Written Answers Nos. 137-154
137. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the length of time it took for an investigation to commence following the discovery in 2018 of a spyhole in a female shower area in the central supply area of the Naval Service; the reason for delays in commencing an investigation; and the outcome of the investigation. [39876/18]
View answerThe Military Authorities have informed me that an investigation was initiated on the afternoon of the 12th April 2018 following the discovery, earlier that day, of a drilled hole in the door of a female changing area on the Naval Base.
I have requested further information on the investigation and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
138. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of reservist recruits that have been assigned to combat support and combat service support units within the Defence Forces, that is units other than infantry corps units in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39988/18]
View answerThe Military Authorities advise that, from July 2013 to date, 138 reservist recruits have been assigned to Combat Support (Army CS) functions and 9 have been assigned to Combat Service Support functions (Army CSS).
The post-2012 revised organisational structure co-locates Reserve Combat Support and Reserve Combat Service Support elements alongside their Permanent Defence Force (PDF) counterparts in PDF installations. This approach has ensured optimum access to equipment and expertise and facilitates appropriate training. Reserve Infantry Units are located both within PDF installations and also at sixteen other locations throughout the State. Intending members of the Reserve are welcome to apply and serve at the location best suited to their particular needs.
With the support of the Chief of Staff I remain committed to the ongoing development of the RDF within the framework set out in the White Paper in order to achieve a sustainable and fit for purpose Reserve Defence Force.
139. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason members of the Defence Forces Reserve are not represented by an organisation (details supplied) in keeping with the single force concept; and if changes to Defence Forces regulations and amendments to the Defence (Amendment) Act 2015 are being considered in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39989/18]
View answerMembers of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve are not employed or engaged under a contract of employment. A contract of employment stipulates the hours of work, hours of attendance or other related matters normally associated with the concept of gainful employment. Furthermore, service with the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve is not pensionable under the Army Pension Schemes. Therefore, the issue of representation by the employee groups referred to by the Deputy does not arise for reservists.
However, under the terms of Defence Forces Regulations S7, there stands established an association known as the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (RDFRA) for the purpose of representing members of the Army Reserve and the Naval Service Reserve in relation to matters such as remuneration, conditions of service and career development.
140. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to meet formally with the US Secretary for Defence. [40078/18]
View answerI currently have no plans to meet with the US Secretary for Defence, Mr. James Mattis.
A meeting has been proposed with the US Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Richard V. Spencer, to coincide with his visit to Ireland in November, for which arrangements are not yet finalised with my office.
141. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of his Department's stand at the National Ploughing Championships 2018; the number of staff deployed from his Department for the week; and the cost of same. [40350/18]
View answerMy Department did not have a stand at the National Ploughing Championships, 2018. However, the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) provide up to two staff on each day of this event to promote the Government's annual "Be Winter Ready" Information Campaign, within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s stand. This space is provided at no cost to my Department. The only costs, other than salary costs for the staff involved, are Civil Service travel and subsistence costs incurred by the individual staff members. These costs have not been fully processed for this year’s event.
142. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland's bid and attempts to seek a seat on the UN Security Council as and from 2021. [39563/18]
View answerIreland’s candidature for election to the United Nations Security Council is a central foreign policy priority. Our candidature, for election in the Western Europe and Others Group, was first announced in 2005. We are one of three candidates for the two available seats in this group, at an election in June 2020. The other two candidates are Canada and Norway.
Along with colleagues across Cabinet, I am taking every opportunity to raise our candidature with representatives of Member States and to convince them of the value of Ireland taking our place and playing our part on the Security Council.
In making Ireland’s case, we are highlighting our principled commitment to the value of multilateralism and the importance of the issues being addressed by the global community in relation to peace and security.
Across Government and across Ireland’s diplomatic network, we are highlighting our consistent approach at the UN over more than six decades of membership, including our support for and involvement in disarmament, human rights, sustainable development, humanitarian action and peacekeeping.
If Ireland were elected to a non-permanent seat on the Security Council our fundamental approach across all agenda items would always be to advocate for and support decisions and policies based on the core values of our foreign policy-justice, equality, peace and security and sustainability.
Ireland’s campaign was officially launched in July 2018 at an event at the UN Headquarters in New York. Such launches are an expected part of campaigns for election to the Security Council.
Just last week, Ireland took the opportunity of the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly High Level Week to further promote our candidature in New York to the wide and diverse membership of the UN. During that high level week at the United Nations, An Taoiseach, Minister of State Cannon and I met with a large number of Heads of State and Government and Ministers and received a strong hearing on our campaign principles of Empathy, Partnership and Independence.
Following the successful co facilitation of the Mandela Peace Summit Declaration by Ireland and South Africa, the Taoiseach addressed the Mandela Peace Summit. Ireland was honoured to be asked to co facilitate the work on the declaration with South Africa.
Throughout the week, my colleagues and I attended a number of events on themes of disarmament; women, peace and security; and climate justice. I reiterated the firm support of Ireland for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNWRA) and our increased financial support for that vital agency. I deposited Ireland’s instrument of ratification of the Amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on the Crime of Aggression, agreed in Kampala, with the UN Secretary General. I reconfirmed our commitment to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance by 2030. I committed Ireland to increasing our overall investment in education to a minimum of €250 million over the next five years.
Through all of these interactions, and the extensive range of meetings which will take place over the coming 20 months, UN Member States will be very aware that Ireland will continue our strong efforts for election to the Security Council with the 192 other UN Member States.
143. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland's overseas development aid was discussed when he visited the UN. [39565/18]
View answerIn June 2018 the Taoiseach launched Global Ireland, a plan to double Ireland’s global impact by 2025. Amongst other things, it committed the Government to publishing a White Paper on Ireland’s International Development Cooperation and to delivering 0.7% of GNI to Overseas Development Assistance by 2030.
At the United Nations General Assembly last week the Tánaiste reaffirmed this commitment. At a side event, the Tánaiste pledged that as part of this scaling up Ireland would increase its contribution to education by €75 million (44%) over the next five years.
While at the United Nations last week, the Tánaiste and I had tens of meetings daily, with senior UN officials, with representatives of Irish Aid recipient countries, and with other key influencers, as well as actively participating in policy debates on a wide range of issues pertinent to Ireland’s development cooperation. In addition, a considerable number of official level meetings also took place on development cooperation themes.
Among the important and diverse issues raised in the New York meetings were the situation in Palestine and Syria; addressing communicable diseases such as TB; women, peace and security; education in conflict; and climate and sustainable development. Ireland’s role as the chair of the OCHA donor support group provided a context for some of these discussions.
A central theme in meetings was the importance Ireland attaches to a well-functioning multilateral system and for the rules-based system.
The new international development policy, to be published before the end of this year, will inform how Ireland’s official aid programme will continue to support multilateralism in the years ahead, particularly in the context of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. There was keen interest among partners in New York in the public consultation process on the new policy, not least as many UN agencies contributed to the written consultation.
144. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a Filipino national married to an Irish citizen resident here on a stamp 4 needs a Schengen visa to travel to Italy on holiday; if so, the application process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39697/18]
View answerMy Department is unable to advise in relation to entry requirements for travel to other countries as such requirements are a matter for the immigration authorities of the individual country and subject to change at short notice.
Our general advice is to consult the Italian Embassy in Ireland or the Italian Immigration authorities who will be able to provide advice on this matter.
145. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the communications, press and public relations budget allocated to his Department for 2018; the way in which it is being spent; if it is behind or ahead of profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39373/18]
View answerThe Communications Unit of my Department provides support to me in my capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and to my Minister of State colleagues at the Department and at wider Government and State levels on all issues affecting Irish interests that have an international communications/ public diplomacy dimension. It is also tasked with strengthening the abilities of my Department and Ireland’s network of over 80 diplomatic missions abroad to deliver our communication and public diplomacy goals on behalf of Ireland. This incorporates communication with Irish citizens on the role, services and activities of the Department and diplomatic missions, as well as enhancing public awareness and understanding of Ireland's aid programme, Irish Aid, and of global development issues.
Key priorities for my Department’s Communications Unit in this regard include:
Updating and maintenance of almost 90 Departmental websites, including those relating to Brexit, the Global Irish Hub, the Africa Ireland Economic Forum and Irish
Aid and of Ireland’s diplomatic missions abroad;
Design and production of publications and other forms of content for web and social media outreach by the Department and our diplomatic missions abroad;
Public outreach initiatives / events, including Africa Day and participation by my Department in the National Ploughing Championships; and
Support to Irish and international media in the context of high-level inward visits to Ireland, including that by Pope Francis in August.
In this connection, the overall budget for press relations, web and digital and public outreach activities as allocated to the Communications Unit of my Department in 2018 is €1.145 million. To date 66.3% of the above-mentioned overall budget amount has been spent, with payment commitments of a further 6.1% currently pending. I am therefore satisfied that the budget is ‘on profile’, with 27.6% remaining for the last quarter of 2018.
146. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will impress on the European Commission the importance of the immediate suspension of diamond exports from Israel and Zimbabwe until such time as those responsible for the killing of over 160 civilians in Gaza and seven civilians in Harare are brought to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39381/18]
View answer147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will call on the jewellery industry here to reject diamonds from Israel and Zimbabwe and the use of the bogus system of warranties promoted by an organisation (details supplied) which claims diamonds that are Kimberly process certified are conflict free in view of the fact they fund violence by government forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39382/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
Illegal trading in minerals and other natural resources has fuelled conflict for years in certain countries in Africa.
Support for the implementation of the EU Regulation on importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas is identified as a specific action in Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights, which was launched in November 2017.
Ireland has also strongly supported efforts in the EU and the OECD to promote the accountability, transparency and effective management of natural resources. In particular, Ireland supports the previously mentioned EU regulation on conflict minerals. This area is led on by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in coordination with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The suggestion of sanctions on Israel has been made many times by the Deputy and others, and discussed here in the House. Restrictions on trade would have to be imposed at EU or UN level. The Government does not support the imposition of sanctions on Israel, and such a proposal would have no possibility of reaching agreement at EU level. I have no proposals for a different approach in relation to diamonds.
Similar to Israel, restrictions on trade with Zimbabwe would have to be imposed at EU or UN level. Notwithstanding the violence that took place there on 1 August 2018, in which civilians died in clashes between protestors and the military, there is no proposal to restrict trade with Zimbabwe. Ireland supported the EU statement issued following the election, condemning the violence, and welcoming President Mnangawa’s announcement of a commission of inquiry into those events.
Openness and transparency, and a commitment to justice and equality, are essential to building trust within any divided community. My Department continues to monitor developments closely through the Embassy in Pretoria, who visit and engage regularly with officials in Zimbabwe, and through our engagement with the EU.
148. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is supporting the UN Security Council's decision to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court in relation to prosecutions for war crimes in Rakhine and other Burmese states. [39467/18]
View answerIreland is not currently a member of the UN Security Council, and is therefore not in a position to formally offer support on the question of referring Myanmar to the International Criminal Court. I note that while the UN Security Council has discussed the situation, and has visited Myanmar in May of this year, no resolution to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court has been tabled.
As the Deputy will no doubt agree, the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (IIFFM) make for harrowing reading. The report corroborates many of the eyewitness accounts which have emerged from Myanmar in recent times. It provides credible findings that human rights violations amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes have been committed by members of the Burmese Military (Tatmadaw) and other security forces in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States. These crimes include the widespread killing of civilians; rape and sexual violence; torture and enforced disappearances.
The IIFFM’s report also finds that there is sufficient evidence of the crimes committed in Rakhine State being so grave that they warrant a competent court to determine the liability for the crime of genocide of those in the Tatmadaw chain of command.
Having considered this evidence, Ireland would support the referral by the Security Council of the situation in Myanmar to the ICC. The Security Council is the only competent body that can take this step.
However, given the political and legal difficulties that surround such a referral, our focus in ensuring accountability and investigation of the allegations is necessarily elsewhere. We are working closely with international partners in other fora including the UN Human Rights Council and the EU to ensure that measures are put in place to allow the investigation of human rights violations and that those who have perpetrated these crimes are held to account.
In particular, at the current session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland has worked closely with the EU and other international partners in support of a resolution which was adopted on 27 September to establish an effective accountability mechanism to hold responsible those who have committed human rights violations in relation to the Rohingya people.
149. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of each seminar held on Project Ireland 2040 up to and including September 2018 by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39584/18]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not held any seminar to date on Project Ireland 2040 and, given the nature of the Department’s funding under this Programme, is unlikely to organise any seminars in the future.
150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns to date in 2018, by month and company engaged in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39640/18]
View answerMy Department has not incurred expenditure on third party public relations or communications advice in 2018.
My Department engages in online advertising and public awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. In 2018 these have taken place to raise awareness of the Online Passport Renewals Service, a ‘Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe’ initiative and Ireland’s bid for membership of the UN Security Council in 2021-22. A recently-announced public information campaign to promote awareness of Government-wide supports and resources that are available to assist with Brexit preparedness is also being coordinated by my Department. Details of each of these campaigns are as follows:
Online Passport Renewals Service
My Department makes every effort to promote good practices by Irish citizens who may be planning to travel abroad. So far in 2018 we have concentrated on highlighting the Online Passport Renewal Service as a fast and secure way for adults to renew their passports. Specific activities have included advertisements in local publications throughout the country and on social media platforms, press releases and attendance at relevant promotional events, as well as participation by the Director of the Passport Service in over 25 interviews on regional radio stations. The direct costs of advertising to raise public awareness in this regard are set out in Table 1 below.
Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe
Against the background of debate which is underway at EU level and beyond about how best to address the challenges of a rapidly changing the world, and in cooperation with European Movement Ireland, my Department hosted a series of ‘Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe’ events throughout spring 2018. These events took place in Galway, Cork, Donegal, Kildare, Meath and Dublin and enabled citizens to share ideas and priorities on the future of Europe and on such themes as the economy, security, social responsibility and globalisation.
To raise awareness of these opportunities for the citizens to engage and attend these events, my Department undertook a communications campaign that included advertisements in local papers and on local radio in each of the locations concerned. The direct costs of this advertising are set out in Table 1 below.
Ireland’s Campaign for Election to the UN Security Council
On July 2nd 2018, the Taoiseach and I publicly launched Ireland’s campaign to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Ireland’s campaign is premised on three themes: Empathy, Partnership and Independence. To coincide with this launch, my Department used social media platforms to promote public awareness of Ireland’s campaign online and the direct costs incurred in this regard are set out in the table.
The Government Brexit Update and ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’
The Government Brexit Update email service and the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information campaign forms part of the Government’s overall strategy to keep the Irish public fully informed and up-to date on the implications and challenges of Brexit.
The Update is issuing on a regular basis via a commercial provider (MailChimp) and provides information on latest developments in the ongoing Brexit negotiations, on the latest available research publications and on engagement at Government level. It also highlights the range of business supports that are available through the various Government Departments and State agencies.
My Department is also coordinating a Government-wide ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready Campaign’ which I and Ministers Humphreys and Creed launched together on 20 September. This campaign will update citizens, communities and businesses about Brexit preparedness and support measures that are available as well as public workshop events which are to be held over successive weeks throughout October. A programme of awareness raising via web and social media platforms and radio and print media advertising has begun but remains at an early stage and associated costs have yet to be incurred.
Table: Online Advertising and Public Awareness Campaigns Expenditure 2018
[Note: In the time available it has not proved possible to break down these amounts on a monthly basis.]
|
Campaign / Theme |
Supplier |
Cost |
|
Online Passport Renewals (March 2018-June 2018) |
Mediavest |
€40,538.65 |
|
Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe - (Feb - May 2018) |
Topic Media, Celtic, Media, Highland Radio, Connacht Tribune, River Media, Irish Examiner, LMFM Radio & Galway Advertiser |
€6,473 |
|
UN Security Council Campaign July 2018 |
Twitter and Facebook |
€461 |
|
Government Brexit Update (Jan 2018 – to date) |
Twitter and MailChimp |
€1,211.00 |
|
Getting Ireland Brexit Ready (20 Sept 2018 – to date) |
PhD Media / TBWA |
Invoices awaited |
151. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open a new consulate general office in Faro, Portugal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39668/18]
View answerBilateral relations with Portugal are managed by our Embassy in Lisbon. Ireland enjoys a strong and positive relationship with Portugal.
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.
There are currently no plans to open a Consulate General in Faro.
152. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland approved the process by which the new secretary general of the European Commission was appointed; the reason there was not an open competition for this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39734/18]
View answerThe appointment of officials of the Commission is solely a matter for the Commission itself and Member States have no role in this process.
153. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when each of the new Irish Embassies and Consulate offices announced over the past 12 months will be opened. [39743/18]
View answerIn the context of “Global Ireland” the Department is currently managing the opening of 13 new Irish Embassies and Consulates General. A project team has been appointed to manage the expansion and extensive planning is underway to ensure the initiative makes the most efficient use of the Department’s human and financial resources.
The first phase of the expansion was approved by Government in November 2017 and includes the opening of the new Irish Embassy in Wellington, which opened in August 2018; the opening of the Consulate General in Vancouver, which will officially open at the end of October 2018; the opening of Embassies in Bogotá, Santiago de Chile, and Amman in Q1 2019 and the opening of a Consulate General in Mumbai in Q1 2019. The Department is also in the process of upgrading the Irish Mission in Monrovia to a full Embassy in 2018.
The Global Ireland document sets out a series of commitments, building on these initial investments. Beginning in 2019 we will open new Consulates General in Frankfurt, Los Angeles, and Cardiff, and Embassies in Ukraine, Morocco, and the Philippines within a tight timeframe thereafter.
154. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to have a bilateral meeting with his Greek counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39746/18]
View answerForeign Ministers of all EU Member States meet on a regular basis at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. These meetings provide me with an invaluable opportunity to engage with all of my counterparts, including Minister Kotzias, and to discuss a broad range of issues. At present, no specific bilateral meetings are planned with my Greek counterpart.
This year, there has been a significant level of bilateral engagement between Ireland and Greece in terms of high-level visits, beginning with the State Visit in February, when President Higgins and Sabina Higgins travelled to Greece and met with the Greek President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, among others. The Taoiseach met Prime Minister Tsipras during the summer in Greece, and we have also welcomed two current Greek Ministers to Dublin – Mr. George Katrougalos, Greek Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Terens-Nikolaos Quick, Deputy Foreign Minister - both of whom attended a number of engagements and meetings, including with Minister McEntee and Minister Cannon respectively. Then-Minister for the Arts, Ms. Lydia Koniordou, also visited Ireland for the Kilkenny Arts Festival in mid-August.
The Embassy of Ireland in Athens also continues to work hard on a daily basis to strengthen our already strong bilateral relations and engage with the Greek administration on a wide variety of issues.
