Written Answers Nos. 179-195
179. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic steps he has taken against Israel in order to express the Irish population's outrage at the slaughter of civilians in Gaza and its ongoing consistent and flagrant breaches of international law. [15587/18]
View answer182. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he will take following the recent violence in Gaza which resulted in a significant number of casualties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/18]
View answer183. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has raised in international fora or as a member of the European Union, the killing of civilians by Israeli troops recently during clashes at the Gaza and Israeli border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15709/18]
View answer185. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised recent events in the Gaza Strip with the Government and Ambassador of Israel; his plans to pursue an international investigation into the deaths and violence which have occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15748/18]
View answer190. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position with regard to the recent violence at the Gaza-Israeli border which has left a large number of persons dead and injured; if he has raised the issue of disproportionate use of force by the IDF against protesters with the Israeli Embassy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15888/18]
View answer193. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he plans to take regarding the suppression by Israel of the recent peaceful protest by Palestinians in Gaza; if he will condemn these actions by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15909/18]
View answer194. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to Israel's recent targeting of Palestinians in Gaza (details supplied); and the actions he will take in this regard.. [16221/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 182, 183, 185, 190, 193 and 194 together.
I have been greatly concerned by the events in Gaza over recent weeks, and especially by the appalling number of serious injuries and deaths to people engaged in demonstrations.
Every country is entitled to defend its border, but the use of force, and particularly deadly force, must only be used as a last resort and should be proportionate to a real and immediate threat. Israel is legitimately vigilant when there are mass demonstrations close to its border with Gaza. However, the number and nature of casualties in recent weeks, arising from the use of live ammunition, is difficult to understand.
I issued two public statements in relation to these incidents, on 31 March and on 9 April. I called on all sides to show restraint, particularly Israeli forces in their use of force. And I supported the calls by the EU and by the UN Secretary General for an independent and transparent investigation into these events. The Irish Ambassador in Israel has made Ireland’s concerns known to the Israeli authorities.
I would also stress that, as I have made clear in all my contacts in the region, the situation in Gaza is untenable. If the cycle of violence and depression in the Strip is not ended, events of this nature will inevitably recur. The long-standing blockade cannot be accepted as normal. It is for this reason that, in my visits to Gaza and in my many contacts at EU and international level, I have been particularly active in trying to encourage and promote international interest and alternative approaches. I will continue to make this a priority in my work.
180. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of official State visits his Department has been involved with for each of the past four years; the costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15601/18]
View answerA State Visit is the highest level of official visit from one country to another. It is undertaken by a Head of State and takes place at the invitation of one State to another. State Visits to Ireland include an official welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, a State Dinner hosted by the President and calls on the Taoiseach and the Oireachtas. Other elements can include business and community receptions and visits to places of historical, educational or cultural interest. As such, State Visits to Ireland provide an important opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests internationally and contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links with other countries. Since 2014, the following five official State Visits to Ireland have taken place:
|
Year |
Country |
Name and Title |
|
2014 |
Republic of Mozambique |
H.E. Mr. Armando Emílio Guebuza President of the Republic of Mozambique |
|
2015 |
Federal Republic of Germany |
H.E. Mr. Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany |
|
2016 |
Cyprus |
H.E. Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus |
|
2017 |
Republic of Croatia |
H.E. Kolinda Grabar-Kitaroviæ, President of the Republic of Croatia |
|
2018 |
Italian Republic |
H.E. Mr. Sergio Mattarella President of the Italian Republic |
The costs associated with these visits are as follows:
|
Costs |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Republic of Mozambique |
Federal Republic of Germany |
Cyprus |
Republic of Croatia |
Italian Republic |
|
|
Amount |
€39,747.08 |
€31,821.74 |
€22,046.56 |
€29,590.19 |
€23,597.13* |
*Plus one bill yet to be finalised.
In relation to costs for each visit, business is allocated with a view to ensuring value for money combined with an appropriate level of service.
Staff costs have not been included in the reply. The division in my Department which manages State Visits also manages visits to Ireland by a range of foreign dignitaries. Staff members in this unit routinely work on multiple visits at the same time and it is therefore impractical to identify specific staff costs related to individual visits.
186. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures being adopted to escalate the processing of passport applications; if the passport services made available to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to facilitate passport representations are still valid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15792/18]
View answerThe quickest and easiest way for an adult to renew a passport is to apply online. These passports are being turned around in 10 working days or less, plus postage time. This service is currently only available for adults renewing their passport but it is planned to extend this service to other renewal categories by the end of this year.Renewals applications, through Passport Express, are now processed in the target timeframe of 15 working days. I have allocated additional resources to the Passport Office to ensure that the target processing times continue to be met, and customer support provided, as we enter the peak summer season. The number of Full Time Equivalent staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service stood at 322 at the beginning of the year. This compares to 310 Full Time Equivalent staff assigned to the Passport Service at the same point last year. In addition, over 20 additional permanent staff have been assigned to the Passport Service in 2018. In addition 220 Temporary Clerical Officers have been assigned to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. Targeted overtime was also sanctioned in recent weeks for both temporary and permanent staff to help deal with high application volumes.
The continuous implementation of service improvements has also been central to my Department’s response to increasing application volumes. The Passport Reform Programme is delivering major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements.
The Department currently has a dedicated channel of communication for Oireachtas representatives and my office is the dedicated point of contact for public representatives. This ensures consistency, efficiency and fairness in responses to the queries of all public representatives.
I am grateful to Deputies for their continued assistance in advising constituents to visit the Passport Service’s 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/.
187. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken to help provide a long-term peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in view of continued Israeli efforts to quash Palestinian political autonomy. [15810/18]
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. It also includes 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. During my working visit to Israel and Palestine in January, on which I have reported to the House, I met with both President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu, as well as other representatives of the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and discussed with them reinvigorating the effort towards peace in the Middle East. In recent months the new United States administration has been exploring the possibilities for re-launching the process to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. This engagement is very welcome, and I have met myself with the US team to encourage their work, and to underline to them the key parameters for an agreement which the EU has long espoused.
In recent discussions with my EU colleagues, I have stated that the EU must continue to encourage an appropriate US initiative, but that the EU must also continue our own work, including work on the ground, to help preserve and create the political and physical space in which the two state solution can be achieved, and help to combat negative trends, including the deteriorating situation in Gaza. Recent events in Gaza are a symptom of how difficult the situation there is, and should be a further spur to our efforts to bring about change. I am actively exploring with EU colleagues how this can best be done.
As a part of Ireland’s efforts towards helping lay the groundwork for the two state solution, successive Irish Governments have provided financial support to build the institutions of a Palestinian State. Through the Irish Aid programme, which also aims to promote peace building and to meet the immediate needs of the Palestinian people, we currently provide some €10 million annually in development and humanitarian assistance. Ireland’s support to the Palestinian Authority has a specific focus on education.
Irish Aid also continues to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza. Ireland has provided funding of €8 million to UNRWA’s Gaza Emergency Appeals since 2006, of which €500,000 was provided in 2017. In light of the exceptional circumstances UNRWA is facing, Ireland brought forward our 2018 core contribution to the organisation’s Programme Budget. Last month, Ireland pledged an additional €250,000 to the Agency.
I have given a high priority to the Middle East Peace Process since assuming office, in both my work at EU level and elsewhere, as I have reported to the House.
188. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the decision to expel a Russian diplomat from Ireland was premature and unwarranted (details supplied); if he will be apologising to the Russian ambassador; the steps he will take to repair Irish-Russian relations in the wake of the expulsion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15836/18]
View answerFollowing on from extensive briefings by the United Kingdom at senior official level and to EU Foreign Ministers, Prime Minister Theresa May addressed the European Council on 22 March. She made a compelling case in support of her government’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation was responsible for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with a military-grade nerve agent, and that there was no plausible alternative explanation.Having listened to the Prime Minister, and to the views of other Member States in a position to support her account, all EU leaders agreed with the United Kingdom Government’s assessment. They also affirmed their unqualified solidarity with the United Kingdom in the face of this grave challenge to Europe’s shared security. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has since independently confirmed the findings of the UK government relating to the identity of the toxic chemical used in the attack. As I have previously stated, the use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons, by anyone, anywhere, is shocking and abhorrent. The attack in Salisbury was not just an act against the United Kingdom, it also represented a direct challenge to the international rules-based system on which we all depend for our security and wellbeing.
In light of the European Council Conclusions, and following an assessment conducted by the Irish security services and relevant Government Departments, I decided to terminate the accreditation of a diplomatic staff member at the Russian Embassy. This decision was not taken lightly. It was based on an assessment of all the relevant political and security factors, and in line with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It is noteworthy that a majority of Ireland’s closest international partners, both inside and outside the EU responded to the Salisbury attack in a similar manner. I am satisfied that the decision to expel a Russian diplomat was the most appropriate course of action in the circumstances.
Ireland has long standing relations with Russia and this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations. We have much to gain from our trade and cultural links and through greater people-to-people contacts. I hope it will be possible to continue to build on the many positives in our relationship. To do so effectively, we must maintain mutual trust and respect, which is best assured by honoring and implementing the commitments we have made as members of the UN, OSCE, the OPCW as well as the Council of Europe.
189. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if additional resources will be allocated to this service. [15837/18]
View answerI am advised by the Passport Service that the correspondence to which the Deputy refers concerns a passport renewal application that was processed in March of this year. I am advised, that this correspondence was answered by my Department on 5th April 2018. I understand that the essence of this correspondence concerned a data breach that was promptly brought to the Passport Service’s attention and was immediately reported in line with their procedures for safeguarding customer data. My Department takes our responsibilities under Data Protection law very seriously and accordingly, the matter was immediately escalated and brought to the attention of the appropriate staff members. The staff members acted promptly and in line with protocol for such cases to protect personal details from risk of compromise. The correspondence to which the Deputy refers also highlighted the difficulties that the applicant experienced in obtaining updates on the progress of their application through the Passport Service’s customer care phone and email services. At the time that the application in question was being processed, the Passport Service was experiencing an exceptionally high workload owing to high application volumes and disruption caused by adverse weather conditions and the subsequent closure of the Dublin and Cork passport offices for 2 days. Consequently, turnaround times for some categories of application were higher than target turnaround times and delays were experienced in response times for queries submitted to customer care.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight that applicants can track the status of existing applications at any time through the Passport Service’s online tracker which can be found on the department’s website:
https://passporttracking.dfa.ie/
The Passport Service also operates a web-chat facility where applicants and passport holders can contact the customer care team from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. A link to this service can be found on the passport tracker web-page.
Measures taken by the Passport Service to enhance processing capacity include the recruitment of additional staff and the use of targeted overtime. The number of Full Time Equivalent staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service stood at 322 at the beginning of the year. This compares to 310 Full Time Equivalent staff assigned to the Passport Service at the same point last year. In addition, over 20 additional permanent staff have been assigned to the Passport Service in 2018.
In order to respond to seasonal demands and an anticipated increase in applications, the Passport Service received sanction this year for 220 Temporary Clerical Officers to be appointed to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. These officers are now full trained and assigned to duties within the two Passport Offices. Targeted overtime was also sanctioned for both temporary and permanent staff to help deal with high application volumes.
The continuous implementation of service improvements has also been central to my Department’s response to increasing application volumes. The Passport Reform Programme is delivering major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements. The award-winning online passport application service, which was launched last year, will continue to make a major contribution to the effective management of high application volumes by allowing existing resources to be more effectively deployed within the Passport Service. At present, the online service is limited to adult renewals and passport card applications. It is planned to further expand the online passport application service by the end of 2018.
192. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he plans to take regarding a complaint this Deputy made to him on behalf a person (details supplied) who was prevented from travelling from one EU state to another EU state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15908/18]
View answerMy Department has been in direct contact with the family of the individual involved and has advised that he should make direct contact with the US authorities and with the airline in order to ascertain the reasons he was prevented from travelling.
I note from correspondence received by my office that the Deputy has also raised the matter directly with the US authorities.
I will be responding directly to the Deputy’s letter on this matter.
195. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a video (details supplied); and the actions he will take in this regard. [16222/18]
View answerOfficials of my Department have viewed an excerpt from the video interrogation record, and read a transcript. It is disturbing to see that a 16 year old child was aggressively interrogated at close quarters for a long period, especially when it is not clear that any family or legal representative was present. I was particularly shocked that threats to detain other family members were made in the course of the interrogation. This would be inappropriate in any jurisdiction, and in relation to a detained person of any age. I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question 50 on 28 March last, in relation to this case and to issues affecting children under the military justice system in the Occupied Territory. As I said then, Palestinian children are clearly subject to widespread treatment which Israel would – correctly – consider to be unacceptable for its own children. The video footage only reinforces the concerns about this case which I expressed in my earlier replies on this issue. The video is illuminating in terms of the pressures placed on detainees, including children, to accept plea bargains in the Israeli military court system. The fact that the Israeli military court system has a conviction rate of almost 100% raises grave questions about due process.
I repeat my call for the Israeli authorities to re-examine the conduct of this case, and others involving minors. Until they do so, the image of Israel and the legal system imposed on Palestinians will be gravely impaired.
During my visit to the Middle East in January, I raised Ireland’s concerns about the detention of minors directly with the Israeli authorities, including the issues of night-time arrests and blindfolding.
I recalled that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child entails obligations to use detention only as a means of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time, in the case of minors.
