Wednesday, 26 Sep 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1-54

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (12, 16)

Joan Burton

Question:

12. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the contact he has had with his Austrian counterpart since Austria assumed the EU Presidency. [30676/18]

Martin Heydon

Question:

16. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia’s operational headquarters in Rome. [37817/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 16 together.

On 8 July the Taoiseach welcomed the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, to Dublin. This visit took place as Austria began its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union and followed Taoiseach’s own visit to Vienna in February. Taoiseach was pleased that Chancellor Kurz chose Ireland as the first member state to visit under the Austrian Presidency.

Topics discussed during the meeting included Brexit, migration, trade, the digital agenda, and the post-2020 EU budget - these issues all feature on the EU's agenda during the current Austrian Presidency.

The Taoiseach and Chancellor Kurz both also acknowledged the excellent bilateral relations between our two countries. Ireland and Austria are close partners within the EU. Both countries also cooperate closely on international issues, including at the United Nations.

On Monday 9 July the Chancellor visited the border area accompanied by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.

The Taoiseach also met with Chancellor Kurz at the informal meeting of EU leaders which took place on 19-20 September in Salzburg, in the context of the Austrian Presidency.

During a trip encompassing official visits to Croatia, Romania and Italy 23 – 26 July the Taoiseach availed of the opportunity, while in Italy, to visit the Headquarters of the EU Operation Sophia Mission on 26 July. The Taoiseach met with the Mission Commander, Admiral Enrico Credendino and staff, and received a briefing on the work of the Mission in addressing the migration crisis in the Mediterranean. Taoiseach was accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett.

Questions Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, resubmitted.

Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 12.

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Questions (17)

Joan Burton

Question:

17. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee A (economy) last met. [37047/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The most recent meeting of Cabinet Committee A took place on the 9th of July. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled but, of course, the full Cabinet also considers these issues on an regular basis.

Questions Nos. 18 to 22, inclusive, resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (23)

Joan Burton

Question:

23. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Pope Francis during his visit to Ireland in August 2018. [37048/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I met with Pope Francis during his visit to Dublin Castle on Saturday 25th August. The meeting provided an opportunity for both of us to discuss a number of issues, though regrettably not in any great depth because of the short duration of the meeting. I welcomed Pope Francis who thanked me for the warm welcome he had received on arrival.

We spoke of the legacy of pain and suffering caused by the failures of the Church and State in Ireland. We discussed that Ireland is still a country with strong faith but that there is still much to be done to bring about justice and truth and healing for victims and survivors.

I thanked the Pope for his statements on climate change, accepting refugees and international development. We also spoke of Irish missionaries, how they continue their work today, and also about the Pope’s home country of Argentina and the role of Irish missionaries there.

I also used the opportunity during my speech later that day to expand on these issues and to express my strong wish that words need to be followed up by actions.

I strongly believe in the separation of Church and State and I believe in the freedom of religion. I hope the visit of Pope Francis will be the opening of a new chapter in the relationship between Ireland and the Catholic Church, one where the church is no longer at the centre of our society but in which it still has an important place.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (24)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

24. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his meetings with His Holiness, Pope Francis; and his views on church-state relations. [37361/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I met with Pope Francis during his visit to Dublin Castle on Saturday 25th August. The meeting provided an opportunity for both of us to discuss a number of issues, though regrettably not in any great depth because of the short duration of the meeting. I welcomed Pope Francis who thanked me for the warm welcome he had received on arrival.

We spoke of the legacy of pain and suffering caused by the failures of the Church and State in Ireland. We discussed that Ireland is still a country with strong faith but that there is still much to be done to bring about justice and truth and healing for victims and survivors.

I thanked the Pope for his statements on climate change, accepting refugees and international development. We also spoke of Irish missionaries, how they continue their work today, and also about the Pope’s home country of Argentina and the role of Irish missionaries there.

I also used the opportunity during my speech later that day to expand on these issues and to express my strong wish that words need to be followed up by actions.

I strongly believe in the separation of Church and State and I believe in the freedom of religion. I hope the visit of Pope Francis will be the opening of a new chapter in the relationship between Ireland and the Catholic Church, one where the church is no longer at the centre of our society but in which it still has an important place.

Questions Nos. 25 to 32, inclusive, resubmitted.

Citizens Assembly

Questions (33)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

33. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach his plans for a Citizens' Assembly on gender equality. [37580/18]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

As I have previously publically stated, most recently at the Congress of Women's Caucuses on 10 September, I intend to bring forward proposals for the establishment of a new Citizens' Assembly to consider the issue of gender equality shortly.

I would further propose that the Assembly also examines options for comprehensive local government reform, specifically the nature and powers of a directly elected Mayor of Dublin. The Assembly would have a solely Dublin based membership for this additional topic.

The resolution approving establishment of the Assembly will be brought before both Houses of the Oireachtas for approval in due course.

Questions Nos. 34 to 54, inclusive, resubmitted.