Written Answers Nos. 469-487
469. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36786/17]
View answerI attended the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday 17 July. North Korea, Libya, the implementation of the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy were on the agenda. Ministers discussed migration and the Central Mediterranean Route over a working lunch.
The continuing deterioration on the Korean peninsula is deeply worrying. The Council had an exchange of views on the situation and adopted conclusions. Ireland is fully supportive of the international sanctions regime against North Korea given its continued disregard for its international obligations.
My EU counterparts and I also had a discussion on Libya. High Representative Mogherini emphasized the need for a political solution. Ministers heard first-hand about some of the very difficult conditions facing migrants in Libya. I informed the Council of the Government’s approval for the participation of the Defence Forces in EUNAVFOR Operation Sophia in the Central Mediterranean, an indication of Ireland’s sincere commitment to the EU’s continuing efforts to find a satisfactory solution to the migrant crisis.
The Council discussed the EU Global Strategy and priorities for the coming year. The strategy underpins the EU’s contribution to international peace and security and I welcome particularly the focus on EU support for global governance and multilateralism.
In the margins of the Council, I had bilateral meetings with my Belgian, Spanish and UK counterparts to discuss Ireland’s priority issues in relation to Brexit, in particular with regard to Northern Ireland, the Common Travel Area, the economy and the future of the EU. I also had a bilateral meeting with the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, during which we discussed migration, EU-Africa relations and my recent visit to Israel and Palestine.
470. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36954/17]
View answerDetails of political appointments, ministerial drivers and staff seconded from another Government Department to work with Ministers in this Department in the years in question are provided in the following table:
|
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney TD |
|||
|
Political Staff |
|||
|
Role |
Remuneration |
Period of employment |
|
|
1 |
Special Advisor |
PO Scale |
30/06/2017 to date |
|
2 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
03/07/2017 to date |
|
3 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
03/07/2017 to date |
|
Seconded Staff |
|||
|
1 |
Constituency Office Staff |
HEO Scale |
15/06/2017 to date |
|
2 |
Constituency Office Staff |
EO Scale |
15/06/2017 to date |
|
Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Ciarán Cannon TD |
|||
|
Political Staff |
Political Staff |
||
|
Role |
Remuneration |
Period of employment |
|
|
1 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
10/07/2017 to date |
|
2 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
03/07/2017 to date |
|
Seconded Staff |
|||
|
1 |
Private Secretary |
HEO Scale and PS Allowance |
11/08/2017 to date |
|
Minister of State for European Affairs Helen McEntee TD |
|||
|
Political Staff |
|||
|
Role |
Remuneration |
Period of employment |
|
|
1 |
Special Adviser |
AP Scale |
Commencing 11/09/2017 |
|
2 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
22/06/2017 to date |
|
3 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
22/06/2017 to date |
|
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charles Flanagan TD |
|||
|
Political Staff |
|||
|
Role |
Remuneration |
Period of employment |
|
|
1 |
Special Advisor |
PO Scale |
18/07/2014 – 29/06/2017 |
|
2 |
Special Advisor |
PO Scale |
11/07/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
Special Advisor |
PO Scale |
27/05/2016 – 29/06/2017 |
|
|
3 |
Personal Secretary |
Personal Secretary Scale |
28/07/2014 – 24/05/2015 |
|
Personal Secretary |
Personal Secretary Scale |
25/05/2015 – 06/05/2016 |
|
|
4 |
Personal Assistant |
Personal Assistant Scale |
25/05/2015 – 14/07/2016 |
|
Personal Assistant |
Personal Assistant Scale |
18/07/2014 – 03/04/2015 |
|
|
5 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
28/07/2014 – 14/06/2017 |
|
6 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
21/07/2014 – 13/06/2016 |
|
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
20/06/2016 – 14/06/2017 |
|
|
Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Joe McHugh TD |
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|
Political Staff |
|||
|
1 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
16/05/2016 – 09/07/2017 |
|
2 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
16/05/2016 – 09/07/2017 |
|
Minister of State for European Affairs Dara Murphy TD |
|||
|
Political Staff |
|||
|
1 |
Special Advisor |
AP Scale |
06/10/2014 – 20/06/2017 |
|
2 |
Personal Assistant |
Personal Assistant Scale |
02/08/2014 – 08/05/2016 |
|
3 |
Personal Secretary |
Personal Secretary Scale |
04/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
4 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
17/07/2014 – 07/06/2015 |
|
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
08/05/2015 – 20/06/2017 |
|
|
5 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
17/07/2014 – 28/08/2015 |
|
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
07/09/2015 – 20/06/2017 |
|
|
Civilian Driver (Temporary) |
Civilian Driver Scale |
16/06/2016 – 30/09/2016 |
|
|
Minister of State for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan TD |
|||
|
Political Staff |
|||
|
1 |
Personal Assistant |
Personal Assistant Scale |
11/07/2014 -06/05/2016 |
|
2 |
Personal Secretary |
Personal Secretary Scale |
04/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
3 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
04/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
4 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
04/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
Minister of State for International Development Seán Sherlock TD |
|||
|
Political Staff |
|||
|
1 |
Personal Assistant |
Personal Assistant Scale |
01/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
2 |
Personal Secretary |
Personal Secretary Scale |
04/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
3 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
04/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
|
4 |
Civilian Driver |
Civilian Driver Scale |
04/08/2014 – 06/05/2016 |
471. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the cost of applying for a passport is discouraging some persons from applying for same; his plans to reduce the cost of passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37059/17]
View answerThe cost of the standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €9.60 per year for a French passport, €9.40 per year for a British passport, €9.90 per year for an American passport and €16.70 per year for an Australian passport.
Given that the shortfall in revenue would have to be met by the taxpayer, I do not have any plans at this time to reduce the fee for a passport.
472. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of women and men respectively employed in his Department in tabular form. [37072/17]
View answerThere were 1,524.9 full time equivalent staff employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 30 June 2017.
|
Male |
Female |
|
|
Full time equivalent staff |
613.52 |
911.38 |
473. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of men and women, respectively, in his Department that hold posts (details supplied). [37083/17]
View answerThe number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in named grades and their equivalent grades particular to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 30 June 2017 is detailed in the following table broken down by gender:
|
Grade |
FTEs |
|
|
Men |
Women |
|
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
|
Second Secretary General |
4 |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary General |
2 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
16 |
5 |
|
Principal Officer and equivalent grades including Counsellor and Principal Development Specialist |
63 |
28.1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer and equivalent grades including First Secretary, Development Specialist and Assistant Legal Adviser |
125.8 |
124.4 |
This Department has faced its own challenges in advancing gender equality and ensuring that women are represented fully in our senior management teams at home and abroad. My Management Board leads initiatives in this regard and a number of actions have been implemented which have seen great progress in the recent period, particularly at senior levels.
The Department has an active Management Board Gender Equality Sub-Committee, which feeds into Management Board deliberations. There is also a Gender Equality Action Plan Working Group, tasked with progressing the Gender Equality Action Plan, and an Equality and Diversity Working Group, tasked with addressing broader equality and diversity issues in the Department.
The work that we are doing, through the Gender Equality Action Plan, will be complemented by the wider work on gender being driven through the Civil Service Renewal Process.
We want our Missions abroad, and our senior management structures at home, to be representative of the people of Ireland and better gender balance will help us achieve one element of that ambition.
474. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a person that has changed their name by deed poll into Irish must wait for two years before being able to apply for their passport using the Irish version of the name; and if he will reconsider this practice to facilitate persons who wish to have their official papers in Irish to be able to do so in a shorter timeframe. [37104/17]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”), which provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices which are applied by the Passport Service in the issue of passports.
Section 10 of the Act broadly provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate or naturalisation certificate. Issuance of a passport in a name other than that which appears on a person’s birth or naturalisation certificate is permitted under the Act in certain situations, such as after marriage and so on, provided the relevant civil or legal documents are available to verify this change of name.
In cases where name change arises other than by marriage, civil partnership or adoption, the Act specifically requires evidence of the use of this new name over a two year period.
However, if a person requests issuance of a passport with a name change consisting of the use of the Irish version of his/her name, the Passport Service may adopt some flexibility in this policy and may facilitate the request if the applicant provides proof of a minimum period of six months usage of the Irish version of their name. In such cases, the Passport Service will include an observation on the passport recording the person’s birth certificate or previous name. This observation must remain on the passport until the condition of two years proof of usage can be satisfied. After the required two years and if the person wishes to do so, he/she may reapply (full fee will be required), submitting the required two years proof, and a new passport may issue without the observation.
This policy seeks to protect the integrity and security of the Irish passport and guard against passport or identity fraud, while at the same time facilitating those citizens who wish to use the Irish language more frequently in their daily lives.
475. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost his Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37225/17]
View answerMy Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation.
The Department and our global mission network engage a range services with banks domestically and internationally.
The following table shows the cost incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees:
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade banking charges and card fees 2012 to 2016.
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€193,971 |
€180,827 |
€189,202 |
€169,350 |
€238,290 |
The Department holds bank accounts with a wide range of financial institutions internationally.
Domestically the main financial institutions that the Department has bank accounts with are AIB, Bank of Ireland and Citibank.
476. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will convey its concerns to the Israeli authorities regarding the disturbing increase in the demolition of Palestinian homes in the occupied Palestinian territory over the past 12 months, with over 62 homes being demolished in east Jerusalem displacing over 115 persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37498/17]
View answerThe continuing and increasing instance of demolitions by Israel of Palestinian homes, along with other related policies designed to push Palestinians off the land that they inhabit, has been a central focus of Ireland’s engagement on the Israel/Palestine conflict for some years. We raise these concerns with the Israeli authorities at every suitable opportunity, and I did so myself during my visit to Israel and Palestine in July. It goes without saying that the response to date has been unsatisfactory and insufficient. Ireland also raises these polices in discussions at EU and UN level, and argues for stronger responses to this continuing sustained breach of international law. We also work with and support Israeli and Palestinian NGOs which combat these policies.
We will continue to do so.
477. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to the conclusions of the legal proceedings surrounding subsidiary protection residence if a decision has been reached on the legal status of a person (details supplied) of a child born here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the legal status of any non-national in the State is a matter for the Irish immigration authorities which comes under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. Clarification is being sought from the Department of Justice and Equality on the person’s entitlement to Irish citizenship and specifically on whether residence under Subsidiary Protection could be reckoned for the purposes of Section 6A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act (as amended) and how such residence should be calculated.
The Passport Service remains in close contact with the Department of Justice and Equality and the Office of the Attorney General for a final position on the matter.
478. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the investment made by his Department in the Cavan, Monaghan and north Meath area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37645/17]
View answerMy Department administers a number of funding programmes, including Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid. As part of Irish Aid, funding is provided through the annual Development Education Grants Scheme for projects aimed at promoting awareness of and engagement with global development and justice issues. Information on Development Education grants is available on the Irish Aid website www.irishaid.ie.
Since it was established in 1982, the Reconciliation Fund has been supporting NGOs, community groups, and voluntary organisations to support reconciliation and to create better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. The Fund has an annual budget of €2.7 million with which it supports such projects. Communities from across both Northern Ireland and the border region have in particular been beneficiaries of the Fund. The projects listed below which were awarded grants by the Fund in 2016 have promoted reconciliation by bringing people together on a cross-community and cross-border basis around activities focusing on sports, commemoration, and youth.
My Department’s Emigrant Support Programme supports Irish communities overseas by funding non-profit organisations and projects. From time to time funding is granted to an organisation based in Ireland for projects overseas to foster more strategic links with the global Irish and to support frontline welfare services that help the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities.
The table lists funding provided to projects in the Cavan, Monaghan and Meath area through the Development Education Grants Scheme, the Reconciliation Fund and the Emigrant Support Fund from March 2016 to date. The table also provides details of nationwide programmes, for which a county-by-county breakdown is not available.
|
Name |
Project Title |
Location |
Amount in 2016 |
Amount in 2017 |
|
Amnesty |
The Right Sparks Project: A CPD Programme in development education for primary school teachers |
Nationwide |
€40,000 |
- |
|
An Taisce |
Green Schools - Global Citizenship |
Nationwide |
€40,000 |
€48,000 |
|
Development Perspectives |
Insight: Development Education accredited programme for adults. |
Edition 1 - Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan |
€40,000 |
- |
|
Development Perspectives |
SDG Challenge |
Nationwide |
- |
€50,000 |
|
Eco-Unesco |
Youth for Sustainable Development;Global Youth Leaders for Change |
Dublin, Meath, Louth,Galway |
- |
€95,000 |
|
NYCI |
2030 Vision: New Goals. New Approach |
Nationwide |
€85,000 |
€95,000 |
|
Tearfund |
Church of Ireland Youth Leader Development Education Training Year 2 |
Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, Dundalk and Drogheda |
€10,000 |
- |
|
Tearfund |
Church of Ireland Youth Leader Development Education Training Year 3 |
Diocese of Cork, Cloyne, Ross and Meath. |
- |
13,810 |
|
Poetry Ireland |
Professional Development for Primary-School Teachers in Arts-Based Approaches to Development Education |
Dublin and Navan, Co. Meath |
- |
€10,550 |
|
Clogher 2016 Historical Commemoration Committee |
1916-2016 Cross-Border Centenary Commemorations Programme. |
Fermanagh and Monaghan |
€5,000 |
|
|
Knockconan-Aughnacloy Cross Border Summer Camp |
Cross-Border Summer Camp |
Monaghan and Tyrone |
€3,000 |
- |
|
Old School Boxing Club |
Boxing for Peace Cross-Border Project |
Derry and Monaghan |
€8,000 |
- |
|
Glór na nGael |
Irish language projects abroad |
Meath |
€35,000 |
€35,000(awaiting approval) |
479. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the British Foreign Secretary the need for the British Government to respond positively to the unanimous requests from Dáil Éireann to provide access to papers dealing with the Dublin-Monaghan bombing of 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37646/17]
View answerDealing with 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. My predecessor Minister Flanagan participated on behalf of the Government in the commemoration ceremony that day and in addressing the commemoration ceremony, he reaffirmed the Government’s determination 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 2016 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.
I have raised the matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and advised him 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.
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 Dáil Éireann. I will remain actively engaged on an ongoing basis on this matter, as will my officials.
480. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new passports that have been issued in each of the years 2014 to 2016, and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37647/17]
View answerThe number of passports issued in each of the years requested is as follows:
|
2014 |
632,156 |
|
2015 |
672,760 |
|
2016 |
733,060 |
|
2017 (1 January to 5 September) |
615,971 |
481. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the revocation by Israel of Bedouins' Israeli citizenship in large numbers over recent months (details supplied) with no warning or explanation; and the steps he will take to raise this matter with the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37752/17]
View answer484. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent revoking of citizenship of hundreds of Negev Bedouin by Israel; the measures he will take in view of the fact that these persons are now stateless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37795/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 484 together.
I am aware of the issue in question, which, if confirmed, would indeed be a matter of serious concern. There has been some media reporting on this, but not all of the details are yet clear. I am aware that the Knesset has been paying attention to the issue, and that Israeli authorities have stated that recent decisions represent a correction of previous bureaucratic omissions, that an accelerated process is being established to correct this, and that no-one will lose their status as a result. We will see if these assurances are borne out, and I have asked the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv to keep me informed.
482. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the purpose the public services card plays in identifying a person who is renewing a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37762/17]
View answerThe Passport Service currently requires a photocopy of the Public Services card (“PSC”) for first time adult applicants and for applicants seeking to replace lost, stolen or damaged passports that were issued prior to 2005. This measure has been an important step in protecting against fraud and identity theft and in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport.
The Government decided on 17 July that the PSC would be required for all passport applications made in the State by the end of 2018.
The PSC and the relevant issuing process, which is managed by the Department of Social Protection, is secure and robust and gives a high degree of assurance regarding the identity of the holder.
My Department will ensure that any changes to the passport application process are communicated to the public well in advance and will work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Social Protection on the practicalities involved.
483. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number and grade of all staff in his Department; the number and grade of vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37779/17]
View answerThere were 1,524.9 full time equivalent staff employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 30 June 2017. These staff are detailed by grade in the following table:
|
Grade |
|
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Second Secretary General |
5 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
3 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
21 |
|
Counsellor |
67.6 |
|
Principal |
18.6 |
|
Principal Development Specialist |
4.9 |
|
Senior Development Specialist |
14 |
|
Assistant Legal Adviser |
8 |
|
First Secretary |
128 |
|
Assistant Principal |
45.8 |
|
Assistant Principal Add ons |
25 |
|
Professional Accountant |
6 |
|
Development Specialist |
23.4 |
|
Architect |
1 |
|
Third Secretary |
103 |
|
Administrative Officer |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
82.4 |
|
Executive Officer |
128.93 |
|
Clerical Officer |
433.1 |
|
Civilian Driver |
4 |
|
Cleaners |
11 |
|
Services Officer |
29 |
|
Nightwatchman |
2 |
|
Political Appointees |
3 |
|
Local staff |
352.17 |
|
Total |
1524.9 |
When there is a specific business need, my Department employs temporary short term staff to address those requirements.
Staffing within the Department is subject to a payroll, as opposed to a staffing numbers, ceiling and the Department’s Management Board decide on the allocation of human resources to deliver on the Department’s priorities within that payroll ceiling. Therefore it is not possible to provide the Deputy with a current number and grade of vacancies in the Department. However, I can advise the Deputy that the Department is actively filling roles at most grades in the Department and we are currently working with our colleagues in the Public Appointments Service on two competitions specific to this Department for Third Secretary and Counsellor grades.
485. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of funding for the Centre for Cross Border Studies; the funding it has received in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37813/17]
View answer486. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding from the Northern Executive for the Centre for Cross Border Studies has been halted due to the lack of a functioning Executive; if he has been in contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding same; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37814/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 485 and 486 together.
I am very familiar with the work of the Centre for Cross Border Studies which has an excellent track record for encouraging the development of North-South co-operation. I am very pleased that my Department, through our Reconciliation Fund, has provided over €230,000 to the Centre since 2001.
The Centre for Cross Border Studies is currently being funded for a project to develop their existing “Border People” website which provides citizens in both Ireland and Northern Ireland with practical information regarding cross-border mobility issues as well as the likely implications of Brexit on the border region.
Cross border work such as this is crucial for the border economy and for the island as a whole to benefit from the gains of the peace process. Building and maintaining relationships, and working in a spirit of co-operation, North and South, is also key to mitigating the negative impacts of Brexit for our people, and the Centre for Cross Border Studies is also playing an important role in that work.
I have recently received correspondence from the Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh about the funding of the Centre and this is currently under consideration in my Department. I have not discussed this specific matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
|
Year |
Amount |
Project Title |
|
2014 |
€10,000 |
“The Sir George Quigley Memorial Project: Prospects for the All-Island Economy 2020 and Beyond” |
|
2015 |
€50,000 |
“Border People Project” |
|
2015 |
€10,000 |
“2016 Annual CCBS Conference: Bordering Between Unions – What Does the UK Referendum on Europe Mean for Us?” |
|
2017 |
€8,400 |
“Border People Project” |
Detailed lists of the Reconciliation Fund grants awarded are available on the Department’s website www.dfa.ie/about-us/funding/reconciliation-fund/.
487. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his meeting in August 2017 with Secretary of State Brokenshire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37815/17]
View answerI met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 22 August in Dublin to discuss the best way forward for the Irish and British Governments to support the formation of a new Executive for Northern Ireland in the period ahead, consistent with our responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.
In our discussion we reaffirmed both Governments’ determination to see the devolved institutions of the Good Friday Agreement up and running again as soon as possible. We noted that in the first instance it is the parties who have the enabling electoral mandates that need to reach the necessary agreement to form a new Executive. The Secretary of State and I agreed that both Governments would continue to encourage and do all that we could in the weeks ahead to support the parties in achieving that essential objective.
I also discussed with the Secretary of State the Government’s continuing concerns regarding the impact on Northern Ireland of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. We noted that the issues for Northern Ireland can only be addressed through the ongoing EU-UK negotiations.
I confirmed that the Government, along with our EU partners, is analysing the published UK position papers on its exit from the Union, including the paper on Northern Ireland and Ireland, and together with the Commission Task Force and the other 26 EU Member States, we are committed to working towards an orderly UK withdrawal.
I underlined that protecting the peace process and maintaining the gains of the Good Friday Agreement is crucial and that this shared responsibility must be fully upheld in the negotiations between the European Union and the UK.
I remain in regular contact with the SOSNI in relation to the political situation in Northern Ireland.
