Written Answers Nos. 95-106
95. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he formally raised the issue of trade with illegal settlements at the last meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14209/18]
View answerThe Israel Palestine conflict did not feature on the agenda of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 19 March, having been discussed at the January and February meetings.
I have corresponded with the Deputy on the question of raising the specific aspect of trade with settlement goods. I have no difficulty with discussing this at European level, but it is a matter of judgement what is the most important and fruitful aspect to try and advance at any given time or meeting.
Ireland has already previously raised at EU level the question of whether settlement goods should be excluded from the EU market – this being a separate question from suggestions of sanctions on trade with Israel, which we do not support. In addition, the EU and its Member States are in near continuous discussion and negotiation at official level on all aspects of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, including many which bear in some way on questions to do with settlements and settlement goods.
It is absolutely clear from these continuous contacts that there is no possibility whatever of getting substantial support, still less consensus, for a proposal to exclude settlement goods. The reality is that a substantial number of EU partners are highly resistant to such proposals, precisely because they consider them to be steps towards a trade ban, which they will not at this point countenance. Advocacy on this issue would only be likely to be counterproductive for other ideas we might pursue.
We have therefore instead focussed our efforts in relation to settlements on practical measures to differentiate in EU policies between Israel itself and the illegal settlements. This has resulted in a number of EU measures already, including guidelines on labelling of settlement goods, and exclusion of settlement institutions from EU research funding. I have, nevertheless, asked my officials to continue to explore further such options, as well as the potential for them to gain support from EU partners, and such discussions at official level will inform my continuing assessment on how best to take this issue forward.
96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the UNHCR reports presented at the recent Human Rights Council that outline the way in which living conditions across the West Bank and Gaza have worsened in particular for children over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14030/18]
View answerI share the Deputy’s concerns at the reports of the worsening living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza. The reports by UNHCR catalogue a number of human rights concerns that are having a particular effect on children, including settler violence, displacement and forcible transfer, home demolitions and forced evictions, and the arrest and arbitrary detention of children.
Many of these issues are linked to settlement construction and discriminatory policies favouring settlers and settlements over the rights of the Palestinian population. Ireland therefore continues to advocate for a greater international focus on these issues, and for stronger measures against settlements. The settlement project is contrary to international law, gravely threatens the prospects for a peace agreement, and inherently involves continuing and cumulative injustices and provocations to Palestinians. It is clear however that these injustices will only be fully ended when the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is ended. I have therefore also prioritized, in my engagement at local, EU and international level, the need for continued political effort to revive a political process to end the occupation. Ireland also supports Israeli and Palestinian NGOs who are actively engaged in combatting injustices and discrimination on the ground.
During my working visit to Israel and Palestine in January, on which I have reported to the House, I expressed Ireland’s concerns about the impact of the continuing occupation, including settlement construction and the treatment of minors in detention, in my contacts with the Israeli administration. In a statement on 12 January, I condemned Israel’s announcement of plans for further settlement units in the West Bank.
In Ireland’s national statement at the most recent session of the Human Rights Council we condemned again the continuing and accelerating expansion of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory. We also expressed concern about the situation of Palestinians in East Jerusalem, where the historic community is under great pressure.
98. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the progress of the new election observer roster; the timeframe for its publication; and the way in which to address the flaws in the current system as articulated by participants in election observing. [14051/18]
View answerInternational 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 to facilitate, when requested, an appropriate level of Irish participation in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Plans are well advanced for the mobilisation of a new roster, to come into operation later this year. A public call for applications is currently being finalised and will issue in the near future. The call will be published on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website and on the Irish Aid website.
A candidate information booklet setting out eligibility requirements and detailing the process leading to the establishment of the roster will be published for the information of applicants. The process to appoint observers to the Election Observer Roster will be run in accordance with best practice.
99. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide greater resources to the Passport Office in Cork to allow for greater speed in clearing passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14217/18]
View answerThe Passport Service, located in my Department, is one unified service composed of 3 constituent offices located in Mount Street, Dublin; Balbriggan, County Dublin and South Mall, Cork. The distribution of work across the 3 passport offices does not impact on members of the public in any way or limit the options available to the public in terms of passport application channels.
Occasionally, operations are reviewed and work is redistributed between these 3 offices on the basis of demand and availability of resources. Under the current distribution of application processing across the Service, all Passport Express applications are now processed in the Balbriggan office. The Cork office processes applications from Northern Ireland and Great Britain, as well as applications submitted at Ireland’s network of Embassies and Consulates worldwide. Online passport renewal applications are processed in the Mount Street office. The public offices in Mount Street and Cork also continue to accept applications from all categories of applicant, by appointment, at their public counters. Where appropriate, these offices also facilitate the issuance of emergency passports.
My Department continues to closely monitor the level of passport demand to ensure that all resources are effectively deployed. Additional measures taken by the Passport Service include the recruitment of additional staff and the use of targeted overtime. The Passport Service received sanction this year for 220 Temporary Clerical Officers to be appointed to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork in accordance with application volumes allocated to each office. The vast majority of these officers are already in place with the remaining expected to be fully trained and in place by the end of March at latest. Of these Temporary Clerical Officers, 40 were assigned to the Passport Office in Cork. In addition to this, 10 Clerical Officers and 1 Executive Officer have joined the Cork Passport Office’s permanent staff since the beginning of the year. Targeted overtime for was also sanctioned for all offices to increase processing capacity.
100. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the report on Human Rights and Business will be progressed and disseminated in order to inform Irish businesses of same. [14053/18]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has responsibility for the operationalisation of a number of actions set out in the National Plan on Business and Human Rights which was launched in November 2017. One of the initial tasks is to establish a Business and Human Rights Implementation Group, to consist of representatives from Government, the business community and civil society. It is envisaged that the group will meet twice a year to review implementation of the National Plan. Work is underway to establish the Group and my Department is liaising with stakeholders, including members of the business community, in this regard.
A key priority is to identify an individual with a strong track record in the promotion of human rights in a business environment to chair the Group. Preliminary work has also been undertaken to commission a baseline assessment which will complete a comprehensive study of the legislation and regulatory framework relating to business and human rights as it applies in Ireland.
My Department will convene a forum on Business and Human Rights within two years of the adoption on the plan in 2017. This will aim to bring together stakeholders including government, members of the business community and civil society to facilitate the exchange of views on progress regarding the delivery of the plan.
In addition, and in accordance with the plan, Business and Human Rights has been added as a regular item on the agendas of both the Inter-Departmental Committee on Human Rights and the DFAT NGO Standing Committee and will be discussed at upcoming meetings of both bodies.
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a major review of the United Nation's structure and principles can be undertaken with a view to restoring its effectiveness and its ability to intervene in situations such as the Syrian crisis and the development aid programmes to ensure that aid goes directly to its intended targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14200/18]
View answerThe Secretary General has proposed reforms in the UN’s peace and security architecture, in the UN’s management system and structures, as well as in the UN development system – all with a view to ensuring that the UN is fit for purpose in carrying out its mandate and advancing the achievement globally of the Sustainable Development Goals. Discussions regarding these reforms are currently ongoing among UN Member States, with Ireland’s central participation. Many parts of the UN system are also contributing to the reform efforts. Central to this work is the concept of sustaining peace, bringing together Governments and all national stakeholders in inclusive partnerships to prevent the outbreak, continuation, escalation and recurrence of violent conflict. In this, prevention is the top priority.
The reforms seek to reduce fragmentation and allow for better delivery, and making the peace and security pillars of the UN more coherent, nimble and effective. Ireland is deeply committed to the multilateral system, and very supportive of the UN reform efforts.
The Government is strongly committed to delivering Ireland’s Official Development Assistance programme in the most effective way, providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to the fight against global poverty and hunger, including through working with multilateral partners.
The ability of these multilateral channels to reach the poorest and most fragile countries and regions in the world, and deliver real results on the ground, is at the forefront of Ireland’s financing and engagement.
Ireland provides core, multi-year funding to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which leads and coordinates the global humanitarian response and recently approved funding of €2.9 million to the organisation for 2018. This funding is intended to support the UN’s ability to respond effectively to global humanitarian need, including in Syria, where UN humanitarian agencies and partners continue to reach millions of people in need. Through our upcoming role as chair of the OCHA Donor Support Group, Ireland will continue to work closely with OCHA to increase the effectiveness of the UN’s humanitarian response.
An end to violence is urgently needed in order to relieve the suffering of the Syrian people. Ireland fully supports the UN-led political negotiations to end the conflict based on the 2012 Geneva Communique and UN Security Council resolution 2254, which call for an end to violence; full humanitarian access; a democratic political transition, and accountability and transitional justice.
Ireland plays an active role in the relevant management structures of our multilateral partners, for example as Board Members of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Population Fund this year. In addition, we use our Embassy network, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, to monitor the work of our multilateral partners on the ground and to ensure that aid reaches the targeted population.
In addition to participating in the ongoing discussions and reviews, Ireland will continue to advocate for reform of the UN’s structures and systems to ensure it is enabled to fulfil its crucial role in the maintenance of international peace and security, prevention, reduction and resolution of conflict and the upholding of fundamental human rights.
103. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of details of the backstop agreement between the EU and the UK Government with regard to ensuring no hard border on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14013/18]
View answerA Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is an integral part of the draft Withdrawal Agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and the UK. It is drafted to give legal effect to the commitments and guarantees provided in the EU-UK Joint Progress report of last December on avoiding a hard border and protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, including North South cooperation and rights. The draft protocol also reflects the agreement reached on maintaining the Common Travel Area. Progress has been made on the draft Protocol during the most recent round of negotiations, which concluded on 19 March. This is recorded in an annotated version of the draft Withdrawal Agreement published by the EU Taskforce on 19 March, which reflects agreement on some articles of the draft text, including the Common Travel Area and Other Areas of North South cooperation. During the negotiations, the UK also accepted that a legally operative version of the ‘backstop’ for the border will be included in the Withdrawal Agreement, in line with paragraph 49 of the Joint Progress Report agreed last December, and that all the issues identified in the draft Protocol will be addressed to deliver a legally sound solution for the border. Prime Minister May confirmed these agreements in her letter to the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, on 19 March, in addition to reiterating the UK's commitment to agreements reached last December on protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process, including the overarching guarantee on avoiding a hard border.
I welcome that the European Council, it its guidelines adopted on 23 March, made clear that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” and has stressed that work remains to be done in order to achieve overall agreement, notably on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. To this end, an intensive schedule of negotiations has been agreed between the EU and the UK over the coming weeks with a view to continuing efforts to narrow the remaining gaps on the draft Protocol. The European Council, with the support of the Council, will continue to follow the negotiations closely, in all their aspects, and will return in particular to the remaining withdrawal issues, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland at its June meeting. I therefore expect significant progress to made an agreeing the Protocol ahead of this meeting of the European Council.
104. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made a request to the British Government to convene an inter-governmental conference between the British and Irish Governments in relation to Northern Ireland; and if so, the proposed agenda for such a conference. [14220/18]
View answerOver the course of many months, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form an Executive. The devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern Ireland. The electorate in Northern Ireland affirmed their support for power-sharing through the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement in May 1998 and have provided a mandate to the political parties to form an Executive and Assembly. Everyone agrees that devolved power-sharing institutions are in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland and the Government continues to work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to support that outcome.
Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive engagement. In light of this, the Government has been working with the British Government to consider means by which we can support the political process, in accordance with the Agreement, in the period ahead.
I am in very regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in order to determine how both Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, can address the current impasse and secure the re-establishment of the Executive and Assembly. I will be speaking with the Secretary of State again this week and we will meet in early April.
As part of these ongoing discussions, I have indicated to the Secretary of State that it would now be appropriate to convene a British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in order for both Governments to formally engage through the structures of the Good Friday Agreement on next steps. The Secretary of State indicated that she wished to reflect on this suggestion and it will form part of our next discussion.
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing together the Irish and British Governments under Strand Three of the Agreement on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. It does not involve any derogation from the sovereignty of either Government.
106. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government's position regarding the EU Ombudsman’s recommendations of 9 February 2018 to end maladministration of the documents of Council; and his views on the EU Ombudsman’s recommendations. [12791/18]
View answerThe EU Ombudsman’s report follows the inquiry she opened last year on the level of public scrutiny of Council legislative work. Her recommendations go to the heart of Council decision making procedures and will require careful consideration, by both the Council of the European Union, to whom the recommendations are addressed, as well as by national Governments. The Ombudsman has asked the Council to reply within 3 months, by the 9th of May next.
While the Ombudsman’s recommendations are not binding, she has recommended that appropriate new arrangements should be put in place within the next 2 years that would enable a greater range of legislative documents in Council to be directly accessible to the public, including information on Member State positions in Council Working Groups and Coreper.
The Council Legal Service is currently evaluating the Ombudsman’s recommendations and will report to Member States in due course.
There is a careful balance required between transparency and the need to safeguard Member State negotiating positions in Council and later in co-decision with the European Parliament, to enable sufficient space for compromise proposals to emerge and secure support.
The issue of transparency in EU institutions is, of course, also being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs, whom the Ombudsman met recently. I await the outcome of its deliberations with interest.
