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Tuesday, 6 Nov 2018

Written Answers Nos. 132-158

Defence Forces Medical Services

Questions (132)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if assistance will be provided with regard to the medical expenses for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45800/18]

View answer

Written answers

I understand that the military medical authorities have been in contact directly with the individual concerned to discuss his ongoing treatment.

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Questions (133)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

133. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces cadets who graduated in each of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45863/18]

View answer

Written answers

The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table:

Year

No. of Cadets Commissioned

2016

35

2017

40

This year, a total of 88 cadets have been commissioned. This includes 6 Air Corps Officers who received their commissions on Friday 2 November 2018.

Recruitment to the Commissioned Ranks continues, and in that regard, the 95th cadet class was inducted on 24 September 2018, comprising of 86 cadets who will receive their commissions in early 2020. Two commissioning ceremonies are planned for early 2019, one in February and the other in March.

North-South Implementation Bodies

Questions (134)

Micheál Martin

Question:

134. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45894/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has no provision for an allocation to north south bodies in 2019.

Commissions of Investigation Data

Questions (135)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

135. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount his Department has spent in 2018 on carrying out commissions of investigations and State inquiries as recommended by the Independent Review Mechanism and State tribunals; the number and name of these investigations; the individual costs in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45908/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has not incurred any expenditure in 2018 on commissions of investigations or State inquiries.

UN Conferences

Questions (136)

Michael Harty

Question:

136. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland was represented at the UN third high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases in New York on 27 September 2018; if so, the contribution that was made to the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45024/18]

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Written answers

Ireland has a strong commitment to health and HIV and AIDS in our international development cooperation policy and programme. Our engagement in health is focused on building strong health systems, supporting immunisation and prioritising human resources for health. We consider these as critical elements of a more robust health system better equipped to tackle the challenges posed by non-communicable diseases. In recent years non-communicable diseases have had an increasing impact on population health with disproportionately higher rates in developing countries. Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and a series public health threat to developing countries. Adequate health systems and a strong public health approach are required to address these challenges.

I along with senior officials from my Department represented Ireland at the UN Third High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable diseases in New York. This event took place on the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in September 2018.

In preparation for the high level meeting Ireland participated in UN and EU negotiations on non-communicable diseases. In this process we contributed to the political declaration which emerged from the High Level Meeting as well as an EU position on non-communicable diseases which was delivered at the High Level Meeting.

In these negotiations and through the EU statement Ireland pushed for a strong emphasis on strengthening health systems, ensuring adequately trained human resources and a strong public health approach to meet the increasing challenges of non-communicable diseases.

Military Aircraft Landings

Questions (137)

Clare Daly

Question:

137. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 557, 559 and 560 of 23 October 2018, the reason these same conditions are not imposed on all civilian aircraft on contract to the US military that are being approved in view of the fact that his Department has repeatedly stated that all US military aircraft transiting through Shannon Airport are approved on the basis of assurances from the US Government that they are not engaged in military operations, military exercises, not transporting weapons or munitions and not engaged in intelligence gathering operations. [45252/18]

View answer

Written answers

The regulation of civil aircraft is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention). From that Convention and subsequent international treaties, international rights and freedoms of air for civil aircraft, including the right to refuel are derived. Ireland’s rights and obligations under the Convention have been incorporated into Irish law through the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946 (as amended). The legislation provides that the Minister for Transport has primary responsibility for the regulation of civil aircraft, including those chartered to other States. Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of War, Weapons and dangerous Goods) Order 1973, as amended, civil aircraft are prohibited from carrying weapons or munitions in Irish sovereign airspace or into Irish airports unless they receive an exemption from the Minister for Transport. In considering such applications, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport seeks the advice of relevant Government Departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Consistent with our stated policy my Department recommends against the carriage of munitions, with exceptions made for unloaded personal weapons or those intended for international crisis management and peace support operations.

In the first six months of this year, my Department has recommended against approval of 12 applications for exemptions.

North-South Implementation Bodies

Questions (138)

Micheál Martin

Question:

138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in his Department. [45903/18]

View answer

Written answers

In this jurisdiction, responsibility for the North South Implementation Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement is exercised by several of my Government colleagues: the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (InterTrade Ireland), the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Waterways Ireland and the Language Body which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency), the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission - Loughs Agency); the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (the Special EU Programmes Body); and the Minister for Health (the Food Safety Promotion Board). Tourism Ireland Ltd. is the responsibility of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I do not have direct responsibility for any of the North South Implementation Bodies or Tourism Ireland Ltd, or for allocations made to those Bodies. The North South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland, all of which operate on an all-island basis, are funded jointly by the Administrations, North and South, on the basis of an agreed contribution ratio, which varies from Body to Body, and decisions concerning the Bodies are taken jointly by the relevant Ministers North and South in the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).

At present, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive, it is not possible for the NSMC to meet and to bring the Government and Executive together to oversee ongoing North South work and further develop cooperation, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. Notwithstanding the current political situation, the North South Implementation Bodies continue to carry out their important public functions in line with their mandates and to deliver economic and social benefits for people across the island.

Allocations to the Bodies are matters for the Ministers that I have listed, and full details of the allocations for 2019 will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume.

British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference

Questions (139)

Micheál Martin

Question:

139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and the issues that were discussed. [45880/18]

View answer

Written answers

A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place in Dublin on 2 November. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, and I represented the Government. The UK Government was represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, David Lidington MP, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP Set up under the Good Friday Agreement, the Conference brings together the Irish and UK Governments to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. Following on from the most recent meeting of the BIIGC, in London on 25 July, last week’s meeting provided the opportunity to continue our discussions on legacy issues, security co-operation, East-West matters, and political stability in Northern Ireland. At the meeting, we reaffirmed our commitment to implementing the framework established in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement to comprehensively address the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past, taking account of the UK Government’s public consultation on establishing the legacy institutions.

On security co-operation, both Governments recalled the commitments made in the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement to ending paramilitarism and welcomed the first report of the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) established under that Agreement. In considering the findings and recommendations contained in the report, the Conference noted in particular the IRC’s view that the full operation of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is essential to ending paramilitarism and achieving community transformation.

The Conference discussed a joint paper by Irish and British officials which outlined a number of possible models to maintain and strengthen the high level of bilateral co-operation between the UK and Ireland post-Brexit. Both Governments agreed that these new structures for systemic bilateral co-operation should demonstrate the strength and depth of the relationship, provide opportunities for ministers and officials to continue to engage with each other, and provide an overall architecture for cooperation that is both meaningful and sustainable in the future. As announced following the Conference, this model would include top level summits involving Heads of Government and senior ministers and would alternate between Ireland and the UK. These summits would be supported by close bilateral work by ministers. Officials on both sides have been asked to turn these ideas into a detailed practical plan of work with a view to presenting a fully worked through proposal for future East-West cooperation for consideration at the next meeting of the Conference.

The Conference provided both Governments the opportunity to reaffirm our strong support for the Good Friday and subsequent Agreements. It was recognised that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement have been essential for the progress made in Northern Ireland over the past two decades and that they remain the indispensable framework for the political process in Northern Ireland. Both Governments reiterated their shared commitment to securing the operation of the devolved power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly and the consequent resumption of meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council at the earliest opportunity.

It was agreed that the BIIGC would reconvene in spring 2019.

EU Development

Questions (140)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

140. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the progress of EU reform. [45640/18]

View answer

Written answers

The debate on the future of Europe was launched by the Heads of State and Government of the EU27 in Bratislava in September 2016. The European Commission subsequently published a White Paper on the issue and followed it up with a series of Reflection Papers on EU finances, harnessing globalisation, defence, the social dimension and completion of economic and monetary union.

In September 2017, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, launched the ‘Leaders’ Agenda’, an ambitious work programme running until the European Parliament elections in 2019 which puts the European Council at the heart of decision-making process.

The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, T.D., is actively engaged in the Leaders’ Agenda, which has so far dealt with issues such as education and culture, migration, Economic and Monetary Union, taxation, MFF, innovation and digital economy, and internal security.

Last November, I joined the Taoiseach and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, T.D., in launching a Citizens’ Dialogue on the future of Europe.

The public were invited to contribute to the wider European debate by attending one of these events or making a submission online. Regional events were held in counties Galway, Meath, Cork and Donegal, as well as an NGO forum in Dublin. The series culminated in the National Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, on Europe Day, 9 May last.

Last month my Department published a Report on the Citizens’ Dialogues. This will help to inform Ireland’s contribution to the wider debate which is expected to culminate in a special Informal Summit in Romania next May, where leaders will prepare the Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024.

In advance of this Summit, we will publish a statement of our strategic priorities for the European Union.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (141)

Declan Breathnach

Question:

141. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons who applied for Irish citizenship in each the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the locations from which the applicants are from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44678/18]

View answer

Written answers

FBR Application Numbers based on Place of Birth 2016

-

Place of Birth

No of online applications

-

WORLDWIDE TOTAL

13,982

1

ENGLAND

6,137

2

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

3,621

3

AUSTRALIA

846

4

SOUTH AFRICA

629

5

CANADA

533

6

SCOTLAND

491

7

NEW ZEALAND

403

8

WALES

136

9

GERMANY

91

10

CHINA

68

11

ZIMBABWE

62

12

FRANCE

57

13

PAKISTAN

57

14

UAE

50

15

SWITZERLAND

39

16

INDIA

38

17

SINGAPORE

36

18

BELGIUM

33

19

NETHERLANDS

25

20

THAILAND

25

21

SPAIN

23

22

NIGERIA

21

23

ARGENTINA

20

24

ITALY

19

25

MALAYSIA

19

26

SAUDI ARABIA

19

27

KENYA

18

28

AUSTRIA

17

29

BRAZIL

17

30

GREECE

17

31

PHILIPPINES

17

32

ALGERIA

14

33

ISRAEL AND OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

14

34

JAPAN

14

35

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

14

36

IRAQ

13

37

SWEDEN

13

38

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

12

39

ISLE OF MAN

11

40

LUXEMBOURG

10

41

CHILE

9

42

JORDAN

9

43

VIETNAM

9

44

INDONESIA

8

45

MALAWI

8

46

MEXICO

8

47

NAMIBIA

8

48

SUDAN

8

49

TUNISIA

8

50

BARBADOS

7

51

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

7

52

DENMARK

7

53

NORWAY

7

54

ETHIOPIA

6

55

PORTUGAL

6

56

UKRAINE

6

57

EGYPT

5

58

QATAR

5

59

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

5

60

BAHRAIN

4

61

BANGLADESH

4

62

BERMUDA

4

63

BOTSWANA

4

64

CYPRUS

4

65

ECUADOR

4

66

GIBRALTAR

4

67

MOROCCO

4

68

ALBANIA

3

69

BOLIVIA

3

70

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

3

71

GHANA

3

72

HUNGARY

3

73

JAMAICA

3

74

LEBANON

3

75

MALTA

3

76

OMAN

3

77

POLAND

3

78

ROMANIA

3

79

SOUTH KOREA

3

80

TOGO

3

81

TURKEY

3

82

CZECH REPUBLIC

2

83

EL SALVADOR

2

84

FINLAND

2

85

GEORGIA

2

86

GUATEMALA

2

87

GUYANA

2

88

KAZAKHSTAN

2

89

KIRIBATI

2

90

KUWAIT

2

91

LYBIA

2

92

MONACO

2

93

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

2

94

PARAGUAY

2

95

PERU

2

96

PUERTO RICO

2

97

SERBIA

2

98

SIERRA LEONE

2

99

SRI LANKA

2

100

SWAZILAND

2

101

SYRIA

2

102

URUGUAY

2

103

ANDORRA, PRINCIPALITY OF

1

104

BAHAMAS

1

105

BULGARIA

1

106

BURMA

1

107

CAMBODIA, KINGDOM OF

1

108

CAMEROON

1

109

CAYMAN ISLANDS

1

110

CHRISTMAS ISLANDS

1

111

COLOMBIA

1

112

COSTA RICA

1

113

CROATIA

1

114

ESTONIA

1

115

FIJI

1

116

HONDURAS

1

117

LITHUANIA

1

118

MACAU

1

119

MAURITIUS

1

120

MONTENEGRO

1

121

MOZAMBIQUE

1

122

NEPAL

1

123

PANAMA

1

124

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

1

125

RWANDA

1

126

SOMALIA

1

127

ST LUCIA

1

128

TAIWAN

1

129

UGANDA

1

130

VENEZUELA

1

131

VIRGIN ISLANDS (BRITISH)

1

132

YEMEN

1

133

ZAMBIA

1

[Table cont]

2017

-

Place of Birth

No of online applications

-

WORLDWIDE TOTAL

19,620

1

ENGLAND

9,482

2

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

4,816

3

SCOTLAND

929

4

AUSTRALIA

889

5

SOUTH AFRICA

766

6

CANADA

630

7

NEW ZEALAND

446

8

WALES

199

9

GERMANY

106

10

CHINA

104

11

PAKISTAN

83

12

FRANCE

67

13

ZIMBABWE

53

14

SWITZERLAND

51

15

SINGAPORE

46

16

UAE

45

17

BELGIUM

41

18

BRAZIL

41

19

SPAIN

39

20

ISRAEL AND OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

38

21

INDIA

37

22

ARGENTINA

34

23

NETHERLANDS

34

24

KENYA

24

25

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

24

26

JAPAN

22

27

MALAYSIA

22

28

NIGERIA

22

29

ISLE OF MAN

21

30

SAUDI ARABIA

19

31

ALGERIA

18

32

ITALY

18

33

THAILAND

18

34

ZAMBIA

18

35

PHILIPPINES

17

36

CYPRUS

14

37

EGYPT

14

38

AUSTRIA

12

39

IRAQ

12

40

MALTA

12

41

MEXICO

12

42

LUXEMBOURG

11

43

SOMALIA

10

44

BERMUDA

9

45

JORDAN

9

46

MALAWI

9

47

NORWAY

9

48

BAHRAIN

8

49

CAYMAN ISLANDS

8

50

HUNGARY

8

51

MAURITIUS

8

52

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

8

53

TURKEY

8

54

BOTSWANA

7

55

CZECH REPUBLIC

7

56

INDONESIA

7

57

KUWAIT

7

58

POLAND

7

59

PORTUGAL

7

60

QATAR

7

61

SOUTH KOREA

7

62

UGANDA

7

63

LEBANON

6

64

SWEDEN

6

65

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

6

66

BANGLADESH

5

67

CHILE

5

68

MOROCCO

5

69

SRI LANKA

5

70

TUNISIA

5

71

VENEZUELA

5

72

GIBRALTAR

4

73

GREECE

4

74

OMAN

4

75

BAHAMAS

3

76

BULGARIA

3

77

DENMARK

3

78

ECUADOR

3

79

ETHIOPIA

3

80

FIJI

3

81

FINLAND

3

82

GHANA

3

83

LATVIA

3

84

LIBYA

3

85

MONACO

3

86

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

3

87

ROMANIA

3

88

SERBIA

3

89

SUDAN

3

90

TANZANIA

3

91

UKRAINE

3

92

VIETNAM

3

93

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

2

94

CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

2

95

MAURITANIA

2

96

PARAGUAY

2

97

PERU

2

98

SYRIA

2

99

TAIWAN

2

100

TOGO

2

101

YEMEN

2

102

N/A

1

103

ANDORRA, PRINCIPALITY OF

1

104

ANGOLA

1

105

BARBADOS

1

106

BELARUS

1

107

BELIZE

1

108

CAMBODIA, KINGDOM OF

1

109

CAMEROON

1

110

DOMINICA

1

111

EL SALVADOR

1

112

ESTONIA

1

113

FALKLAND ISLANDS

1

114

GAMBIA

1

115

GUATEMALA

1

116

KIRIBATI

1

117

KOSOVO

1

118

KYRGYZ REPUBLIC (KYRGYZSTAN)

1

119

LITHUANIA

1

120

MADAGASCAR

1

121

NEPAL

1

122

PANAMA

1

123

SIERRA LEONE

1

124

SLOVENIA

1

125

SWAZILAND

1

126

URUGUAY

1

[Table cont]

01/01/2018-25/10/2018

Place of Birth

No of online applications

WORLDWIDE TOTAL

20,044

1

ENGLAND

10,308

2

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

4,394

3

SCOTLAND

962

4

AUSTRALIA

909

5

SOUTH AFRICA

744

6

CANADA

645

7

NEW ZEALAND

447

8

WALES

240

9

GERMANY

99

10

CHINA

93

11

FRANCE

65

12

NIGERIA

57

13

PAKISTAN

55

14

SPAIN

53

15

ZIMBABWE

52

16

SINGAPORE

47

17

SWITZERLAND

47

18

BELGIUM

44

19

UAE

42

20

INDIA

37

21

NETHERLANDS

34

22

ARGENTINA

28

23

ISRAEL AND OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

28

24

KENYA

25

25

MALAYSIA

23

26

JAPAN

22

27

THAILAND

22

28

BRAZIL

20

29

EGYPT

19

30

ITALY

18

31

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

18

32

TURKEY

18

33

MEXICO

17

34

PHILIPPINES

17

35

AUSTRIA

15

36

LUXEMBOURG

15

37

ZAMBIA

14

38

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

12

39

DENMARK

11

40

ISLE OF MAN

11

41

JORDAN

11

42

CYPRUS

10

43

IRAQ

10

44

MALTA

10

45

SWEDEN

10

46

ALGERIA

9

47

UKRAINE

9

48

MAURITIUS

8

49

QATAR

8

50

SOUTH KOREA

8

51

SUDAN

8

52

INDONESIA

7

53

ETHIOPIA

6

54

LEBANON

6

55

LIBYA

6

56

MOROCCO

6

57

POLAND

6

58

SAUDI ARABIA

6

59

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

6

60

BAHRAIN

5

61

JAMAICA

5

62

PANAMA

5

63

SYRIA

5

64

VIETNAM

5

65

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

4

66

BANGLADESH

4

67

BARBADOS

4

68

BELARUS

4

69

CHILE

4

70

COLOMBIA

4

71

CZECH REPUBLIC

4

72

GEORGIA

4

73

GREECE

4

74

NAMIBIA

4

75

PERU

4

76

TAIWAN

4

77

TANZANIA

4

78

VENEZUELA

4

79

BERMUDA

3

80

BOTSWANA

3

81

CAYMAN ISLANDS

3

82

GIBRALTAR

3

83

KUWAIT

3

84

MONACO

3

85

OMAN

3

86

SRI LANKA

3

87

YEMEN

3

88

ALBANIA

2

89

BAHAMAS

2

90

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

2

91

CAMEROON

2

92

COSTA RICA

2

93

GHANA

2

94

GUATEMALA

2

95

HUNGARY

2

96

IRAN

2

97

MALAWI

2

98

PUERTO RICO

2

99

SERBIA

2

100

TUNISIA

2

101

UGANDA

2

102

URUGUAY

2

103

BHUTAN

1

104

BOLIVIA

1

105

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

1

106

BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

1

107

CAMBODIA, KINGDOM OF

1

108

CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

1

109

CROATIA

1

110

DOMINICA

1

111

ECUADOR

1

112

FIJI

1

113

FINLAND

1

114

GAMBIA

1

115

HAITI

1

116

HONDURAS

1

117

KAZAKHSTAN

1

118

LATVIA

1

119

LESOTHO

1

120

MACAU

1

121

MACEDONIA

1

122

MARSHALL ISLANDS

1

123

NORWAY

1

124

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

1

125

PARAGUAY

1

126

PORTUGAL

1

127

ROMANIA

1

128

S. GEORGIA AND S. SANDWICH ISLS

1

129

ST. LUCIA

1

130

TOGO

1

131

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

1

United Nations

Questions (142, 143)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

142. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 10 May 2018, the progress made regarding discussions in relation to the creation of a UN parliamentary assembly in view of the recent decision at the 42nd Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44757/18]

View answer

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

143. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if officials in his Department are involved in discussions regarding the creation of a UN parliamentary assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44758/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

I have taken note of the declaration, adopted last month at the 42nd Plenary Meeting of the World Forum of United Nations Associations in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, calling for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Association. Ireland remains open-minded on the concept of such an assembly. My Department will consider how best to engage on this proposal as it progresses.

Since joining the United Nations in 1955, Ireland has been strongly committed to the values and principles of the UN Charter.

As a strong supporter of the UN, Ireland continues to advocate, through a range of fora, for reform of the UN’s structures and systems to best equip the organisation to respond to the many and interlinked current global challenges.

Ireland is committed, in this context, to consider proposals seeking to improve the effectiveness of the UN and the contribution it can make to the peace, stability and development of all nations.

I believe that any proposals for a UN Parliamentary Assembly should add value to the multilateral governance system and, importantly, have broad support among the UN membership.

Brexit Issues

Questions (144)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

144. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department is monitoring the correspondence it receives regarding Brexit; if so, the areas which are of most concern to those contacting his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44759/18]

View answer

Written answers

All correspondence received by me or by my Department concerning Brexit is brought to the attention of the appropriate officials. On Brexit, we receive correspondence from a wide variety of organisations, groups and individuals. The subjects range from views and queries on technical aspects of the negotiations or our preparedness activities to more general observations regarding Brexit itself.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (145)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

145. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he, his departmental officials and or his ministerial predecessors have met companies and an organisation (details supplied) or representatives of same in the past three years to date; if so, if a schedule of those meetings and the associated minutes will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44777/18]

View answer

Written answers

In the past three years, I have not met with representatives of the named company or organisation. In the course of the work of my Department, there is regular interaction with prominent Irish citizens, including for example at Irish community or other official functions and correspondence can arise in relation to such events. For example, an invitation issued to a person from the named company, from my predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan, TD, to attend the Global Irish Economic Forum in 2015, but the individual did not attend.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (146)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

146. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date in addressing the undocumented Irish in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44843/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Government continues to pursue two key objectives with regard to Irish immigration to the United States; firstly, increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US; and secondly, seeking some form of relief for undocumented Irish citizens living in the US. 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. I have also prioritised this issue in my own engagements with the US Administration and Congress, and discussed it most recently with Congressman Richie Neal last week in Dublin.

The Government’s Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented, Deputy John Deasy, has also been active on the issue and has, since his appointment, travelled to Washington, D.C., on eleven separate occasions for meetings with key contacts.

In addition, our Embassy in Washington, D.C., continues to engage on an ongoing basis with the Administration and with a wide range of contacts on Capitol Hill.

Through these many high-level contacts and discussions, the Government continues to explore a number of different options. This remains a very challenging issue, however. Immigration reform has been a sensitive and 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, from many different countries of origin.

On the welfare of the undocumented Irish, the Embassy, as well as our six Consulates across the United States, work closely with Irish Immigration Centers, which support the needs of Irish citizens in the United States, including those who are undocumented. These Centers all receive annual funding from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme to support their important work.

I can assure the Deputy that both the Taoiseach and I, together with our Government colleagues, Special Envoy Deputy Deasy, and our Embassy in Washington, D.C., will continue to give full priority to these issues.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (147, 148)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

147. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the location of the submissions made to the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44860/18]

View answer

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consultations undertaken by his Department in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44878/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.

In accordance with “Reaching Out - Guidelines on Consultation for Public Sector Bodies”, and its 2016 successor, “Consultation Principles and Guidance”, my Department undertakes consultation, where appropriate, with citizens in a meaningful and timely manner. The ultimate objective is to ensure better outcomes and understanding by all of a particular policy or legislative proposal.

In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, my Department has produced five distinct Statements of Strategy over the past ten years (2008-2018). As part of the drafting process for each of these, external consultations with Government Departments and State Agencies were undertaken. Public consultations were also undertaken in the development of the Statement of Strategy in 2010, 2011 and 2016.

A Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid was undertaken in 2012 and was led by the Minister of State for Trade and Development. Public consultation took place between February and April 2012. Overall, over one thousand people were consulted during review and 165 written submissions were received. The Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group provided independent oversight for the Review. A new policy to guide Ireland’s role in international development, “One World, One Future” , was launched in May 2013.

An extensive public consultation process was undertaken between November 2013 and February 2014 as part of the Foreign Policy Review 2015. The Foreign Policy Review was a broad-based examination of Ireland’s foreign policy and led to the publication of “The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World” . These consultations also fed into the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2015-2017.

In October 2013, at the third Global Irish Economic Forum, the Government announced that a review of our diaspora policy would be undertaken; following which a consultation paper was launched on 18 March, 2014. More than 130 written submissions were received.

On 24 June 2014, the Government decided to develop a National Plan for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The coordinating role for developing the Plan was assigned to my Department which adopted an inclusive and collaborative approach to developing the Plan, working closely with Government Departments, State Agencies, business enterprises and civil society. My Department’s annual Civil Society Forum in that year was dedicated to the theme of “Business and Human Rights - Implementing the UN Guiding Principles ”. This event was attended by approximately 250 civil society actors.

In February 2015, my Department initiated a public consultation which received over 30 submissions and hosted a workshop with business and civil society representatives to discuss priorities for the Plan. In January 2016, a consultation event was held in Iveagh House on the Working Outline of Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights. Following an invitation for submissions based on the Working Outline, responses were received from civil society and the business community. The “National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights ” was launched in November 2017.

In 2015 in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 my Department drafted our second Irish language scheme. The scheme was drafted to comply with our obligations under the Act and to ensure better availability and a higher standard of public services through Irish. The Department invited submissions in relation to the preparation of the scheme from any interested parties.

In December 2017, I asked Ireland’s Ambassador in Berlin, Michael Collins, to undertake a comprehensive review of our relations with Germany. As part of the review, an extensive programme of consultations was undertaken with key stakeholders. Details of these consultations are set out in the published review, “Ireland in Germany: A Wider and Deeper Footprint ”.

During the first half of 2018 my Department organised a series of Citizens’ Dialogues; engagement with key stakeholders and other events across the country focused on the Future of Europe. The public were invited to contribute to the wider European debate by attending one of these events or making a submission online. Regional events were held in counties Galway, Kildare, Cork, Donegal, as well as an NGO forum in Dublin. This culminated in the National Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin on Europe Day, 9th May last. This event was hosted by Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D. and myself, along with 250 members of the public and civil society representatives.

Last year I said that the Government would bring forward a new policy on international development, echoed in the Global Ireland document in which the Government committed to publishing a new White Paper on Ireland’s International Development Cooperation. The intention is to publish the White Paper before the end of the year.

I launched a public consultation on the new international development policy on 12 July 2018. This was on the basis of a public consultation document generated following a series of meetings with stakeholders across my Department and in other Government Departments, as well as a number of thematic workshops. The public consultation concluded on 2 October 2018. Over 185 substantive written submissions were received from Irish people and non-governmental organisations, as well as UN and other international bodies. Another 14,000 emails expressing general support for the aid programme were received. Five well-attended public meetings were held, in Cork, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, and Dublin.

The submissions received as part of these various consultation processes are retained by the appropriate business units of my Department, with details of each process, and the resulting reports and outcomes published on my Department’s website, www.dfat.ie or www.irishaid.ie, as appropriate.

There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.

The following table provides summary information on each of the consultations outlined:

Date

Title/ Subject

Public

Government Departments

Location

August 2010

Statement of Strategy 2011-2013

Yes

Yes

Statement of Strategy 2011-2014

DFAT / Website Internal DFAT Records

July 2011

Statement of Strategy 2011-2014

Yes

Yes

Statement of Strategy 2011-2014

DFAT Website/ Internal DFAT Records

November 2011

1st National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

Yes

No

National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 2011 – 2014

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

February 2012

Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid

Yes

No

One World, One Future

Irish Aid Website/ Internal DFAT Records

December 2013

2015 Foreign Policy Review

Yes

Yes

The Global Island

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

March 2014

Review of Ireland’s Engagement with the Diaspora

Yes

No

Review of Ireland’s Engagement with the Diaspora

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

December 2014

Statement of Strategy 2015-2017

No

Yes

Statement of Strategy 2015-2017

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

January 2015

2nd National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

Yes

No

National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 2015 – 2018

DFAT Website/ Internal DFAT Records

February 2015

Workshop on Business & Human Rights

Yes

No

National Plan on Business and Human Rights

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

June 2015

Language Scheme in compliance with the Official Languages Act 2003

Yes

No

Internal DFAT Records

January 2016

Business & Human Rights Consultation Event

Yes

No

National Plan on Business and Human Rights

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

October 2016

Statement of Strategy 2017-2019

Yes

Yes

Statement of Strategy 2016-2019

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

September 2017

Statement of Strategy 2016-2019

No

Yes

Statement of Strategy 2016-2019

DFAT Website/ Internal DFAT Records

December 2017

Ireland in Germany – A Deeper & Wider Footprint

Yes

No

Ireland in Germany – A Deeper & Wider Footprint

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

Jan - May 2018

7 “Future of Europe” Consultation Events

Yes

No

Future of Europe

DFAT Website/Internal DFAT Records

July – Oct 2018

Ireland's New White Paper on International Development

Yes

Yes

White paper to be published before end of 2018

Internal DFAT Records

Consular Services Provision

Questions (149)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

149. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to establish an honorary consulate in a country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44918/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department regularly reviews the network of Honorary Consuls and, in the context of making new appointments, it takes into account the need to provide for the welfare of Irish citizens, resident or visiting, as well as the prospect of developing trade and economic relations with the country or region concerned. In principle, I am open to the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Haiti if the demand for services exists and a suitable candidate is available. I will ask my officials to make contact with the organisation named by the Deputy and discuss the matter further with them. Under the EU Consular Protection Directive, Irish nationals may seek assistance from the Embassy or Consulate of any other EU member state in a country where there is no Irish Embassy or permanent representation.

Election Monitoring Missions

Questions (150)

Niall Collins

Question:

150. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to plans to send international observers to observe the upcoming elections in Bahrain in view of the deteriorating human rights situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44959/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has not received a request to send international observers to observe the upcoming elections in Bahrain at this time. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of individuals which can be drawn upon in the event of a request for election observers from the EU or OSCE. In the event that there is a decision to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission to Bahrain, Ireland would of course be willing to respond to a call for observers.

Ireland is committed to encouraging full participation in democratic processes. As stated previously in Dáil Éireann, the considerable restriction of civil and political society space in Bahrain are particularly worrying in light of the upcoming elections. Those who express views which oppose or challenge the government have increasingly been targeted, including through parliamentary election processes.

Ireland regularly conveys its concerns about human rights to the Bahraini authorities, including through the Bahraini Embassy in London and through Ireland’s (non-resident) Ambassador to Bahrain. Ireland has also raised the issues of civil society space, as well as freedom of opinion and expression in Bahrain, at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, in the form of national statements and support for EU Statements.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to monitor the situation in Bahrain, and will continue to call on Bahrain to make progress in the area of human rights and civil and political rights.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (151)

Jack Chambers

Question:

151. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he is taking at EU level in conjunction with his European counterparts to address the situation and famine in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44970/18]

View answer

Written answers

I remain gravely concerned about the escalating crisis in Yemen and deeply troubled by reports of the threat of famine, of widespread disease, and of violations of basic human rights. After over three years of armed conflict, a stalled peace process and a severe economic decline which has accelerated the collapse of essential basic services and institutions, Yemen is in the grip of a large-scale, protracted humanitarian crisis. The UN reports that 17.8 million people are currently food insecure, including 8.4 million severely so – 24% more than in 2017. Critical public services in health, water and sanitation, and education are increasingly limited. The UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Lise Grande, has warned that as many as 13 million civilians are at risk if the fighting continues. Ireland joins our EU partners in urging all parties to cooperate in order to achieve a political resolution, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access and the free flow of commercial goods.

Ireland is doing what we can to address the devastating humanitarian situation and try and help alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people. Since 2015, Ireland has provided almost €16.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen. This includes a contribution of €4 million made to the UN Yemen Humanitarian Fund this year, which provides assistance in the areas of education, logistics, food security, nutrition and health.

Ireland also provides humanitarian support to Yemen through our contributions to EU funds. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2015, the EU has contributed a total of €438.2 million to Yemen, which includes humanitarian, development, stabilisation and resilience support.

However, it is crucial that we also push for a resolution of the conflict which is the ultimate cause of the suffering of so many civilians. This has been one of my consistent messages to all parties to the conflict. Officers from my Department consistently convey the Government’s strong concerns to the Saudi, United Arab Emirates and Iranian Embassies in Dublin. And I myself met with the Saudi Ambassador last month and stressed the importance that Ireland puts on this issue.

Ireland is looking to use our leverage in other multilateral fora to focus on the situation in Yemen. At the human Rights Council in September 2017 Ireland was part of a core group of countries which ensured the establishment of a Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen to investigate alleged violations of human rights and contraventions of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict. In September of this year, Ireland worked to ensure the extension of the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts for another year.

EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation at our meeting in June 2018 with the UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths. All were in agreement on the need to continue our strong support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to bring about a political solution to the conflict. Since June the talks have stalled and Mr. Griffiths is making every effort to restart the negotiations. We continue to call on all parties to work towards a ceasefire, and engage constructively with the UN, and I expect that there will be further discussion on Yemen at the Foreign Affairs Council in the coming months.

Departmental Funding

Questions (152)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

152. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding provided by his Department or an agency under his auspices to a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45089/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Government is strongly committed to delivering Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme effectively and efficiently, providing humanitarian assistance, and contributing to the fight against global poverty and hunger, both bilaterally, in partnership with other donors, with NGOs, and through working with multilateral partners such as the UN. In September 2000, world leaders at the UN Millennium Summit committed their nations to reducing extreme poverty and set targets with a deadline of 2015, known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs informed the strategic direction of Ireland’s development cooperation in the period to 2015. Global progress toward the eight MDG objectives was reported upon annually by the United Nations.

Among the many international responses to the challenge of meeting the MDGs was the project referred to in the question. This was a 10 year, multi-sector, rural development project, initiated in 2005, operating across ten sites in ten sub-Saharan African countries. Ireland did not directly fund this particular project through our development programme, as it was decided that Irish development assistance could achieve better outcomes by focusing on areas of Irish expertise.

In September 2015, Heads of State and Government of United Nations (UN) Member States, including Ireland, adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (“Transforming our Word”) . The centrepiece of the Agenda is the Sustainable Development Goals, which replace the MDGs.

International Election Monitoring

Questions (153)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

153. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason Ireland has scaled back the number of observers it is sending to the 2018 elections in Georgia compared to previous elections in 2013 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45171/18]

View answer

Written answers

International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of election observers for such missions. 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 and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Following a request from the OSCE to nominate election observers in respect of the Presidential Elections in Georgia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade circulated the call to members of the Election Roster. Following receipt and consideration of applications, the Department nominated one Long-Term Observers and five Short-Term Observers to observe these Elections. The number of observers nominated is in line with the numbers nominated for other OSCE Election Observation Missions.

Information relating to the number of observers deployed is periodically published on the Department’s Election Observation webpage and is updated after observers have deployed to the Election Observation Mission.

The number of observers which deployed to Election Observation Missions in Georgia in 2013, 2016, and 2018 are listed in the following table.

Year

Long-term Observers

Short-term Observers

Total

2013

1

10

11

2016

1

5

6

2018

1

5

6

Departmental Contracts

Questions (154)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

154. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a company (details supplied) has undertaken work within his Department's remit to build or renovate projects over the past ten years; if so, the project name and location; the year in which it was built; if building fire safety inspections have been carried out on the projects since construction; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45201/18]

View answer

Written answers

Renovation and building projects for any properties occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the State are discharged by the Office of Public Works. My Department has not engaged the named company to undertake any work outside the State over the past ten years.

Human Rights

Questions (155, 156)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

155. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking with his EU foreign Minister colleagues to address the reports of human rights violations in Xinjiang directed at the Uighur nation in north west China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45328/18]

View answer

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

156. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the actions of Irish and EU diplomats in China in ascertaining if large numbers of Uighur citizens have been incarcerated in retraining concentration camps in Xinjiang; the actions Ireland and the EU will now take to end this illegal practice by China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45329/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.

The Irish Government, along with our EU partners, has been closely following reports regarding the treatment of the Uighur community and other minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Ireland aligns with the statement issued by the European External Action Service Spokesperson on 26 October, which reiterates the EU’s concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Xinjiang, and calls for China to respect freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of expression, as well as the rights of persons belonging to ethnic or national minorities.

In addition, a speech on behalf of HRVP Mogherini at the European Parliament on 4 October set out EU concerns, and drew attention in particular to the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) which highlights reports of the mass detention of Uighurs and other minorities in political re-education camps. She called for China to engage constructively with the Committee’s recommendations.

This speech also noted that the EU had raised the situation in Xinjiang and at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue which took place on 9-10 July had reiterated its request for fact-finding visits to Xinjiang. This annual dialogue is the primary formal framework through which the EU engages in discussion in the field of human rights protection and promotion with China.

From Ireland’s perspective, the situation in Xinjiang was raised at a bilateral level with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, Mr Wang Chao, during his visit to Ireland last week when he undertook political consultations covering a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

In addition to raising human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities at a bilateral level, these issues are also raised regularly in multilateral fora by both Ireland and the EU. In this context, the EU has raised concerns regarding the situation in Xinjiang during the most recent session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in September 2018, and during the current session of the UN General Assembly Third Committee on 26 October.

Ireland, along with a number of other Member States, have also raised the situation in Xinjiang during our contribution to China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which took place this morning in Geneva. The UPR is the mechanism through which the United Nations Human Rights Council examines and addresses the human rights performance of its member states.

In addition to engaging with the Chinese authorities in Beijing on this issue, a number of EU diplomats have visited Xinjiang in recent months to ascertain the situation on the ground there.

The Irish Government, together with our EU partners, will continue to raise human rights issues with China, in frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing, and through the relevant multilateral channels.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (157)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

157. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that each Minister of State in his Department has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45459/18]

View answer

Written answers

In the past three years, the Ministers of State at my Department have not met nor had correspondence with the named individual. In the course of the work of my Department, there is regular interaction with prominent Irish citizens, including for example at Irish community or other official functions and correspondence can arise in relation to such events. For example, an invitation issued to the named individual to attend the Global Irish Economic Forum in 2015, but the individual did not attend.

Consular Services Provision

Questions (158)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

158. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the consular assistance being provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45530/18]

View answer

Written answers

I can confirm to the Deputy that I am fully aware of this difficult and long-running consular case. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing extensive and ongoing consular assistance to this citizen and his family since 2011, including through our Embassy in Abu Dhabi which has been engaging continuously with the local Foreign Ministry and other relevant local authorities. Earlier this year the Embassy facilitated this citizen’s access to medical treatment and stands ready to do whatever it can to help with any further practical assistance.

The Government, through the Irish Embassy, has been active in support of his request that he be permitted to return to Ireland, and my Department, our Ambassador and his team will continue to follow up on this matter with the relevant local authorities.

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