Joan Burton
Question:129. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the Heads of Government and State he plans to meet in the next threemonths. [23421/18]
View answerTaoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (129)
Written answers
A number of engagements are being planned with my EU and international counterparts over the coming months.
Yesterday, I hosted a meeting with the Prime Minister of South Korea, Lee Nak-yeon, here in Dublin and last week, I hosted the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel. I met with Prime Minister May the previous week, when we were both in Sofia for the EU-Western Balkans Summit.
I have also invited the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, to Dublin on 21 June and am pleased that he has accepted.
We will meet here on 21 June.
As the House is aware, I will travel to Brussels for a meeting of the European Council on the 28 and 29 June and, as usual, will report to the House both before and after that meeting.
A number of other bilateral meetings are being planned and will of course be announced once they are confirmed.
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Questions (130)
Micheál Martin
Question:130. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee meetings he has attended since January 2018. [23339/18]
View answerWritten answers
Since 1 January 2018 I have chaired eight Cabinet Committee meetings. In January I chaired meetings of Cabinet Committee A (Economy) and Cabinet Committee G (Justice and Equality); in February Cabinet Committee C (European Union, including Brexit), Cabinet Committee D (Infrastructure) and Cabinet Committee F (National Security); in March Cabinet Committee B (Social Policy and Public Services); and in April Cabinet Committee E (Health) and Cabinet Committee G (Justice and Equality).
Programme for Government Implementation
Questions (131)
Micheál Martin
Question:131. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his plans to publish an update on the delivery of A Programme for a Partnership Government. [23340/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Government recently approved its second Programme for a Partnership Government Annual Report which provides a comprehensive update on the progress since May 2017. The report will be laid before the Oireachtas in the near future.
Programme for Government Initiatives
Questions (132)
Micheál Martin
Question:132. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the way in which the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government on supporting an enhanced approach to government by Ministers of State playing a more substantive role in decision-making is operating. [23342/18]
View answerWritten answers
In addition to delegation orders that assign responsibility for specific statutory functions, I have also assigned Ministers of State specific responsibilities to progress and implement Programme for Government commitments. Following the appointment of Ministers of State a set of policy priorities was agreed between myself as Taoiseach, Cabinet Ministers and the Ministers of State.
On the establishment of the Government I met with each Minister and their Ministers of State on a bilateral basis to discuss their short, medium and long term policy priorities. Since then I have regularly met with the Ministers of State to receive their updates on the progress they have made on implementing their Programme for Government policy priorities.
Ministerial Transport
Questions (133)
Mattie McGrath
Question:133. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the number of ministerial cars or vehicles in operation in each of the past six years; and the costs associated with same. [23355/18]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibility for Ministerial transport rests with the Department of Justice and Equality. Since 2011 each Minister now uses their own personal car and can avail of two civilian drivers. As Taoiseach, I am provided with Garda transport and drivers for security reasons. No Minister of State assigned to my Department is provided with Garda transport.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (134, 135)
Mick Wallace
Question:134. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that all contracts a company (details supplied) holds with his Department and State agencies under his aegis have been tendered for; if his attention has been drawn to contracts awarded to the company that have not been tendered for; if his attention has been further drawn to contracts awarded to the company that have rolled over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21667/18]
View answerMick Wallace
Question:135. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the number of contracts his Department and State agencies under his aegis hold with a company (details supplied) in view of its recent announcement regarding the need to raise an emergency €700 million; if contingency plans are in place if the company were to collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21666/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
As I indicated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 9 May 2018, my Department has no record of awarding any contracts to the company referred to by the Deputy in the period since March 2011. In this context, I am not in a position to comment on the specific issues being raised by the Deputy.
Air Corps Expenditure
Questions (136)
Clare Daly
Question:136. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount of money spent on overseas aircraft maintenance for the Air Corps in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23688/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Air Corps operate a fleet of fixed and rotary wing aircraft which provide military support to the Army and Naval Service, together with support for non-military air services such as Garda air support, air ambulance, fisheries protection and the Ministerial Air Transport Service.
As the Deputy will appreciate, all aircraft must undergo regular maintenance and scheduled overhauls to ensure that they are fully airworthy and meet the certification standards laid down for the aviation industry. I am advised that the Air Corps perform all first line maintenance across the fleet where possible while heavy/annual maintenance is outsourced abroad.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Total amount of money spent on overseas aircraft maintenance - (€000's) |
|
2013 |
1,418 |
|
2014 |
1,170 |
|
2015 |
844 |
|
2016 |
1,741 |
|
2017 |
1,890 |
Ministerial Transport
Questions (137)
Mattie McGrath
Question:137. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of ministerial cars or vehicles in operation in each of the past six years; and the costs associated with same. [24030/18]
View answerWritten answers
In my role as Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence, I have not been provided with a ministerial car from the Garda fleet.
Brexit Issues
Questions (138)
Micheál Martin
Question:138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent poll showing that 69% of persons in Northern Ireland wish to remain in the EU; and if he discussed same with his British counterpart. [23443/18]
View answerWritten answers
The poll to which the Deputy refers was published in a recent report entitled ‘Northern Ireland and the UK’s Exit from the EU: What do people think?’. This report was prepared by a number of academics based at Queen’s University Belfast and was funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council through its UK in a Changing Europe Initiative.
The report suggests that support for remaining within the EU has increased in Northern Ireland to 69% from the 56% who voted to remain in the June 2016 referendum. It is important to remember that the remain vote had a majority in 11 of 18 Northern Ireland constituencies. The poll also indicates that an even higher majority of 85% want to stay within the Single Market and the Customs Union.
This is in line with the position that the Irish Government has held since the beginning of the negotiations, which is that Ireland’s interest is in trying to achieve an outcome as close as possible to the status quo on the island. Ideally, this would be achieved through the wider EU-UK future relationship agreement. Such an agreement would also minimise or eliminate any new frictions in East/West trade.
However, we need to have a backstop in case that proves not to be possible, and that backstop needs to be clearly defined as part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The UK decision to leave the European Union poses unprecedented challenges for the island of Ireland. The decision to leave is one we regret, but we must ultimately accept the outcome, however narrowly it was decided.
All sides have been clear since the start that the unique situation on the island of Ireland requires unique solutions. This was confirmed in the EU-UK Joint Progress report of last December and this is our present focus in the negotiations. I have outlined this position repeatedly to my UK counterparts in the course of our engagements.
I routinely meet the Foreign Secretary at meetings of Foreign Ministers in an EU context, and internationally. Ireland and the United Kingdom share many areas of mutual interest and concern and we will continue to work together on areas of commonality.
Brexit Documents
Questions (139, 140, 141, 143)
David Cullinane
Question:139. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the rights and equality guarantees included in the current version of Article 1, Protocol 1, of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU. [23240/18]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:140. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the provisions of European Union law that should be included in Annexe 1 to the protocol of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. [23241/18]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:141. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the enforcement and implementation mechanisms that will be available to persons protected by Article 1, Protocol 1, of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. [23242/18]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:143. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the pressure he is bringing to bear on Task Force 50 to ensure and enforce the rights and equality guarantees in Article 1, Protocol 1, of the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. [23244/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 141, inclusive, and 143 together.
As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined to ensure that the Agreement in all its parts is fully protected throughout the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. This includes the rights and equality provisions of the Good Friday Agreement which are central to the Peace Process.
Our EU partners, including the Commission Taskforce, have shown solidarity and support in respect of Ireland’s unique issues and concerns, including the protection of the Agreement. On 8 December last, a Joint Report between the EU and UK negotiators was agreed which included important commitments in respect of protecting the Agreement in all its parts. The draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which forms part of the draft Withdrawal Agreement, translates these commitments into a legal framework.
Article 1 of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland provides that the UK will ensure that there is no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in the Chapter of the Good Friday Agreement on Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity, resulting from the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The Protocol also proposes that the UK would ensure no diminution in the area of protection against discrimination as enshrined in the provisions of EU law to be set out in Annex 1 to the Protocol. These commitments will be implemented through a dedicated mechanism.
On the question of the content of Annex 1 and the operation of the dedicated mechanism, work is ongoing in this regard, as provided for in the December Joint Report. The Government’s aim is to secure a result which affords the greatest possible protection for rights in Northern Ireland following the UK’s exit from the EU.
In addition to the “no diminution” commitment, the Protocol also importantly proposes that the UK would facilitate the related work of the institutions and bodies of the Good Friday Agreement, which includes the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and the Joint Committee of both the Human Rights Commissions in both jurisdictions. The Protocol also clearly acknowledges that the people of Northern Ireland who choose to identify as Irish, and therefore as EU citizens, will continue to enjoy rights, opportunities and benefits of EU citizenship.
More work is required between the UK and EU on rights and equality issues, as is provided for in the Joint Report. The Government will continue to engage intensively on these issues, working with our EU partners and the Commission Taskforce and the UK, to ensure that the commitments made to date are delivered on in full. In this regard, maintaining frequent contact with our EU partners, including the Commission Taskforce, has been a priority for Ireland throughout the Article 50 negotiation process. Officials from my Department, in particular from the Permanent Representation in Brussels, have very regular, almost daily, engagement with the Commission Taskforce, including on issues relating to rights and the Good Friday Agreement.
Good Friday Agreement
Questions (142)
David Cullinane
Question:142. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which he plans to ensure that outstanding commitments from the Good Friday Agreement are brought forward in the context of securing an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. [23243/18]
View answerWritten answers
Protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts and the gains of the peace process is at the forefront of the Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations. This includes maintaining EU support for the Peace Process, supporting continued North-South cooperation, and ensuring there is no border infrastructure of any kind on the island of Ireland, and that the rights of the people of Northern Ireland are protected.
In this regard, Ireland’s interest is in trying to achieve an outcome as close as possible to the status quo on the island. Work on drafting the Withdrawal Agreement has been a key focus since December. Published on 28 February, the draft Withdrawal Agreement contains a Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is an integral part of the Agreement.
The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland clearly acknowledges that the people of Northern Ireland who choose to identify as Irish, and therefore as citizens of the EU, will continue to enjoy the rights, opportunities, and benefits that come with EU citizenship.
The Protocol also proposes that the UK ensures there will be no diminution of rights, as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, including by respecting EU non-discrimination laws, and that these commitments are implemented through a dedicated mechanism.
More work will be required between the UK and the EU on rights and equality issues, as is provided for in the Joint Report, in phase two. The Government is also continuing to engage intensively on these issues.
At this point it is clear that, while there are areas in the Protocol where shared policy objectives have been identified, there are some fundamental issues that have yet to be resolved.
The current schedule of negotiations now underway between the EU and the UK is being taken forward with a view to continuing efforts to narrow the remaining gaps on the draft Protocol. The overall aim is to maintain full alignment with those rules of the Single Market and Customs Union that are necessary to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts including the gains of the Peace Process, North-South cooperation and the all-island economy as well as to avoid a hard border.
Significant progress is needed between now and the June European Council. At this stage in the negotiations, it is more important than ever that the UK provides more detailed and realistic proposals to the EU. We must have certainty in all scenarios on the commitments made on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Coordinators have agreed that negotiations will continue on a regular basis and Ireland will continue its close cooperation with Michel Barnier’s team. This includes our involvement in discussions, where appropriate, while respecting the negotiation structures that have been mandated by the European Council.
Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 139.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (144, 145)
Mick Wallace
Question:144. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that all contracts a company (details supplied) holds with his Department and State agencies under his aegis have been tendered for; if his attention has been drawn to contracts awarded to the company that have not been tendered for; if his attention has been further drawn to contracts awarded to the company that have rolled over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21667/18]
View answerMick Wallace
Question:145. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the number of contracts his Department and State agencies under his aegis hold with a company (details supplied) in view of its recent announcement regarding the need to raise an emergency €700 million; if contingency plans are in place if the company were to collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21666/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
My Department has an annual renewable contract for support and maintenance of a proprietary system developed by a company named Capita IB Solutions (Ireland) Ltd. The contract was put in place in 2012 following a competitive procurement process. The system provides for the online delivery of certain Consular services.
This service contract was renewed in April of 2018 for one year. The annual value of the contract is €19,388. The company also delivered €32,000 of enhancements in 2017.
The Department has no contract with any other firm named Capita or a variation of that name.
Middle East Issues
Questions (146)
Micheál Martin
Question:146. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have spoken with the Israeli ambassador since Israel announced it does not agree with a UN inquiry into the killings following the disproportionate defence of the Israel-Gaza border on 14 May 2018; his views on whether the UN inquiry should go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23317/18]
View answerWritten answers
On Friday 18 May the UN Human Rights Council held a Special Session to consider the recent events in Gaza. The HRC adopted a resolution – which was co-sponsored by Ireland – which includes provision to establish a Commission of Inquiry into these events. The current President of the HRC will now take this forward.
Israeli Ministers have responded with public statements indicating that they refuse to recognise the inquiry, and will not co-operate with it. This is the same position taken by Israel in recent years in relation to previous UN inquiries, when non-cooperation was undertaken to the extent of refusing to allow the inquiry to enter the country and take evidence.
The Israeli response is not unexpected, but is nonetheless deeply regrettable. I and other EU Ministers have acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself, while at the same time making strong criticisms of what we saw as its excessive and unjustified use of force in this instance. Israel has claimed to have been engaged in legitimate self-defence, but its refusal to cooperate with scrutiny of that claim, and to explain and justify its actions, sends an unfortunate signal. The need for an international inquiry arose, in part, due to the fact that Israel did not conduct a comprehensive review of the use of deadly force on previous occasions.
I urge Israel to reconsider and to co-operate fully with the inquiry.
As I have stated in the Dáil, I called in the Ambassador of Israel on 15 May to convey to his Government my strong criticisms of their actions in this case and my full support for an independent international inquiry. I have not sought a further discussion with the Ambassador in relation to this inquiry as I had made my views on the need for it unambiguously clear to him. My officials are routinely in contact with the Embassy and will make clear our views of Israel’s negative response to the inquiry.