Wednesday, 27 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 77-97

British-Irish Council

Questions (77, 78, 80, 81)

Micheál Martin

Question:

77. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the British-Irish Council meeting on 22 June 2018. [28273/18]

Micheál Martin

Question:

78. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he had a bilateral meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon while attending the British-Irish Council meeting; and if so, the issues that were discussed. [28274/18]

Brendan Smith

Question:

80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the issues discussed at the recent British-Irish Council; and the outcome of such discussions. [28328/18]

Brendan Smith

Question:

81. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he discussed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the recent British-Irish Council meeting the need to have the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly restored. [28329/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78, 80 and 81 together.

I attended the 30th British Irish Council (BIC) Summit in Guernsey on Friday 22 June, hosted by Chief Minister Gavin St. Pier. I was accompanied by Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy TD.

The discussion at the summit covered key political developments for Administrations since the last summit in November. The discussion focused largely on the implications of Brexit, particularly for relationships across the islands. The Council also discussed the current political situation in Northern Ireland and I reiterated my regret that Northern Ireland, until the Executive is restored, remains without political representation in this important forum.

The Council also endorsed plans for a future programme of work proposed by the Environment Ministers and agreed to a new area of work on social enterprises.

Minister Murphy took part in a thematic discussion on the issues that collectively impact the marine environment of these islands.

David Lidington MP, Cabinet Office Minister, and Karen Bradley MP, SOSNI, attended the summit meeting along with Heads of Administration from Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands. I took the opportunity to have bilateral discussions with First Minister Carwyn Jones and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon; in both meetings we exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and continued co-operation with discussions focusing mainly on Brexit and its impacts on business and citizens and on developments in Westminster and Brussels.

I also held brief discussions with David Lidington and Karen Bradley on Brexit and on the absence of an agreement between the parties on re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive. I underlined the importance of the restoration of the institutions in the context of full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and undertook to continue to work with the British government to support the northern parties to achieve this outcome.

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Questions (79)

Micheál Martin

Question:

79. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when the last Cabinet committee on Brexit was held. [28276/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Cabinet Committee C assists the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit. It also covers other EU and international issues and supports my participation as a member of the European Council. It last met on Thursday 21 June, in advance of the European Council on 28/29 June.

Given their significance, matters relating to Brexit and other EU issues are frequently discussed by the full Cabinet. I also meet regularly with Ministers to focus on particular issues, including those relating to the European Union and Brexit, with a view to seeing how Government can best support delivery of priorities and commitments.

Preparation for Brexit at official level in regard to the negotiations and in preparing for the potential consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, is intensive, with a range of interdepartmental and senior official groups meeting very regularly.

Questions Nos. 80 and 81 answered with Question No. 77.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (82)

John Brady

Question:

82. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach if e-car charging points are provided at his Department's buildings in Dublin or in other locations. [28402/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

My Department is located in one building - Government Buildings on Merrion Street - which is managed by the Office of Public Works. There are no e-car charging points provided in Government Buildings. No property is owned, part-owned or under the control of my Department.

Overseas Missions

Questions (83)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

83. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the military exercises that Irish troops have been involved in in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28119/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

My priority as Minister with Responsibility for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by the Government. Participation in military exercises enhances capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of

operational requirements both at home and overseas.  

The Defence Forces have participated in the following military exercises in 2018:

Overseas Military Exercises

- In January 2018 the Naval Service participated in a Passing exercise with the Netherlands Naval Service designed to enhance and maintain maritime skills, core competencies and interoperability between Naval Services.

- The Defence Forces participated in Exercise Viking in April 2018. This was a multinational and multidimensional civil-military exercise facilitated by the Swedish Armed Forces and Folke Bernadotte Academy.

- The Combined Joint European Exercise (CJEX) was conducted in May 2018. This multinational exercise took place in Portugal, the Netherlands and at various locations in Ireland.

- Exercise Arduous Serpent was conducted in the UK in June 2018. This multinational medical exercise involved the participation of fourteen Defence Forces personnel.

Domestic Military Exercises

- A Mission Readiness Exercise for UNDOF was completed in March 2018 and for UNFIL in April 2018.

- A Company Deliberate Attack exercise was conducted in May 2018.

- An Aid to The Civil Power (ATCP) Exercise was also conducted in May 2018. It featured a Company Group being exercised in conventional tactics in a variety of scenarios. This exercise transitioned to an ATCP Exercise with An Garda Síochána at Knock Airport where Defence Forces personnel were exercised in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defence (CBRN), Army/Garda Checkpoints and also included a cordon of Knock Airport.

- A Crowd Riot Control (CRC) exercise, followed by a Peace Support Operation (PSO) exercise leading to a Fighting in Built Up Areas (FIBUA) exercise, was conducted in June 2018.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (84)

John Brady

Question:

84. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if e-car charging points are provided at his Department's buildings in Dublin or in other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28392/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

There are currently no e-car charging points provided at any of my Department’s locations. However, the options and benefits of providing such a facility is currently under consideration. 

Brexit Issues

Questions (85)

Micheál Martin

Question:

85. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his departmental officials' file in scenario planning for Brexit. [28275/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Co-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 economic, 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. This approach is also enabling the modelling of potential responses under different scenarios, such as one where a withdrawal agreement is concluded and where a Free Trade Agreement is the basis for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.

It also takes account of the planning being undertaken at EU level by the Commission Preparedness Unit, which is issuing information notes aimed at different business sectors and examining legislative actions which may be needed at EU level.

However, 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. Capital expenditure of €116bn over the coming decade 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 in Budget 2018 for the opening of six new diplomatic missions. A further seven new Missions will be opened as part of the next phase of expanding Ireland’s global footprint. These thirteen new Missions will be located in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Oceania and 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. In total 34 reports analyzing the effects of Brexit across a broad range of sectors and in some cases setting out responses have been published to date by Government Departments. All these reports are available on a dedicated Brexit webpage on my Department’s website: https://www.dfa.ie/brexit/

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.

Ministerial Correspondence

Questions (86)

Micheál Martin

Question:

86. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has written to the Secretary of State of the United States of America to outline Ireland's concerns in relation to the recent policy to remove children from their parents that are immigrants. [27690/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I was appalled by the images which recently emerged of immigrant children being separated from their parents at the southern US border and held in detention by the US authorities. I made my, and the Government’s, view of this policy very clear when I spoke on June 20 last week in the course of the Dáil debate on this issue. I stated in the course of that debate that the policy of separating children from their parents was inhumane and simply wrong, and I urged the US Government to immediately reverse the policy.

Ireland, in common with all Member States of the European Union, has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which establishes clear universal standards for protecting all children. The Convention states that signatories shall ensure that children shall not be separated from their parents against their will, unless such a separation is necessary for the best interests of the child.

As I stated in my contribution to the Dáil debate, I cannot see any way in which a policy of separating children from their parents in such circumstances could be said to be in the best interests of children.

In advance of the June 20th Dáil debate, I spoke that afternoon with the Chargé d’Affaires in the US Embassy in Dublin, Mr. Reece Smyth, and conveyed to him the Government’s strong views on the issue. He undertook to convey those views without delay to the relevant authorities in Washington DC.

I was pleased to see that, following the grave concerns which were expressed both domestically and internationally about the use of this policy, President Trump signed an Executive Order on the afternoon of June 20th , Washington DC time, aimed at ending the practice of separation. I welcome this move towards a more humane practice of border protection and immigration control.

I very much hope that we have seen the last of this inhumane and unwarranted practice and the priority now must be reuniting all of the affected children with their parents, without delay.

UN Security Council

Questions (87)

Micheál Martin

Question:

87. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland's efforts to obtain a seat at the UN Security Council. [27691/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. We are one of three candidates for the two available seats in the Western Europe and Others Group regional group. The other two candidates are Canada and Norway which, like Ireland, have strong records of engagement at the UN. In order to be elected to the Security Council, Ireland will need to obtain the support of two-thirds of the membership of the United Nations General Assembly – approximately 129 votes of the 193 Member States – at the election that will take place in June 2020. Our candidature was first announced in 2005 and the campaign has been building since then under successive Governments. I am taking every opportunity to raise our candidature with representatives of Member States and to press the value of Ireland playing our role on the Council. The official launch of Ireland’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will take place at UN Headquarters in New York on 2 July. I will join the Taoiseach at this event.

Although Ireland has been making its case for election for some time already, the official launch is an important point in a Security Council election campaign and marks the beginning of an even more intensive period of lobbying. I, along with all my Cabinet colleagues, will be intensifying efforts to make Ireland’s case. This political engagement is being supported by my Department’s diplomatic personnel.

In addition to the direct lobbying of Member State representatives by members of the Government, Irish diplomats and others, an important dimension of a Security Council election campaign is how a candidature is communicated. Campaign messaging will focus on Ireland’s contribution to the UN since we joined in 1955. It will aim to contextualise Ireland’s UN engagement as part of how Ireland sees itself in the world – a global island which wants to share our culture and values.

If Ireland were to be elected to a non-permanent seat on the Security Council our fundamental approach to any agenda item would be to advocate for the core values of our foreign policy – peace and security, justice, equality and sustainability.

State Visits

Questions (88)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

88. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for the visit of Prince Harry to Dublin in July 2018. [27696/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I look forward to welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Ireland on 10th and 11th July this year, for what will be their first official trip overseas. Although the finer details of the trip remain to be finalised, the Royal couple’s programme will encompass visits to Croke Park, Trinity College, DogPatch Labs, the Famine Memorial, and EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum, all of which will allow them to learn about Ireland’s rich history and culture. During their visit they will have meetings with the President and the Taoiseach. They will also have an opportunity to engage with members of the public, and people from across many areas of Irish life and culture and meet with those young leaders who will shape the future of this country. Their Royal Highnesses' visit to Ireland will highlight the continued partnership and friendship between the two countries, as well as our shared history and heritage. It builds upon Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland in 2011 and President Higgins’ reciprocal visit in 2014, both of which augmented the historic and ongoing process of engagement between our countries and peoples.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have visited Ireland four times in as many years and I had the pleasure of welcoming them to Kerry and my home county of Cork during their most recent visit two weeks ago. I am delighted to now also welcome the next generation of the Royal family as we continue to work together to enhance the British-Irish relationship.

Brexit Negotiations

Questions (89)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

89. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the implications of the decision to defer the need for agreement on the Brexit backstop to the EU Council meeting in October 2018 on preparations to ensure the protection of cross-Border workers' rights post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22628/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The EU’s objective remains that the full legal text of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, as well as a detailed political declaration on the framework for the future relationship, be agreed by the October meeting of the European Council. With a view to achieving this goal, negotiations have been continuing between the EU and the UK to close the remaining gaps on the draft Withdrawal Agreement, including through detailed discussions on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. The draft Protocol is an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement and addresses issues unique to the island of Ireland. Agreement has already been reached between EU and UK negotiators regarding the Common Travel Area in Article 2, which will allow free movement of Irish and UK citizens between Ireland and the UK to continue.

Agreement has also been reached at negotiator level on Part II of the draft Withdrawal Agreement. This relates to Citizens’ Rights and includes a chapter (Chapter 2) on protecting the rights of EU workers and self-employed persons, including frontier workers, currently in the UK. This will address the situation of non-Irish citizens.

Last week, the EU and UK negotiating teams published a Joint Statement, which set out the progress made since the March European Council. Disappointingly, the progress reported on the Protocol falls very far short of the EU’s, and the Government’s, expectations.

This is a message the Taoiseach conveyed very clearly to President Juncker when they met last week and the Members of this House also had the opportunity to raise their concerns with President Juncker later that same day.

I welcome that, in response, President Juncker reiterated the EU’s support for Ireland, and that the Protocol, including the backstop, is an integral and indispensable part of the Withdrawal Agreement. This is fully consistent with the strong message of solidarity I received from my EU counterparts, as well as Michel Barnier, when I met with them in Luxembourg earlier this week.

On Friday, the Taoiseach will meet with his EU27 counterparts to take stock of developments in the negotiations and discuss the way forward. Ireland will seek to ensure that the EU sends a clear message to the UK that it must respect the commitments it has made and that, in the absence of agreement on a backstop, it will not be possible to finalise the Withdrawal Agreement as a whole, including the transition arrangements.

The overriding priority now is to proceed in the manner that is most likely to achieve agreement on all withdrawal issues, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. While this will ultimately be a matter for the European Council (Article 50) EU leaders on Friday, the widespread view, which I share, is that stalling the negotiating process would not serve this aim and that talks should intensify with a view to making the necessary progress.

Diplomatic Representation

Questions (90)

Niall Collins

Question:

90. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to establish an embassy or a consulate in Kuwait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28267/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi is accredited on a non-residential basis to Kuwait. Ireland has a strong and positive relationship with Kuwait. The Ambassador of Ireland in Abu Dhabi travels regularly to Kuwait in support of our broad policy objectives, including the development of political relations, trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses operating or hoping to operate there. With the launch of ‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’, the Government is committed to doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period ahead, while also continuously reviewing the scale of Ireland’s overseas network. In considering expanding our diplomatic representation overseas, a range of factors is taken into account including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Government is conscious of the factors that might warrant the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in Kuwait, as in a number of other countries. This will be taken fully into account in ongoing work on the ‘Global Ireland’ initiative.

Trade Relations

Questions (91)

Niall Collins

Question:

91. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland-Cuba relations; the efforts being made to increase engagement and trade with the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28269/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The bilateral relationship between Ireland and Cuba has been a historically warm one and the hugely successful visit of President Higgins to Cuba in February 2017 marked a new high point in the relationship. A Memorandum of Cooperation between Ireland and Cuba was signed in the sidelines of that visit and it provides a solid foundation upon which to expand our relations with Cuba. The primary aim of the memorandum is to open channels of dialogue and cooperation between Ireland and Cuba across various areas of interest, particularly in trade and cultural engagement.

The Agreement commits both countries to promoting cooperation in economic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, academic, cultural, scientific and tourism relations. Since the signing of the agreement, officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in conjunction with other Government departments and State agencies, have continued to work on growing the relationship across that whole range of areas.

The trade figures speak for themselves in terms of the growth of that aspect of the relationship.

Total bilateral trade in goods with Cuba has increased significantly in recent years, including by 43% in 2016. Goods trade in 2017 amounted to the more modest sum of €2.2 million, and Cuba is now Ireland’s 23rd largest goods trading partner in Latin America. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to support growth in this area.

Furthermore, the recently announced 'Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025', the Government’s initiative to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025, is a clear indication of our intention to work more closely and intensely with partners across the globe.

This initiative identifies Latin America and Caribbean as a key region for Ireland to expand its influence, trade, and visibility, and the development of our relationship with Cuba will be an important part of this work.

The forthcoming whole-of-government strategy for the Americas and the Caribbean will also reflect the priority which the Government attaches to developing relationships with that part of the world.

Death Penalty

Questions (92)

Niall Collins

Question:

92. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the issue of countries that apply the death penalty has been discussed at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28270/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The EU opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and considers that the death penalty constitutes a serious violation of human rights and human dignity. Abolition of the death penalty is a prerequisite to membership of the EU which has long committed to campaign against its use worldwide with a view to its universal abolition, as reaffirmed in the EU Human Rights and Democracy Action Plan 2015 – 2019.

Within the framework of the Action Plan, the Foreign Affairs Council adopts Conclusions each year agreeing an annual Strategic Work Plan setting out the EU’s human rights priorities at the United Nations.

The most recent Work Plan, adopted by the Council on 26 February 2018, committed the EU to continue to support the work of the UN towards global abolition of the death penalty in 2018, particularly at the UN Human Rights Council and the 73rd meeting of the UN General Assembly in November 2018. The Conclusions recommended that countries who have abolished the death penalty should enshrine this protection in their Constitutions and consider ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The EU also called on countries where the death penalty is still in use to work towards its progressive abolition. More recently, on 28 May 2018, the Council adopted the EU’s “Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2017”, which confirmed that throughout 2017, the EU continued to voice its strong opposition to the death penalty as a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment which violates the right to life, while not deterring crime more effectively than imprisonment.

Consular Services Provision

Questions (93)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

93. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an honorary consul to the island of Ibiza will be appointed in view of the increasing number of visitors from here that travel there on holiday that may require consular assistance during their visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28287/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Spain is a hugely popular destination for Irish holiday-makers and it is a priority focus in terms of the consular work of my Department. In addition to the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid, and operating under the supervision of the Ambassador there, we currently have a network of ten Honorary Consulates across Spain providing services and support to Irish citizens. These are located in Malaga, Barcelona, Bilbao, Galicia, Alicante, Mallorca, Seville, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife. The scale of this representation allows the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide timely and high-quality consular assistance and services to Irish citizens over a wide geographic area both on the peninsula and throughout the Balearic and Canary islands. Our Honorary Consul in Mallorca has jurisdiction for the Balearic Islands, including Ibiza, and regularly provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who require advice or encounter difficulties while visiting Ibiza.

My Department keeps the network of Honorary Consuls under constant and ongoing review and, in the context of making recommendations for new appointments, the primary focus is on the welfare and interests of Irish citizens.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to monitor the situation in relation to Ibiza. If the deputy has any specific concerns or queries about any individual cases of citizens requiring assistance, I would invite him to make contact with my Department’s Consular Assistance team.

As we move into the peak holiday season, I would also take this opportunity to urge all Deputies to do everything they can to support my Department’s efforts to promote safe travel overseas for members of the public this summer. We are encouraging anyone going on a foreign holiday to familiarise themselves with our Travel Advice for their chosen destination; to download and use our free smartphone app TravelWise; to ensure that they have appropriate travel and medical insurance; and, for those travelling in Europe, that they make sure to obtain and carry a European Health Insurance Card, EGIC. I would also encourage all Irish passport-holders to apply for and carry a Passport Card.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (94)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the situation in respect of the undocumented Irish in the US with particular reference to the need to ensure their safety from exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28338/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

First of all, I have to say that I am not aware of any particular incidences of Irish citizens being exploited due to their undocumented status but I would ask the Deputy to furnish me with the details of any such incidences for follow-up.As regards the broader question of relief for the undocumented Irish living in the US, the Government has consistently pursued two key objectives with regard to supporting Irish communities in the United States: increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US and relief for the plight of undocumented Irish citizens living in the US. In that regard, the Taoiseach discussed the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office last March and also in his meetings on Capitol Hill during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day visit.

In addition to the exchanges over the St. Patrick’s Day period, I had previously raised the issue with then-Secretary of State Tillerson when I visited Washington DC in February, and with senior Congressional figures.

The Government’s Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented, Deputy John Deasy, has also been very active on the issue, and is due to travel to Washington D.C. again shortly for meetings with key contacts.

In addition, our Embassy in Washington DC continues to engage on an ongoing basis with the Administration and with contacts on Capitol Hill.

The Embassy, as well as our six Consulates across the United States, also works very closely with Irish immigration centres which support the needs of Irish citizens in the United States. Our Ambassador in Washington hosted a meeting last month with representatives of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers at the Embassy in Washington, DC, where there was a very good exchange of views on the challenges facing Irish immigrants in the US, both documented and undocumented, and on the prospects for relief for the undocumented Irish.

Through these many high-level contacts and discussions, the Government has been exploring a number of different options, including the possibility of a reciprocal agreement covering the undocumented Irish in the US, on the one hand, and US citizens looking to move to Ireland, on the other.

However, this remains a very challenging issue and I do not want to raise expectations unduly. Immigration reform has been a sensitive and indeed divisive issue within the US political system for decades, with pronounced disagreement, even within the same political parties, on the best way to deal with an issue which directly affects over 11 million people. The recent controversy around the separation of undocumented children from their parents served to illustrate how divisive an issue this has become and how challenging it will be for us to find a solution for the undocumented Irish.

That said, I can assure the House that the Government, its Special Envoy and our Embassy in Washington DC are continuing to give top priority to this issue, mindful of its importance to the thousands of undocumented and to their families in Ireland, and that we will spare no effort in seeking a solution.

Human Rights

Questions (95)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he can unilaterally or in conjunction with his EU and UN colleagues focus attention on the manner in which refugees continue to be mistreated at various locations throughout the globe with a view to achieving an international minimum standard for all refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28341/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN agency charged with upholding the rights of refugees and asylum seekers under international law and with providing essential humanitarian assistance to displaced persons globally, there were almost 70 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons worldwide at the end of 2017. One person is forcibly displaced every two seconds. Most displaced persons still live within the borders of their own countries but over 25 million are refugees, forced to seek protection in countries other than their own. 85% of displaced people globally are hosted in developing countries, such as Irish Aid partner countries Uganda and Ethiopia. At the global level, the Member States of the United Nations came together in 2016 and unanimously adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, which expressed a shared political will to address large movements of refugees and migrants in a more coordinated and humane manner. Ireland played a leading role in co-facilitating this landmark Declaration, and we are continuing on our efforts in its follow up.

Central in this is the commitment in the New York Declaration to putting in place two Global Compacts by the end of this year – one on refugees and one on migration. Ireland is actively engaged in the negotiations for both these Compacts, advocating strongly - including within the EU - for an approach which places the dignity and human rights of all people on the move at the centre of our response. Any approach or solution needs to be comprehensive, addressing all aspects of the issue, from the causes of mass exodus to the responses necessary to cover the range of refugee situations.

Meanwhile, there is a well-established body of international law, notably the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, with protections and minimum standards. Ireland believes strongly that these must be respected and is consistent in advocating for this with our partners at the global and EU levels.

Ireland also provides significant support through our aid programme to, amongst others, UNHCR and UNRWA, which is responsible for Palestinian refugees. In addition, the Irish Naval Service helps save lives through its actions to assist those who get into difficulty trying to cross the Mediterranean.

Passport Applications Data

Questions (96)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish passports issued on a monthly basis in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28342/18]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The number of passports issued per month for the period requested are as follows:

2014		2015		2016		2017		2018
Jan	32652	Jan	32,083	Jan	33,275	Jan	34,931	Jan	51172
Feb	47754	Feb	55,904	Feb	62,884	Feb	67,724	Feb	59235
Mar	59956	Mar	71,402	Mar	64,015	Mar	84,589	Mar	79248
Apr	69357	Apr	72,130	Apr	79,991	Apr	87,447	Apr	88261
May	82802	May	78,303	May	91,767	May	103,410	May	98841
Jun	76632	Jun	80,516	Jun	94,378	Jun	96,207	Jun
Jul	75118	Jul	85,718	Jul	82,985	Jul	78,307	Jul
Aug	52007	Aug	58,770	Aug	67,518	Aug	67,371	Aug
Sep	37506	Sep	48,106	Sep	52,535	Sep	52,349	Sep
Oct	41751	Oct	30,279	Oct	42,355	Oct	41,474	Oct
Nov	29417	Nov	31,199	Nov	37,974	Nov	37,053	Nov
Dec	27401	Dec	28,350	Dec	23,383	Dec	30,513	Dec

Overseas Development Aid

Questions (97)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his colleagues in the EU and UN continue to focus on locations for the distribution of Irish aid with particular reference to the need to ensure that aid goes to those for whom it is intended with minimum delay and maximum impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28344/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Funding is kept under regular review by the Department, to ensure that is it well targeted and channelled through partners which can contribute most effectively to delivering the priorities of our foreign policy and our international development policy, as set out in the Global Island and in One World, One Future, and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The recently launched Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025, commits Government to publishing a White Paper on Ireland’s international development and to making progress towards the United Nations target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance by 2030. Through the generous support of Irish taxpayers, and in close collaboration with the UN, EU and other partners, this funding is making a difference in alleviating the suffering caused by humanitarian crises and hunger, and supporting improvements in access to health, education, agriculture and social protection services for some of the world’s most vulnerable and marginalised people. During my recent visits to Africa and other locations, I witnessed at first hand the impact of Ireland’s international development programmes across these priority areas, ensuring on behalf of the Irish people that our aid programme is delivering results for those it is intended.

The Government’s plan to double Ireland’s worldwide scope and impact by 2025 will build on our strengths in current priority locations, including but not exclusively in sub Saharan Africa. This plan opens potential to expand our development cooperation in West Africa and to strengthen our relationship with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The latter have been significantly impacted by climate change. Our ambition in the White Paper on international development will be to continue to lead the achievement of collective global aspirations for a better world expressed in the SDGs. We also aim to strengthen our collaboration with EU, UN, and other partners.

My Department is committed to ensuring that Irish assistance is delivered effectively and efficiently to those most in need. Our Embassy network, especially in Sub Saharan Africa and other locations such as Vietnam and Palestine, continue to play a key role in the planning, management and oversight of all Ireland’s partners – including the EU and UN - on the ground.