Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018

Written Answers Nos. 90-108

Urban Renewal Schemes

Questions (90)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

90. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied with the progress of the Mulvey report; and if he will report on the progress of the implementation of same. [17521/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I launched the North East Inner City 2017 Progress Report when I visited the area with Minister Donohoe on Monday, 26 February.

The Report sets out the work of the Programme Implementation Board since it was established last June and outlines the progress made under the four priority areas of crime and drugs; education, training and employment opportunities; services for families and young people; and physical improvements.

While this is a long term project, I am satisfied that the initial actions and measures funded are already having a positive and immediate impact in the area.

The Report also sets out details of the spending on the North East Inner City initiative to date. A copy of the Report together with further information on the work can be found at www.neic.ie.

Strategic Communications Unit

Questions (91)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

91. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 101, 104, 107, 108 and 117 of 17 April 2018, if the details which relate to the €756,119 total amount indicated will be provided by item, including payment beneficiary in tabular form. [17877/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

It is not possible to provide a complete breakdown of this expenditure at this point as invoices in relation to this expenditure are still being collected. The breakdown will be provided when this process is complete.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (92)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

92. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the form, date and amount of all invoices issued to his Department by a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2007 to 2017, in tabular form. [17913/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department did not engage the services of the company in question in the years 2007 to 2017 and, therefore, has not received any invoices.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (93)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

93. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the form, date and amount of all invoices issued to his Department by a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2007 to 2017, in tabular form. [17903/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

My Department has no record of any invoices paid to the company referred to by the Deputy, in the period 2007 to 2017.

Overseas Missions

Questions (94, 96, 97, 98)

Clare Daly

Question:

94. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the published number of Defence Forces members serving on overseas missions (details supplied) in each relevant year in which the missions were ongoing includes members of the Army Ranger Wing serving on those missions. [17930/18]

Clare Daly

Question:

96. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 17 April 2018, the number of Defence Forces personnel who were in Afghanistan for the two full periods identified (details supplied); and if the number of Defence Forces personnel exceeded 12 during this period. [18019/18]

Clare Daly

Question:

97. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 17 April 2018, the areas in which these persons were located with particular reference to if they were in Helmand province. [18020/18]

Clare Daly

Question:

98. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Army Rangers are serving in Afghanistan or on other missions abroad at the present time about which Dáil Éireann has not been informed. [18021/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 96 to 98, inclusive, together.

All published numbers of Defence Forces personnel serving overseas includes members of the Army Ranger Wing serving on those missions where relevant.

Personnel from the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) served in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from October 2006 to March 2007 and from September 2014 to March 2015. They also participated in the follow-on mission, Resolute Support Mission (RSM). There was a total of 7 personnel deployed operationally in ISAF at any one time and they rotated on a six monthly basis.

The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate on overseas peace support operations are set out in the Defence Acts. The conditions, known as the "triple lock", must be satisfied where personnel are being deployed as part of a International United Nations Force, whereby the mission must be authorised/mandated by the United Nations; it must be approved by Government; and it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of a Defence Forces contribution is more than twelve personnel. As there were less than twelve personnel serving in ISAF, Dáil Éireann approval was not required.

ARW personnel deployed to ISAF were employed within Staff appointments all of which were located within the ISAF Headquarters in Kabul. Ireland is no longer participating in the mission in Afghanistan.

ARW personnel are currently serving in one mission, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), participation in which was approved by Dáil Éireann.

Regulation of Lobbying

Questions (95)

Niall Collins

Question:

95. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it is his policy to record phone calls from lobbyists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17986/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

I am fully compliant with the provisions of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. Notification of contacts with Designated Public Officials to the Standards in Public Office Commission is the responsibility of lobbyists as set out in the Act.

Questions Nos. 96 to 98, inclusive, answered with Question No. 94.

European Council Meetings

Questions (99)

Niall Collins

Question:

99. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the most recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 16 April. The Council discussed Syria, Iran, the Western Balkans, Russia and the EU’s External Financing Instruments. Council Conclusions were adopted on Syria, South Sudan, malicious cyber activities and on Chemical Weapons.

I was glad to have the opportunity to discuss Syria with my EU colleagues, especially in light of the most recent horrific chemical attack which took place in Douma and the response by the US, the UK and France. My colleagues and I adopted Council Conclusions on Syria, and examined what the EU can do to help bring about a peaceful end to the conflict and full legal accountability.

The meeting also gave the Council an opportunity to take stock of how the EU manages relations with Russia, following the Salisbury attack, and developments in Syria. I welcomed this timely exchange, and believe that the EU’s five guiding principles on Russia have served us well.

In addition, Ministers discussed the situation in Iran and stressed the importance of the implementation by all parties of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Over lunch, the Council held a detailed and positive discussion on the Western Balkans, ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in May. Finally, we had the opportunity to address recent developments in Gaza and in Venezuela, as well as the future of the EU’s external financing instruments.

Syrian Conflict

Questions (100, 105, 108)

Niall Collins

Question:

100. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the outcome of discussions on Syria at the most recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17448/18]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

105. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a petition by persons (details supplied); if these matters will be raised at a conference at the end of April 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17602/18]

Micheál Martin

Question:

108. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to his British or French counterpart recently regarding the recent targeted attacks on Syria. [17680/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 105 and 108 together.

The Syria conflict, which is now in its eighth year, has cost up to 500,000 lives. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including close to 3 million people trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Over 6 million people are displaced internally, and a further 5.5 million have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. There have been repeated breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law. There have been numerous instances of denial and diversion of humanitarian aid, the use of medieval ‘starve or surrender’ siege tactics and the use of chemical weapons. I am aware of the petition on the Syria conflict to which Deputy Murphy refers and I fully concur with the sentiment of concern expressed by the petitioners about this appalling situation.

The apparent chemical attack in Douma on 7 April was a particularly shocking and sickening development. Like many, I was horrified by the images of entire families who had died in the basements where they had sought shelter, and I publicly and unreservedly condemned the attack. In response to that horrific attack on civilians, and following Russia’s veto of meaningful UN Security Council action to ensure accountability for such attacks, a number of states took action against facilities related to the production of chemical weapons. I note that their stated objective was to ensure that such attacks do not recur.

Last week I discussed the situation in Syria, including these most recent developments, with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council. We condemned in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and stressed the need to ensure full legal accountability for those responsible for such crimes. We also reiterated our support for the UN-led political negotiations to end the conflict, and the urgent need to reinvigorate the political track. I reaffirmed the need to avoid any escalation of the situation in Syria, and the importance of ensuring accountability for the use of chemical weapons.

Ireland and the EU provide political and financial support to a broad range of measures which aim to ensure full legal accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. This includes the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism established by the UN General Assembly to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria established by the UN Human Rights Council, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Fact Finding Mission and Joint Investigative Mission with the UN. In addition, Ireland has consistently supported EU sanctions targeting the regime and its supporters, and will continue to do so as long as the situation on the ground justifies these measures.

Obviously a comprehensive, sustainable, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led resolution to the conflict will be required to provide lasting relief to the suffering of the Syrian people. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is leading political negotiations to end the conflict based on the 2012 Geneva Communique and UN Security Council resolution 2254. Ireland and the EU fully support this process. The EU provides direct assistance to the UN-led Geneva peace talks and has launched, in coordination with the UN, an initiative to develop political dialogue with key actors from the region to identify common ground.

Since 2012, Ireland has contributed over €95 million to the humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, including €25 million in 2017 alone. The EU and its Member States have to date mobilised more than €10.6 billion for humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, making the EU the largest single donor to the effort. The EU is hosting a further donors’ conference for Syria this week, and Ireland will use that opportunity to announce our pledge to the humanitarian effort in response to the Syria crisis in 2018.

Brexit Staff

Questions (101)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

101. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a recruitment process in place in Northern Ireland for 18 new customs officers; if he has discussed this with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; if there are contingency plans in place to increase the recruitment of customs officers here; if so, the estimated number of custom officers required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17546/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware of the recruitment of UK Border Force officials, to which the Deputy refers.

There were specific concerns raised about the requirement for applicants to hold a British passport and whether this was in line with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement which recognises the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves or be accepted as Irish, or British, or both. These concerns were raised by my officials through the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast. I am aware that the Northern Ireland Equality Commission had also intervened in the matter. I am pleased at the clarification that issued from the UK Home Office over the weekend indicating that this was an error and was being corrected.

The Government is continuing to work with the EU Taskforce and its EU27 partners with a view to achieving an orderly British withdrawal from the EU, including a transition period, as well as agreeing a framework for an ambitious future relationship with the UK. In this regard, a Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is an integral part of the draft Withdrawal Agreement. It is drafted to give legal effect to the commitments and guarantees provided in the EU-UK Joint 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. It also reflects the agreement reached on maintaining the Common Travel Area.

In parallel, the Government’s wider contingency planning, coordinated by my Department, is also well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate regulatory and operational challenges which may be required in the context of Brexit. 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.

European Council Meetings

Questions (102)

Niall Collins

Question:

102. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on discussions at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council on the prospects for the Iran nuclear deal in the event that the United States of America withdraws from the deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17590/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 April, which I attended, Ministers strongly underlined our continuing conviction that the nuclear agreement with Iran is an important and positive achievement, which has delivered significant gains and which should continue to be implemented by all parties. The ending of the agreement would represent a serious blow to both the cause of nuclear non-proliferation globally, and the stability of the Middle East region.

The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, will continue to make these views clear to the United States Government, and hope to persuade them not to walk away from the agreement.

Foreign Policy

Questions (103)

Niall Collins

Question:

103. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the situation in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17591/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The situation in Venezuela continues to be a matter of serious concern to the Government.

Ireland and its EU partners have repeatedly called for concrete actions to ensure full respect for and the independence of Venezuela’s democratic institutions, notably through the holding of free and fair elections supervised by a balanced Electoral Council and involving independent international observation.

The Government of Venezuela has, however, unilaterally scheduled presidential, state and municipal elections for 20 May. It is a matter of deep regret that these elections have been convened in the absence of agreement on either the electoral calendar or on the conditions for a credible and inclusive electoral process.

The ongoing political, economic, social, and humanitarian crises continue to have a profoundly negative impact on the country and on the people of Venezuela. The mass exodus of Venezuelan people from the country is continuing, with a consequent impact on neighbouring countries and concerns at the impact on regional stability.

It was agreed at this month’s meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, which took place in Luxembourg on 16 April, that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini should issue a Declaration on behalf of the EU on the situation in Venezuela.

The High Representative issued the Declaration on Thursday 19 April and the text of that Declaration, including an update on recent developments, is annexed to this reply for the Deputy’s information.

Ireland, as a member of the EU, fully subscribes to the views expressed in that statement.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government will, along with our EU partners, continue to closely monitor developments in Venezuela, particularly in the context of next month’s elections.

ANNEX

Council of the EU - PRESS RELEASE 207/18 19/04/2018

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in Venezuela

Recent developments in Venezuela are causing further polarisation and are preventing progress on the multiple crises that the country is facing.

The presidential elections are announced for 20 May, and will be held together with the election of the members of municipal and state assemblies. We deeply regret that elections have been convened without a wide agreement on the electoral calendar nor on the conditions for a credible and inclusive electoral process.

We also regret the continued existence of political prisoners and obstacles to limit the participation of political parties and candidates.

The recent decision of the National Electoral Council (CNE) to limit participation in local and regional elections to those parties that present candidates for the presidential elections is a further blow to the credibility of the process. This will only exacerbate polarisation and create more obstacles to a peaceful political solution.

The European Union calls on the government to ensure free, transparent, and credible elections that allow the participation of all political parties under equal conditions; a balanced composition of the CNE; an agreed and viable electoral calendar and all technical guarantees necessary for elections to conform to international standards. Such conditions are necessary to allow for full and independent international observations missions.

The European Union is fully committed to supporting Venezuela to find peaceful and democratic solutions and is ready to use all its instruments to support regional and international efforts to that end. In this context, the European Union will monitor closely the electoral process and related developments on the ground and stands ready to react through appropriate measures to any decision or action that might continue to undermine democracy, the rule of law and human rights situation in the country.

The European Union is also concerned and monitoring in close cooperation with the UN and other international organisations, the social impact of the ongoing economic crisis that is seriously affecting the population, including many European citizens residing in the country, and leading to the current mass migration that creates challenges to host communities, particularly Colombia and

Brazil, and regional stability.

As announced by Commissioner Stylianides during his recent visit to the region, the EU will be providing assistance to those affected.

Press office - General Secretariat of the Council, Rue de la Loi 175 - B-1048 BRUSSELS - Tel.: [phone], [e-mail] - www.consilium.europa.eu/press

EU Issues

Questions (104)

Niall Collins

Question:

104. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on judicial reforms in Poland and efforts by the EU to address these reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17592/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Dialogue has been ongoing between the European Commission and Poland regarding the rule of law since January 2016, when the Commission initiated its rule of law process following changes introduced by the Polish government to the functioning and composition of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal.

The Commission issued further recommendations to Poland following a series of judicial reforms introduced by the Polish government. On 20 December 2017, the Commission proposed to the Council to adopt a decision under Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union and adopted recommendations of actions for the Polish government to take.

The Polish government responded to the Commission on 20 March 2018. Dialogue is continuing between the Commission and the Polish government at various levels, including through a visit to Warsaw by First Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, on 9 April.

This issue was discussed by Ministers at the General Affairs Council in February, March, and April this year. At the Council’s meeting on 17 April, the Commission updated Ministers on the latest developments in its dialogue with the Polish authorities. A number of amendments have been introduced in the Polish Parliament to the Polish government’s judicial reforms. These and the Polish response of 20 March are being considered by the Commission.

Ireland has consistently stressed the importance of the rule of law and urged Poland and the Commission to reach a solution on this matter through dialogue. Speaking at the General Affairs Council on 17 April, Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., reiterated this position and expressed the Government’s hope that outstanding concerns can be addressed in the near future.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 100.

Diplomatic Passports

Questions (106)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

106. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of diplomatic passports issued; the criteria for such passports being issued; the number of such passports issued to spouses; the number of such passports issued to persons who have left Government service or are no longer public representatives that have not been returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17634/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diplomatic passports are issued in accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. Section 16 of the Act makes particular provision for the issuance of diplomatic passports to persons who hold a diplomatic rank or to persons whom the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade considers it appropriate to issue such a passport in order to carry out their duties. Applications are only approved for individuals who are Irish citizens and can demonstrate that they require a passport for travel to undertake official business on behalf of the State.

Since January 1 2015, the Passport Service issued a total of 1,146 diplomatic passports. Of these, 134 were issued to spouses of existing diplomatic passport holders.

Applicants for diplomatic passports must be in possession of (or have proof of application for) a valid, personal passport before their diplomatic passport application can be considered. The use of diplomatic passports is restricted to travel on official business. Personal passports must be used for all other travel.

Individuals issued with a diplomatic passport who no longer qualify to hold such a passport are required to surrender it for cancellation. This requirement is clearly set out to the holders of diplomatic passports when the passport is issued. The validity of diplomatic passports is limited to a period of five years or, if shorter, to the anticipated period in which the holder will remain eligible to hold such a passport.

The passport service is not aware of any diplomatic passports issued to persons who have left government service or are no longer public representatives which should have been returned and have not been returned.

Election Monitoring Missions

Questions (107)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

107. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the steps taken to replace the election observation roster established in 2013; the details of the application process for inclusion in the new roster and for missions arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. 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 establishment of a new roster. A public call for applications is currently being finalised and is expected to be issued in the coming weeks. 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.

For each election observation mission, the EU or OSCE set out their specific requirements and, on the basis of expressions of interest from roster members, the Department draws up a list of applicants. In selecting nominees to be put forward, the specific criteria set by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience, language proficiency, gender and length of time since serving on a mission, provide the main basis for decision-making. In many cases, the EU and OSCE also invite Member States to nominate new observers or observers with limited experience and this is also factored into the nomination process. Following consideration of the applicants, a draft list of nominees is submitted for Ministerial approval.

Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 100.