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Tuesday, 16 Apr 2019

Written Answers Nos. 1-65

Female Genital Mutilation

Questions (58)

Denis Naughten

Question:

58. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress being made to ban female genital mutilation at both EU and UN level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17398/19]

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Written answers

Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting is a fundamental violation of the human rights of women and girls. It is nearly always carried out on minors.  Approximately 3.6 million girls are at risk of being subjected to FGM in any given year.  According to a recent World Health Organisation report, there are 200 million girls and women in 30 countries affected by FGM. While there has been an overall decline in the prevalence of FGM in the last three decades, not all countries have made progress and the pace of change has been uneven.

In 2018, Ireland co-sponsored resolutions in the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly calling for the intensification of efforts to eliminate FGM.  Ireland also provides support to a number of UN agencies, including UNICEF and UNFPA to address this issue. UNFPA and UNICEF jointly lead the largest global programme to accelerate the abandonment of FGM which currently focuses on 17 African countries with the highest prevalence of FGM. The programme supports the development of legislation outlawing FGM; funds community and media education initiatives on FGM; and provides training to improve health care services for those affected. 

In addition, the European Union and the UN are collaborating on a new, global initiative - the Spotlight Initiative - focusing on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls, with an emphasis on  specific regions. In Africa, the Spotlight Initiative is concentrating on sexual and gender based violence and harmful practises such as FGM as well as addressing links to sexual reproductive health and rights.

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Questions (59)

Seán Crowe

Question:

59. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance his Department is providing to Mozambique to recover from the devastation brought by Cyclone Idai (details supplied); and if he will report the response of Ireland to the disaster and humanitarian crisis. [17561/19]

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Written answers

Cyclone Idai has had a devastating effect across Southern Africa, with over 1,000 people killed, and over three million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Mozambique has been particularly badly affected, with an estimated 1.85m people affected.

Ireland has to date directly allocated over €2.3 million to the crisis response across the region, including contributions to the International Federation of the Red Cross, the World Food Programme, the air lifting of life-saving relief supplies to Mozambique, and funding to Irish NGOs for emergency response.

Given the particular level of need in Mozambique, we have allocated over €1.9 million to the crisis response in the country to date. Ireland’s Embassy in Mozambique is working with partners on the ground in response to the crisis, and will continue its work to ensure that Ireland’s development cooperation programme in Mozambique supports the most vulnerable now and in the future.

Ireland also contributes to humanitarian response through our support to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund. Ireland has been one of the top ten donors to this Fund since its creation in 2005, and contributed €10 million in 2019. $20 million funding from CERF was released immediately following the impact of Cyclone Idai, ensuring that an international humanitarian response could be implemented quickly.

As a Member State of the EU, Ireland also directly contributes to EU humanitarian assistance. We welcome the allocation of over €15 million by the EU to the humanitarian response to Cyclone Idai.

Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 52.

Brexit Negotiations

Questions (61)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

61. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if regulatory alignment on agriculture matters post the UK leaving the European Union has been discussed and agreed as part of the negotiations between the EU Brexit negotiating team and the UK Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17193/19]

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Written answers

The Withdrawal Agreement, as approved by the European Council and agreed with the British Government in November, provides for a period of transition, up to December 2020, during which EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK, including regulatory alignment on agriculture matters. 

Under the measures included in the backstop, should it need to be invoked, a UK-wide customs territory would apply, ensuring no tariffs or quotas. Rules with regard to ensuring a level playing field would also apply. Northern Ireland would remain aligned to those rules of the Single Market that are indispensable to avoiding a hard border. As regards the movement of animals and agricultural products between North and South, this would provide for complete regulatory alignment, including with respect to sanitary and pyhtosanitary (SPS) controls, and rules on agricultural production and marketing.

It remains our priority to achieve a future relationship agreement that can resolve all these issues, and obviate the need for the backstop. 

As set out in the Political Declaration agreed between the EU and the UK, cooperation in the area of agriculture and trade in agri-food products have been identified as important aspects of the future trading relationship. Ireland wants the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, including in the area of trade, and in particular as regards agriculture and trade in agri-foods. This will be a priority for us in negotiations on the future relationship.

Brexit Preparations

Questions (62)

James Browne

Question:

62. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with his UK counterpart the issue of border checks on trucks originating here and arriving in the UK from Rosslare Europort but that plan to travel onwards to another country within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17257/19]

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Written answers

The Government’s preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government given its importance for Irish exporters and importers as a means of access to the rest of the single market, in particular with regard to agri-food products. This is an important issue with regard to protecting the competitiveness of our producers and ensuring continued unhampered access to the EU Single Market.

Retaining the effective use of the landbridge post-Brexit has been discussed at both political and official level with the UK and the EU. As a result of these contacts, the importance of maintaining the landbridge has been recognised through the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the draft Withdrawal Agreement. This reaffirms the commitment of the UK to facilitate the efficient and timely transit through the UK of goods moving from Ireland to another EU Member State or another country, or vice versa.

To this end, I welcome the EU's agreement that the UK will join the Common Transit Convention upon its departure from the EU, and that the formal process required for this to happen has concluded. The UK’s accession to the Common Travel Convention will play an important role in ensuring Ireland’s access to other EU Member States via the UK landbridge. Work has been ongoing in partnership the European Commission and affected Member States with regard to the Union's internal transit procedures and infrastructural solutions at EU ports to facilitate transit post-Brexit and is progressing well, though the risk of delays in a no deal Brexit scenario remains a concern notably on the Dover-Calais route.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (63, 73, 87)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

63. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the impasse in Venezuela and the views of many that the EU and NATO-allied countries have shown hypocrisy in their reaction to the situation in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17595/19]

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Clare Daly

Question:

73. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to call for a lifting of the sanctions on Venezuela, which are causing significant hardship for the population, as a first step in internationally facilitated talks between all sides in the country to resolve the present crisis. [17540/19]

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Mick Wallace

Question:

87. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his decision to support a person (details supplied) will be reconsidered with regard to the interim presidency of Venezuela; if he will consider working for a peaceful solution to the developments in Venezuela; if he will raise a case for this approach at the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17604/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 73 and 87 together.

I am deeply concerned by the grave humanitarian situation in Venezuela, where conditions have deteriorated further due to the devastating impact of recent blackouts. Ireland, along with our EU partners, has repeatedly called on President Maduro to acknowledge the full scale of the humanitarian crisis. Reports of ongoing serious human rights violations in Venezuela, including a growing risk of violence, are also deeply troubling.

The EU has provided €117m in assistance since 2018. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the EU's International Contact Group (ICG) to enable urgent delivery of humanitarian aid in line with humanitarian principles. I also welcome the establishment of the UN coordination mechanism for the delivery of aid in the country.

The International Contact Group aims to facilitate a peaceful, democratic solution to the crisis, by seeking to put in place conditions to allow for a political process to take place. It is important to note that the ICG, whose membership includes EU MS and countries from the region, is currently the only international diplomatic mechanism that is engaging with both sides and all stakeholders. I welcome its progress to date and fully support its important work. At its most recent meeting on 28 March, it reaffirmed that the multiple crisis affecting Venezuela can only have a political, peaceful, democratic and Venezuelan-owned solution, excluding the use of force, through the holding of free, transparent and credible presidential elections as soon as possible.

The EU has also put in place targeted sanctions, including an embargo on arms, and targeted measures against those responsible for human rights violations, and undermining democracy and the rule of law.

On 6 February, Ireland joined the vast majority of other EU MS in acknowledging and supporting Mr. Guaidó, President of the democratically elected National Assembly, as President ad interim of Venezuela, in order for him to call for free, fair and democratic presidential elections. This remains the position of 24 EU Member States, including Ireland.

Ireland is committed to bringing about a peaceful solution that gives the Venezuelan people the opportunity to decide their own future through democratic elections, in line with international standards. Venezuela was discussed on 8 April at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting and I will continue to engage on Venezuela at future meetings.

Visa Agreements

Questions (64)

Denis Naughten

Question:

64. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if progress has been made on establishing an E3 visa agreement between Ireland and the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17399/19]

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Written answers

I and my Government colleagues regret that it did not prove possible to secure passage of the Irish E3 Visa Bill in December, during the last term of the outgoing US Congress. That Bill, if passed, would have provided for an important new legal pathway for Irish citizens to live, work and make a valuable contribution in the US.

While this was disappointing news for all who care about the Ireland-US relationship, it is important to acknowledge the strong support received from many quarters for Ireland's position on securing a legal pathway for Irish citizens wishing to live and work in the US - support which is testament to the depth and strength of our transatlantic relationship.

Following my meetings in Washington DC in February, and the Taoiseach's meetings over the St. Patrick's Day period, it is our hope that an E3 Bill will be reintroduced in the US House of Representatives in the coming weeks, and possibly sooner.  Should that be the case, the Bill will need to sucessfully advance through the same process, as undertaken at the end of last year. It would therefore need a majority to pass the US House of Representatives and would need no votes against in the US Senate.  This will again be a difficult task, with no guarantee of success.  Given the importance of this issue for the continued development of the Ireland-US relationship, my Department, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., and Special Envoy to the US Congress on the Undocumented, John Deasy T.D., will once again work together to ensure the passage of the Bill on this occasion.

Human Rights

Questions (65)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

65. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he and his EU colleagues are taking to bring to an end the incarceration of a reported 2 million Uighur men in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/19]

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Written answers

I am deeply concerned about the situation in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in particular the treatment of Uighur Muslims and the detention of a significant number of people in re-education camps. 

We take the reports regarding this situation very seriously and have raised our concerns with our Chinese counterparts, in bilateral meetings, through our EU engagement, and in multilateral contexts.

I discussed the subject with China's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Chao, during political consultations held in Dublin last year. Ireland's concerns about the situation in Xinjiang are also raised in our contacts with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin and through our Embassy in Beijing.

Ireland participated in China’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which was held in November 2018.  As well as expressing concern at reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs, in particular their detention in political re-education camps, we urged China to respect freedom of religion and belief and recommended that China grant access to the OHCHR to all regions of the country including Xinjiang.

The EU also continues to raise concerns regarding freedom of religion and belief at bilateral and multilateral levels. The topic was raised during the most recent EU-China Summit held on the 9 April, and was discussed in more detail during the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue on the 1 April. During this dialogue the EU noted that while actions to counter terrorism are essential, such measures must respect the principle of proportionality, fundamental freedoms and international laws. The EU raised the system of political re-education camps and called on China to allow meaningful, unsupervised and unrestricted access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Procedures. 

At the most recent session of the UN Human Rights Council in March, the EU raised concerns about the existence of political re-education camps and widespread surveillance and restrictions particularly targeted at Uighurs in Xinjiang, and again urged China to allow meaningful access to Xinjiang for independent observers. Ireland fully supports the EU position, and actively contributes to its actions and statements.

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