Written Answers Nos. 733-757
734. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the consultation for the National Housing Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2022-2027 is accessible to persons with no Internet access, persons who have difficulties using technology and persons with visual impairments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15927/21]
View answerThe consultation for the development of a new housing Strategy for people with disabilities was launched in a number of formats on the 6th of March 2021 so as to provide the maximum possible levels of accessibility. The Housing Agency website contains all versions of the survey, which are available until the 16th of April 2021. These can be accessed at www.housingagency.ie/NHSPD-Survey or by clicking on the banner advert on the homepage of the Housing Agency website.
The survey, in Easy Read, Plain English or Irish format, is available as an online questionnaire through Survey Monkey, as an editable word version (which when completed can be returned to the Housing Agency via email) or as a Printable PDF version (which when completed can be returned to the Housing Agency by post). The survey is compatible with all text-to-voice software and a short video is also available on the website which explains the purpose of the survey and runs through each question. There is also an option to call the Housing Agency and have a PDF version in the required format posted out to a home address.
In addition to the above, members of the Advisory Group for the development of the new Strategy and the Housing Subgroup, who are tasked with delivery of the existing Strategy, have been asked to raise awareness of the launch of the consultation and the various options available to access the survey, amongst their organisations and with their service users. These groups include representatives from organisations of disabled people, organisations for people with a disability, service providers, Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities, the HSE and various Government Departments and agencies including the National Disability Authority.
Similarly, Housing and Disability Steering Groups, across each local authority, have been asked to circulate the advertisement with the link or a printed version of the questionnaire to their members. I have asked the Housing Agency to ensure that those with significant accessibility issues are targeted through its communication with all stakeholder groups.
An additional national advertising campaign is planned for the next two weeks that will direct people to the dedicated landing page on the Housing Agency’s website. A contact number will also be provided to allow for a copy of the questionnaire to be posted out to anyone who would prefer to complete the questionnaire in hard copy.
735. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy with regard to the criteria for inclusion on the housing list of a local authority in particular with regard to the right to housing of young persons both generally and those with disabilities who are involuntarily sharing the family home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15967/21]
View answerIt is open to anyone to apply for social housing support, applications for which are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
If a household meets the eligibility and need criteria, it qualifies for the suite of social housing supports, including HAP, and is placed on the housing list to be considered for the allocation of suitable tenancies in accordance with the authority’s allocation scheme.
All local authorities have Housing and Disability Steering Groups which have been established under the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016 (extended to 2021). The role of the Steering Group in each City/County area is to develop specific local strategies to meet the identified and emerging housing needs of people with disabilities, including mental health, in their areas with a view to developing annual targets for the delivery of housing to people with a disability on their housing waiting lists. All local authorities have put in place their Strategic Plans for a five-year period and these may be consulted on the website of the local authority concerned.
736. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16276/21]
View answerMy Department supports a wide range of programmes and schemes, delivered by a number of stakeholders including the 31 local authorities.
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic required a whole of Government approach that was flexible, adaptive and responsive to the changing situation. For the most part, my Department utilised its existing Voted budget and ensured that the correct and targeted resources were deployed, at the correct time, to areas under severe pressure as a result of the pandemic. In certain cases, additional funding was required for specific areas including:
Commercial rates waiver
Commercial rates are a significant element of local authority income and, importantly, are the primary source of general purpose funding, from which local authorities fund payroll, debt repayment and, crucially, match funding or own-resource contributions to central programmes and initiatives to support local economic activity and development. Commercial rates are based on the valuation applied to the premises of the business concerned.
In response to the issues faced by rate payers due to COVID-19, a Commercial Rates Waiver of €600m for eligible businesses was allocated to cover the 6 month period from March to September 2020.
In Budget 2021, the Government announced an extension of the waiver for the final quarter of the year (until end of December 2020) at an additional cost of €300m. In total, some €900m was allocated by Government to fund the cost of this waiver for nine months to the end of December, for eligible businesses. This unprecedented measure provided support to businesses and certainty to our local authorities
July Stimulus
Additional funding was provided as part of the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus to help reignite the economy following the impact of COVID-19. This included:
- €43m for Irish Water Leakage Reduction Programme and capital maintenance works- this was enhanced with a further €44m announced during Budget 2021;
- €40m for refurbishing vacant social housing units and returning them to productive use; and
- €8.5m for investment in the Heritage area, including to upgrade and enhance recreational and visitor facilities at National Parks, Heritage Sites and Nature Reserves.
Increased provision for Homelessness
Additional funding of €60m for Homelessness services was provided in the Supplementary Estimate 2020. A critical focus of 2020 activity was on preventing homelessness in the first instance while also reducing the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Ensuring the protection of households experiencing homelessness during COVID-19 has been a priority. This funding allowed for additional accommodation to be put in place to ensure the necessary social distancing in emergency accommodation and the provision of accommodation to allow for the self-isolation of individuals when required.
737. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. [16296/21]
View answerMy Department operates a very limited range of services for which charges are levied directly on members of the public or businesses. Some examples include Met Éireann services, Foreshore and other licences, and land rents in the National Parks. My Department accepts the full range of standard payment options for these charges including Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT), cheques, postal orders, debit/credit card payment, etc. The vast majority of payments are made using EFT.
There are currently no plans to provide further online payment facilities given the relatively low level of transactions undertaken in my Department. However, we continue to keep this under review.
738. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries and companies that have joined up with the Covid-19 Technology Access Pool to date. [15761/21]
View answerIreland is fully supporting efforts by the international community to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines, and other COVID-related technologies.
Consideration of C-TAP touches on stakeholder relationships managed by other Government Departments, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Department of Health and Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
An up to date list of countries and companies that have endorsed the C-TAP Solidarity Call to Action (and therefore signalled their willingness to participate in C-TAP) is available on the C-TAP website, available at the following link: www.who.int/initiatives/covid-19-technology-access-pool/endorsements-of-the-solidarity-call-to-action.
739. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application applied for in January 2021 will be processed for a person (details supplied) in order that they can receive their Australian visa as soon as possible. [16221/21]
View answer749. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) must wait so long to have their passport processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14204/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 749 together.
In line with Government guidance that at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high-quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19.
This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or meet the criteria for a reasonable excuse for non-essential travel as defined in the recent amendment to the Health Act 1947, which came into effect on 1 February 2021. Supporting documentation will be required for such cases. In order to facilitate the return of travel documents which may have been submitted in support of a passport application, all documents will be registered so that they can be returned for emergency travel or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
Irish citizens who are resident overseas should make contact through the local Irish Embassy or Consulate General.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has inquired, an official from the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant on 18 March to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
740. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland is obliged to notify the Council of Europe that it has derogated from the EU Convention on Human Rights with respect to certain obligations under Articles 8 and 11 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Article 2 of Protocol No. 4 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms following the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Latvia (details supplied) has already notified the Council of Europe of similar derogations. [13817/21]
View answerArticle 15 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides for derogation from certain provisions of the Convention in times of emergency.
A party may take measures derogating from its obligations under the Convention in time of war or other public emergency threatening the life of the nation, to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with its other obligations under international law.
No derogation is permitted from Article 2 (the right to life) except in certain limited circumstances, or from Articles 3 (prohibition of torture), Article 4 § 1 (prohibition of slavery and servitude), or Article 7 (no punishment without law) of the Convention.
A party that avails of the right of derogation must keep the Secretary General of the Council of Europe fully informed of the measures which it has taken and the reasons for such measures. The Secretary General must also be informed when such measures have ceased to operate such that the provisions of the Convention are again being fully implemented.
Where a party to the Convention exercises the right of derogation, the other parties are duly informed by the Secretariat General of the Council of Europe. My Department has been informed by the Council of Europe of the exercise of the right of derogation by a number of parties to the Convention arising from measures adopted in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and of the withdrawal of derogations by certain parties. An up-to-date list of derogations under the Convention is maintained by the Treaty Office of the Council of Europe and is available on its website.
Ireland has not availed of the right of derogation under Article 15 of the Convention in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and consequently has not been obliged to notify the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of any such derogation.
741. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates of meetings of his Department’s committee on human rights from 2016 to date in tabular form; the members of the committee; the terms of reference of the committee; the agendas and minutes of all meetings from 2016 to date; the reason this information is no longer accessible on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13900/21]
View answerIn line with current guidance on Freedom of Information, the Department of Foreign Affairs prioritises the routine publication of information most frequently requested by the public. The minutes of the DFA Committee on Human Rights are circulated to all the organisations represented at the Committee and additional requests for this information have not been received in the recent past. The agendas and minutes of the meetings between 2016 and 2020 are attached together with the Terms of Reference and current membership of the Committee. The next meeting of the Committee will take place virtually on 22 April 2021. I can confirm that the Department will resume publishing of the minutes on the DFA website.
The Department of Foreign Affairs hosted eleven meetings of the DFA Committee on Human Rights from 2016 to 2020 on the following dates:
|
Year |
|
|
2016 |
8th April |
|
2016 |
24th October |
|
2016 |
12th December |
|
2017 |
27 January |
|
2017 |
26th May |
|
2018 |
5th September |
|
2018 |
12th November |
|
2019 |
5th February |
|
2019 |
29th April |
|
2019 |
16th October |
|
2020 |
22nd July |
742. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the operation of the Passport Office during Covid-19; the length of time persons are expected to wait with all their personal documentation before their application is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13957/21]
View answer746. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the embargo on processing passports will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14074/21]
View answer747. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which he plans to address the backlog of processing applications for passports in which same are required for essential travel and official purposes. [14126/21]
View answer751. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Passport Office will reopen; and the reason online applications cannot be processed at this time. [14562/21]
View answer768. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date the online renewal service for passports will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15110/21]
View answer769. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated length of the backlog for passport applications and passport renewal applications due to the closure of the online renewal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15111/21]
View answer771. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to deal with the backlog in passport applications when restrictions are eased; if the Passport Office be provided with additional resources; when consulates abroad will begin contacting applicants again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15144/21]
View answer773. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason staff at the Passport Office are not deemed essential workers; the number of passport applications currently awaiting processing; if he will seek to have a full staff rota returned to the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 742, 746, 747, 751, 768, 769, 771 and 773 together.
In line with Government guidance that, at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19.
This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or meet the criteria for a reasonable excuse for non-essential travel as defined in the recent amendment to the Health Act 1947, which came into effect on 1 February 2021. Supporting documentation will be required in such cases. In order to facilitate the return of travel documents which may have been submitted in support of a passport application, all documents will be registered so that they can be returned for emergency travel or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or for non-essential travel with a reasonable excuse, should contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
Irish citizens who are resident overseas should make contact through the local Irish Embassy or Consulate General.
At present, there are approximately 71,300 Passport Online applications in the system. There are currently approximately 4,200 paper based applications in the system.
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, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that any Passport Online backlog can be cleared in six to eight 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.
743. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the military coup in Myanmar; the representations he and the relevant ambassadors have made to the authorities in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13995/21]
View answer781. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking either in his own right or as a member of the United Nations Security Council to uphold democracy in Myanmar and to condemn the military coup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15785/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 743 and 781 together.
I strongly condemn the coup carried out by the Myanmar military. The coup is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that has taken years to establish, and does nothing to tackle the public health, security or economic issues faced by the people of Myanmar.
I am appalled by the escalating and systematic use of force on peaceful protesters by the Myanmar military, resulting in the death of so many peaceful protesters and the critical injury of so many more.
I have called upon the Myanmar military to demonstrate restraint, respect the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, to restore unimpeded access to telecommunications and to uphold human rights and the rule of law. I have also called for the immediate release of political detainees and for the reinstatement of the legitimate civilian government.
In support of sanctions against the perpetrators of the coup and the economic entities that support them, I endorsed the strong and comprehensive approach set out in the Council Conclusions agreed at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on February 22. My Department is currently working with the EU to establish a package of measures that work to restore the democratic path in Myanmar and do not negatively affect developmental gains or exacerbate the humanitarian situation. These include sanctions targeted at the perpetrators of the coup.
Ireland continues to engage in discussions on Myanmar at the UN Security Council. I welcome that the Security Council took united positions following two closed consultations as this sends a strong message to the Myanmar military. The crisis remains on the Council's agenda and we continue to follow developments closely.
My Department has also voiced our concern at the Special Session and the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council. I welcome the unanimous resolution agreed by the Special Session of the Human Rights Council; this consensus is a significant and positive signal of accord on this issue within the international community.
I emphasise the importance of a united response to this crisis, in particular, we need to recognise the importance of engaging partners in the region to ensure an effective, appropriate, and sustainable outcome to the crisis. Through the UN and our Embassy network, we are encouraging those who have influence on the military leadership, including countries within the region, to use it to find a political solution to the crisis and protect the human rights of the Myanmar people.
744. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is policy to postpone the achievement of the UN target for 0.7% of GNP for ODA until 2030; if he will set out the increase proposed for each year of this decade; if the target can be achieved earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14005/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to achieving the UN Official Development Assistance target of 0.7% of GNI by 2030, as set out in A Better World, Ireland's International Development policy, and re-iterated in the Programme for Government. It is important that we do so in a responsible way. Ireland's development programme has a strong global reputation and our ambition to meet this important target must not see ODA quantity come at the cost of its quality.
Our ODA allocation has increased in real terms for the last seven consecutive years, and has held constant as a proportion of GNI since 2015. My Department is currently reviewing and building systems that will enable our development programme to grow further, including as a proportion of GNI, in a sustainable way.
We have charted out an indicative pathway to 0.7% previously and I am happy to share it here again. The particular figures will change, of course, as we better understand the consequences of the pandemic on our economy.
|
Year |
ODA Level € Million |
Expected ODA / GNI % Target |
|
2021 |
868 |
0.32% |
|
2022 |
960 |
0.35% |
|
2023 |
1050 |
0.37% |
|
2024 |
1180 |
0.40% |
|
2025 |
1360 |
0.45% |
|
2026 |
1560 |
0.50% |
|
2027 |
1820 |
0.57% |
|
2028 |
2050 |
0.62% |
|
2029 |
2250 |
0.66% |
|
2030 |
2500 |
0.70% |
745. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons who have applied for a passport which has not yet been processed. [14060/21]
View answerAt present, there are approximately 71,300 Passport Online applications in the system. When operations resume at Level 4, all applications received via Passport Online will be processed. The Passport Service is confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that any Passport Online backlog can be cleared in six to eight weeks.
There are currently approximately 4,200 paper based applications in the system. The Passport Service plans to resume processing of routine paper based applications such as Passport Express and Northern Ireland Passport Express at Level 3 of the framework.
The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Applicants will be notified by e-mail when we resume processing. The Passport Service has requested that applicants refrain from submitting documents until it resume operations.
748. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he plans to take to reinstate the service provided by the Apostille Office to authenticate documents in a timely manner given it is taking upwards of four weeks to carry out the same task; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14170/21]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department's Authentication and Apostille Unit provides essential consular services for Irish citizens and businesses. I am pleased to confirm therefore that staff in the unit have continued to attend and work in the office throughout all levels of the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to access applications and operate specialist printers and equipment.
There have of course been significant challenges to the operation of the service due to COVID-19. In line with health and safety guidelines, the public office had to close. Applications therefore have had to be submitted and returned by post, resulting in an inevitable increase in turnaround times. Furthermore, during Level 5 restrictions, staff have had to work in a reduced rotational capacity. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the Unit processed over 46,000 stamps last year alone.
The level of applications has remained extremely high throughout COVID-19, however, and there is currently a backlog. Further measures are being taken to address this, including in terms of additional staffing, a second office space and new specialised printers. Staff have also been as responsive as possible in accommodating urgent requests. My Department will continue to work to improve processing times over the coming weeks and months, while keeping in mind the need to comply with health and safety requirements.
750. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. [14420/21]
View answerThe Heads of Bills for which my Department is responsible are prepared in the Department, in consultation with other Departments where relevant and with the advice, where necessary, of the Attorney General’s Office. Once approved by Government, the Bills themselves are drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Council. No Bills have been outsourced by my Department.
752. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with his counterpart in the United Kingdom; if recent concerns regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14613/21]
View answer753. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with his European counterparts; if concerns regarding the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol have been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14614/21]
View answer754. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with the Northern Ireland Executive; if the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14615/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 752 to 754, inclusive, together.
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, as an international agreement concluded by the EU and the UK, must be fully implemented. It is the agreed and only available solution to the problems created on the island of Ireland by Brexit. This message is central to my contacts with counterparts across these islands, Europe and beyond.
We want the Protocol to work for Northern Ireland, and for the island as a whole, in as smooth a manner as possible. It is particularly important that Northern Ireland is able to benefit from the considerable positive opportunities created by the Protocol, including the continued unimpeded operation of all-island supply chains, as well as full and free access to both the EU Single Market and the UK internal market.
I maintain very close and regular contact with European counterparts, most particularly with Commission Vice President Maroš Šefcovic – the EU co-Chair of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and primary interlocutor for the Union with the UK on the implementation of the Protocol.
I have regular contact with representatives of the Northern Ireland Executive and political leaders. I would also like to acknowledge Vice President Šefcovic's very useful and welcome recent engagements with stakeholders in Northern Ireland and his commitment to maintain regular contact with Northern Irish business and civil society groups, clearly demonstrating that the EU is listening to voices in the North.
I am well aware of the practical challenges which arise from Britain’s decision to leave the EU Single Market and Customs Union. My Department will continue to engage closely with Northern Irish stakeholders, listening carefully to their concerns and acting to mitigate the negative impacts of Brexit where possible.
On 3 March, I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and with Lord Frost, the UK’s Minister co-chairing the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and TCA Partnership Council. I expressed the Government’s grave concern and regret regarding the UK’s plans for unilateral action with regard to the Protocol, rather than working in continued partnership with the EU in accordance with the EU-UK joint statements of 11 and 24 February. I also maintain ongoing contacts with other British Government counterparts on these issues and other matters of common interest.
I have consistently advocated a pragmatic approach to implementation within the existing framework of the Protocol, including joint consideration of modest extensions to grace periods. This is, however, only possible in a spirit of cooperation and partnership and through the agreed mechanisms established by the Protocol.
Unilateral actions are contrary to the spirit and letter of the Protocol – and undercut the trust vital to the optimal working of the EU-UK relationship. I have made clear that it is incumbent on the UK to do all it can to rebuild that trust and to act within the structures of the Protocol.
My engagement with counterparts is reinforced with substantial further regular engagement from Ministerial colleagues and Departmental officials.
755. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with his counterpart in the United States of America; if the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol has been discussed; if Brexit and its impact on Ireland has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14616/21]
View answerStrengthening 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 look forward to working with the new US Administration on the many global challenges facing the international community, from the pandemic to climate change to promoting peace and security, as well as on issues of particular importance to our bilateral relationship. Ireland has always maintained close relations with the US and will continue to do so, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., our other diplomatic Missions across the US and through the US Embassy in Dublin.
I spoke with my counterpart in the US, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on 13 February. This call offered a valuable opportunity to congratulate Secretary Blinken on his appointment and to reiterate the commitment of the Government to strengthening both our bilateral relationship and wider transatlantic relations. During the call, in addition to foreign policy issues, we discussed Brexit, Northern Ireland and the importance of protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. The engagement by successive US Administrations, Congress and the Irish Diaspora has made an indispensable contribution to the success of the Peace Process over the last three decades, and continues to do so.
I also met with Secretary Blinken at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 February where the importance of the transatlantic relationship, and the scope for enhanced cooperation on a host of issues, were discussed.
On 10 March, the Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefcovic, and I met virtually with the Friends of Ireland Caucus in the US Congress. This meeting underlined once again the bipartisan support from America’s most senior political figures for stability in Northern Ireland and safeguarding the gains of the Good Friday Agreement, including avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland. It was an opportunity, too, to brief the Caucus on the latest EU-UK developments, including the UK’s unilateral moves on implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. The Protocol is the agreed and only solution to the problems created on the island of Ireland by Brexit.
We have consistently said that we want the Protocol to work for Northern Ireland, and for the island as a whole, in as smooth a manner as possible. Making this work requires a genuine spirit of partnership and close cooperation and we hope that the UK Government now recommits to full implementation of the Protocol in partnership with the EU.
The Government greatly values the support, friendship and engagement of the United States on the Peace Process, and for the stability and prosperity of Northern Ireland. These messages were reiterated by the Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US last week.
Looking ahead, we will continue to maintain close relations with the new Administration, Members of Congress, across the aisle, and contacts from across the political spectrum. This engagement extends to our contacts at federal, state, city and local levels.
756. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the work his Department has carried out regarding the detention of a person (details supplied) in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14618/21]
View answerThis is a complex case involving an Irish citizen who has been prevented from leaving China since March 2019. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has been providing ongoing consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai, while he and his legal teams work on the legal, commercial and financial issues through the appropriate channels. Our Consul General has met and engaged very regularly with the citizen, and continues to provide all possible consular advice and support.
There has also been extensive and regular engagement at the most senior political and diplomatic level with the Chinese authorities in Beijing and Shanghai, and with the Embassy of China in Dublin, in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen until he is permitted to return to Ireland.
757. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged with his European counterparts regarding the forthcoming ratification of a new investment deal with China given the concerns regarding human rights violations in China and Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14619/21]
View answerThe negotiations for a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) between the EU and China were concluded in principle on 30 December last year. The conclusion in principle is a first step in the process towards signature and ratification.
Ratification of the Agreement will only arise when the European Commission presents the final legally scrubbed texts to Trade Ministers in Council which is several months away. Trade Ministers in Council will make a judgement at that time on ratification having considered all aspects of the Agreement and bilateral relations with China.
Ireland has a wide-ranging relationship with China, which covers political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links. We share strong links in a number of areas, but there are nevertheless a number of differences in our relationship. In this context, Ireland raises points of concern with the Chinese Government directly and in appropriate multilateral fora.
The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and Ireland will continue to raise issues of concern with the Chinese authorities as they arise. Importantly, the CAI will include a Chapter on sustainable development, with commitments on environment and climate as well as labour. No such provisions have been negotiated by anyone with China before. In the area of labour, China undertakes the commitment to effectively implement the ratified ILO Conventions and to make continued and sustained effort to pursue ratification of ILO fundamental Conventions on forced labour.
In the pursuit of our bilateral relations, my Department takes the full breadth of Ireland's values and interests into account to ensure that the best outcomes for Ireland are achieved, and the Government will continue to monitor and assess the situation and engage with Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora to address our concerns.
