Written Answers Nos. 162-178
162. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of clerical officers and clerical assistants in his Department on temporary contracts by years of service; if these officers will be offered permanent positions in the Civil Service when they have served a fixed period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16427/18]
View answerThere are no Clerical Assistants employed in my Department. There are eight Temporary Clerical Officers employed in my Department, with periods of service at this point ranging from 2 months to 19 months. The Department is not in a position to offer permanent positions at the conclusion of such temporary contracts. Recruitment of staff to permanent Clerical Officer positions is the subject of a separate open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
163. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the statutory footing which compels those seeking a foreign birth registration certificate to provide State identification in order for their application to be processed; if his Department has examined the possibility that most minors under 16 years of age do not have State identification, which is normally a driver licence or a passport; his plans to amend this rule due to the number of cases on hold at present in the foreign births unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/18]
View answerMy Department takes very seriously its responsibilities in relation to determining entitlement to Irish citizenship. State-issued photographic identification forms an essential part of the documentary requirements for all applications for Foreign Birth Registration, and this is clearly stated on my Department’s website and on the application form for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration.
The statutory basis for the documentary requirements is set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts and in the Foreign Birth Regulations 2013 (S.I. No 47 of 2013).
When the application for citizenship is being made on behalf of a minor, the requirement for photographic identification is not only important in relation to our objectives of protecting the integrity of the citizenship process and minimising the risk of fraud, but also in safeguarding against child abduction or trafficking.
With regard to the particular individual case which the Deputy references, and on which he has been in correspondence with my Department, I am pleased to confirm that the additional document requested was provided and the applicant was entered onto the Foreign Births Register on April 10th.
164. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials were contacted by the Russian ambassador. [15077/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 136, reference No. 14154-18, of 28 March 2018. Since then, on 2 April 2018, the Russian Ambassador contacted the Secretary General of my Department to advise him of Russia’s decision to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. The meeting took place on 4 April 2018.
On 12 April 2018, following a request from the Russian Embassy, the Ambassador met a senior official in my Department to outline his government’s position on the recent announcement by the US Department of the Treasury of the imposition of sanctions against a number of Russian individuals and their companies.
165. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of contingency planning under way within his Department and State agencies for the impact of Brexit. [15079/18]
View answerCo-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department.
Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate regulatory and operational challenges which would result from such an outcome. It assumes a trading relationship based on the default WTO rules, but also examines the possible effects on many other areas of concern. This work is therefore providing baseline scenarios for the impact of Brexit across all sectors, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations, including in regard to transition arrangements and the future relationship. It also takes account of the planning being undertaken at EU level by the new Commission Preparedness Unit, which is issuing information notes aimed at different business sectors.
The Government is already acting in order to get Ireland Brexit ready. Dedicated measures were announced in Budget 2018, including a new €300m Brexit Loan Scheme for Business and a €25m Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agri-food sector as well as additional supports for capital investment in the food industry and Bord Bia marketing and promotion activities, amounting to over €50m in total. Additional capital expenditure allocation of €4.3bn over four years will also allow the State and its agencies to properly plan major infrastructure projects while ensuring that communities and businesses can plan ahead. There was also increased funding provided to my Department for the opening of six new diplomatic missions as part of Global Footprint 2025, which will contribute to helping our exporters find new markets. Our Government’s enterprise agencies continue to work with companies, helping them to deal with Brexit – making them more competitive, diversifying market exposure, and up-skilling teams.
Longer-term economic strategies will also be critically important in addressing the challenges of Brexit, notably Ireland 2040 – the National Development Plan. The Enterprise Strategy 2025 Renewed was recently launched and we are in active discussions with the European Investment Bank on a potential increase in investment in the country.
Before the summer the Government will finalise a paper, building on that published in May 2017, on our approach to the negotiations and our latest assessment of the economic and sectoral challenges posed by Brexit and our responses to them.
166. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to contact the authorities in Northern Ireland to have the missing body parts of a person (details supplied) returned to the family for appropriate burial with the rest of their body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15217/18]
View answerI recently met with the family in the case referred to by the Deputy. I subsequently tasked officials in my Department with engaging with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the issue. My Department will keep the family informed as to the progress of these efforts.
As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a private and most difficult matter for the family and direct contact will therefore be maintained with the family as appropriate.
167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in the United States of America. [15644/18]
View answerMy Department was made aware of this case in March 2018 and officials have been providing all appropriate assistance to the individual and his family since then.
Consular Assistance officials in Dublin and in the Consulate General of Ireland in Boston continue to be in regular contact with the individual, his family, the correctional centre, and the Irish Pastoral Centre.
As the Deputy knows, the Government cannot interfere in a legal process in another jurisdiction. However, my Department will continue to monitor the case closely, providing all appropriate assistance to this individual and his family.
168. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that passport forms do not note that in cases of passports out of date for more than five years the person must hold a public services card; his plans to include reference to this requirement on passport forms in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15018/18]
View answerThe passport application form is distributed with accompanying notes which provide an overview for the main categories of passport application, a section by section guide on how to complete the application form and contact details for the Passport Service.
The Passport Service processes passport applications from many different categories of applicant, through a range of different channels, for Irish citizens at home and abroad. Documentary requirements for any given category of applicant can vary considerably. As such, the passport application form and accompanying notes are not intended to be exhaustive guides.
It is noted on the front of the application form that a more detailed step-by-step guide to all sections of the form is available online at the Passport Service's website www.dfa.ie/passport. This website is regularly updated and offers comprehensive guidelines for all categories of passport applications, useful passport tips and current turnaround times. In addition, the website allows applicants to track the progress of their application using their 11 digit application number. Applicants may also use the site’s webchat service to contact customer service directly about any application query they may have.
Applicants residing in Ireland who require further information on their own category of application and who do not have access to or do not wish to use the available online resources may contact the Passport Service’s dedicated customer service line on 01 671 1633.
The Passport Service regularly reviews the information that it provides in its forms, leaflets and publications and welcomes feedback from the public on these information materials.
169. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have considered transposing the Magnitsky Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15024/18]
View answer170. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have discussed the Magnitsky Act with the American ambassador or with officials in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15025/18]
View answer171. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Magnitsky Act was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15026/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together.
The circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky in 2009 remain deeply disturbing. From the outset, the EU called on the Russian authorities to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation, and criticised their failure to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mr. Magnitsky’s death.
A number of countries, including some EU Member States, have put in place national “Magnitsky Acts” freezing the assets of, and withholding visas from, certain Russian officials believed to have acted in violation of human rights.
The question of the nature and scope of EU sanctions is always complex and difficult. The adoption of sanctions requires a unanimous decision of the Council. As the Deputy will be aware, EU economic sanctions have been in place against Russia since 2014 in response to its illegal annexation of Crimea and its further actions to destabilise Ukraine.
To date Ireland has raised its concerns regarding human rights in Russia directly with the Russian authorities and through the EU, the Council of Europe and at the UN Human Rights Council. In 2016, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted five principles to guide EU relations with Russia. Key amongst these is strengthening our support for civil society in Russia, a position which Ireland fully endorses.
At the Foreign Affairs Council yesterday Ministers discussed the EU’s policy on Russia. We agreed that the five principles represent a balanced and comprehensive framework for managing our relations with Russia. We also underlined the crucial importance of increasing EU support for civil society organisations and human rights activists at this time. The question of further EU measures against Russia may be considered over the coming period; however, no decisions were taken at yesterday’s meeting.
I can confirm that my Department has not had discussions with the US authorities regarding the introduction of a Magnitsky Act in Ireland.
172. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the financial and technical support his Department is providing either directly or through the EU in the run-up to the presidential elections in Colombia in 2018; his views on violence in the run-up to the election; the safeguards in place to protect candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15128/18]
View answer173. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the financial and technical support his Department is providing either directly or through the EU in the run-up to the presidential elections in Colombia in 2018 to ensure a transparent and peaceful process and to encourage the protection of the spirit and promises of the peace agreement. [15129/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
The first round of presidential elections are due to take place in Colombia on 27 May 2018, following national legislative elections which took place on 11 March 2018, the first since the country’s historic peace accord was approved in November 2016.
I am aware of the reports of violence in Colombia in the electoral season to which the Deputy refers. The security situation continues to be cause for concern, and developments in the aftermath of legislative elections and in advance of presidential elections are being closely monitored by my Department and by our Embassy in Mexico which is accredited to Colombia. I condemn unreservedly any such intimidation or violence perpetrated in Colombia and elsewhere. As the Deputy will agree, peaceful and fair elections are the cornerstone of any democracy and this right must be guaranteed.
Ireland has made significant financials contribution in support of the Colombian peace process.
Ireland is a founder member and one of the largest contributors to the EU Trust Fund for Colombia, which aims to support the implementation of the peace agreement. We have committed to providing €3 million in funding over the lifetime of the Fund.
In addition, in 2017, Ireland contributed €400,000 to the UN Trust Fund for Colombia and €300,000 to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to assist them in carrying out their vital work in Colombia.
Ireland is also funding the secondment of Mr. Pat Colgan as an adviser to the Colombian Ministry for Post-Conflict. Mr. Colgan was formerly Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which was set up by the British and Irish Governments to manage the PEACE Programmes and INTERREG Programmes in Northern Ireland.
I firmly believe that Colombia’s peace accord provides the framework in which the endemic violence and impunity which has afflicted Colombian society for decades can successfully be addressed. Historic strides have been made to date in its implementation, including the full decommissioning of FARC weapons by July 2017 and the transformation of the organisation into a political party, which as part of the agreement is guaranteed to have five seats in each chamber of the national congress.
We know from our own experience in Ireland that achieving peace can be complex and challenging and is far from straightforward. Whatever the outcome of presidential elections in May, Ireland remains committed to supporting the full implementation of the agreement, which I believe will ensure a more peaceful future for all Colombians.
I wish to take this opportunity to recall the warm relations which exist between Ireland and Colombia, demonstrated by the announcement in October 2017 that Ireland will open an Embassy in Bogotá, and I wish to extend to the people of Colombia all the best for the electoral period ahead.
174. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in those years; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future. [15201/18]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Co-operation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade).
The Department seeks to minimize expenditure on consultants and commissions external expertise only in areas where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, where independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement, these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other analysis or documentation for the Department.
In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed, and continues to inform, the Department’s policies, allowing for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
Some consultancies are engaged directly by Missions abroad, including to prepare technical reports relating to Ireland’s overseas development programme.
Certain reports commissioned by the Department are for internal management usage and not for publication. However, many Irish Aid-related reports are published on www.irishaid.ie.
Consultancy services are procured by competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objectives of the Department. In addition, all expenditure on consultancies is subject to audit by the Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit which reports directly to the Secretary General and whose work is overseen by the Department’s independent Audit Committee. The expenditure is also subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Details of the amount of expenditure in each of the years 2015 to 2017, the number of consultants engaged, and the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts in those years are detailed in the table below:
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Expenditure on consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2017
|
Year |
Amount of Expenditure (€) |
Number of Consultants |
Consultants awarded contracts/engaged |
|
2015 |
436,950 |
27 |
ASM. Alasdair Collins DP Evaluation. Ann Nolan. Cathal Reidy. Centre for Social Research. Charles Abola. Coffey International Development Ltd. Crowleys DFK. Cornelius Chipoma. Firetail Ltd. Gemma O’Reilly. Ground Work Consultancy. Johnny O'Regan. Kate Bridges. Lahluva Consultores. Mazars. Michael Shannon. Isaac Ngoma. Mpala Nkonkomalimba. OPTIMOZ. Option Consultancy Services Ltd. Saferworld. Sebastian Kevany. Stephens Moore. Tran Thi Ngoc Diep. Transparency international. Wilberforce MUHWANA. |
|
2016 |
540,865 |
26 |
Anne Nolan/Janet Gruber. ASM. Bronagh Hinds/ Debbie Donnelly. Caoimhe Hughes. CASE International. Centre for Law and Democracy. Cornelius Chipoma. Eamon Brehony/Alais Nakuyukuyo Morindat. Emily Mates. Emmanuel Sulle. Grant Thornton. Ingrid Obery. Ishihaka Mwandalima. Luiz Genedio Mendes Jorge. M Horizon (UK) Ltd. McQuillans. Mercer International. Sean Mc Gearty. Noel Casserly. PWC. REEV Consult International. Right to Change. Southern Cross Consulting. Technopolis. The Institute of International and European Affairs. Willis Towers Watson. |
|
2017 |
224,766 |
10 |
Amárach Research. ASM. Ernst & Young (EY). Indecon Consultants. M Horizon (UK) Ltd. Mary Brady. Mercer International. Noel Casserly. Rachael Twinem. Tierney & Associates, Risk & Governance Consultants. |
175. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Irish-registered non-governmental organisation (details supplied) is seeking to obtain United Nations Economic and Social Council consultative status; if this application will be supported; if he will request countries to support and vote in favour of its application; and if he will meet with the organisation to discuss same. [15264/18]
View answer191. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if support will be given to an application for United Nations ECOSOC consultative status by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15902/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 191 together.
The consultative relationship between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) is governed by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, which outlines the eligibility requirements for consultative status; rights and obligations of NGOs in consultative status; procedures for withdrawal or suspension of consultative status; the role and functions of the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs; and the responsibilities of the UN Secretariat in supporting the consultative relationship.
Consultative status provides NGOs with access to ECOSOC and to its many subsidiary bodies; to the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations; ad-hoc processes; and special events organised by the President of the General Assembly. Currently 4,862 NGOs, including nine Irish NGOs, hold consultative status with ECOSOC.
International, regional, sub regional and national non-governmental and non-profit, public or voluntary organisations may apply for consultative status. Applications are reviewed by the Committee on NGOs (the Committee), a subsidiary body of ECOSOC, which consists of 19 Member States elected on the basis of equitable geographical representation and which meets twice a year in January and May. Following review, the Committee’s recommendations are forwarded to ECOSOC for decision.
In the course of reviewing an application, the Committee may ask questions or seek clarification from NGOs. This can often result in a delay in the consideration of individual applications, as the application may then be deferred to the next session. In relation the specific organisation referred to by the Deputies, I am told that it first submitted its application in 2016 but, because of repeated requests for further information, no recommendation has yet been made.
In the margins of the last meeting of the Committee, when its application was again deferred, officials of the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in New York met with representatives of the organisation, who raised the possibility of appealing directly to ECOSOC. This course of action has been pursued in recent years in response to similar difficulties encountered by a number of other NGOs. However, the application must have been rejected by the Committee and, unless ECOSOC decides otherwise, the organisation is then precluded from reapplying for a period of three years. Moreover, the submission of a resolution to ECOSOC seeking to overturn the decision of the Committee carries no guarantee of success.
In the case of the organisation in question, its application has not yet been put to a vote in the Committee and a resolution cannot therefore be brought to ECOSOC at the present time.
It is widely accepted that there is a strong need for significant reform of the United Nations across much of its work and Ireland is committed to supporting Secretary General Guterres in his efforts in this regard. The Committee on NGOs and the current system of determining NGO consultative status is clearly unwieldy and oversubscribed, and its methods of work need to be revisited. While there have been some positive developments recently, including webcasting of the Committee’s deliberations, which has brought welcome transparency to its processes, there is no doubt that the functioning of the Committee could be improved.
On a more general note, I would like to emphasise our appreciation for the valuable role that civil society actors play in holding countries to account for their human rights records and compliance with their international treaty obligations. Their participation enriches the deliberations of human rights bodies and my Department regularly includes representatives of civil society in our national delegations to meetings such as the Commission on the Status of Women.
Civil society space is a key priority for Ireland at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. Recognising the shrinking space for civil society worldwide, Ireland has successfully led on resolutions on the creation and maintenance of safe and enabling environments for civil society space since 2013 and we will again present a resolution on this issue at the next meeting of the HRC in June 2018.
176. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of pieces of legislation both enacted and published by his Department which originated in work carried out by the Law Reform Commission in each of the past ten years in tabular form; the details of each piece of legislation in the corresponding year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15349/18]
View answerNo legislation originating from work carried out by the Law Reform Commission has been enacted by my Department in any of the past ten years.
177. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open an embassy in Iran in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15389/18]
View answerThe Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul.
A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Government is conscious of the political, economic and trade factors that might warrant the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in Iran – as in a number of other countries. This will be taken fully into account in ongoing work on the Global Footprint to 2025.
178. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken or will take to ensure that the Israeli authorities are contacted to express the opposition of the Houses of the Oireachtas to the continued use of administrative detention of Palestinian Legislative Council members who have been arrested and detained without being convicted of an offence in a manner which is in violation of all human rights standards and agreements under international law. [15391/18]
View answer181. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the detention of members of a group (details supplied) has been discussed at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings; if so, the outcome of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15630/18]
View answer184. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to intervene to highlight the arrest and continued detention of members of the Palestinian Legislative Council by the Israeli Government without a proper trial or conviction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15731/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178, 181 and 184 together.
The 132 members of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were elected in 2006 for a four year mandate. The PLC has not held a regular session since 2007 and its mandate has since expired. I regret that it has not been possible to hold long overdue elections. I note that there are currently twelve members of the PLC currently held in Israeli jails with nine of these in administrative detention.
The continued use of administrative detention by Israel against Palestinian activists is a matter of concern. The subjects of these orders are given no indication of the allegations or concerns for which they are being detained.
Ireland has consistently made clear our view that administrative detention, if it exists at all, should only be an exceptional emergency measure. If there are genuine security concerns about individuals, they should be charged and tried under the law. Detained Palestinians should have the same protections and conditions that Israel affords its own citizens when detained.
Ireland has conveyed these views to the Israeli authorities both directly and through our interventions at UN level. In the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Israel, earlier this year, Ireland raised the issue of administrative detention, and made recommendations on the rights of detainees.
We have also worked to have the issue addressed in EU Council Conclusions. EU Missions in Palestine, including Ireland’s, have issued statements on the practice making clear that detainees have the right to be informed about the charges underlying any detention and must be granted access to legal assistance and be given a fair trial within a reasonable time or be released.
We will continue to make known our concerns on the practice to the Israeli authorities at all appropriate opportunities.
