EU and its member states had to step up coordination and delivery on all the elements contained in the Malta Declaration, the Partnership Framework and the Joint Valletta Action Plan, underpinned by sufficient financial resources. Training and equipping the Libyan Coast Guard is a key component of the EU approach and the Council agreed that it should be speeded up. Cooperation with countries of origin and transit is to be reinforced in order to stem the migratory pressure on Libya’s and other neighbouring countries' land borders. The European Council underlined in this context the importance of supporting the G5 Sahel Joint force (recently established to address the threat of terrorism, as well as the serious challenges posed by transnational organized crime in the region and made up of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger). There, as elsewhere, the disruption of the business models of human smugglers and traffickers remains a key objective, including by better controlling the trade in equipment used by them.
At the international level, last September's UN Summit in New York on large movements of migrants and refugees marked an important step in the global response to the crisis. The Summit resulted in the unanimous adoption of a Declaration, which was brokered by Ireland, and which contains a commitment to reach agreement in 2018 on Global Compacts on both migration and refugees. Work on both Compacts is already underway and a number of other processes are also feeding into this work, such as the Global Forum on Migration and Development which held its Summit meeting in Berlin just last week.
Of course, the ongoing work of specialised agencies with mandates relating to refugees and migrants, notably UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), as well as others, constitutes an essential element of the international response.
254. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in South Sudan; the efforts being made to bring an end to the civil war and to address the emerging famine in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31030/17]
View answerI share the grave concern at the protracted political and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. Since the outbreak of violence in South Sudan in 2013, the population of the country have suffered death and injury, the destruction of livelihoods and widespread human rights abuses, in particular serious gender based violence against women and children. Ireland has repeatedly condemned the violence and continues to support the efforts of international and regional partners to find an inclusive political solution to the conflict.
At the EU level, Ireland supported Council Conclusions adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2016 which called on all parties to end violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. At the UN level, Ireland condemned the continuing violence at Human Rights Council in March 2017, and called for an immediate end to the conflict.
We also continue to support the efforts of international and regional actors such as the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the African Union, and the United Nations, including the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), to bring an immediate end to the conflict. The recent IGAD Summit held on 12 June was a welcome engagement of regional neighbours in renewing efforts to seek peace in South Sudan.
Ireland is providing substantial humanitarian assistance to the South Sudan crisis, for work in the country and to assist South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries. Since 2012, we have provided some €48 million for victims of the crisis. To date in 2017, we have provided €9.2 million to our UN and NGO partners working on the ground to address the humanitarian needs, and in particular to address issues relating to food insecurity. We will continue to monitor this ongoing crisis closely and to provide additional life-saving humanitarian assistance to those most in need.
255. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the difference in approach that the Government is taking following the Taoiseach's comments in regard to a person (details supplied); his proposed changes in approach in securing the release of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31097/17]
View answerI identified this citizen’s case as an absolute priority when I was appointed to my new role, and I am determined to do everything I can to ensure that he is back in Ireland as soon as possible.
The Taoiseach and I have met in recent days with senior officials, including Ireland’s Ambassador to Egypt, to discuss this case, and we have received comprehensive briefing on all of the aspects involved.
The first Ambassador of a foreign country with whom I met following my appointment was the Ambassador of Egypt, Soha Gendi. I made very clear to the Ambassador the priority that I attach to our citizen’s rights and welfare, and I underlined my strong determination to see early progress towards a resolution of this matter.
I will be continuing to look at the case in detail and engaging with key relevant parties, including representatives of the Egyptian Government.
A further hearing in the court case is taking place today and our Embassy team is attending at the court to observe the proceedings. I have instructed my officials to provide me with a detailed report on the outcome of that hearing and an assessment on the status of the trial process.
Our strategy on this case is under active and continuous review and it has been and will continue to be refined and developed based on my Department’s very considerable experience and expertise in the consular field, on consultations with other governments and on legal analysis and advice. My Department also has regular consultation with this citizen’s family, his lawyers in Ireland and Egypt and experts from civil society and NGOs. If any Deputy feels that they have any information or ideas to contribute that may help to hasten progress on the case, I would be happy to hear from them.
256. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 650 of 2 May 2017, if he will provide an update on the efforts of the Government to raise the detention of LGBT persons in Chechnya on both a bilateral and multilateral level; if concerns have been raised with the Russian embassy in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31237/17]
View answerThe Government continues to closely follow developments in relation to widespread reports of a campaign of persecution against members of the LGBTI community in Chechnya. As I mentioned in my reply to Parliamentary Question 157 of 11 May 2017, senior officials of my Department met the Russian Ambassador on 5 May to convey the grave concerns of the Government, and of the Irish public, at these reports. During the meeting, my officials urged the Russian authorities to fully investigate these allegations, to ensure that any such persecution is ended immediately, to provide all affected persons with the assistance they require, and to ensure the safety of activists and journalists investigating the reports of abuse in Chechnya.
At the Council of Europe Ministerial Meeting in Nicosia on 19 May, Ireland expressed serious concerns at reports of gross human rights violations against gay men in Chechnya. These concerns were reiterated at a meeting of Council of Europe Ministers’ Deputies on 31 May.
On 15 June, at the 35th session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland took the opportunity of its national statement to again highlight and strongly condemn the reported extra-judicial killings of LGBTI persons in Chechnya and the targeting of the LGBTI community there. In this statement, we again called on the Russian Federation to take steps to end the climate of impunity which allows these crimes to take place and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
257. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the North-South Ministerial Council. [30193/17]
View answerThe 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.
However, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive and specifically a First and deputy First Minister the North South Ministerial Council cannot meet.
As the formal means 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 on 4 July 2016 in Dublin Castle and on 18 November 2016 in Armagh saw the Government and the 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. It was agreed that this work would be taken forward through continuing bilateral discussions within the NSMC at sectoral level, as well as through a high-level working group comprising senior officials from the Government and from the Northern Ireland Executive Office.
At the Plenary meeting of the NSMC on 18 November 2016 in Armagh the Council considered an update by a group of Senior Officials from relevant Departments, North and South, on the progress being made on implementing the commitments set out in Section E of the Fresh Start Agreement, to provide support and funding for North-South infrastructure projects. The review is ongoing and a further report will be presented at a future Plenary meeting. The Senior Officials have since met in February 2017 and again in early June to consider progress on all of the Section E commitments.
The Council also received an update in relation to the North West Gateway Initiative. Ministers welcomed the establishment by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership which will aim to work with central government North and South to ensure the North West region can reach its full potential.
The NSMC Plenary meeting was advised that Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council had finalised the necessary arrangements for oversight and delivery of the North West Strategic Growth Plan and the associated €5m North West Development Fund which was established under the Fresh Start Agreement. I am pleased that the Irish Government has played a leading role in this regard – contributing €2.5 million to the Fund. The Inaugural meeting of the North West Strategic Partnership was subsequently held on 7 December 2016 and attended by senior officials from Departments, North and South, and I welcome that the second meeting of the Partnership was held last week.
The Government remains engaged with the political parties in Northern Ireland. I am hopeful that meetings of the North South Ministerial Council will soon recommence to enable further important engagement on progressing all-island cooperation in general and in particular addressing the challenges of Brexit.
258. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and outstanding issues regarding same. [30196/17]
View answerThe Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent Agreements must be implemented in full, and this is reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government. The Agreements, and the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. I am currently representing the Government at the ongoing talks’ process in Belfast to support the formation of an Executive. I believe that an agreement is within reach – an agreement that would allow a power-sharing Executive to be formed on a sustainable basis. All parties are committed to the successful operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and everyone agrees that devolution is the best way to deliver for all of the people of Northern Ireland.
In terms of outstanding commitments, respect for linguistic diversity and the Irish language are important elements of the Good Friday Agreement. An Irish Language Act in Northern Ireland, to be enacted by the British Government, was provided for in the St Andrews Agreement in 2006. While to date there had been no agreement within the Executive to take this, now devolved, matter forward it is one of the issues currently under discussion at the talks in Belfast. In that context I have made clear the Government’s continued and clear support for a statutory basis for the Irish Language in Northern Ireland, as envisaged under the St Andrews Agreement.
As reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government, the Government remains supportive of and continues to advocate for the advancement of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. Indeed, the continued value of a Bill of Rights in the context of Brexit was one of the themes which emerged from the All Island Civic Dialogue sectoral on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement which took place in February.
A North South Consultative Forum is a further important outstanding element envisaged under the Good Friday Agreement. In 2008, the then Government sent proposals for such a Forum to the Northern Ireland Executive, but there has been no substantive response. Between 2009 and 2011, three consultative conferences were hosted in Dublin to support the establishment of the Forum. While the issue remains on the agenda of the North South Ministerial Council, the Northern Ireland Executive has not been able to give its assent to the establishment of the Forum.
The Government views as a solemn responsibility our role and mandate as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. We will spare no effort to fulfil our duty as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement and this includes working to ensure the effective operation of its institutions and the implementation of outstanding commitments. We will continue to work to this end with the British Government to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to reach agreement in the current talks process in Belfast.
260. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date in 2017; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31274/17]
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. At Headquarters the key Divisions are the European Union Division and the Ireland, UK and Americas (IUKA) Division. Both divisions are headed at Second Secretary General level and both 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 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. Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels will also play a key role. Resources for the Permanent Representation have therefore been reinforced along with increased resources for our Embassies in Berlin, Paris and London.
It is clear that these exit negotiations will be complex and intensive. To support the negotiation process, my Department received an additional €3.2 million as part of the 2017 allocation. This facilitated the transfer back to my Department from the Department of the Taoiseach of 14 staff to a new, enlarged European Union Division.
The Department has also allocated an additional budget of €2 million. This budget will be used to increase the number of staff assigned to the management and support of the negotiations and to increase the level of support provided to our colleagues across all Government Departments and agencies.
The measures my Department put in place to manage the initial phase of our response to the UK decision to leave the EU remain under review. The Department may require additional staff resources if it is deemed necessary to further augment our level of support across Government and across our network.
261. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the question of the curtailment of the electricity supply to Gaza with the Israeli authorities that as the primary actor are adding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a result of years of restrictions imposed by the Israeli Government. [31344/17]
View answerIsrael is not the primary actor in this dispute over electricity supplies to Gaza, which is principally one between the Palestinian Authority and the de facto Hamas authorities in Gaza, who still control the Strip. For some years Hamas has charged customers in Gaza for electricity supplied from Israel, but refused to pass these revenues to the Palestinian Authority, which pays Israel to supply the electricity. No government can be expected to tolerate this situation indefinitely.
The Palestinian Authority has decided to reduce the amount of electricity it pays Israel to supply to Gaza, and the reduction of supply by Israel to Gaza, which commenced on 19 June, is a consequence of that.
Notwithstanding the basis for the problem, the humanitarian consequences for Gaza are potentially very severe. The consequences not just for household supply, but for pumping of water and sewage, and supplies to hospitals, schools and other utilities, are obvious. Mains electricity supply was already averaging only four hours per day following the shutdown in April of the only power plant in Gaza due to a dispute between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas over fuel supplies.
Some additional power is being provided to key facilities by generators, but these are not designed to run full time and fuel is in any case short. In recent days however, it is reported that the power plant in Gaza has been able to resume operations with fuel supplied by Egypt, thus allowing for an increase in supply to users. It is not clear at this time how sustainable this arrangement is likely to be.
I repeat the call of my predecessor for all sides who have a part in this issue – the Palestinian Authority, Hamas and Israel – to act promptly and realistically to resolve this dispute, in the interests of the people of Gaza. Ultimately, full responsibility for electricity supply and billing in Gaza should be in the hands of the Palestinian Authority.
I hope to visit the region later this month for initial meetings with local leaders. While my primary focus on that occasion will be on the need to revitalise the overall peace process, I would expect also to be raising the problems of Gaza, both this particular issue of power supply, and the wider ongoing problems caused by the excessive Israeli restrictions on the territory.
262. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of civil servants in his Department who have requested a transfer to a location outside County Dublin; the number of civil servants in his Department who have requested a transfer from a location outside of Dublin to County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31779/17]
View answerMy Department facilitates a range of formal and informal mobility options for staff. These include head-to-head arrangements and the Senior Public Service Mobility Scheme (including Principal Officer mobility). Staff can also take part in the Civil Service Wide Mobility Scheme.
There are no current internal transfer requests for officers from my Department to transfer from our offices in Cork or Limerick to our offices in Dublin. Nor are there any current internal transfer requests for officers from my Department to transfer from our offices in Dublin to our offices in Cork or Limerick.
It is not possible to be wholly accurate with regard to the total number of staff that apply for transfer to another Government Department as my Department may not be aware of the application unless or until it is successful.
263. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timescale for the delivery of additional accommodation at a building (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30919/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the Circuit Court already sits on a regular basis in the courthouse in Nenagh and current sittings will not be impacted by the additional office accommodation being provided in Nenagh Courthouse.
A contract has now been awarded for the necessary works that are scheduled to commence in August 2017 and it is anticipated that this will be completed by the end of that month. Once the works have been completed, consideration will be given to the transaction of Circuit Court business that will be undertaken in the office in Nenagh.
264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 4 April 2017, the expenditure by An Garda Síochána on media training and consultancy services with a company (details supplied) and other providers for April, May, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the sections and rank of personnel that availed of the same for the dates provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30785/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and, as Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters.
I will request the Garda Commissioner to supply the specific information directly to the Deputy.
265. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there are significant delays being experienced in the family district courts at the moment; and the next available court dates in the various courts. [30790/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that emergency applications such as protection orders and interim barring orders are prioritised. Such applications are usually granted, where the Court so decides, on the date the application is made to the Court. Therefore, there are no delays in dealing with these applications.
The Courts Service has also informed me that delays in the hearing of cases can occur for a number of reasons, many of which are outside the control of the Courts and the Courts Service, for example, the unavailability of a witness or vital evidence, delays in the furnishing of reports or because the parties and/or legal practitioners are not ready to proceed on allocated dates. This gives rise to adjournments which can have a major impact on the time taken to complete the hearing of a case and on the number of cases which can be disposed of in a court sitting.
In 2015 the Government introduced a range of new legislation in the family law area. These developments required the Courts Service to provide additional courts facilities, particularly in Dublin, for the hearing of family law and child care applications. In 2016 the Courts Service, following consultation with the President of the District Court, reconstituted the way District Court work was arranged to facilitate the provision of additional courtrooms for the transaction of family law business. Overall the number of courtrooms dedicated to District Court family law in Dublin has increased from 5 to 7 since October 2016. As a result waiting times in Dublin District Court family law have improved to the extent that hearings are now available within 5 weeks for private family law proceedings.
The Courts Service has advised that the waiting times for family law in the District Court are collated on a Court office basis rather than on an individual court basis and that the current waiting times are as follows:
District Court Family Law - Waiting Times in weeks - June 2017
|
- |
Family Law |
Family Law |
|
Office |
Domestic Violence Applications (1) |
Maintenance/ Guardianship Applications (2) |
|
Athlone |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Ballina |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Bray |
1-3 |
3-6 |
|
Carlow |
12 |
12 |
|
Carrick on Shannon |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Castlebar |
Next sitting |
6 |
|
Cavan |
Next sitting |
10-12 |
|
Clonakilty |
2-4 |
2-4 |
|
Clonmel |
2-5 |
4-12 |
|
Cork |
12 |
12 |
|
Donegal |
Next sitting |
Next sitting |
|
Dublin |
5 |
5 |
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Dundalk |
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3-4 |
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Ennis |
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4-8 |
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9 |
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Longford |
1 |
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(1) Time in weeks from receipt of application to listing for hearing in domestic violence matters
(2) Time in weeks from receipt of application to listing for hearing for other family law applications.
266. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 25 of May 2017, if this report will be made available; the outcomes of that presentation in the way in which An Garda Síochána is planning to increase the numbers of summons served; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30817/17]
View answerFurther to the Deputy's parliamentary question No. 73 of 25 May 2017, the Deputy is already aware that the Criminal Justice Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) Working Group is monitoring a Garda review of summons service and has included this Garda review in the Working Group's Work Programme, which oversees a number of priority items for implementation in the context of the FCPS. It was intended that An Garda Síochána would make a presentation on its summons service review process at a meeting of the Working Group scheduled for 14 June 2017, however this meeting was subsequently rescheduled, as a number of Working Group members were unable to attend the proposed 14 June meeting on account of other commitments. The Working Group meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow, 5 July 2017, and An Garda Síochána will provide an update on its review of summons service at this meeting.
With the completion of the short- and medium-term goals relating to the review, the focus of the Garda authorities is now on the long-term goals, which include reviewing the legislation to allow for different methods of service, such as reviewing the possibility of outsourcing summons service in conjunction with the postal codification of addresses which took place in 2015, and considering e-summons service as part of the future vision of summons service.
267. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints or reports made to An Garda Síochána regarding rickshaws and rickshaw drivers in 2015, 2016, and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30818/17]
View answer268. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents An Garda Síochána have attended following reports or complaints regarding rickshaws and rickshaw drivers in 2015, 2016, and to date in 2017, by county and types of incidents and outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30819/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
Rickshaws are essentially bicycles and I am informed by the Garda authorities that incidents involving rickshaws are currently recorded on the Garda PULSE system under the vehicle type 'bicycle'. As such, to collate the specific information requested by the Deputy would require An Garda Síochána to manually review all incidents under the vehicle type 'bicycle' in order to identify those incidents involving rickshaws, which would involve a disproportionate use of Garda time and resources.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to regularise the residency status in the case of persons (details supplied); the documents received to date; if documentation is outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30823/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, that in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the persons concerned have not submitted written representations.
The position in the State of the persons concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. If any representations are submitted, they will be considered before a final decision is made.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
