Written Answers Nos. 70-89
70. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if swimming lessons will be re-instated during level 3 Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will take into consideration correspondence from a group (details supplied) on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37291/20]
View answerThe Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan 2020-2021 provides for indoor individual training only at Level 3. It also states explicitly that there should be no exercise classes at this level. My Department has issued guidance to the sports and leisure sector confirming that group swimming lessons are not permitted in Level 3. Only one-to-one swimming instruction is permitted in Level 3.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions, including those currently applying to swimming pools.
71. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of her Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37187/20]
View answerIreland regrets the UK’s decision to leave the EU, although we respect it.
From 1 January 2021, many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally as we will no longer share EU membership. However, the Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship following the end of the transition period. Strong and vibrant connections are vital with our closest neighbour and trading partner. Both Ireland and the UK remain co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and are committed to the ongoing maintenance of the Common Travel Area and its associated rights and privileges.
It is clear that Brexit, in any form, will have significant impacts in Ireland including those sectors of the economy that come under the remit of my Department such as Tourism and Údarás na Gaeltachta supported companies. The Department of Finance has projected over the medium-term the level of GDP would be around 2% – 3.25 % lower relative to a hypothetical status quo scenario, with most of the impact in the first year or so.
As the Deputy will be aware the Minister for Foreign Affairs has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, that Department continues to working closely with colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies. The Government has been planning for Brexit since before the UK referendum to ensure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all possible scenarios. On 9 September, the Government published its Brexit Readiness Action Plan, which details the actions Government will take and the actions citizens and businesses should take to prepare for the end of the transition period. Citizens and businesses should now finalise their readiness work for the end of the transition period. This work will continue in the weeks ahead.
72. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will request the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to provide additional sound and vision funding to the sector covering the period September 2020 to February 2021 similar to the scheme rolled out in April 2020. [37215/20]
View answerDuring 2020, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) held two closed rounds for radio, targeted at the independent commercial and community radio sectors respectively.
In June 2020, the BAI awarded €2.5m Sound and Vision funding to 32 independent commercial radio stations across the country supporting public awareness and understanding of COVID-19. This was in addition to a waiver on the broadcasting levy for the independent radio sector for Q1 and Q2 2020 which saved the sector €1m.
In addition, the BAI distributed €750,000 this year in a special round for the community radio sector.
The purpose of the Sound and Vision Scheme is to support eligible content across the broadcasting sector as a whole, ensuring a balanced and fair approach. In light of the ongoing challenges faced by the sector, I secured an additional €2m in exchequer funding for the Sound and Vision Scheme under the July Stimulus Package. This greatly enhanced the funding available for the final round of the Scheme this year (round 37), bringing its total value to €4.5m. This funding round is open to those elements of the radio sector that were not eligible for the rounds to commercial and community radio earlier in the year, namely independent audio producers and public service radio. In addition, the round is open to independent audiovisual producers, and commercial, community and public service television stations.
The Broadcasting Fund which comprises the Sound and Vision and Archiving Schemes is financed by 7% of net licence fee receipts and payments are made to the BAI monthly. The BAI is currently finalising the most recent round and no decisions regarding 2021 rounds have been made as yet.
73. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason Fáilte Ireland is informing shopping centres that they are eligible for the Covid-19 adaptation fund only to discover upon submission of application that they are not. [37247/20]
View answerThe administration of the COVID-19 Adaptation Fund is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
74. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent of capital or current funding provided for sporting or cultural activities in County Cork in each of the past four years both from proceeds of the national lottery and other sources; the intended future expenditure from each source for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37340/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware my Department was established in June of this year bringing together functions previously under the remit of three Departments of State. Details of the annual funding allocation to my Department at subhead level are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume. Through these subheads, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website while details of expenditure by Departments are available in the annual Appropriation Accounts.
Funds raised by the National Lottery are transferred to the Exchequer and are used to part-finance expenditure by various Government Departments on projects in these categories. Details of National Lottery funding received by my Department under the Sports Capital Programme and for the promotion of Art and Cultural activities sponsored by my Department are published in the annual Appropriation Accounts for this Department.
Details of exchequer capital funding provided by my Department for the provision of Sports, Culture and Arts related purposes and activities in County Cork for the period 2016 to 2020 are set out below. Details of allocations for 2021 will be published in the Revised Estimates Volume.
Sports Capital Programme
The Sports Capital Programme is part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery however the details of all allocations and payments made each year under the programme are published annually.
Cultural Schemes
The Department operates a range of Schemes and details of expenditure as requested are summarised below.
Capital Funding to Cork
Arts & Culture Capital Scheme 2016 – 2018 (Allocated in 2017)
|
Organisation |
Grant € |
|
Cork Butter Museum Limited |
41,424 |
|
Cork County Council / Briery Gap |
250,000 |
|
Sirius Arts Centre |
5,054 |
|
West Cork Arts Centre |
1,272 |
|
St. Peters Cork Leisure World |
7,196 |
|
Triskel Arts Centre CLG |
11,960 |
|
Banteer Old School Heritage and Drama Trust (T/A Glen Theatre) |
12,262 |
|
Conna Community Council |
2,200 |
|
Cyclone Reparatory |
9,513 |
|
Wandesford Quay Ltd (WQL) |
90,842 |
|
The Everyman Palace Ltd |
155,463 |
|
Cork Opera House DAC |
176,288 |
|
Firkin Crane Ltd, |
150,000 |
Digitisation Scheme (Allocation in 2017)
|
Organisation |
Grant € |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
18,000 |
Other Projects
|
Organisation |
Grant € |
Year |
Project |
|
UCC |
47,818 |
2019 |
RTÉ/UCC Atlas of the Irish Revolution digital tools |
|
RTÉ Cork /UCC |
67,000 |
2020 |
The Great Hunger Online Digital Resources |
ACCESS II Scheme payments made between 2017-date
|
Organisation |
Grant/payment made |
Scheme |
Year payment made |
|
Cork County Council (re West Cork Arts Centre) |
€500,000 |
ACCESS II |
2017 |
|
Cork County Council (re West Cork Arts Centre) |
86,591 |
ACCESS II |
2018 |
Creative Ireland Programme
Under Pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme – “Enabling Creativity in Every Community” – my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government provide funding to each of the 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies and support an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county. For example, for the period 2018 - 2020, this equated to an individual annual local authority allocation of €96,774.
In 2020, my Department also provided additional funding for local authorities through the Creative Ireland Programme for further initiatives and projects. In Cork County, this included an allocation of €50,000 under the July Stimulus Package and €12,500 under the Positive Ageing and Creative Wellbeing scheme. Cork City Council were also allocated €50,000 under the July Stimulus Package and €15,000 under the Positive Ageing and Creative Wellbeing scheme.
It should also be noted that my Department, through the Creative Ireland Programme, additionally provides an annual allocation to each local authority to support the delivery of Cruinniú na nÓg – the national day of free creative activities for children and young people under 18 years, at local level.
Through the Creative Ireland Programme, funding provided to Cork City Council and Cork County Council for the period 2017-2020 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Cork City Council Allocation |
Cork County Allocation |
|
2017 |
€64,516 |
€64,516 |
|
2018 |
€145,755 |
€104,153 |
|
2019 |
€125,774 |
€120,551 |
|
2020 |
€204,760 |
€176,457 |
|
Total |
€540,805 |
€465,677 |
Funding to Cork 2016 to 2020
|
Year |
Scheme |
Organisation |
Funding Allocated |
|
2016 |
Co-operation with Northern Ireland Funding Scheme |
Munster Literature Centre |
€1,500 |
|
2016 |
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
The Glucksman |
€ 6,375 |
|
2016 |
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
Cork Butter Museum |
€ 1,361 |
|
2016 |
Local Festivals & Summer Schools Funding Scheme |
Ballydehob Festival |
€ 1,500 |
|
2016 |
Culture Night |
Cork County Council |
€ 8,000 |
|
2016 |
Culture Night |
Cork City Council |
€ 10,000 |
|
2017 |
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
The Glucksman |
€ 10,000 |
|
2017 |
Culture Night |
Cork County Council |
€ 10,000 |
|
2017 |
Culture Night |
Cork City Council |
€ 10,000 |
|
2018 |
Culture Night |
Cork County Council |
€ 10,000 |
|
2018 |
Culture Night |
Cork City Council |
€ 10,000 |
|
2018 |
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
The Glucksman |
€ 15,000 |
|
2018 |
Local Festivals & Summer Schools Funding Scheme |
Foróige |
€ 1,000 |
|
2019 |
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
The Glucksman |
€ 10,000 |
|
2019 |
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
Cork Butter Museum |
€ 7,500 |
|
2019 |
Local Festivals & Summer Schools Funding Scheme |
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann |
€ 1,500 |
|
2019 |
Culture Night |
Cork County Council |
€ 10,000 |
|
2019 |
Culture Night |
Cork City Council |
€ 10,000 |
|
2020 |
Audience Engagement Fund |
Passage West Martitime Museum |
€ 6,900 |
|
2020 |
Audience Engagement Fund |
Nano Nagle Place |
€ 20,000 |
|
2020 |
Audience Engagement Fund |
Clonakility Enterprise Board CLG |
€ 12,000 |
|
2020 |
Audience Engagement Fund |
Cork Public Museum |
€ 15,000 |
|
2020 |
Audience Engagement Fund |
Coiste Forbartha |
€ 10,000 |
|
2020 |
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
Sirus Arts Centre |
€ 7,000 |
Annual Funding under Regional Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centres and Projects
|
|
Cork Butter Museum |
|
2016 |
€ 30,000 |
|
2017 |
€ 35,000 |
|
2018 |
€ 40,000 |
|
2019 |
€ 40,000 |
|
2020 |
€ 60,000 |
75. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports Údarás na Gaeltacht can provide to small businesses in Gaeltacht areas that want to start up or expand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37353/20]
View answerÚdarás na Gaeltachta can provide a range of financial incentives in the form of grant assistance to assist start-up companies. Support incentives include:
Start Up Assistance
- Feasibility Study grants are paid towards assessing the viability of business idea. Costs associated with market research, development of prototype, consultancy and other overheads incurred as a result of the study may be included.
- Development of Micro-Enterprise Scheme offers funding to eligible start-up businesses towards the costs associated with capital expenditure.
- ‘Chéad Chéim’ Scheme (First Steps) provides funding towards the initial costs associated with starting a business.
- Innovation Voucher Scheme provides vouchers worth €5,000 to assist early stage companies to work with a registered college or knowledge provider to explore a business opportunity or solve a technical problem.
- Mentor Scheme provides support for a business mentor to assist in the start-up phase or to advise on specific areas of a business plan.
- Competitive Start Fund is designed to assist the development of a high potential start-up company or individual entrepreneur to investigate the viability of a new business venture. It is available through an open call process through Enterprise Ireland.
Company Expansion Supports
- Capital grants are paid towards initial investment in material and tangible assets such as building, plant and machinery and assets created by the transfer of technology through the acquisition of patent rights, licences, know-how or unpatented technical knowledge.
- Employment grants provide support towards the recruitment of additional employees.
- Training grants provide assistance for training programmes that train or up-skill employees.
- Share Capital Investment - An tÚdarás can take an equity stake in small and medium enterprises in the start-up and expansion phases where this is of strategic importance to the development of the enterprise.
Marketing and Export Supports
- Market Development includes grants such as Strategic Marketing Review, Market Access, Internationalisation and Business Links supports towards the costs of researching and exploring new and/or existing international business opportunities.
- Graduates 4 International Growth Programme matches graduates with companies to develop and execute plans to grow in key markets and provides support towards the graduate salary and training.
Research and Development and Innovation Supports
- RD&I Grant Support provides support to commercially focused, industry led projects in innovating services, products and processes.
- Innovation Vouchers and Partnerships assistance is available for companies to work with a registered college or knowledge provider to explore a business opportunity or solve a technical problem.
- Horizon 2020 and other EU Research Funding Programmes.
- Innovation 4 Growth is targeted at ambitious companies seeking to drive growth through innovation.
Management Development Supports
- Mentor grants can be used to investigate the feasibility of developing a new product, process, technology or service offering.
- Strategic Consultancy grants support the cost of planning or implementing a new strategic development initiative.
- Key Manager grants offer support towards the cost of hiring a Key Manager, critical to the company's future development and who introduces key skills and expertise to the company's senior management team.
- Platform 4 Growth / Leadership 4 Growth are designed to challenge SMEs/larger companies to scale and grow their business.
Productivity and Business Process Improvement Supports
- Lean Start, Lean Plus and Lean Transform grants help companies to improve and increase performance and competitiveness by undertaking ‘Lean’ assignments. Eligible costs include fees for an external Lean consultant/trainer and employee training and associated costs.
- GreenStart & GreenPlus grants are offered to assist companies in adopting greener strategies in areas such as resource efficiency (energy, waste, water) and reductions in carbon footprint.
- Business Process Improvement Grants support short-term company projects that are designed to develop management capability and drive company efficiencies and business process improvements. Eligible projects include LeanPlus or GreenPlus.
Údarás na Gaeltachta also offer an extensive range of specific Covid-19 and Brexit related supports in line with other state agencies. Further details regarding the supports which can be provided to small business in Gaeltacht regions can be accessed of course by contacting Údarás na Gaeltachta directly.
76. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37299/20]
View answerThe application referred to in the Deputy’s question is a matter for the Commissioner of Valuation, who is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Act 2001 to 2020. I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard.
Notwithstanding this, I am informed by the Commissioner of Valuation that the application is receiving attention and will be finalised shortly.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for the Valuation Office (VO) is oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system through which the VO can address queries of this kind.
77. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37181/20]
View answerBrexit poses an unprecedented challenge for Ireland. Failure to reach agreement on a trade deal will be very damaging all round but even with a trade deal in place, there will be substantial challenges for supply chains and trade flows. From 1 January 2021, every time Irish companies or individuals import from or export to Great Britain they will need, at a minimum, to complete a customs declaration.
In the absence of a trade deal, we will see the introduction of tariffs and quotas on trade, in both directions, on top of the customs checks and controls. These impacts will apply across all sectors and it is, therefore, difficult to identify positives for any policy or sectoral issue under my remit.
Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, significant and lasting changes will arise from 1 January 2021. On that basis, the Government published an updated Brexit Readiness Action Plan on 9 September. A focus of the campaign has been on drawing the attention of businesses to the changes that will arise in moving goods from the end of the transition period. Additional sector-specific messages are also being communicated. In that regard, my Department held the latest of a series of engagements with the construction sector on 4 November, to highlight the changes that will apply in respect of construction products. We have published an FAQ document, available at:https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/faqs_construction_industry_preparing_for_the_end_of_the_brexit_transition_period.pdf
78. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy with respect to the provision of mortgage protection for Rebuilding Ireland home loan applicants; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some successful loan applicants cannot secure mortgage protection due to illness or disability issues; and the mechanism there is for applicants to appeal a decision on the designated mortgage protection policy in which they believe the medical or disability grounds for that refusal are not valid. [37218/20]
View answerThe local authority mortgage protection insurance (MPI) scheme has applied to all house purchase loans approved by local authorities after 1 July 1986, including the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan introduced on 1 February 2018. Mortgage protection insurance is charged at the rate of 0.555%.
It is obligatory for all local authority borrowers who meet the eligibility criteria to join the scheme, which is a group policy. Altering this condition would have a negative impact on the scheme and increase the cost for all existing borrowers.
A local authority housing loan applicant who is not eligible for the local authority MPI scheme must source a suitable comparable individual MPI policy from the market. The level of coverage/benefits provided under the alternative MPI should be similar to that available under the Local Authority Group MPI.
The final decision on loan approval is a matter for each local authority and its Credit Committee on a case-by-case basis. Decisions on all housing loan applications must be made in accordance with the statutory credit policy that underpins the scheme, in order to ensure consistency of treatment for all applicants.
79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that councils that are not able to meet the deadline for home acquisition and renovation by the end of 2020 have the deadline extended due to the delays in the programme due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37316/20]
View answerAcquisition of properties for social housing purposes by local authorities are part of their delivery approach, focusing on priority situations as part of an overall strategy tailored to meet local needs effectively. Where renovation works are required, these should be carried out without delay to ensure that home is available for letting as speedily as possible.
Local authorities are working to deliver their acquisition programmes for this year and it is important that they are delivered. If any individual local authority has a particular issue with their acquisitions programme, they should contact my Department on the precise issue, without delay.
In Budget 2021, the total funding being made available for the delivery of housing programmes is €3.3bn. A major focus of this investment will be the overall target of 9,500 new build social homes, with a further 800 social homes to be delivered through strategic acquisitions and 2,450 under the various leasing programmes.
With the priority being on advancing and completing the significant social housing build programme that is underway, it is important that acquisitions undertaken in 2020 should, in so far as possible, be finalised and funded this year.
80. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenant purchase scheme applications received by Kerry County Council since the launch of the new scheme in January 2016; the number disallowed due to the fact they could not meet the income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/20]
View answerThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme. To be eligible, tenants must meet certain criteria, including having a minimum reckonable income of €15,000 per annum and having been in receipt of social housing support for at least one year
Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. The Minister is precluded by housing legislation from intervening in relation to the procedures followed, or decisions made, by local authorities in relation to the operation of the Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme.
As my Department does not routinely collate information on the number of tenant purchase applications made or refused, the data requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department. Data on the number of tenant purchases (sale of dwellings by local authorities) completed is available at:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/3l1-sale-la-hse-area-1994-2019.xlsx
A review of the first 12 months of the Scheme’s operation has been undertaken. In addition, the Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home with some changes to eligibility. The review and the commitments in the Programme for Government are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda. I expect to be in a position to finalise changes to the Scheme once the work on these reform measures is complete.
81. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions that have been had at European Council level on the ongoing security crisis in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37672/20]
View answer89. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the detainment of a group of 12 activists aged between 16 and 30 years of age from Hong Kong by the People’s Republic of China; if he has raised this issue with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37318/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 89 together.
I am aware of the concerning situation in Hong Kong, including the detaining of a number of activists following the adoption of national security legislation in the region. I made a statement on 1 July to express Ireland's concern in relation to the adoption of this law, and the situation has been raised directly with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland.
The EU has made a number of statements in relation to this situation, most recently on 12 November following the disqualification of members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. This statement reiterated our concern regarding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy under the One Country, Two Systems principle, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.
In addition to this, the Council of the EU adopted Conclusions on Hong Kong on 28 July 2020 in response to the adoption of the National Security Law. These set out a coordinated package of response measures in various fields, including the operation of Member States' extradition agreements and other relevant agreements with Hong Kong. In line with these Conclusions, the Government agreed on 13 October to suspend Ireland's Extradition Agreement with Hong Kong.
This decision, which was taken in concert with a number of other EU Member States, clearly signals Ireland's concerns in relation to the rule of law in Hong Kong and the erosion of judicial independence promised under the One Country, Two Systems principle.
My Department, through our Consulate General in Hong Kong and our Embassy in Beijing, will remain alert to the situation in Hong Kong and, along with our EU partners, will continue to raise our concerns with Chinese authorities.
82. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether Brexit will have a positive impact on any policy area or sector under the remit of his Department; and if the details of same will be provided. [37178/20]
View answerIreland regrets the UK’s decision to leave the EU, although we respect it.
From 1 January 2021, many aspects of our relationship with our nearest neighbour will change fundamentally as we will no longer share EU membership. However, the Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship following the end of the transition period. Strong and vibrant connections are vital with our closest neighbour and trading partner. Both Ireland and the UK remain co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and are committed to the ongoing maintenance of the Common Travel Area and its associated rights and privileges.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Johnson at their meeting in Belfast on 13 August, have already discussed the importance of nurturing and developing the bilateral relationship in a structured way in the context where the UK has left the EU.
While we will work with our UK colleagues on strengthening this relationship, it is also clear that Brexit, in any form, will have significant impacts in Ireland. The Department of Finance has projected over the medium-term the level of GDP would be around 2% – 3.25 % lower relative to a hypothetical status quo scenario, with most of the impact in the first year or so.
The Brexit transition period will end in 43 days. Whatever the outcome of the ongoing future partnership negotiations, the UK will be outside the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, and EU law will longer apply to or in the UK. This will bring significant and lasting change in the relationship between the EU and UK from 1 January, 2021. Any business that moves goods from, to or through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, will be subject to a range of new customs formalities, SPS checks and other regulatory requirements that do not apply in any form to such trade today. However, the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland means that these checks will not apply to trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Failure to conclude a FTA will see the EU and UK trade on WTO terms and the introduction of tariffs and quotas.
The Government has been planning for Brexit since before the UK referendum to ensure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all possible scenarios. On 9 September, the Government published its Brexit Readiness Action Plan, which details the actions Government will take and the actions citizens and businesses should take to prepare for the end of the transition period. Citizens and businesses should now finalise their readiness work for the end of the transition period. This work will continue in the weeks ahead.
83. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will actively support and contribute to the development of an ambitious, effective and binding UN treaty on business and human rights with a strong gender perspective and inclusion of human rights defenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37204/20]
View answer84. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will follow the lead of other EU member states, such as France, and directly address the negotiation sessions on priority areas in the UN treaty on business and human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37205/20]
View answer85. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details on the way the constructive position of Ireland on the UN treaty on business and human rights is being developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37206/20]
View answer86. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will commit to take action within the EU to ensure a clear, constructive negotiation mandate for the next OEIGWG session to be held in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37207/20]
View answer87. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the work being undertaken to develop domestic legislation for mandatory, gender responsive human rights and environmental due diligence legislation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37208/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 to 87, inclusive, together.
The sixth session of the Open Ended Inter-Governmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises took place from 26th-30th October 2020. The European Union delivered a statement and separately raised specific concerns in relation to the draft text on behalf of Ireland and other Member States.
The EU statement welcomed some of the changes in the latest draft of the Legally Binding Instrument; highlighted further necessary changes; and outlined the many measures underway within the EU and across Member States to give greater protection to human rights in the context of business activities. France was the only EU Member State to intervene and all statements are publicly available on the website of the UN Human Rights Council.
As stated previously, Ireland remains open to looking at options for progress on a legally binding treaty. With regard to scope, we believe that all economic operators, whether transnational or purely domestic, should be treated in a non-discriminatory manner. We would also wish to see essential human rights principles, including gender equality and protection of human rights defenders, reflected in any possible instrument which should reaffirm the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights and stress the primary responsibility of States under existing human rights obligations to protect against human rights violations.
As I have previously stated, any new initiative should build on, rather than duplicate, existing measures such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. Above all it should be rooted in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to which Ireland is firmly committed. We have provided input on all of these issues during deliberations at EU level to develop the EU position in advance of the latest meeting of the OEWG. I will consider whether making an intervention at national level at the next meeting in 2021, in addition to contributing to the EU position and statement, could be useful in further highlighting these priorities.
Ultimately, if it is to achieve its objectives, any legally binding instrument should enjoy broad support among UN Member States to ensure its effectiveness as well as international coherence in the framework of business and human rights.
Ireland is one of a small number of UN Member States which have adopted National Plans on Business and Human Rights. I am also pleased to note that the forthcoming EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy will contain strong commitments in the area of Business and Human Rights.
Let me therefore assure the Deputy that we will continue to play a constructive role to advance the business and human rights agenda both within the EU and the UN. My officials in Dublin and Geneva have also met with the Irish Coalition on Business and Human Rights and this engagement will continue.
In respect of the potential for domestic legislation, I am aware that the European Union Commissioner for Justice is preparing a legislative initiative for 2021, which may introduce mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence across value chains. While these policy matters fall outside of the remit of my own Department, my officials are following these important developments closely.
88. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will use the various diplomatic channels open to him to ensure a commissioner is appointed to the Commission for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland. [37275/20]
View answerThe Government is committed to working with the UK Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to address the painful legacy of the Troubles through the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement framework. A key part of this work is meeting the legitimate needs of victims and survivors in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland.
It is for the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, acting jointly, to appoint the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors. The role of Commissioner is an essential and ongoing one as a voice for those victims and families directly affected by violence in Northern Ireland, ensuring that their needs and perspectives are fully taken into account in any legislation or other measures that address the legacy of the Troubles.
In our ongoing engagement with the British Government, the Northern Ireland parties and other key stakeholders on the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and dealing with the legacy of the past, we will continue to seek to support a collective way forward that meets the needs of victims and their families, and society as a whole.
