Written Answers Nos. 389-410
389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he can make the facilities of the Irish embassy available to Irish persons living in the Cayman Islands who may find themselves in a vulnerable position as a result of administrative changes taking place in the Cayman Islands and affecting persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35109/17]
View answerAt present, Ireland does not have diplomatic relations with the Cayman Islands. Irish citizens living in the Cayman Islands should contact the Irish Embassy in Washington D.C. if they require consular assistance.
My Department can advise and support Irish citizens in the case of a family bereavement, serious illness, detention, or other emergencies, and where required can contact family and friends on their behalf. The Department and Embassy can provide comprehensive travel advice on health and security and issue emergency travel documents when needed. The Department can also offer linguistic and cultural support and provide details of English-speaking doctors and lawyers.
However, the Department cannot provide medical or legal advice or intervene in judicial processes and cannot influence the visa decisions of other countries. My Department does not deal with commercial or insurance disputes.
390. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has satisfied himself that every avenue has been explored on behalf of persons (details supplied) on the tragic death of their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35150/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware, from the contacts that he has had on this tragic case with my predecessor and with officials in the Consular Assistance Unit of my Department, that the Department of Foreign Affairs, our Consul General in San Francisco and our Honorary Consul in Seattle have provided significant consular assistance to this man’s family, both at the time of his death in 2013 and in subsequent follow-up.
The actions pursued by the Irish Government, and the responses and positions of the relevant US authorities have been explained to the family and were also explained in detail in a letter to the Deputy from Minister Flanagan last month.
The police investigators into this case concluded, and the Medical Examiner’s report reflects, that this young man’s death was a tragic accident. The police homicide unit, who were asked to review the matter, concluded likewise. The relevant Prosecutor’s Office also reviewed the case and decided that no criminal proceedings were to be pursued.
The family have been advised that their legal representative is best placed to advise them about any further steps that are open to them to pursue. Procedures for contacting the Prosecutor to seek a review of the decision in this case, and of relevant complaints procedures, have been outlined to the family and to the Deputy.
The family have been advised that should they gain access to new evidence that allows a different interpretation of the factual situation than that upon which previous decisions were based, my Department would strongly suggest that they bring this to the attention of An Garda Síochána, who can liaise with the Seattle authorities through the appropriate police to police channels.
391. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all security and contract cleaning companies that have obtained contracts from his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department under public procurement rules are paying the legal employment regulation order, ERO, hourly rate to their security and contract cleaning employees; the steps he has taken to confirm full compliance with the ERO system; if he has cancelled contracts with companies that have been found to be in breach of the ERO system since 1 October 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35228/17]
View answerThe Office of Government Procurement is responsible for sourcing all goods and services on behalf of the public service. All contract security and cleaning staff are drawn down from a central contract framework procured by the Office of Government Procurement.
The terms and conditions of contracts ensure that agreements between my Department and all contractors adhere to the relevant employment legislation.
My Department has not cancelled any security or cleaning contracts due to breach of the ERO system since 1 October 2015.
392. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of Ireland's foreign policy position on Palestine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35392/17]
View answerIreland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace, but also action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement activity, which are progressively endangering the prospects of such a peace agreement. Ireland has been an advocate of EU measures which distinguish between Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory such as the territorial clause in the EU-Israel research agreement and the guidelines on the labelling of products originating from the settlements.
I am mindful of the Oireachtas motions on Palestinian recognition in all my engagement on this issue and my approach will continue to be guided by what I believe can best contribute to progress in the peace process.
These policies are carried through on multiple issues and in multiple locations, including on the ground in Israel and Palestine, at EU and UN level, and elsewhere. The details of individual aspects are regularly discussed here in the Dáil, including in the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence.
393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has satisfied himself that all persons on the election roster are suitable for deployment on election observation missions; the reason one in five of those persons still have not been deployed since the establishment of the current roster in 2013 while other persons have had numerous deployments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35410/17]
View answer394. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been brought to concerns that a number of late applicants were admitted to the 2013 intake to the election roster despite the call notice specifying that late applications would not be considered; the reasons for this departure from the published policy; the level at which the departure was sanctioned; the number of late applications that were received; the number subsequently appointed to the roster or the reserve roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35411/17]
View answer396. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that have been taken to prepare for a fresh call for election roster members to replace the 2013 roster; if he has satisfied himself that his Department has the resources to undertake this; if he will need to engage expertise from other parts of the civil service such as the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government or the Public Appointments Service; if so, if such expertise has been sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35413/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 394 and 396 together.
International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of election observers for such missions. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The election roster was established in May 2013 for a period of five years, following a review of the previous roster and a public call for applicants. An independent appraisal and ranking of all 263 eligible applicants was undertaken by two assessors external to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, against the four criteria specifically related to election observation. These criteria were: experience of election observation; knowledge of human rights and /or governance issues; language skills; and experience of challenging environments.
Following the independent appraisal process, an election observation panel of 200 members was established in May 2013 for a five-year period, with a reserve panel of 10. The roster currently stands at 194 members, the reserve panel having been fully utilised. I am confident that the current roster is well equipped to deal with the requirements of the EU and the OSCE missions.
During the call for applications for membership of the roster, three late applications were permitted and these applications were subject to the same rigorous appraisal as all others. On foot of the appraisal process, these applicants were ranked high enough to be included in the roster of 200 members.
All members of the roster are invited to apply to participate in any mission to which Ireland proposes to deploy observers following a request by the EU or OSCE. To date, 133 members of the current roster have taken part in missions. 61 members have not yet done so. A significant factor in this is that the number of applicants for election missions is nearly always higher that the number of available places. I understand that some 29 members of the current roster have yet to apply to participate in a mission, which represents under 15% of the membership.
Officials will shortly begin working on the criteria and methodology for the call for applications for the next election observation, and they will consult nationally and internationally. Officials of the Department are also in regular contact with the OSCE and the EU Focal Points and Ireland actively participates in the European Commission and European External Action Service-led European Observation network, which brings together election observation focal points from all EU Member States, together with Norway, Switzerland and Canada. Learning from other Focal Points will feature as part of the preparations for the new roster.
It is anticipated that this preparatory work will be finalised before the end of the year and a public call for new applicants will issue shortly thereafter. Details will be published on the Irish Aid website (www.irishaid.ie) and existing roster members and those who have expressed an interest in receiving details about the next roster will also be advised.
395. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason members of the rapid response corps are required to produce tax clearance certificates while members of the election roster are not; if he has been in contact with the Revenue Commissioners to discuss if tax clearance should apply to election roster members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35412/17]
View answer397. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if only non-remunerated election observers are eligible for the volunteer grant paid to Irish election observers; if there have been cases that subsequent to the payment of the grant the persons declined to go on a mission on a volunteer basis; if refunds were sought of the grants paid in which persons declined to go on a mission or were appointed to a remunerated consultancy post on the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35414/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 397 together.
International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of election observers for such missions. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The Department also maintains a Rapid Response Roster of highly skilled and experienced professionals available to deploy at short notice to humanitarian emergencies anywhere in the world. The key difference between the conditions for members of the two rosters is that members of the Rapid Response Roster are remunerated. Members of the Election Roster who are nominated as long or short term observers by the Department do not receive remuneration. They are paid a daily allowance, as determined by the EU and the OSCE, to cover the cost of food, accommodation and other out-of-pocket expenses, along with a pre-departure grant of €600. Members of the Rapid Response Roster require a Tax Clearance Certificate, as they are remunerated. Officials of the Department are in contact with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any possible need for Tax Clearance Certificates for election observers.
The pre-departure grant of €600 to cover expenses including vaccinations and transport costs ahead of travel to the country in question is only paid to members of the roster. If an election is cancelled or an observer is unable to travel, the Department generally seeks reimbursement of the grant, but does take into account each particular circumstance. In one case, the grant was paid to an Irish observer who had commenced preparations and incurred mission-related expenditure. At a late stage, the European Union appointed this observer to the EU Core Managing Team for the election mission. Given the lateness of the appointment and the fact that pre-departure expenditure had been incurred, the Department did not seek the repayment of the grant.
398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications for Irish passports by British citizens between 24 June 2015 to 23 June 2016 and 24 June 2016 to 23 June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35434/17]
View answerIn processing a passport application the Passport Service verifies that the applicant is an Irish citizen by examining supporting documentation. The Passport Service does not verify or keep records of any other citizenship an applicant may hold.
Records are maintained of the volumes of passport applications submitted through Embassies and Consulates General abroad, as well as the country of residence of applicants when renewing their passports. It is not necessarily the case, however, that an applicant applying from outside Ireland is also a citizen of her/his country of residence. Accordingly, figures for passport applications through the Embassy of Ireland in London include both Irish citizens who do not hold any other citizenship as well as those who are also British citizens and/or hold citizenship of another country.
399. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on passport application processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35446/17]
View answerThe target turnaround time for the Online Passport Renewal Service is ten working days plus postage, which varies depending on the destination to which the passport is dispatched. Over 90% of online applications are being processed within five working days, well ahead of the target. The online service is fast, secure, convenient and available to adult citizens renewing their passports from anywhere in the world.
Despite increased volumes of passport applications - up 10% during the first six months of 2017 as compared to 2016 - the average turnaround time for passport renewal through the Passport Express service at branches of An Post (and the Post Office in Northern Ireland) is on target at 15 working days. This turnaround has been steadily maintained for several weeks now.
First-time applications and applications to renew lost, stolen or damaged passports can take longer to process due to additional security checks. The current average turnaround times for these applications are 21 working days through An Post Passport Express and 15 working days through Northern Ireland Passport Express.
In Great Britain, Passport Express applications submitted through the Liverpool and Glasgow Post Offices take on average 17 working days to process. The average turnaround times for postal applications through the Passport Office in London are currently six weeks for renewals and a minimum of 12 weeks for first-time applications.
Elsewhere abroad, applications through Embassies and Consulates General are taking 13 working days to process from the date the application is registered at the Passport Office. Passports issued through this channel are forwarded to the relevant Irish Embassies and Consulates abroad for onward dispatch. Delivery times will therefore vary depending on the location of the applicant. I would urge people who are renewing their passports abroad, including Great Britain, to avail of the online passport renewal service where possible.
In all cases, applicants should not book travel until in possession of a valid passport and should allow plenty of time for a passport to issue in case any problems with the application arise in the course of processing.
I am grateful to Deputies for their continued assistance in advising constituents to visit the Passport Service webpage on my Department’s website (www.dfa.ie/passport) before applying, and to sign up for our passport renewal reminder service at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/reminder/passport/.
400. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government is providing support to an organisation (details supplied) here; if not, his plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35447/17]
View answerThe Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme has never received an application for financial support from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Therefore, no financial support is currently being provided to this organization via the Programme.
The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, administered by Irish Abroad Unit, is usually open for applications for a five-week period in January-February each year. All organisations in receipt of funding through the Emigrant Support Programme must comply with a number of conditions, including those set out in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 on Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. Officials from the Irish Abroad Unit of my Department responsible for the administration of the Emigrant Support Programme briefed representatives of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust on the funding requirements in 2016 and met with the Trust again in April 2017. Representatives of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust were invited to and attended the Global Irish Civic Forum hosted by then Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs Joe McHugh, T.D. held in Dublin Castle from 4-5 May 2017.
In addition, officials from my Department’s Consular Division are in regular contact with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, primarily though the companies engaged by the Trust to help repatriate the remains of deceased citizens.
401. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions on Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35448/17]
View answerAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I lead on coordinating the whole-of-Government approach to the EU-UK negotiations and to our preparations for Brexit, with a view to mitigating the impacts to the maximum extent possible and securing the best possible outcome for Ireland.
In this role, I intend to build further on the excellent work carried out over recent months, which has ensured that Ireland’s key interests – as set out in the Government’s comprehensive document of 2 May on our approach to the Brexit negotiations – have been fully reflected in the EU’s negotiating position. Protecting the gains of the peace process is a central priority for the Government in dealing with Brexit. This includes: ensuring that all provisions of the Good Friday Agreement are fully respected and upheld; avoiding a hard Border on the island of Ireland and; maintaining the Common Travel Area.
A key feature of my role involves representing Ireland at the General Affairs Council (Art. 50), which provides political oversight of the Article 50 negotiations as they proceed, and prepares the work of the European Council (Art. 50), where Ireland is represented by the Taoiseach. The most recent General Affairs Council (Article 50) was held on Tuesday 20 June, where I and the other EU27 Ministers received a short update from Michel Barnier on the launch of the negotiations with the UK which had taken place the day before.
In order to ensure that Ireland’s key priorities and concerns are understood by our partners, the Government has undertaken an intensive campaign of engagement with our EU partners and the EU Institutions. This approach has delivered for Ireland, with our unique issues recognised in key negotiation texts, and I am continuing these efforts. I have already held bilateral meetings with a number of my EU colleagues since assuming my new role, including with the EU’s lead negotiator, Michel Barnier, as well with my Estonian, Luxembourg, French, Slovak, Belgian and Spanish counterparts. I also welcomed the Finnish Foreign Minister to Ireland earlier this month and my officials are currently finalising the details for further engagements in the autumn.
In these meetings, I have laid particular emphasis on Ireland’s objective of protecting the gains of the peace process and avoiding a hard Border on the island of Ireland. I have strongly emphasised the need for an imaginative and flexible political solution.
I have also stressed the importance of ensuring that the positive momentum from the early rounds of EU-UK negotiations is maintained so that progress can be made as quickly as possible on the many complex issues facing the negotiators. It is important to make sufficient progress on the exit issues, including citizens’ rights, the financial settlement and the Irish-specific issues, in phase one of the negotiations so that parallel discussions can begin in phase two on the EU’s future relationship with the UK, including on trade, as well as on effective transitional arrangements.
Engagement with the UK, in particular on Irish-specific issues, is also important. In this regard, I met the UK’s Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis, in London on 6 July and more recently, I met the UK’s Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 17 July. Given the unique situation of Northern Ireland in the Brexit context, Brexit issues have of course featured in discussions with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire as well as the main political parties in Northern Ireland.
402. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent by his Department on taxi and or limousine fares in the past two years to date by year and amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35489/17]
View answerMy Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation.
Taxi and car hire costs for 2016 amounted to €507,201 and for the period January 2017 to date amount to €341,709.
My Department is fully compliant with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on official travel and also operates its own detailed internal travel guidelines. The central aim of the Departmental travel policy is to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties.
403. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being faced by migrant workers trapped in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in view of the fact the group of countries led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE enforces sanctions against Qatar (details supplied); and if he will request the Governments of both countries to eliminate the requirement for an exit visa. [35595/17]
View answerI am very concerned by the difficulties faced by migrant workers in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and I strongly deplore any abuses of workers’ rights.
In the context of the Universal Periodic Review of Qatar by the Human Rights Council in 2014, Ireland expressed concerns about widespread reports of violations of the rights of migrant workers, especially in the context of preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Ireland expressed particular concerns about the Kafala system of sponsorship, and encouraged Qatar to undertake a thorough review of the regulatory regime for migrant workers, with the aim of bringing it into line with international human rights and labour standards. In addition, Ireland recommended on this occasion that Qatar abolish the ‘exit visa’ system for migrant workers. More recently, Ireland’s Ambassador to Qatar raised these issues directly with the Foreign Ministry of Qatar.
I urge the governments of Qatar and Saudi Arabia to co-operate with the UN and the International Labour Organisation, and to implement the relevant recommendations in order to improve the situation of migrant workers and their families in their respective countries.
I am not aware that difficulties faced by migrant workers under the Kafala system are linked to the ongoing diplomatic crisis in Qatar. However, the developing situation between Qatar and its neighbours remains a matter of concern, and Ireland will continue to monitor the situation, including its potential to impact on citizens, commerce and regional stability. I strongly encourage mediation to resolve the crisis in Qatar, and hope for a swift resolution.
404. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent trip to Israel and Palestine; the persons he met with; the issues raised; if he discussed the Sinn Féin motion that was passed by Dáil Éireann without opposition on 10 December 2014 calling on the Government to recognise the state of Palestine; and the reason he did not visit Gaza on his three-day visit. [35610/17]
View answerI visited Israel and Palestine on 10 - 13 July. This was not my first visit to the area, but it was my first as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and in that capacity my first visit outside Europe, which I scheduled as soon as I took office.
In Israel I met Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Netanyahu, and other Israeli Ministers and leaders, and called on President Rivlin. In Palestine I met Prime Minister Hamdallah, Foreign Minister Malki and other leaders. I also met with the UN agencies UNRWA and OCHA, and made a field visit to the West Bank to see the operation of occupation policies on the ground. I also met with Israeli and Palestinian NGOs operating in the justice and human rights fields, which are supported by Ireland. I also met with others, including visiting US envoy Jason Greenblatt.
As my first visit in my current capacity, my discussions covered as wide a range as possible. Issues covered included the overall peace process, prospects for resumption of negotiations, including current United States activities, issues on the ground including settlements, restrictions on Palestinians, the current and long term situation in Gaza, and bilateral relations. I am mindful of the Dáil motion on Palestinian recognition in all my engagement on this issue. The question of recognition was raised with me by interlocutors on both sides. My approach will continue to be guided by what I believe can best contribute to progress in the peace process.
It was not possible to include all the elements I would have wished in a single visit, including a visit to Gaza. However I was both briefed on and raised the situation there myself.
406. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation in Venezuela; his views on the elections for a new constituent assembly due to be held on 30 July 2017; the actions taken to date by the European Union on recent developments in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35854/17]
View answerI reiterate my deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, a country faced with grave political, economic, and humanitarian crises. The past months have seen almost daily mass protests and violence in Venezuela, resulting in dozens of deaths in clashes between security forces and opposition demonstrators. The reported human rights violations, excessive use of force, and mass detentions are unacceptable. I condemn unreservedly any act of intimidation or violence perpetrated against those seeking to defend or exercise their rights, whether in Venezuela or elsewhere.
Ireland’s view is that the establishment of a clear electoral calendar, the reopening of dialogue, and the full restoration of the country’s democratic institutions will be critical to achieving a settlement to the crisis. This was made clear when the situation in Venezuela was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in May 2017. Ireland and other EU member states used this opportunity to condemn the use of force in Venezuela and urge the Government and opposition to seek peaceful and democratic solutions through dialogue.
Regarding the Constituent Assembly, I share the view expressed by Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in her press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council last week. The convening of a Constituent Assembly risks further polarising Venezuela and increasing confrontation in the country. The focus of all political actors should instead be on finding ways to create the conditions to resume efforts towards a peaceful negotiated solution.
While Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in Venezuela, officials at my Department and at our Embassy in Mexico, which has responsibility for Venezuela, will continue to monitor the situation closely. Ireland will continue to work with EU partners in trying to urge a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the crisis.
407. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent developments in Ukraine, the declaration of a new state of Malorossiya and the efforts that are being made by the international community and the European Union to safeguard the Minsk peace deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35855/17]
View answerThe conflict in eastern Ukraine - now in its fourth year - has resulted in over 10,000 deaths, forced 1.7 million people to flee their homes and left an estimated 3.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance.
Despite numerous commitments to a ceasefire, the security situation in eastern Ukraine remains fragile. While recorded ceasefire violations have decreased in recent weeks, shelling continues with both sides ignoring calls to pull back their heavy weapons from the contact line.
As a result of the ongoing fighting, very little progress has been made in 2017 on implementing the Minsk peace deal.
International efforts to end the conflict are continuing. The OSCE Trilateral Contact Group, which comprises representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the separatists, met most recently on 19 July in Minsk to discuss confidence building measures, including exchange of prisoners and disengagement from the contact line.
The Normandy Format countries (France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine) are also continuing talks to overcome the current impasse. On Monday, Presidents Macron, Merkel, Putin and Poroshenko held a conference call and pledged to re-double efforts to improve the security situation on the ground and move forward on implementing key elements of the Minsk peace deal.
I condemn the recent statement by the leader of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic regarding the supposed creation of a new entity named “Malorossiya”. I regard the statement as provocative rhetoric which risks undermining the ongoing efforts by the OSCE and the Normandy format to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The declaration is the latest in a series of negative developments including Russia’s recognition of travel documents illegally issued by the separatists, the adoption of the Russian rouble in separatist-held areas, and expropriation of Ukrainian-owned companies in the Donbas region, all of which run counter to the Minsk agreements.
408. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made by the European Union to restart the Middle East peace talks; his views on the reduced electricity supply to the Gaza strip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35856/17]
View answerIreland and other EU partners strongly supported the initiative by France during 2016, which concluded with the second Paris Conference in January this year. However, those efforts were not able to restore momentum to the peace process, which remains stalled.
There is no clear view at present in the European Union on the best way to try and encourage a resumption of talks. I look forward to taking part in those discussions, but Ireland in the meantime will continue to urge the EU to take action in response to Israeli actions on the ground which are making those negotiations ever more difficult. There is some expectation that the US administration will initiate new efforts in early autumn to negotiate an agreement. If this goes ahead, the EU will have to be ready to respond appropriately and support efforts to deliver a sustainable two-state solution.
During my recent visit to the region I discussed the prospects for restarting talks with Israeli, Palestinian and US and other international representatives.
In relation to the Gaza electricity supply, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 388 today.
409. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent developments in Poland; the efforts being made by the EU and the international community to try and protect the rule of law in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35858/17]
View answerThe European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Dialogue has been ongoing between the European Commission and Poland regarding the Rule of Law since January 2016. At the General Affairs Council on 16 May last, Ireland, along with a number of other Member States, stressed the importance of the Rule of Law and urged renewed dialogue between Poland and the Commission, with a view to reaching a solution to this matter.
Most recently, the Commission at its meeting on 19 July expressed grave concerns about certain recent draft legislation regarding the judiciary in Poland, and I note the most recent developments in Poland.
The Commission will return to the issue again at their next meeting on Wednesday, 26 July and it is my hope that the issue can be resolved through dialogue.
410. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of each body or organisation that is scheduled to receive in excess of €1 million from his Department's Vote of expenditure or the group of Votes of expenditure connected with his Department in 2017 for the provision of services by the body or the organisation concerned; the amount involved in each case; if there is a signed service level agreement in place in respect of the services to be carried out by these bodies or organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36158/17]
View answerMy Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). For 2017, the Government has provided a total of €486.4 million under Vote 27 (International. cooperation) managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for the Irish Aid programme.
A series of indicative grants to partners is identified at the start of each year through the annual budgetary process, and payments are made subject to satisfactory grant appraisals. The budget document drawn up annually contains indicative budgets for country programmes in Irish Aid's partner countries, for multilateral organisations and for a number of funding schemes for civil society and for the provision of humanitarian funding. Grants to individual partners under these schemes are made in line with agreed application and approval processes. The list of scheduled payments includes indicative grants identified through the budgetary process and grants made under approved schemes.
Agreements are put place with all organisations which are awarded funding. These agreements include the amount and purpose of the grant, the activities to be undertaken, timeframe for completion, and reporting and accountability requirements.
Details of each body that is scheduled to receive in excess of €1 million from my Department for the provision of services in 2017 is set out in the following table:
|
Vote 27 - International Co-operation |
||
|
Draft Budget Allocations to Partners as at 01/01/2017 |
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|
Budget Line |
Organisation |
Amount |
|
Partner Countries |
||
|
Ethiopia Country Programme |
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Productive Safety Nets Programme) |
10,400,000 |
|
UNOCHA Emergency Humanitarian Fund |
1,335,835 |
|
|
SoS Sahel |
1,300,000 |
|
|
UNICEF |
1,100,000 |
|
|
Ministry of Health to a Joint Donor fund |
5,000,000 |
|
|
Tanzania Country Programme |
Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children - Health Basket Fund |
7,500,000 |
|
Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) |
2,800,000 |
|
|
Agriculture Markets Development Trust |
1,350,000 |
|
|
Uganda Country Programme |
Expanding Social Protection Programme via a joint arrangement with UK Department of International Development |
3,000,000 |
|
UNDP |
2,000,000 |
|
|
UNICEF |
1,450,000 |
|
|
Karamoja Regional Skills Development programme via a joint arrangement with Belgian Technical Co-operation |
2,200,000 |
|
|
Democratic Governance Facility |
2,750,000 |
|
|
Sierra Leone Programme |
UNFPA |
€1,000,000 |
|
UNDP |
€1,000,000 |
|
|
Action Contre la Faim (ACF) |
€1,126,651 |
|
|
International Rescue Committee |
€1,088,925 |
|
|
Liberia Programme |
Oxfam Liberia working with an NGO Consortium |
€1,200,000 |
|
Ministry of Health to a Joint Donor Fund |
€2,000,000 |
|
|
Malawi Country Programme |
Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare - Social Cash Transfer Programme |
2,000,000 |
|
World Bank |
1,000,000 |
|
|
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) |
1,900,000 |
|
|
International Potato Centre (CIP) |
1,900,000 |
|
|
UNDP |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Mozambique Country Programme |
Ministry of Education to a Joint Donor Fund |
6,250,000 |
|
Ministry of Health to a Joint Donor Fund |
9,000,000 |
|
|
Mechanism to Support Civil Society |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Zambia Country Programme |
Ministry of Community Development – Social Protection Programme |
3,000,000 |
|
CARE Canada – SUN Nutrition Fund |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Self Help Africa – Local Development Programme |
1,300,000 |
|
|
Regional South East Asia Programme |
Ministry of Finance/ Committee (Ministry) for Ethnic Minorities |
3,000,000 |
|
Other Countries / Regions |
||
|
Palestine |
Palestinian Authority – Education Joint Financing Arrangement |
2,350,000 |
|
Zimbabwe |
UNICEF |
2,000,000 |
|
Civil Society & Development Education Unit |
Concern Worldwide |
20,535,992 |
|
Trócaire |
16,008,827 |
|
|
Misean Cara |
15,500,000 |
|
|
Goal |
9,000,000 |
|
|
Christian Aid |
3,124,488 |
|
|
World Vision Ireland |
1,656,858 |
|
|
Oxfam Ireland |
2,348,747 |
|
|
Gorta Self Help Africa |
4,120,626 |
|
|
Plan Ireland |
1,283,907 |
|
|
Policy areas |
||
|
Human Development |
Global Funds for TB, Aids and Malaria |
10,000,000 |
|
International Partnerships for Microbicides |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation |
3,000,000 |
|
|
The Global Alliance for Tuberculosis Drug Development |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Medicines for Malaria Venture |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Global Partnership for Education |
4,000,000 |
|
|
Governance, Gender Equality, Human Rights and Fragile States |
UN Peacebuilding Fund (UN PBF) |
1,000,000 |
|
Resilience and Economic Inclusion |
The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Development |
3,000,000 |
|
International Labour Organisation |
2,200,000 |
|
|
International Land Coalition |
1,000,000 |
|
|
SUN Movement initiatives |
1,750,000 |
|
|
Least-Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) |
1,000,000 |
|
|
International Institute for Environment and Development |
1,100,000 |
|
|
Multilateral |
||
|
EU Trust Funds - Turkey Refugee facility |
10,516,000 |
|
|
IFAD |
2,000,000 |
|
|
UNDP |
7,750,000 |
|
|
UNICEF |
7,200,000 |
|
|
UNHCR |
7,500,000 |
|
|
UNOHCHR |
2,000,000 |
|
|
UNFPA |
2,800,000 |
|
|
UN Women |
1,500,000 |
|
|
UNRWA |
4,000,000 |
|
|
UNAIDS |
2,400,000 |
|
|
Humanitarian and Emergency Response |
||
|
Humanitarian Programme Plan |
Concern |
4,060,680 |
|
Trocaire |
3,579,585 |
|
|
World Vision |
2,183,984 |
|
|
Christian Aid |
1,652,283 |
|
|
Plan Ireland |
1,457,109 |
|
|
Oxfam |
1,066,359 |
|
|
Sudden Onset |
CERF - UN OCHA Central Emergency Response Fund |
9,000,000 |
|
Crisis Specific Appeals |
UNDP Sudan Country-Based Pooled Fund |
3,000,000 |
|
UNDP South Sudan Country-Based Pooled Fund |
3,000,000 |
|
|
UNICEF (South Sudan Crisis) |
1,000,000 |
|
|
UNHCR (South Sudan Crisis) |
1,000,000 |
|
|
UNDP Somalia Country-Based Pooled Fund |
3,000,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA DRC Country-Based Pooled Fund |
3,000,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA CAR Country-Based Pooled Fund |
3,000,000 |
|
|
UNHCR (CAR Crisis) |
1,200,000 |
|
|
UNICEF (Eritrea Crisis) |
1,000,000 |
|
|
ICRC (Lake Chad Basin / Sahel Crisis) |
1,500,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA Nigeria Country-Based Pooled Fund |
2,000,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA Iraq Country-Based Pooled Fund |
2,000,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA Yemen Country-Based Pooled Fund |
4,000,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA Jordan Country-Based Fund |
1,500,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA Lebanon Country-Based Fund |
1,500,000 |
|
|
ICRC (Syria Crisis) |
1,500,000 |
|
|
UN OCHA Turkey Country-Based Pooled Fund |
1,500,000 |
|
|
UNWRA (Syria Crisis) |
1,000,000 |
|
|
Core Funding |
ICRC - Core Funding |
9,500,000 |
|
UN OCHA - Core Funding |
2,900,000 |
|
|
IFRC - Core Funding |
1,600,000 |
|
|
Other |
UNHRD – Stockpiling services for Rapid Response |
2,000,000 |
|
Support for Humanitarian Mine Action - partner tbc |
2,000,000 |
|
|
International Rescue Committee - Strategic Partnership Gender and Protection |
1,100,000 |
|
|
Start Fund |
1,300,000 |
