Kathleen Funchion
Question:875. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date a person (details supplied) can expect their passport from the passport office. [20144/21]
View answerPassport Applications
Questions (875)
Written answers
In line with Government guidance for Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19, 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.
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 15 April 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
Question No. 876 answered with Question No. 839.
Undocumented Irish in the USA
Questions (877)
Robert Troy
Question:877. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts taking place between Ireland and the US administration in terms of regulating the status of the undocumented Irish; and his views on whether the recent election of President Biden offers an enhanced opportunity to advance the cause of the thousands of Irish citizens who find themselves in such circumstances. [20221/21]
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 month by the Taoiseach with President Biden as part of his virtual St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US. 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 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.
Our Embassy in Washington D.C., as well as the Consulates across the US, also work closely with Irish Immigration Centres, which support the needs of Irish citizens. The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers receives significant annual funding through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme. Furthermore, in response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish Communities Abroad was set up to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable. In 2020, over €4.25m was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for ESP and Covid related projects.
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. 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 as part of his St. Patrick’s Day engagements. 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.
Question No. 878 answered with Question No. 836.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (879)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:879. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to endorse the World Health Organisation Covid-Technology Access Pool initiative to help achieve equitable, global access to Covid-19 vaccines; if he plans to advocate for same at international level, particularly at European level and at the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/21]
View answerWritten answers
Question Number 774 of 24 March refers.
My Department continues to support global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the €50 million in Irish Aid funding to global health in 2021, €5 million is channelled to directly finance COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX. The COVAX mechanism is beginning to deliver results, with over 38 million vaccines already delivered to 106 participant countries.
The ongoing challenges with global vaccination were the subject of a February UN Security Council Debate on access to COVID-19 vaccines. The resulting resolution (2565) particularly highlighted the challenges faced in conflict-affected zones.
The sharing of technology on vaccines, and also diagnostics and treatment, is part of the suite of responses to COVID-19. As the Government lead on Intellectual Property Rights, this is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Ireland is sharing technology, and investing in vital research and innovation in response to the pandemic. For example, the technology supporting the COVID tracker app has been widely shared.
Officials in my Department continue to work with counterparts in other Departments, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to give consideration to whether Ireland will join the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP).
Israeli Settlements
Questions (880)
Patrick Costello
Question:880. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he has taken to oppose any annexation or plans to apply Israeli sovereignty over territory which is part of Occupied Palestine in view of the commitments in the Programme for Government that Ireland’s interests are best served by active and engaged membership of the European Union and to give leadership within the EU. [20435/21]
View answerWritten answers
The unilateral annexation by Israel of any part of the occupied Palestinian territory would be a clear violation of international law. It would have no legitimacy, and would not be recognised or accepted by Ireland, or by the international community more generally, and would be deeply damaging to the Two State solution.
The Programme for Government clearly states that the Government would regard any such moves as “a breach of international law and would consider an appropriate response to them at both national and international level”.
I welcomed the announcement by Israel on 13 August 2020 that it will suspend plans to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territory. The EU's High Representative / Vice President Josep Borrell also welcomed the announcement on behalf of the EU in a Declaration on 15 August. I have noted with concern, however, subsequent Israeli statements that annexation plans remain on the table and I have called for any such plans to be permanently withdrawn. I have also raised the issue directly with my Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
Questions Nos. 881 and 882 answered with Question No. 834.
Passport Applications
Questions (883)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:883. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently owing to the current backlog within the passport office. [20442/21]
View answerWritten answers
In line with Government guidance at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19, 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 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.
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, the Passport Service issued correspondence to the applicant's mother on 15 April 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
Questions Nos. 884 and 885 answered with Question No. 836.
Passport Applications
Questions (886)
Joe Flaherty
Question:886. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons who have applied for a passport which have not yet been processed by county in tabular form. [20505/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Since the beginning of this year the Passport Service has processed approximately 25,000 adult renewal applications and almost 3000 emergency and urgent applications. More than 36,000 webchat queries have also been responded to.
The approximate number of online applications per county under process currently in the system is set out in the table below.
|
County |
Passport Online application under process |
|
Antrim |
4,700 |
|
Armagh |
1,000 |
|
Carlow |
400 |
|
Cavan |
500 |
|
Clare |
900 |
|
Cork |
4,300 |
|
Derry |
1,500 |
|
Donegal |
1,200 |
|
Down |
3,100 |
|
Dublin |
16,000 |
|
Fermanagh |
300 |
|
Galway |
2,200 |
|
Kerry |
1,000 |
|
Kildare |
2,200 |
|
Kilkenny |
700 |
|
Laois |
600 |
|
Leitrim |
200 |
|
Limerick |
1,700 |
|
Longford |
300 |
|
Louth |
1,100 |
|
Mayo |
900 |
|
Meath |
1,900 |
|
Monaghan |
400 |
|
Offaly |
500 |
|
Roscommon |
400 |
|
Sligo |
500 |
|
Tipperary |
1,100 |
|
Tyrone |
1,200 |
|
Waterford |
800 |
|
Westmeath |
700 |
|
Wexford |
1,000 |
|
Wicklow |
1,500 |
These figures are correct to 16 April 2021.
There are currently approximately 2,000 paper based applications in the system. It is not possible to break these down by county. 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.
Passport Applications
Questions (887)
Michael McNamara
Question:887. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application by a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20516/21]
View answerWritten answers
In line with Government guidance at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19, 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.
Applicants who require a passport for emergency purposes, or for 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 contacted the applicant on 16 April 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
Question No. 888 answered with Question No. 836.
Question No. 889 answered with Question No. 867.
Israeli Settlements
Questions (890)
Patrick Costello
Question:890. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that he has taken to prevent the targeting of EU-funded aid structures by Israel and subsequently condemn those given UN reports (details supplied) that in the first two months of 2021 the targeting of EU-funded aid structures by Israel tripled compared with the monthly average in 2020; the penalties Ireland and the EU will implement in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20545/21]
View answerWritten answers
The demolition by Israeli authorities of private property is of grave concern. Demolition and confiscation of humanitarian assets, including education infrastructure, is contrary to Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention.
I am extremely concerned at the nature of these policies, especially in areas where illegal Israeli settlements have already been constructed. The only conclusion we can draw, is that they are aimed at forcing Palestinians off their land.
Ireland regularly conveys our views on these actions to the Israeli authorities, both directly and through the EU. I met the Israeli Ambassador on 18 March on a range of issues, and conveyed in the strongest terms my concerns on demolitions of humanitarian aid and the issue of settlements. Ireland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv has raised demolitions with the Israeli authorities and I have also outlined our position during visits to the region.
At the Quarterly debate on the Middle East of the UN Security Council in January, I called on Israel to halt these demolitions and to allow for legal construction for Palestinian communities during a debate on the Middle East. I issued a statement on the demolitions in Humsa Al Bqai'a (also known as Khirbet Humsa) on 5 February in which I called on Israel, as the occupying power, to fulfil its obligations towards this community and to cease its harmful practice of evictions and demolitions of Palestinian property.
Ireland, the EU, and the wider humanitarian community are supporting impacted communities. While my primary concern is the hardship and injustice that demolitions and confiscations cause for Palestinian families, it is of additional concern when those structures confiscated or demolished are donor-funded. It is important that the question of recompense for humanitarian relief funded by our taxpayers should be pursued.
Ireland pursues this issue consistently through the West Bank Protection Consortium, which plays a leading role in supporting threatened communities from forcible transfer, coordinating the provision of essential services to them, including material and humanitarian assistance and legal aid.
It is the practice of the Consortium to raise the issue of compensation directly with the Israeli authorities and to date, the Consortium has sought compensation of over €625,000 in respect of confiscated or demolished assets.
Question No. 891 answered with Question No. 836.
Passport Applications
Questions (892)
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:892. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications that were made through the Irish Embassy in Tokyo, Japan in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [20711/21]
View answerWritten answers
All passport applications are processed by the Passport Service in Ireland. The number of passports issued to applicants resident in Japan is provided below in two tables. The first table is paper based applications from 2018 to 2021. The second table is for the Passport Online service from 2018 to 2021.
The Passport Service introduced online renewal of adult passports in 2017 and expanded this service in 2018 to include the renewal of child passports. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
Number of paper based applications which were issued to applicants in Japan from 2018 to 2021.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2018 |
81 |
|
2019 |
85 |
|
2020 |
4 |
|
2021* |
0 |
Number of passports which were issued to applicants in Japan via Passport Online from 2018 to 2021.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2018 |
87 |
|
2019 |
151 |
|
2020 |
115 |
|
2021* |
15 |
The figures for 2021 are accurate to 16 April.
Appointments to State Boards
Questions (893)
John McGuinness
Question:893. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/21]
View answerWritten answers
There are no State Boards or Agencies under the aegis of my Department.