Brian Stanley
Question:121. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to the Irish Ambassador to South Africa in the past three months. [4630/21]
View answerMinisterial Meetings
Questions (121)
Written answers
Ireland’s Embassy in Pretoria maintains continuous communication with Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters and senior officials. In line with established Department of Foreign Affairs reporting procedures, the Ambassador and Embassy team provide regular political and economic reports with respect to South Africa and all countries of secondary accreditation – Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe. These are in addition to frequent expenditure and operational reports, and, since March 2020, rolling updates with regard to COVID-19.
The Embassy currently provides weekly situation reports and regular updates on COVID-19 developments and their impact on Irish citizens in South Africa and the region. These reports are supplemented by regular contact between headquarters and the Ambassador and Embassy officials, as well as with officials at the South African Embassy in Dublin.
Ireland and South Africa also maintain regular contact at Ministerial level. Minister Coveney last spoke to his South African counterpart, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, by phone in December 2020, further to a call in May 2020. In both discussions, Ministers addressed the impacts of COVID-19 in South Africa and Ireland, as well as a range of other issues of mutual interest. Our Ambassador to South Africa and officials in our Embassy in Pretoria were closely involved with the preparation for and follow-up to such calls.
The established framework for bilateral consultations between South Africa and Ireland is the South Africa-Ireland Joint Commission for Cooperation, of which I am co-chair. In November 2020, a virtual meeting of the Joint Commission was held at senior official level – which included the participation of our Ambassador to South Africa, as well as the South African Ambassador to Ireland. The meeting reviewed progress across a wide range of areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation and included a discussion on the global response to COVID-19 and the impact of COVID-19 in South Africa. Talks at official level continue in preparation of a Ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Commission, which I will co-chair in late 2021.
Overseas Development Aid
Questions (122)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:122. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of Ireland’s overseas aid commitments; and if these have altered or been adjusted due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. [4655/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland's official development assistance (ODA) budget is €868 million, an increase of €30 million on last year. It is the seventh consecutive year of increase, as we continue to work toward our commitment of allocating 0.7% of GNI to development. The quality of our development programme remains world-class, as has been reiterated in a recent Peer Review of our development programme by the OECD DAC.
COVID-19 has had a profound effect on development. Countries, both developed and developing, have seen their revenue intakes decrease and resource needs dramatically increase. Over 100 million people may have been pushed into extreme poverty during the pandemic.
Where possible and appropriate, Ireland made changes to its 2020 development programme and pivoted our support to respond to the pandemic and its diverse impacts in developing countries. By December, Ireland had re-purposed almost €150 million to the global response to COVID-19, providing approximately €55 million to enable partners responding directly to the pandemic on the ground and approximately €93 million to support responses to the socio-economic damage caused.
Planning for the 2021 development programme includes response and recovery from the pandemic. For example, Irish Aid expects to contribute up to €50 million toward global health, including increased support to long-standing partners GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and the WHO; as well as support to the COVAX Facility which works to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all.
Human Rights
Questions (123)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:123. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the determination by the Government of the United States of America that China is currently committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic groups within the country. [4656/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, and we are closely following reports related to arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in the region.
The term "genocide" is a term that has a particular meaning under international law, and definitive recognition of events as genocide involves a complex analysis of both facts and law.
Ireland follows a practice of recognising genocide only where this has been established by a judgement of an international court, or where there is international consensus on the matter.
The use of the term by the US in the past number of weeks is indicative of how seriously that country assesses the situation in Xinjiang. It is an issue that both Ireland and the EU also take extremely seriously. We have been active in raising our concerns with Chinese authorities both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, and it is an issue that we will continue to work on.
Ministerial Meetings
Questions (124)
Brendan Howlin
Question:124. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of contacts he has had with the Northern Ireland First Minister or Deputy First Minister since 1 January 2021; the dates and nature of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4679/21]
View answerWritten answers
As part of the Government’s commitment to supporting the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and maintaining strong relationships, I remain in regular contact with the First Minister, deputy First Minister, and other political leaders in Northern Ireland on a range of issues.
Most recently, on Monday 11 January, I participated by videoconference in the first Implementation Review Meeting of the New Decade, New Approach agreement alongside the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and party leaders in Northern Ireland. During that meeting, we discussed the progress that has been made over the past year on the implementation of our respective commitments, and the shared challenges we face in the context of both the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.
I will continue to engage closely with the First Minister and deputy First Minister as we move forward on these and other issues. Regular contacts are also maintained by officials in my Department with the Northern Ireland Executive, and through the North South Ministerial Council, as we seek to work together on a wide range of areas of cooperation.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (125)
Brendan Howlin
Question:125. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to implement an all-island anti-Covid-19 strategy in conjunction with the Northern Executive since 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4682/21]
View answerWritten answers
On the island of Ireland, our shared geography and the cross-border mobility of people means that, in responding to Covid-19, we need to bear in mind the impact of measures on all of our people. There is a need, therefore, for close and ongoing contact North-South and indeed East-West, where possible.
North-South contact and cooperation on the island is ongoing at both operational and political level. As public health measures are under constant review in both jurisdictions, these North-South collaborative arrangements remain important.
Both administrations are seeking to adopt broadly similar approaches, where it is appropriate to do so and on the advice of our respective Chief Medical Officers. This approach is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding agreed by the Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland to strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, this overarching agreement was supplemented with a further MOU in relation to a framework for mutual support for the provision of critical care.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department does not lead on the response to Covid-19 from the operational perspective. Implementation measures regarding our public health response to the pandemic remain the responsibility of relevant Departments, particularly the Department of Health.
However I, and officials in my Department, continue to facilitate necessary contact and coordination with the Northern Ireland Executive.
With the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, I have jointly chaired a number of conference calls with the First Minister, deputy First Minister and the Health Ministers from both jurisdictions to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19.
A meeting in this format is planned to take place in the coming days.
Further, in recent weeks, in view of fast-moving developments in both jurisdictions, official level calls have been facilitated with counterparts in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, to discuss measures in place.
In the coming period, officials from both jurisdictions will continue to exchange views to foster commonality in their approach, where possible.
Passport Applications
Questions (126)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:126. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4723/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas.
The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or to travel for urgent reasons, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed. The Passport Service is confident that any backlog will be cleared quickly. When the Passport Service resumed operations in June 2020, the backlog was cleared in four weeks. It was similar in December 2020 with the majority of the backlog cleared within three weeks.
The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3 of the framework.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application does not meet the emergency criteria and will be processed at Level 4 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. First time applications for children can only be processed in case of an emergency such as medical treatment overseas or the death or serious illness of a close relative.
Passport Applications
Questions (127)
Niall Collins
Question:127. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an emergency passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed immediately due to the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4792/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas.
The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or to travel for urgent reasons, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed. The Passport Service is confident that any backlog will be cleared quickly. When the Passport Service resumed operations in June 2020, the backlog was cleared in four weeks. It was similar in December 2020 with the majority of the backlog cleared within three weeks.
The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3 of the framework.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, an official from the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant’s mother on 21 January to advise of the general information about processing a passport for a first time adult applicant. As the applicant was adopted from overseas, they must show the adoption certificate and evidence that the adoptive parent was an Irish citizen at the time of the adoption. This can be demonstrated by the Irish parent's passport at the time of the adoption, their original Irish birth certificate or their original Foreign Births Registration certificate.
First time applications for adults can only be processed in case of an emergency such as medical treatment overseas or the death or serious illness of a close relative. Applicants are requested not to submit their supporting documentation until the Passport Service resumes operations at Level 4 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19.
Passport Services
Questions (128)
Neale Richmond
Question:128. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a person (details supplied) will receive a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4798/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas.
The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires emergency medical treatment.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or to travel for urgent reasons, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed. The Passport Service is confident that any backlog will be cleared quickly. When the Passport Service resumed operations in June 2020, the backlog was cleared in four weeks. It was similar in December 2020 with the majority of the backlog cleared within three weeks.
The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express, Northern Ireland Passport Express and applications for Foreign Birth Registrations at Level 3 of the framework.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application was submitted online on 7 January 2021. The Passport Service was in contact with the applicant’s father on 8 January advising not to submit supporting documentation until processing resumes at Level 4 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. An official was in contact again on 22 January 2020 to again advise that processing was not possible.
Ministerial Communications
Questions (129)
Seán Haughey
Question:129. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to develop closer relations between Ireland and Wales; if these relations can be enhanced on a bilateral basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4810/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government outlines Ireland's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the UK following Brexit, including by deepening Ireland's relationships with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
It further commits to expanding and developing mechanisms for engagement between the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Northern Irish Assembly, the UK Parliament and the parliaments in Wales and Scotland, as well as continuing to build on the work of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA).
The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 included the establishment of the British-Irish Council, and the 1997 advent of devolution in Britain led to the creation of what is now the Welsh Parliament (Senedd Cymru), and established a new basis for bilateral cooperation between Ireland and Wales.
The British-Irish Council remains an indispensable forum for cooperation and dialogue between the Irish and Welsh governments, including through our respective officials working side-by-side across its work sectors.
Developments in recent years have brought new energy to the bilateral relationship, including the opening of the Welsh Government office within the British Embassy in Dublin in 2012, and the reopening of Ireland’s Consulate General in Cardiff in 2019.
Ireland remains the only State with a Consulate General based in Wales, demonstrating Ireland's commitment to sustaining and developing our longstanding social, economic, political, and cultural links with our nearest neighbour.
Though Brexit has brought change, the Government is committed to maintaining the closest and deepest possible relationship between the UK and Ireland, and between Wales and Ireland.
Having recently launched the Ireland Scotland Bilateral Review Report, which provides a framework for cooperation with Scotland to 2025, I propose to similarly identify opportunities for deepening cooperation with Wales.
In this vein, I met virtually with Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford, on 21 January 2021. A very positive and constructive engagement, we had a wide ranging discussion, covering recent developments and opportunities for deepening cooperation between Ireland and Wales.
We identified a number of areas with further potential, from education to climate and sustainability, which officials are taking forward. We also discussed how we might build on the strong sectoral and regional networks developed over 25 years of participation in European Territorial Cooperation programmes, including the Ireland-Wales programme.
International Relations
Questions (130, 131)
Joe O'Brien
Question:130. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to the Israeli authorities to encourage them to carry out their Covid-19 vaccination programme in a non-discriminatory manner, especially in respect of territory in which the IDF is the occupying power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4811/21]
View answerJoe O'Brien
Question:131. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received representations from the Palestinian authorities in relation to access to the Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4812/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
Ireland is playing its full part as member of the global health community to establish facilities and oversight mechanisms to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. The World Health Organisation, as the lead UN agency for health, is central to this effort: in recognition of this critical role, Ireland quadrupled support to WHO in 2020.
Ireland is a member of the ACT Accelerator global initiative, which aims to harmonise the global vaccine rollout. A critical pillar of this initiative, COVAX, aims to deliver 2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2021 to support 92 low and middle-income countries, and has negotiated options on a further 1 billion doses. Ireland has budgeted €50 million for Global Health in 2021 including initiatives to support equitable access to vaccines, including through the COVAX initiative.
Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have responsibilities to ensure the welfare of citizens in the occupied Palestinian territory. As I outlined in a statement to the UN Security Council on 26 January, ending the worst effects of the pandemic for all requires constructive cooperation to support timely, effective and unimpeded vaccination in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
My officials have ongoing contact with the Palestinian Authorities on a range of issues, including the impact of Covid-19. Irish officials continue to monitor this issue and engage together with the EU on supporting vaccination efforts in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (132)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications for citizenship currently being processed by his Department; the number of applications that have been finalised in 2020; the reason for the long delays in processing citizenship applications; his plans to speed up this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4864/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register. At present, there are 27,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that are awaiting processing.
The Passport Service has paused the processing of FBR applications as Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Applications that have been sent to the FBR team are being held securely and will be processed when normal services resume at Level 3 of the Framework.
The impact of Brexit on applications for Foreign Birth Registration has been significant. In 2014, approximately 10,000 applications were received. In 2019, approximately 32,000 were received. Applicants resident in Great Britain account for around half of all applications. Prior to the introduction of the current restrictions, FBR applications were taking 12 to 18 months to process.
Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in two periods in 2020 where processing of Foreign Birth Registrations was paused to assist with other essential work such as providing Consular Assistance to Irish citizens overseas. This resulted in 26 weeks where the processing of FBR applications was paused.
In spite of the pausing of the service, 12,413 people were entered on the Foreign Births Register in 2020.
With additional resources, the Department is working to reduce these arrears and thereby improve the delivery period for this service.
Human Rights
Questions (133)
Bernard Durkan
Question:133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community can exert its influence towards the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4887/21]
View answerWritten answers
In my statement of 18 January, I joined the EU, US, UK and others in condemning the detention of Alexei Navalny on his return to Moscow on 17 January and I call for his immediate release.
Having survived an attempted poisoning on Russian soil, Mr Navalny chose to return home of his own free will. His detention, immediately upon arrival, raises serious questions around the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. I am also deeply concerned by the mass detentions and scenes of police violence during peaceful protests across Russia on 23 January.
Unfortunately there has been deterioration in the environment for civil society in Russia. The recent changes in the foreign agents’ law are an example of this and I am concerned that these laws could be used to further crack down on civil society and critical voices.
I reiterate the call for Russia to carry out a transparent investigation into the poisoning of Mr. Navalny in full cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Ireland's view on this detention has been communicated directly to the Russian Ambassador at official level. EU Foreign Ministers considered this issue at our meeting on Monday 25 January and we discussed the next steps for a response. As a first step HR/VP Borrell intends to convey the EU's position to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov when he travels to Moscow in early February. I will continue to engage with my colleagues to develop a firm EU response. Both the EU and Ireland will continue to work with the international community to keep pressure on the Russian Government to uphold rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights in Russia.
Undocumented Irish in the USA
Questions (134)
Brendan Smith
Question:134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have discussions at an early date with the United States administration in relation to the need for immigration reform with particular reference to the undocumented Irish following the referral by President Biden of the US Citizenship Act to Congress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4904/21]
View answerWritten answers
Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government, as well in our Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025. We continue to maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum, and will continue to seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with the new Administration of President Joe Biden.
In particular, we look forward to working with the new Administration, as well as with the United States Congress, across the aisle, to pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US. We are pleased to see that immigration issues, including regarding pathways to citizenship, are a priority for the new US President, as demonstrated by the proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. We will actively engage with the new Administration and Congress on this particular initiative, including through our Embassy in Washington, DC.
The issue of Irish immigration to the US, particularly the status of the undocumented Irish, has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with US Administrations and political leaders. I have raised these issues in contacts with members of the previous US Administration and both Houses of Congress, including during my visit to Washington D.C. at the end of September last year.
In terms of securing future pathways for immigration, we will continue to pursue the E3 Visa Bill option. If passed, this could allow access to thousands of US visas each year to Irish citizens, providing new opportunities to live and work in the US. Now that the new Administration and new Congress is in place, we will seek the reintroduction of the Bill at the earliest opportunity.
International Criminal Court
Questions (135)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:135. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed with the Biden administration the need for the United States of America to sign up to and come under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court; if not, if he will give consideration to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4918/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is a State Party to the Rome Statue and a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court in its capacity as an independent and impartial institution with a key role in the fight against impunity. We believe that, as a court of last resort, the ICC does not substitute for national judicial systems – States bear the primary responsibility to investigate the most serious international crimes.
Ireland fully supports efforts towards the universality of the Rome Statue and we constantly seek opportunities to promote this. We, however, also respect the decision of any State not to become a State Party, including the United States. Non-States Parties can nonetheless support the fight against impunity and the role of the Court, as has been done under previous US administrations.
I have not yet discussed the International Criminal Court with the Biden Administration. Ireland remains concerned by measures taken last year by the previous US administration against the ICC and a number of its officials. We have articulated those concerns on various occasions, including in a national statement delivered last November during the annual UN General Debate on the ICC and also as part of our recommendations in the context of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of the US in the same month.
However, there are many examples of good cooperation between the US and the ICC, such as US assistance in arresting individuals indicted by the Court. Ireland and our EU partners look forward to discussing with the United States how we can enhance cooperation going forward, and also resolve the issues at hand. Indeed, steps have already been taken in that regard at the level of officials. I welcome the Biden Administration’s goal of re-engaging with multilateralism, and we look forward to working with them on all multilateral issues.
International Relations
Questions (136)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:136. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance being provided by Ireland and the EU to Bosnia’s response to the humanitarian migrant crisis on the Bosnia and Croatia border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4919/21]
View answerWritten answers
I was deeply saddened to hear of the destruction of the Lipa migrant centre in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of last year and the vulnerable and unacceptable living conditions for the displaced migrants.
The EU has engaged with all actors from the start of this current crisis and for months has called on the authorities to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe. After concerted EU outreach, on New Year’s Eve, the armed forces of BiH were deployed to provide emergency tents and assistance. EU Ambassadors and Special Representative Johann Sattler have been meeting with the Minister of Security of BiH to discuss urgent solutions and address basic needs to provide humane conditions. Our Ambassador in Ljubljana, who is accredited to Bosnia-Herzegovina, has also been keeping in close touch with the Bosnian authorities and with the EUSR's Office regarding this situation.
The EU has consistently supported Bosnia and Herzegovina to address the needs of migrants and refugees and to strengthen border and asylum management. The European Commission provided financial support of more than €88 million, fully equipped the Bira Migrant Reception Centre which is currently unused, and in early January announced a further €3.5 million in humanitarian aid to help refugees and migrants. The BiH authorities must respond in a nationally coordinated manner to the crisis now unfolding and we support HRVP Borrell’s call for Bosnia-Herzegovina to uphold its international human rights obligations. BiH must live up to the responsibilities that come with being an aspiring EU member. The capacity and resources are there to deal with this issue and they must be used.
It is imperative that we ensure all migrants seeking asylum in the EU are afforded decent treatment and humane living conditions during the entire application process, whether in the EU or in our partner countries. To achieve this goal, the European Commission proposed last September a new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Ireland welcomes this initiative as an opportunity to renew and intensify efforts to put in place more effective and humane arrangements to manage migratory pressures. We will continue to do our part and participate constructively in trying to find sustainable solutions involving consensus among Member States and based on a balance of solidarity and responsibility.
Commemorative Medals
Questions (137)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:137. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence if a War of Independence medal was issued in relation to a person (details supplied); if so, the person to whom was it issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4845/21]
View answerWritten answers
The relevant military service pension files and associated medal records relating to the period from Easter Week 1916 to 30th September, 1923 are now part of the Military Service Pensions Collection. As part of the Government Centenary Commemoration programme, my Department is cataloguing and digitising the Military Service (1916-1923) Pension Collection so as to make it available on line. Considerable material in relation to the Collection has already been released on line, including the files relating to the person in question. The files are available for viewing on the website www.militaryarchives.ie.
An examination of these files and other documents shows no record of a medal having been sought or issued in this case. Posthumous medals may be awarded, in certain circumstances, subject to the Department having verified evidence of membership and activity. If the family wish to make contact with my Department in order to make a formal application for a posthumous medal, subject to the usual criteria, further advice can be provided by the relevant officials. Details of the award criteria for such medals and of how to make an application are available from Pensions Administration Section, Department of Defence, Áras an tSáile, Renmore, Galway, H91 AN2E (Tel. +353 (0)91 743900; e-mail: pensions.admin@defence.ie).
Defence Forces Strength
Questions (138, 146)
Bernard Durkan
Question:138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which efforts are being made to bring the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps up to optimum levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4888/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which adequate personnel are available to meeting crewing requirements on all Naval Service vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 146 together.
The table below details the current strength (Whole Time Equivalent) figures of the Permanent Defence Force, as of the 31st December 2020, and those of the agreed establishment.
|
Branch |
Establishment |
Strength |
|
Army |
7,520 |
6,923 |
|
Air Corps |
886 |
746 |
|
Naval Service |
1,094 |
903 |
|
Total |
9,500 |
8,572 |
The Government remains committed to returning to, and maintaining the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel as set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015). While Covid 19 has impacted on the numbers inducted in 2020, inductions and training were resumed during the year taking public health guidelines into account.
Recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces have been acknowledged. To address these a range of initiatives, such as re-commissioning and re-enlistment of former personnel saw an inflow of PDF experience across 2020.
The PSPC report on recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces made a range of recommendations with a view to addressing recruitment and retention issues and these have been progressed through a series of projects. In addition, the recently established independent Commission on the Defence Forces is tasked with examining a range of issues, including recruitment and retention.
Within the Naval Service a number of additional measures have also been introduced including a tax credit for sea-going Naval Service personnel and a new sea-going service commitment scheme.
Defence Forces Data
Questions (139, 144)
Bernard Durkan
Question:139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of posts throughout the Defence Forces waiting to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4889/21]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of promotions pending throughout all branches of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4894/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 144 together.
The table below outlines the number of vacancies, that exist in the PDF as at 31st December 2020. Vacancies are filled on an ongoing basis in line with promotional arrangements and, in certain cases, direct entry competitions. Vacancies at Private Rank are filled by general service recruitment and direct entry competition.
It is normal, at a particular point in time, for some ranks to be oversubscribed and others to be undersubscribed. For example, whilst there are vacancies at the rank of Captain there are currently substantially more Lieutenants than are provided for in the establishment.
Vacancies as at 31st December 2020
|
RANK |
VACANCIES |
|
LT Col |
2 |
|
CAPT |
105 |
|
SGT MAJ |
5 |
|
CS |
11 |
|
CQMS |
6 |
|
SGTS |
259 |
|
CPLS |
358 |
Defence Forces Data
Questions (140)
Bernard Durkan
Question:140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the number of women in the Defence Forces has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4890/21]
View answerWritten answers
As at 31st December 2020, the latest date for which such data is available, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 603.
The table below shows the number of women in the Permanent Defence Force in each of the last 5 years.
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Females |
568 |
600 |
601 |
598 |
603 |
The White Paper on Defence 2015, which provides the current defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon, contains a number of initiatives and projects designed to encourage more women to apply for the Defence Forces and to increase female participation at all ranks.
The commitment to increase participation by female personnel in all aspects of Defence Forces operations is further exemplified in the Defence Forces Equality Policy and the Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan, which outlines the Organisation’s commitment to gender equality.
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.