Written Answers Nos. 66-85
66. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress being made to enable passport renewals for children to be processed online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36536/18]
View answerAn online platform for the renewal of adult passports was launched in March 2017 and, to date, over 250,000 applications have been received. The online service has demonstrated efficiencies for both the citizen and the Passport Service with an average processing time of less than 10 working days. Work is ongoing to significantly expand this service to children renewing their Passport as well as applicants who require a name change, an observation on their new passport and those wishing to replace a damaged Passport. We are also developing a system whereby people will be able to provide the documents to support these applications from anywhere in the world. The expansion of our new online services will be launched by the end of 2018.
An extensive engagement campaign will coincide with this launch to promote its use as the fastest and most convenient way to renew a passport. I would urge applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of the online passport application service where possible.
67. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications processed by the Passport Service to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36537/18]
View answerFrom January 1st to August 31st this year the Passport Service issued just under 620,000 passports.
68. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the protocol in place for assisting families with legal costs that have lost loved ones as a result of a criminal act abroad; if he will review the policy in this regard to ensure that financial assistance is provided to allow the families' interest be represented in subsequent legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36654/18]
View answerMy Department is not in a position to provide financial assistance for Irish citizens involved in legal proceedings overseas and has no budget provision for assistance in this area. My Department provides consular assistance to the families of victims in such cases. It cannot provide legal advice or become a party to legal processes in another jurisdiction. Were the Department to provide financial assistance for legal costs it might be expected that the Department input into other aspects of a legal case such as selection of a legal representative, advice on legal processes, decisions and costs etc.
If the Deputy wishes to provide details of any specific case where hardship is being experienced by a family in the circumstances described, officials in my Department’s Consular Directorate would be available to offer consular assistance to the family.
The Deputy is welcome to write to my office with any relevant details.
69. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications by gender that were received by the closing deadline to join the 2018 election observation roster; the number of late applications that were received; if they have been admitted to the selection process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36786/18]
View answer70. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the date and reason it was decided not to proceed with the original plan to have merit-based interviews to select applicants for the 2018 election observation roster; the name, expertise and qualifications of the three assessors appointed to select the election observers; the methods that will be used to select the most meritorious applicants; if this will involve language testing in cases in which an applicant claims to have a high level of foreign language proficiency; if there are measures in place to ensure members of the 2013 roster are not unfairly favoured over newer applicants; when the assessment will be conducted; when applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36787/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.
I refer the Deputy to the responses to previous parliamentary questions on these matters, Questions 103 and 104 of 24 July 2018, Questions 57 and 58 of 03 July 2018, Question 107 of 24 April 2018, Question 16 of 25 January 2018.
International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The call for applications to establish a new Election Observation roster was issued on 2 July last and the call was open until 20 August 2018. Late applications were not accepted. The call was published on two Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade websites: www.dfa.ie and www.irishaid.ie. It was also publicised on social media.
As the closing date for submission of applications has only recently passed and as applications are still being verified and screened, it would not be appropriate for the Department to provide details on the applications until the selection process is completed and the roster established.
The candidate information booklet which was provided to all applicants and also published on the Departments website set out all of the necessary details about the operation of the roster, the eligibility requirements, criteria and the process and methodology leading to the establishment of the roster.
In the interests of an efficient process, and taking into account manifold other demands on staff, including the continuing prudential management of Irish Aid funding, it was decided that the assessment of applications to join the new Election Observation Roster should be a paper-based exercise. While interviews had been considered, they are now not planned. This rationale was set in the letter of 9 July 2018 from the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, available on the Oireachtas website.
A number of selection panels will be established to appraise all of the applications that meet the essential criteria. The selection panels will consist of two officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and one external person who will have appropriate experience. Panel members will receive application assessment and unconscious bias training. All panel members will be obliged to disclose any potential conflict of interest. If such an interest is notified, appropriate safeguards will be implemented. A calibration exercise will be conducted to ensure consistency. All applicants will be appraised on the basis of the information contained and set out on the official application form. Verification of data contained in the application, including language proficiency, will also form part of the process.
All applicants seeking to join the election roster will be appraised against the criteria set out in the Volunteer Information Booklet. Further, all applicants will be treated in exactly the same way regardless of whether they have been on a previous roster. The current roster will be extinguished once the new roster is formally established. The key objective is to generate a sufficient cadre of available, qualified volunteers which can meet the needs of election observation missions, as the EU and OSCE require, and which evolve over time.
It is expected that the process to establish the new roster will be finalised by the end of 2018.
71. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the background to the policy change to now provide Irish election observers to OSCE missions to the United States of America; the number of applications received for this mission by gender; the criteria and method by which applicants were selected for this mission; the name of the selected applicants; the avenues of appeal open to unsuccessful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36788/18]
View answerInternational election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). I refer the Deputy to the responses to previous Parliamentary Questions on this matter, Question 138 of 10 July 2018, Question 167 of 4 July 2018, Questions 167 and 172 of 25 October 2017, Questions 357 and 358 of 13 December 2016, Question 243 of 2 November 2016 and Questions 335, 336 and 337 of 14 June 2016.
The OSCE issued a request for long-term observers to participate in the Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) for the Mid-term Congressional elections in the United States of America, scheduled to take place on 06 November 2018. The OSCE indicated verbally to the Election Desk that they were reissuing this call requesting the assistance of participating States in seconding long-term observers for this LEOM.
The standard practice of the Department has been to focus on elections in developing countries and emerging democracies and not to deploy observers for elections in EU Member States, the United States and Canada. However, in the case at issue, the OSCE made a specific request to Ireland to nominate a long-term observer, having difficulty finding a full complement. Following careful consideration of this request, and in line with Ireland’s longstanding support for the OSCE, one long-term observer from the Irish panel of election observers was nominated to participate in the OSCE Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) for the Mid-term Congressional elections in the United States of America, scheduled to take place on 6 November 2018.
The criteria for selection for this LEOM is exactly the same as applied in all observation missions which was set out in the Information Note for Applicants accompanying the call for applications to join the Election Observation Roster established in 2013.
For each election observation mission to which Ireland proposes to deploy observers, all roster members are invited to express their interest in the mission with a view to ensuring the widest possible participation. A shortlist is drawn up based on the specific criteria set out by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience, language proficiency, gender and length of time since serving on a mission. In many cases, the EU and OSCE also invite Member States to nominate new observers or observers with limited experience. However, the final decision rests with the inviting body, usually the OSCE or the European Union.
The Department received 13 applications to participate in this LEOM from existing Roster Members by the deadline, 9 of whom were male members of the Roster and 4 were female members of the Roster. The Department did not receive any request for an appeal from unsuccessful applicants. As the LEOM has not yet taken place, and no individual therefore yet been deployed, it would not be appropriate at this stage to release the name of potential observers.
72. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the name of all members appointed to the 2013 election observation roster; the date that each was appointed or reappointed in the case of members that were on the pre-2013 roster; the date that members resigned or were removed; the number of missions completed by each member since 2013; the reason some members have been on numerous missions while others have never been on a single mission; his plans to ensure an even distribution of observation opportunities on the 2018 roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36789/18]
View answer73. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of election observers that have withdrawn from missions prior to departure in each of the past five years; the cost involved in each year including unused airline tickets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36790/18]
View answer74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of election observers that have returned prematurely from missions in each of the past five years; if they had to refund expenses paid; if not, if they were written off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36791/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 to 74, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to the responses to previous parliamentary questions on these matters, including Question 109 of 24 July 2018, Questions 167, 166 and 172 of 25 October 2017 and Question 397 of 26 July 2017.
For each election observation mission, the EU or OSCE set out their specific requirements and as per normal practice all roster members are invited to apply to participate in any mission which Ireland proposes to deploy observers with a view to ensuring the widest possible participation in missions by roster members.
In many cases, the EU and OSCE also invite Member States to nominate new observers or observers with limited experience. 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 cases where observers participated in a higher number of missions, this can be due to specific language requirements, the overall number of applications received, or other specific requirements which the EU or OSCE may identify from time to time depending on the specific circumstances of the election observation mission.
As previously communicated, a system to record data on withdrawals was put in place in 2015. Since then, 21 individuals have withdrawn from 22 missions, including one roster member who withdrew on two occasions, at a total cost to the Department of €1,268.82. In all but one case funds advanced by the Department were fully repaid.
In one case repayment was not sought, as the pre-departure grant of €600 had been paid to a nominated observer who had already advanced their preparations for an upcoming EU observation mission. At a late stage, this observer was appointed by the EU to a different function. Given the extreme lateness of the change – within a day or two of their anticipated departure on mission – pre-departure expenditure (such as vaccinations) had already been incurred. Under the circumstances the Department did not seek the repayment of the grant. In any case, the observer was selected by the EU for a separate mission within twelve months, and on that occasion was not paid the pre-departure grant.
Officials in my Department advise that early return from Election Observation Mission occur rarely, as Observers have committed to being available for the duration of the deployment. From the records available, only one Observer has returned early and this was due to the OSCE Election Observation Mission being cancelled and thus out of the control of the individual concerned. The Observer refunded the outstanding expenses paid in advance of their departure.
Taking account of members who have left the roster, and those who have been added from the reserve panel, the current roster complement stands at 191 and the reserve panel has been fully utilised. The Department does not hold records regarding previous roster memberships. For privacy reasons, the Department does not disclose the date that members resigned or were removed from the roster, as these may relate to illness or bereavement among other reasons.
Names of the Election Observation Roster appointed in 2013:
Dermot Ahern
Suhail Ahmad
Les Allamby
Chris Andrews
Frances Ball
Peter Ballagh
Tania Banotti
Patricia Barker
Richard Barrett
Leila Blacking
Donal Blake
Mary Boland
Michael Boyle
Adrienne Boyle
Noel Brennan
Caroline Brennan
Damien Brennan
Fionnuala Brennan
Paul Brennan
Andrea Breslin
Gabrielle Brocklesby
Catherine Brophy
Gerard Buckley
William Bulman
Colm Burke
John Burke
Eric Byrne
Elaine Byrne
Barry Cannon
Philippe Carr
Pat Carroll
Anne Choiseul
Michael Cleary
John Paul Coakley
Dermot Cogan
Pauline Conway
Sandra Conway
Ciara Conway
Peter Cotter
John Cousins
Michael Coyne
Evanna Craig
Kevin Cronin
Marie Cross
Mary Cummins
Diarmuid Cunniffe
John Curran
Asa (Karl) Cusack
Kieran Dalton
Bernard Daly
Eamonn Daly
Thomas Daly
David Denny
Anne Donnellan
Patricia Donnelly
Peter Donovan
James Doody
Mary Dowling
Terence Duffy
Mary Dunne
Patrick Durcan
John Durnin
Thomas Faolán Earlie
Peter Emerson
Brian Fagan
Colm Fahy
Gerard Finnegan
Annetta Flanigan
Terence Fleming
Marja Foley
Michael Gannon
Frederick Gilligan
Fergus Gleeson
Brendan Gogarty
Michael Good
Niall Gormley
Patrick Grant
Deirdre Grogan
Kevin Grogan
Munyikwa Hamadziripi
Dominic Hannigan
Nuala Haughey
Anne Harris Hennon
Frank Heslin
Sarah-Jane Hillery
Edward Horgan
Maca Hourihane
Michael Humphreys
Richard Humphreys
Jas Kaminski
Michael Kavanagh
Patricia Kearns
Cecilia Keaveney
Cathal Kelly
Patricia Kelly
Thomas John Kelly
Frank Kennefick
Helen Keogh
Maria Kiernan
Emily King
Ciaran Kinsella
Tom Kitt
Dorcha Lee
Jimmy Lenehan
Mark Long
John Lynch
Grattan Lynch
John Lyons
Ruadhán MacAodháin
Eithne MacDermott
Fidelma MacHale
Jean Celeste Mackenzie
Brian MacMahon
Desmond MacMahon
Patrick Maher
Elaine Mahon
Joseph Mangan
Anne Marlborough
Seamus Martin
Raymond Maxwell
Bernard McCabe
Ellen McCabe
James McCarthy
Michael McCarthy
Vincent McCorley
Fergal McCusker
Robert McDaid
Ronan McDermott
Donal McDonald
Finola McDowell
Padraic McDunphy
Richard McEvoy
Amy Rose McGovern
Jean McGrath
Una McGurk
Peter McMahon
Gerard McNamara
Michael McNamara
Peter Miles
John Minihan
Olivia Mitchell
Andrew Montague
John Martin Moore
Alison Moore
Rebecca Moynihan
Siobhan Mullally
Elizabeth Mullan
John Mulvihill
Karen Murphy
Nicholas Murphy
Ray Murphy
Edward Naessens
William Nolan
Robert Norris
Fiachra O' Luain
Seosamh O Murchu
Jerry O'Brien
Ronán O'Brien
Sean O'Callaghan
Eimear O'Casey
Charlie O'Connor
Shane O'Connor
Annette O'Gorman
Almha O'Keeffe
Anne Ormonde
Aidan O'Shea
Barbara O'Shea
Mary O'Shea
Paul O'Shea
Finbar O'Sullivan
Nora Owen
Diarmuid Peavoy
John Paul Phelan
Ann Phelan
Geraldine Power
John Purcell
Pat Quinlan
Theresa Reidy
Andrew Richardson
Marion Roche
Bill Rolston
Paul Rowe
Mary Russell
Audrey Ryan
Robert Sampson
Joseph Scanlon
Gisela Claire Schmidt-Martin
Frank Scott
Colin Smith
Jimmy Somers
Victoria Somers
Traolach Sweeney
Paul Tighe
Michael Verling
Brendan Walsh
Eamonn Thomas Walsh
Jacinta Walsh
Sheena Walsh McMahon
Emma Warwick
Steve Wrenn
Members of the Election Observation Roster appointed (from the reserve panel) after May 2013 to fill vacancies that arose:
Paddy Donnelly
Camilla Fanning
Denis Kirby
Niall O'Cinnseala
Larry O'Loughlin
Joy Orpen Kanter
Geraldine O'Neill
The number of missions undertaken by Observers since the formation of the Election Observation roster in 2013: Names marked with an asterisk are officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who work on relevant geographic desks or as election Focal Points, and on occasion also participate in such missions.
|
Name |
|
|
Adrienne Boyle |
2 |
|
Aidan O'Shea |
3 |
|
Aisling Schorderet* |
1 |
|
Almha O'Keeffe |
4 |
|
Andrea Breslin |
1 |
|
Andrew Richardson |
4 |
|
Ann Ormonde |
2 |
|
Anne Choiseul |
2 |
|
Anne Donnellan |
3 |
|
Annetta Flanigan |
3 |
|
Asa Karl Cusack |
3 |
|
Audrey Ryan |
3 |
|
Barbara O'Shea |
5 |
|
Bernard (Brian) Daly |
3 |
|
Brendan Gogarty |
3 |
|
Brian Fagan |
2 |
|
Brian McMahon |
1 |
|
Caroline Brennan |
3 |
|
Cathal Kelly |
2 |
|
Catherine Brophy |
2 |
|
Cecilia Keaveney |
7 |
|
Christopher Andrews |
1 |
|
Ciara Gilvarry* |
1 |
|
Ciaran Kinsella |
2 |
|
Claire Coughlan* |
1 |
|
Colin Smith |
1 |
|
Colm Fahy |
2 |
|
David Denny |
1 |
|
Deirdre Bourke* |
1 |
|
Deirdre Grogan |
2 |
|
Denis Kirby |
2 |
|
Dermot Ahern |
1 |
|
Diarmuid Cunniffe |
2 |
|
Diarmuid Peavoy |
3 |
|
Dominic Hannigan |
1 |
|
Donal (Daniel) Blake |
2 |
|
Donal Mac Donald |
1 |
|
Dorcha Lee |
3 |
|
Eamonn Walsh |
1 |
|
Edward Horgan |
2 |
|
Edward Naessens |
2 |
|
Eimear O'Casey |
3 |
|
Eithne MacDermott |
3 |
|
Elaine Byrne |
1 |
|
Elizabeth Mullan |
2 |
|
Ellen McCabe |
1 |
|
Eric Byrne |
3 |
|
Fergal McCusker |
2 |
|
Fergus Gleeson |
3 |
|
Fiachra O Luain |
1 |
|
Fidelma McHale |
2 |
|
Finbar O'Sullivan |
3 |
|
Fionnuala Brennan |
1 |
|
Frances Ball |
2 |
|
Frank Kennefick |
3 |
|
Frank Scott |
1 |
|
Gabrielle Brocklesby |
2 |
|
Geraldine O'Neill |
2 |
|
Geraldine Power |
3 |
|
Gerard Buckley |
2 |
|
Grattan Lynch |
1 |
|
Helen Keogh |
1 |
|
Jack (John) Purcell |
1 |
|
James Doody |
3 |
|
James McCarthy |
2 |
|
James Somers |
2 |
|
Jean Celeste MacKenzie |
3 |
|
Jean Marie McGrath |
1 |
|
Jerry O'Brien |
1 |
|
John Burke |
4 |
|
John Crowe* |
1 |
|
John O'Sullivan* |
1 |
|
John Cousins |
1 |
|
John Durnin |
2 |
|
John Lynch |
3 |
|
John Moore |
2 |
|
John Mulvihill |
4 |
|
John Paul Coakley |
2 |
|
John Paul Phelan |
1 |
|
Joseph Mangan |
2 |
|
Joseph Scanlon |
3 |
|
Kevin Cronin |
3 |
|
Kevin Grogan |
4 |
|
Kieran Dalton |
2 |
|
Lelia Blacking |
2 |
|
Marga Foley |
3 |
|
Maria Kiernan |
3 |
|
Marie Cross |
2 |
|
Marion Roche |
4 |
|
Mark Long |
1 |
|
Mary Boland |
3 |
|
Mary Jo Dowling |
3 |
|
Mary O'Shea |
1 |
|
Michael Boyle |
4 |
|
Michael Coyne |
2 |
|
Michael Gannon |
1 |
|
Michael Good |
1 |
|
Michael Kavanagh |
2 |
|
Michael Verling |
3 |
|
Niall Gormley |
1 |
|
Niall O'Cinnseala |
1 |
|
Nicholas Murphy |
1 |
|
Noel Brennan |
2 |
|
Olivia Mitchell |
1 |
|
Paddy Donnelly |
2 |
|
Padraic McDunphy |
2 |
|
Pat Carroll |
1 |
|
Patricia Barker |
1 |
|
Patricia Donnelly |
1 |
|
Patrick Maher |
3 |
|
Patrick McDaniel* |
1 |
|
Patrick O'Reilly * |
1 |
|
Patrick Quinlan |
2 |
|
Paul Brennan |
3 |
|
Paul O'Shea |
2 |
|
Paul Rowe |
1 |
|
Paul Tighe |
2 |
|
Pauline Conway |
1 |
|
Peter Ballagh |
1 |
|
Peter Cotter |
2 |
|
Peter Donovan |
3 |
|
Peter Emerson |
2 |
|
Philippe Carr |
2 |
|
Peter McMahon |
4 |
|
Raymond Maxwell |
1 |
|
Raymond Murphy |
1 |
|
Rebecca Moynihan |
1 |
|
Robert McDaid |
1 |
|
Robert Sampson |
2 |
|
Ronan O'Brien |
1 |
|
Ruadhan Mac Aodhain |
1 |
|
Seamus Martin |
4 |
|
Sean O'Callaghan |
2 |
|
Sheena Walsh McMahon |
2 |
|
Steve Wrenn |
1 |
|
Suhail Ahmad |
3 |
|
Terence Duffy |
4 |
|
Terence Fleming |
2 |
|
Theresa Reidy |
2 |
|
Thomas Earlie |
2 |
|
Thomas John Kelly |
2 |
|
Tom Kitt |
1 |
|
Traolach Sweeney |
2 |
|
Una McGurk |
1 |
|
Victoria Somers |
1 |
|
Vincent McCorley |
3 |
|
William Bulman |
1 |
|
William Nolan |
1 |
75. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there has been contact with the Revenue Commissioners regarding the operation of the 2013 election observation roster; if this resulted in changes, undertakings or settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36792/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the responses to previous parliamentary questions on this matter, Question 395 of 26 July 2017, Question 318 of 09 May 2017, Question 653 of 02 May 2017.
International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Members of the Election Roster who are nominated as long or short term observers by the Department do not receive remuneration. They are paid a daily allowance, as determined by the EU and the OSCE, to cover the cost of food, accommodation and other out-of-pocket expenses, along with a pre-departure grant of €600. Officials of the Department were in contact with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any possible need for Tax Clearance Certificates. Volunteers on the roster are required to provide a tax clearance certificate in respect of any payments in excess of €10,000 per annum and as set out in the Volunteer Information booklet this will continue to be a requirement for members of the new roster which will be established in early 2019.
76. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the decision by the United States of America to cease funding to the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East; the actions he will take in view of this decision; if he has made his views regarding this decision known to the US administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36852/18]
View answerI deeply regret the US decision to cease funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and I made my views clear in my public statement on 1 September. I believe that this move is dangerous and will only have a negative effect on the Middle East region, and I have explicitly expressed my concern in contacts with the US administration.
I have witnessed first-hand the vital services that UNRWA provides to the Palestinian people, not just in Gaza and the West Bank, but across the region. Entire generations of refugees have benefitted from UNRWA’s provision of essential food, education, health care, relief and social services.
I have visited the region three times since assuming my position as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, including a visit to Gaza in January where I met with UNRWA’s Commissioner General, Pierre Krähenbühl, and reconfirmed Ireland’s commitment to UNRWA. In Gaza, I saw for myself the challenges on the ground for UNRWA and the valuable work carried out by the Agency in delivering core services, especially in education and health, to some 5.3 million Palestine refugees, including over a million Gazans who depend on its assistance. The services that UNRWA provides are very necessary, and will remain necessary until a just and lasting solution is found.
Ireland has been a longstanding supporter of the critical work undertaken by UNRWA. In January, in recognition of the challenges facing UNRWA in implementing its programmes this year, Ireland brought forward its 2018 contribution to the Programme Budget. In June, I authorised a further contribution of €250,000 for UNRWA in response to the urgent appeal of the UN Secretary General, bringing Ireland’s total funding to UNRWA to €6 million this year, up from €5.5 million last year.
UNRWA’s work is being carried out in an ever more complex and demanding environment. The conflict in Syria has put additional strain on UNRWA’s operations in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, and the deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing occupation of the West Bank is resulting in continued hardship for refugees. As a consequence, the demand for UNRWA’s services has grown rapidly. The decision by the US to cease funding to UNRWA will undoubtedly exacerbate the Agency’s funding shortfall and threaten essential services. Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue its assistance to the Palestinian people, including its support to UNRWA's services, while we will also continue our efforts to reach a two-state solution to the conflict.
77. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the jailing of two journalists in Myanmar; the actions being taken at EU and international level to assist and protect the Rohingya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36853/18]
View answer81. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the jailing of persons (details supplied) in Myanmar for reporting on the killing of civilians in Inn Din; the steps he will take to raise this issue with the government of Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36859/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 81 together.
The sentencing this week of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters journalists working in Myanmar, to seven years in prison under the Official Secrets Act, is a cause of significant concern. That they were arrested for covering allegations of grave human rights violations by the Myanmar Military against the Rohingya community in Rakhine State makes this case all the more worrying.
Media freedom and critical journalism are essential pillars of democracy. A free press has a key function in promoting transparency and holding democratic governments to account. I therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release of the two journalists and call on the Myanmar authorities to ensure adequate conditions for journalists to carry out their work.
Ireland continues to actively engage with our international partners on these and other issues of grave concern through bilateral contacts in Myanmar and via participation in the EU and UN responses including at the upcoming 39th Session of the Human Rights Council.
More broadly, Ireland and the international community have taken a number of steps to address the Rohingya crisis which have focused on responding to the humanitarian crisis, promoting a political solution and pressing for accountability for crimes and other violations of human rights abuses that have occurred.
While efforts aimed at achieving accountability and a political solution to the crisis are vitally important, there is an immediate need for a life-saving humanitarian response to the extremely difficult conditions faced by the huge numbers of displaced members of the Rohingya community now mainly in Bangladesh. To this end, Ireland has actively supported the international humanitarian response to the refugee crisis and we provided direct funding of €1 million in 2017 with an additional €1.1 million allocated for 2018. Our support has focused on food, nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation.
Ireland has also supported the intensive political response by the international community which continues to be pursued.
In addition, Ireland has consistently called for an independent and impartial investigation into the serious and credible allegations of human rights violations by the Myanmar security forces. In that regard, we have strongly supported the work of the UN Fact Finding Mission and UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar Yanghee Lee, and have asked the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with them and allow them access to the country. Their work in investigating allegations, recording victim testimony and gathering other evidence, so that it can be preserved for further criminal proceedings, is crucial to ensuring full accountability.
The recent publication of the Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (IIFFMM) has made for harrowing reading. The report of the IIFFMM notes that the crimes in Myanmar “stem from deep fractures in society and structural problems that have been apparent and unaddressed for decades.”
It is therefore imperative that Myanmar and the international community respond comprehensively to the findings of the report and its recommendations in a way that both addresses the long-standing root causes of this crisis and in a manner that ensures the perpetrators of the crimes described in the report are swiftly brought to justice.
I have taken note of the recommendations and Ireland is actively engaging with our international partners in responding to the report, including at the upcoming 39th Session of the Human Rights Council where this report will be formally presented.
My Department will continue to liaise closely with EU and other international partners to press for progress in resolving this crisis including through our Embassies in Thailand and in Vietnam who are closely monitoring the situation.
78. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36854/18]
View answerVenezuela is currently experiencing the worst political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis in its history. I am deeply concerned about the serious, volatile, and rapidly deteriorating situation which is increasingly affecting neighbouring countries, and countries in the region. I continue to urge the Government of Venezuela to engage in dialogue with the opposition, to respect the electoral calendar and to fully restore the country’s democratic institutions. This is essential to achieving a resolution to the crisis.
Reports of human rights violations are a cause of real concern. Freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly are fundamental rights that are the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and I call on the Government of Venezuela to respect these rights. All parties must refrain from violence and work towards peaceful and democratic solutions.
The humanitarian crisis is acute, and Ireland is supportive of the EU’s funding for essential humanitarian aid in Venezuela and countries hosting Venezuelan refugees.
We are also supportive of EU sanctions on Venezuela introduced in June of this year. These sanctions are aimed at materials that can be used by the Government for internal repression, and create a legal framework for a travel ban and asset freeze against those who have shown blatant disregard for the rule of law and disrespect for democratic principles, including a number of Government officials.
While Ireland does not have a resident embassy in Caracas, the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico is responsible for our diplomatic relations with Venezuela and is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with the EU Missions in Caracas. Officials from the Embassy, along with my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin, regularly engage with partner organisations on the ground, and at EU and international level.
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue this engagement and that I am committed to working towards a peaceful and democratic resolution to this crisis.
79. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on detention centres for migrants and refugees in Libya and supported by the EU; his views on whether such centres are fully compliant in terms of upholding the human rights of refugees and migrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36855/18]
View answerI am deeply troubled by the persistent human rights abuses that have been perpetrated against migrants in Libyan detention centres, as reported by the UN Human Rights Office and others. I have raised these concerns at the Foreign Affairs Council, as did the Taoiseach at the European Council in October 2017. I have repeatedly condemned these abuses, and will continue to raise my concerns at every appropriate opportunity.
I continue to be alarmed by the conditions in Libyan detention centres, which are, at the very least, often overcrowded, fail to provide for basic living standards, and, given the lawless situation in Libya, lack appropriate oversight. There are still 8,000 migrants and refugees detained in Libya, and I am concerned about reports that the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is struggling to keep up with the large number of migrants arriving in these detention centres.
While there is Libyan Government oversight in some detention centres, this needs to be vastly expanded and improved. In this regard, I reiterate my call on the Libyan Government, and all parties, including those with de facto control of territory, to take steps to eliminate ill-treatment of migrants, and to facilitate access to detention centres by UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations
It should be acknowledged that over the last year, some progress has been made in alleviating the plight of migrants in Libya, and this must be built on. While there were over 50 detention centres in operation in Libya a year ago, only 17 of these remain open today. More importantly, the effort to provide alternatives to detention seems to be bearing some fruit. For instance, I welcome the announcement by the IOM in July that the Libyan Government has agreed “in principle” that IOM would take responsibility for the care of people rescued at sea, rather than continuing use of detention centres. I call on the Libyan Government to make good on this promise as soon as possible.
Another alternative to detention which the EU has been supporting is voluntary repatriation, voluntary return, and humanitarian return of migrants from Libya. This can be a difficult process, but we have seen marked progress here too, with the IOM reporting that it has now safely returned nearly 11,000 migrants from Libya as of the first half of 2018.
Ultimately, bringing real improvements to the lives of Libyans and migrants, and ensuring an end to human rights abuses, will require restoration of political stability and an end to lawlessness in Libya. This requires the formation of a fully functioning and unified government, and a return to order throughout the country. I call on all parties to cooperate fully with UN Special Representative Ghassan Salamé, whose efforts Ireland and the EU fully support. The EU will continue to work with the UN and others to support and reinforce Libya's sovereign institutions.
In this context, the escalating violence in Tripoli in recent weeks is deeply troubling, as it has the potential to further destabilise the political crisis in Libya. I welcome the ceasefire agreed earlier this week, and call on all parties involved to respect its terms. Clashes such as these must not be allowed to distract from the political process aimed at reaching a sustainable solution to the crisis, which is ultimately the only way to bring an end to the suffering of the Libyan people, and the migrants and refugees present in the country.
80. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on recent efforts made to restart the Executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36856/18]
View answer82. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when further talks will be held with the political parties in Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State regarding the need to have the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36870/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 82 together.
The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable framework for providing stable, inclusive, power-sharing government for all the people of Northern Ireland and for sustaining our interlocking relationships – within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland, and between the UK and Ireland.
The devolved, power-sharing institutions are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern Ireland.
The Taoiseach has spoken with Prime Minister May and emphasised the Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and our continuing determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.
A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference took place on 25 July 2018, at which Minister Flanagan and I represented the Government. I look forward to engaging further with the British Government through the Conference, as we continue to work together as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement to secure the effective operation of all of the institutions of the Agreement.
I remain in very regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, as we seek a way beyond the current impasse with the devolved institutions. We met most recently on 24 August in Dublin and spoke by phone on 5 September. I am deeply concerned at the continuing impasse in Northern Ireland and I have conveyed that concern to Secretary of State Bradley, which she shares.
On 6 September, Secretary of State Bradley, announced proposed temporary amendments to the legislative framework for the calling of an Assembly election, in the continuing absence of the Northern Ireland Executive. This underlines the seriousness of the absence of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, and the urgent requirement for all with responsibilities to do everything in their power to get them operating again.
The strong and consistent calls from across all sections of the community in Northern Ireland for the devolved institutions to operate must be heeded.
It is welcome that a dialogue commenced between the political parties last week. I want to see this followed up on with a political process that can secure an agreement on the operation of the devolved institutions.
I will be engaging further with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how both Governments can most effectively support that urgent work in the period immediately ahead.
84. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland's contingency planning in the event of a no-deal Brexit; the specific actions that have been taken since the Government announced in July 2018 that it was stepping up their preparations for a no-deal Brexit, in particular the recruitment of extra officers for ports and airports; the progress made to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36906/18]
View answerThe Government’s contingency planning for Brexit was initiated well in advance of the UK referendum in June 2016 and since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in May 2017 I have overseen a sustained intensification of these efforts. To this end, co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department and on 18 July I presented a detailed Memorandum to the Government on Brexit Preparedness and Contingency Planning.
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, was identified as an early priority and 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 has provided 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. This is enabling the modelling of potential responses under different scenarios, such as one where a withdrawal agreement, including a transitional arrangement, is concluded and where a Free Trade Agreement is the basis for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
On the basis of this work, relevant Departments have now been tasked by the Government to rollout detailed Action Plans with a view to advancing, as appropriate, the mitigating measures which have been identified in the areas of their responsibility from the planning to the implementation phase.
In line with this approach, the Government has already approved a number of key Brexit preparedness measures focused on East-West trade and has mandated the presentation to Government before the end of September of detailed and costed proposals on the staffing, IT, infrastructural and operational requirements for the implementation at ports and airports of the necessary customs controls and sanitary and phytosanitary checks required as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
All of this work is in addition to measures that have already been put in place 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 under Project Ireland 2040 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 46 reports analysing 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.
In addition to the work at home, we are engaging actively with the European Commission’s Article 50 Taskforce and its Brexit Preparedness Unit on areas where the lead policy role lies with the EU.
85. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has recently raised at EU level the issue of the EU establishing a fund to help and support countries and industries most exposed to Brexit; if so, the EU's views on such a fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/18]
View answerThere is already a very strong awareness and understanding at EU level of the potentially significant and unique economic impacts of Brexit on Ireland and an openness to exploring ways in which the EU can play a helpful and supportive role.
This was a particular focus of my meeting with EU Budget Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, during his visit to Dublin in March, and in subsequent follow-up contacts. Commissioner Oettinger also met with the Taoiseach, Minister Donohoe and Minister of State D’Arcy during his visit, which was focused on the negotiations for the EU’s 2021-27 Multiannual Financial Framework. The potential availability of support, if needed, for Ireland, and indeed for other countries or regions which might be affected by Brexit, will be considered during the MFF negotiations, which are at an early stage. I am glad that the Commission’s MFF proposals include a basis for taking that work forward.
At present, the European Investment Bank is already providing support for the Government’s Brexit Loan Scheme.
My colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, is also working actively, with the support of other relevant Departments, with the European Commission to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. The EU Commission has approved a ‘rescue and restructuring’ scheme, which provides support to SMEs experiencing acute liquidity needs as a result of Brexit.
The Government is also working intensively to safeguard the significant financial support there has been for the border region of Ireland and for Northern Ireland, with almost €2.4 billion of EU funding having been provided for successive PEACE and INTERREG programmes. The current programmes have a combined value of over €550 million over the period 2014-2020, of which 85% is funded through the European Regional Development Fund. I welcome the Commission’s most recent proposal for a special new PEACE PLUS programme as part of the next MFF which will build on and continue the work of successive PEACE and INTERREG programmes.
