Neale Richmond
Question:758. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of Ireland's membership of the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14620/21]
View answerUN Security Council
Questions (758)
Written answers
Ireland took its seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021. We have been engaging actively across the full Security Council agenda, which includes some 30 country and regional files and 20 thematic files.
The Government have set out three overarching principles for Ireland’s membership of the Security Council: building peace, strengthening conflict prevention, and ensuring accountability. Ireland has also taken on specific responsibilities in relation to the Council’s support to the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), the humanitarian situation in Syria, Somalia sanctions, UN work in West Africa and the Sahel, and the issues of Climate and Security, Women, Peace and Security, and Hunger and Conflict.
In relation to our work to uphold the JCPOA, I visited Tehran on 7 March to discuss this and other issues with President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif. I have also spoken with Secretary of State Blinken on this issue.
We are working closely with Norway as co-penholders on the humanitarian situation in Syria. I visited Bab al-Hawa in Turkey in January, to see first-hand the vital role the UN-authorised crossing plays in provision of humanitarian assistance.
We initiated discussions at the Council on 3 February and 4 March on the dire humanitarian situation and the ongoing lack of humanitarian access in Tigray, Ethiopia.
I participated in a High Level Debate on Climate and Security in February. The Council’s Expert Group on Climate and Security, which we co-Chair, held its first meeting for 2021 earlier this month.
I also participated in an Open Debate on Conflict and Food Security in March. Globally, conflict is the main driver of hunger. Ireland and Niger will host a briefing for Council members with the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organisation in April.
Improving peacekeeping mandates will be a priority throughout our term. Since January, the Council has renewed or amended the mandates of the Missions in Cyprus (UNFICYP), South Sudan (UNMISS), Somalia (AMISOM), and Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
Ireland hosted an informal Council meeting on ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in UN-led peace processes on 8 March.
Engagement with African issues and with African partners and the African Union is a longstanding priority area for Ireland’s foreign policy, and a key part of our Security Council membership.
We continue to follow the Middle East Peace Process closely. I participated in the Ministerial-level Open Debate on this issue in January.
Myanmar has been a particular focus of the Security Council since February. The Council agreed a Presidential Statement on 10 March, condemning the use of violence against peaceful protesters and expressing its continued support for the democratic transition in Myanmar.
Over the past three months, the Council has also addressed the situations in Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen. I also participated in a Council meeting on counter-terrorism.
A further priority for our Council term is promoting human rights. Respect for human rights law, international humanitarian law, and the rule of law more broadly is central to building sustainable peace.
The Council has also considered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international peace and security. Last month, I attended a high-level debate on equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly for those in fragile and conflict-affected areas. A resolution on this issue was adopted on 26 February.
Across all issues on the Council agenda, Ireland takes a realistic but ambitious approach. We are working to play a constructive role, to find solutions and overcome divisions to help the Council fulfil its vital role of preventing and resolving conflict.
Brexit Issues
Questions (759)
Thomas Pringle
Question:759. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union, and the European Atomic Energy Community, will be formally ratified by the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14633/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Agreement on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community was signed on 24 January 2020. It was approved by the European Parliament on 29 January 2020 and adopted by the Council on 30 January 2020. The instruments of ratification were deposited on 31 January 2020. The Agreement entered into force at 11 p.m. on 31 January 2020.
The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was signed on 30 December 2020 – and has provisionally applied since 1 January 2021. The European Union process for ratification is ongoing and a number of steps are still required, including a vote of the European Parliament expressing its consent. This vote has not yet been scheduled. The period of provisional application of the TCA was recently extended to 30 April, to ensure adequate time to complete various required steps.
Visa Agreements
Questions (760)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:760. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the E3 visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14667/21]
View answerWritten answers
The issue of Irish immigration to the US 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, including last week by the Taoiseach with President Biden as part of his virtual St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US. The Taoiseach also discussed the issue of the E3 visa bill, and of creating pathways to citizenship, with the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. These engagements will continue as we maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum, and as we seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with the new Administration of President Joe Biden.
We are pleased to see that immigration issues, including possible pathways to citizenship, are a priority for the new US President, as demonstrated by the proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. We look forward to working with the new Administration, as well as with the new US Congress, across the aisle, to pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US. We will actively engage with the Administration and Congress on this, including through our Embassy in Washington DC.
We also continue to pursue the E3 Visa Bill, which, if passed, could allow access to thousands of US visas each year to Irish citizens, providing new opportunities to live and work in the US. Our Embassy in Washington D.C. continues its extensive outreach in support of the Bill, working with a range of Members of the US House of Representatives and the Senate. Now that the new Administration and new Congress are in place, we will seek the reintroduction of the Bill at the earliest opportunity.
Northern Ireland
Questions (761)
Pauline Tully
Question:761. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the work he has undertaken to ensure the full implementation of the New Decade, New Approach deal. [14706/21]
View answerWritten answers
On 9 January 2020, the Irish and British Governments published a new agreement for Northern Ireland, New Decade, New Approach, which was reached together with the political parties. Alongside the agreement, both Governments set out their own separate, unilateral commitments.
Although Covid 19 has been the understandable focus in the year since the NDNA was reached, nevertheless progress has been made to implement those important commitments.
The Government has established a Shared Island Initiative and Shared Island Fund, which provides €500m for capital investment available over the next five years. This funding is ring-fenced for collaborative North/South investment. It ensures we have the resources in place to match our commitment to mutually-beneficial North/South cooperation on new and existing projects.
The North South Ministerial Council resumed its essential work, with its second successful plenary session taking place last December. The elements of New Decade, New Approach relevant to the NSMC, which include commitments in relation to cross-border infrastructure and investment, are progressing well.
Projects such as the Ulster Canal and the reviews of rail and air connectivity are moving ahead. Work in relation to the Sligo-Enniskillen Greenway is also progressing, as a joint project let by Leitrim County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
On other areas, such as the Narrow Water Bridge and potential investment in research and innovation, discussions are taking place to allow our Administrations to define shared objectives that take full account of the priorities of both sides.
With respect to language and culture, we have made the budgetary provisions to deliver on the commitments we made as a Government to support Irish language broadcasting, community groups and the development of Irish language networks.
On reconciliation, the Government will also deliver on our commitments to maintain, and in fact increase, our spending through the Reconciliation Fund which supports projects in all communities in Northern Ireland and border areas, and to map out the outstanding areas of need.
The first New Decade, New Approach Implementation Review Meeting took place virtually on January 11, which I attended together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, First Minister and deputy First Minister. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to ensuring the sustainable and effective operation of all the devolved institutions, and committed themselves to the ongoing implementation of New Decade, New Approach.
The full implementation of the agreement is a key priority for the Government in the period ahead, and we will work with the Executive and the British Government to this end.
Dublin-Monaghan Bombings
Questions (762)
Pauline Tully
Question:762. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the work he has undertaken to ensure that access is gained to all original documents held by the UK Government relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in May 1974. [14708/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government stands in solidarity with all those impacted by the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. Thirty three people were murdered and hundreds seriously injured on that awful day in 1974. We will continue to seek the full truth of these appalling attacks, and some measure of closure for the victims' families and survivors, in accordance with the three Motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann to date.
The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings that was adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, calls on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow. The Programme for Government reiterates Ireland’s commitment to engaging with the British Government on this issue as matter of priority, in accordance with the All-Party Dáil motions.
The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these All-Party Dáil motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government, including at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference, and during regular engagement with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - I most recently raised the need for urgent progress on this issue directly with Secretary of State Lewis when we met in Belfast last October.
We have made clear to our counterparts that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government, and that there remains an urgent need for a response. The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request, at senior political level and in official level engagement by my Department, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue until a resolution is found.
Human Rights
Questions (763)
Catherine Connolly
Question:763. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the arrest and detention of five young children by the Israeli Defence Forces on 10 March 2021 in the Masafer Yatta region near Hebron; his views on the way in which the arrest and detention of children in military courts and prisons accord with the International Rights of the Child; his views on reports that such breaches by the Israeli Defence Forces are a regular occurrence; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children of similar age in illegal settlements are dealt with under civil law; if he condemns such practices; if he will raise this issue with the appropriate authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14747/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am deeply concerned by the unacceptable manner and practices around the detention and trial of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons and the Israeli military court system. Israel is bound, as a contracting party, by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). I am not satisfied that Israel is meeting its obligations under these Conventions.
All children subject to Israeli jurisdiction and criminal justice, including in territory occupied by Israel, should be afforded the same protections under the law as Israel considers appropriate for Israeli children, including those resident in settlements.
During my visits to Israel and Palestine, I have raised Ireland’s concerns about the detention of minors directly with the Israeli authorities. I have strongly urged the Israeli authorities to use detention only as a last resort, and for the shortest possible period of time, in the case of minors, as stipulated in the CRC.
The Israeli military court system in the occupied territory, which is used only in relation to Palestinians, including children, has a near-one hundred percent conviction rate, a statistic which raises serious questions about the system’s compliance with international standards of due process.
Ireland has also raised these issues at EU level. In February 2021, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted Conclusions on EU Priorities in UN human rights fora, which reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the full implementation of the CRC and its Protocols worldwide.
In relation to the situation in Masafer Yatta referred to by the Deputy, Irish officials are aware and continue to monitor the case. Ireland continues to support a number of key Palestinian and Israeli NGOs in their work on the monitoring, advocacy and legal defence of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (764)
Richard Bruton
Question:764. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department that required his sanction; the time that elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements that made up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted delivery time set out at the outset of the process. [14778/21]
View answerWritten answers
There are no significant capital construction projects, that require my sanction, underway in my Department currently.
The Department is in the early design phase of our new Embassy in Abuja and the new Ireland House in Tokyo. Construction has not commenced on either project.
Passport Applications
Questions (765)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:765. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill 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. [14909/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 enquired, an official from the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant's father on 18 March to offer general advice in relation to the first time application process during Level 5.
Passport Applications
Questions (766)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:766. 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 circumstances in which they are required for essential travel and official purposes as in the case of a person (details supplied). [15001/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
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.
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.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, an official from the Passport Service contacted the Deputy's office to provide an update.
Foreign Policy
Questions (767)
Brendan Griffin
Question:767. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will increase the amount of famine relief funding being provided for Yemen by Ireland in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15072/21]
View answerWritten answers
The roots of this grave humanitarian crisis – the most severe in the world - lie in conflict. Ireland strongly supports the work led by UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, which aims to enable the resumption of a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process. As a Member of the UN Security Council Ireland will press this case. which offers a meaningful way forward to peace. The most recent discussion on Yemen at the Security Council took place on 16 March, and Ireland again drew attention to the very clear link between the conflict and the widespread food insecurity faced by millions of Yemenis.
Ireland is maintaining a very high level of engagement with key parties in the region, including discussions I have held in the past month with the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, as well as with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Mr. Martin Griffiths. Additionally, last month Ireland’s Ambassador to Yemen, based in Riyadh, joined other European Ambassadors in visiting Aden to meet with members of the new Government there.
On 1 March, I participated in the High Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen convened by the United Nations. I highlighted Ireland’s political and financial support to ending the suffering of the people of Yemen, in particular given the critical situation there and our Membership of the UN Security Council. I pledged on behalf of Ireland a minimum of a further €5 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen this year. In 2020, Ireland also pledged €5 million and in December 2020 provided an additional €1 million. This most recent pledge will bring Ireland’s humanitarian assistance to Yemen since 2012 to €34 million.
Ireland is a very strong and dependable donor, helping to meet the needs of the people of Yemen. However, the scale of need is enormous: that is why I have encouraged all donors who have assisted Yemen in the past to continue to do so or to re-commence their aid. I share the UN Secretary-General’s concerns about resources available for humanitarian assistance in Yemen following the Pledging Conference.
Questions Nos. 768 and 769 answered with Question No. 742.
Departmental Transport
Questions (770)
Duncan Smith
Question:770. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department, agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15120/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs purchases motor vehicles to facilitate the functioning and operations of its HQ units and its Missions abroad and we are committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle. In particular, Mission staff abroad are required to undertake a significant volume of travel in the performance of their official functions. This ranges from city journeys during the working day and in the evening, and long journeys of up to several hundred miles by road. As well as demanding schedules, in many cases there are also issues related to limited availability of public transport, security considerations and location. Official vehicles also provide an important logistical support to Missions.
Under the Department’s updated official vehicle management policy, and in line with our Green Foreign Ministry policy, new and replacement vehicle purchases must now comply with our policy of minimising our carbon footprint. Factors like pollutant emissions, fuel efficiency and noise levels are taken into account when preparing vehicle specifications. The procurement of electric vehicles is given strong consideration by default followed by consideration of hybrid options. However, it should be noted that some our Missions operate in difficult environments where security and health and safety issues will a significant factor when deciding on an official vehicle.
The Department owns 175 vehicles and leases 2 vehicles across its HQ and its 90 Missions abroad.
The breakdown of engine type is as follows:
|
Engine Type |
Number |
|
Petrol |
71 |
|
Diesel |
92 |
|
Hybrid – Self Charging |
10 |
|
Hybrid – Plug In |
4 |
|
Total |
177 |
The Department has no agencies or semi-State companies under its remit.
Question No. 771 answered with Question No. 742.
Departmental Functions
Questions (772)
Seán Canney
Question:772. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if partial processing of foreign birth registrations can resume at level 5 given that many persons who submitted applications for foreign birth registrations from 1 February 2020 have not been corresponded with, and have included important personal documents such as passports along with the applications; if his Department will refund the substantial fee of €278 to persons whose applications have not been processed within 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15233/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service has paused the processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications as 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.
While applicants can continue to apply using the online service, Passport Service staff must be on site in order to process FBR applications which often involves official paper documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. This is to protect the personal data of the applicant.
My Department operates a clear and transparent general policy of processing FBR applications in order of receipt. However, we will consider urgent requests to expedite an application on a case by case basis. During Level 5 restrictions, applicants can make contact with the Passport Service through the WebChat service.
The Department has advised applicants not to submit supporting documents for the FBR applications during this time. Where documents have been submitted, they will be registered to facilitate the return of documents on request by the applicant. It should be noted that the return of these documents does not obviate the need to examine their original versions at a later stage of the process when the FBR service resumes. Applicants should, therefore, be aware that they may be requested to re-submit these documents to the Department.
Where an applicant wishes to cancel their application and receive a refund of the application fee, they should e-mail fbrpayments@dfa.ie When Ireland returns to Level 3 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19, the application will be cancelled, the supporting documentation returned and the fee refunded.
At present, there are 27,000 applications in the FBR system that are awaiting processing.
A comprehensive plan is in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Applications will be processed when services resume at Level 3 of the Framework.
Question No. 773 answered with Question No. 742.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (774, 776)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:774. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Report on the Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence; his views on the recommendations in the report in respect of COVAX, the Covid technology access pool or C-TAP, and the potential relaxation of intellectual property rights in order to increase access to and supply of Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15349/21]
View answerThomas Pringle
Question:776. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration he has given to the recommendations of the Report on the Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries that was produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence; if he will address the recommendations, in particular the potential relaxation of intellectual property rights in order to increase access to and supply of Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15388/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 774 and 776 together.
I would like to thank the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for their recent Report on the Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries, whose recommendations are being considered by the relevant Government Departments.
Ireland is fully supporting efforts by the international community to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. The Government quadrupled funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020, given its role as lead UN agency for health and co-host of the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which has the COVAX facility as a centrepiece. The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment leads on Intellectual Property Rights, and is giving consideration to Ireland’s potential participation in technology-pooling mechanisms such as the C-TAP initiative.
My Department continues to liaise with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment on this on an ongoing basis. In the meantime, my Department has announced €5 million in Irish Aid funding to support developing countries to access COVID-19 vaccines. Most of this funding is going through the COVAX facility, a global UN-led mechanism for pooling procurement and fair distribution of the vaccines. This is part of at least €50 million allocated by my Department to Global Health in 2021.
International Agreements
Questions (775)
Bríd Smith
Question:775. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in respect of COVAX, and Covid technology access pool or C-TAP; the position taken by Ireland on the European Commission's opposition to a TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 vaccines at the meeting in March of the World Trade Organization; the engagement he plans to have with that Department in advance of the next WTO meeting in April; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15376/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is fully supporting efforts by the international community to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. The Government quadrupled funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020, given its role as lead UN agency for health and co-host of the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, which has the COVAX facility as a centrepiece.
The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment leads on Intellectual Property Rights and World Trade Organisation (WTO) matters, including on the current discussion on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. They are giving consideration to Ireland’s potential participation in technology-pooling mechanisms such as the C-TAP initiative. My Department continues to liaise with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on this and a number of related matters, on an ongoing basis.
In the meantime, my Department has announced an additional €5 million in Irish Aid funding for the response to Covid-19, to enable developing countries access vaccines. Most of this funding is going to the COVAX facility, a global UN-led mechanism for pooling procurement and fair distribution of vaccines. This is part of the €50 million allocated by my Department to global health in 2021.
I would like to thank the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for their recent 'Report on the Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries', the recommendations of which are being considered across relevant Government Departments.
Question No. 776 answered with Question No. 774.
Election Monitoring Missions
Questions (777)
Barry Cowen
Question:777. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address a series of matters regarding the rapid response and election observation rosters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15422/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs enables participation in a range of overseas deployment opportunities for suitable qualified and vetted volunteers, typically involving placement with, or by, third party organisations, facilitated by the Department through a range of rosters, registers, initiatives and programmes, including the Election Observation Roster and the Rapid Response Corps.
I also refer the Deputy to the response to the Information Note on the Overseas Election Observation Roster prepared for the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade (JCFATD) and the Composite Note published on the election observation pages of the Irish Aid website, which are attached to this response, and where the issues raised here have been comprehensively addressed.
Matters pertaining to the selection process for the 2019-2023 roster, as well as the membership and operation of the roster, have also been addressed in response to Parliamentary Questions No. 16 of 25 January 2018, No. 98 of 28 March 2018, No. 107 of 24 April 2018, No. 60 of 21 June 2018, Nos. 57 and 58 of 3 July 2018, No. 167 of 4 July 2018, Nos. 138 and 149 of 10 July 2018, Nos. 103,104, 105, 106 and 107 of 24 July 2018, Nos. 69 and 70 of 7 September 2018, No. 45 of 20 September 2018, No. 36 of 9 October 2018, No. 43 of 11 October 2018, No. 179 of 23 October 2018, Nos. 151 and 157 of 20 November 2018, No. 74 of 6 December 2018, No. 109 of 19 December 2018, Nos. 59, 60 and 61 of 23 January 2019, No. 120 of 29 January 2019, Nos. 80 and 81 of 30 January 2019, Nos. 146, 147 and 153 of 5 February 2019, Nos. 61 and 65 of 6 February 2019, No. 58 of 7 February 2019, Nos. 124 and 138 of 12 February 2019, No. 71 of 13 February 2019, No. 129 of 19 February 2019, Nos. 100, 105, 108 and 109 of 26 February 2019, Nos. 115, 117, 119 and 126 of 5 March 2019, Nos. 74, 76 and 81 of 6 March 2019, Nos. 59 and 68 of 12 March 2019, No. 114 of 13 March 2019, No. 157 of 26 March 2019, Nos. 81, 85 and 99 of 2 April 2019, No. 115 of 16 April 2019, No. 51 of 18 April 2019, No. 73 of 29 May 2019, Nos. 117 and 119 of 25 June 2019, Nos. 108, 109, 110, 111 and 112 of 10 July 2019, No. 114 of 23 July 2019, Nos. 106 and 124 of 10 December 2019, No. 37 of 5 March 2020, No. 30 of 13 May 2020, No. 21 of 3 June 2020, No. 33 of 16 June 2020, Nos. 338 and 342 of 21 July 2020, No. 453 of 8 September 2020, Nos. 369 and 370 of 15 September 2020, No. 109 of 23 September 2020, No. 396 of 6 October 2020, Nos. 186, 187 and 188 of 13 October, No. 158 of 15 October, No. 665 of 3 November, No. 400 of 10 November 2020, No. 113 of 11 November 2020, Nos. 410 and 419 of 24 November 2020, Nos. 255 and 256 of 26 November 2020, Nos. 292 and 293 of 15 December 2020, Nos. 362 and 363 of 17 December 2020, No. 323 of 13 January 2021 and No. 372 of 10 February 2021.
In addition, the issue of reasonable accommodation for disabilities as it pertains to the application process for and operation of the Election Observer Roster has also been addressed in the responses to Parliamentary Questions: No. 60 of 23 January 2019; No. 153 of 5 February 2019; No. 65 of 6 February 2019; No. 58 of 7 February 2019; No. 124 of 12 February 2019; No. 129 of 19 February 2019; Nos. 100 and 105 of 26 February 2019; Nos. 117 and 119 of 5 March 2019; Nos. 74, 76 and 81 of 6 March 2019; No. 68 of 12 March 2019; No. 157 of 26 March 2019; Nos. 117 and 119 of 16 April 2019; No. 73 of 29 May 2019; No. 119 of 25 June 2019; No. 109 of 10 July 2019; No. 186 of 13 October 2020; No. 113 of 11 November; No. 256 of 26 November 2020 and Nos. 362 and 363 of 17 December 2020.
The current Election Observation Roster of volunteers for nomination to EU and/or OSCE election observation missions was established effective as of 1 January 2019 for five years. The Department's Evaluation and Audit Unit, which is independent and reports directly to the Secretary General and to the Department's external Audit Committee, published a recently completed a review of the Election Observation Roster as part of the standard, Department-wide approach of reviewing our procedures and working practices. The review team concluded that the ‘2018/19 election observation roster mustering process was transparent, fair and carried out to a high standard.’
That report demonstrates that the Irish system for election monitoring to be robust and effective by international standards.
It does, however, highlight the exceptional burden created by unreasonably voluminous correspondence, repetitive transparency requests and appeals, noting an observation by the Information Commissioner of ‘one facet of this volume of work as ‘a continuation of that same pattern of conduct … that I found to be an abuse of process [in a previous case]’…’.
The Rapid Response Corps is a roster of experts available to deploy at short notice under the UN Standby Partnership Programme in response to severe, sudden-onset crises and emergencies. The specialist nature of the Rapid Response Corps means that it has a different remit and is not analogous to the volunteer election roster.
As outlined in response to Parliamentary Questions No. 329 of 2 February 2021 and No. 7214 of 10 February 2021, this Department expects to launch the next recruitment campaign to that roster in 2022. The last such recruitment took place in 2018. The timing of recruitment campaigns is to ensure that the skills of Rapid Response Corps members are aligned with the skills required by UN agencies, within the Standby Partnership Programme, which can vary periodically.
In the case of both of these rosters, there were significantly more applicants than places available, and thus the disappointment of those who were not successful in these competitions is understandable. Nevertheless, as outlined above, these competitions were conducted to a very high standard and included appeals processes, thus continued efforts to overturn the outcome of these open and competitive processes would do an injustice to those who came through the competitions and have earned their places on the rosters.
1. www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/newsmedia/EOM-review-DCAD-FINAL-Report.pdf.
2. https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2019-07-10_pq108-10-7-19_en.pdf.
3. www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/getinvolved/electionroster/Composite-Response.pdf.
International Agreements
Questions (778)
James Lawless
Question:778. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the position taken by Ireland will be reviewed in respect of a potential TRIPS waiver on Covid-19 vaccines in view of the recommendations made in the Report on the Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries compiled by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence; the engagement his Department will seek with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the EU Commission on this issue in advance of the next meeting of the World Trade Organization in April; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15501/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment leads on World Trade Organisation (WTO) matters, including on the current discussion on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. My Department continues to liaise with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on this and a number of related matters, on an ongoing basis.
In the meantime, my Department has announced an additional €5 million in Irish Aid funding for the response to Covid-19, to enable developing countries access vaccines. Most of this funding will go to the COVAX facility, a global UN-led mechanism for pooling procurement and fair distribution of vaccines. This is part of the €50 million allocated by my Department to global health in 2021.
I would like to thank the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for their recent 'Report on the Distribution of Covid-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries', the recommendations of which are being considered across relevant Government Departments.
Ministerial Communications
Questions (779)
Claire Kerrane
Question:779. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the diplomatic contact he has had with his Chinese counterpart in the past year. [15590/21]
View answerWritten answers
Over the past twelve months I have had contact with my counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a number of occasions on bilateral and broader international issues including in the framework of Ireland's membership of the UN Security Council.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (780)
Catherine Murphy
Question:780. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of letters he has issued to persons travelling here in 2020 and to date in 2021 who were travelling for an urgent humanitarian reason in order to avoid quarantine (details supplied). [15722/21]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that my Department has not issued letters to exempt individuals from quarantine requirements.
Question No. 781 answered with Question No. 743.
Passport Services
Questions (782)
Pearse Doherty
Question:782. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; if a change of address has been added to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15871/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service has paused the processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications as 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.
My Department operates a clear and transparent general policy of processing FBR applications in order of receipt. However, we will consider urgent requests to expedite an application on a case by case basis. During Level 5 restrictions, applicants can make contact with the Passport Service through the WebChat service.
A comprehensive plan is in place to resume all services, in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Applications will be processed when services resume at Level 3 of the Framework.
With regard to this specific application, the change of details has been noted.