Written Answers Nos. 894-912
895. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the passport office will reopen as normal; when persons can expect to have their expired passports renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20787/21]
View answerIn line with 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 travel as defined in the amendment to the Health Act 1947, which came into effect on 1 February 2021. Supporting documentation is required in such cases.
Applicants who require an urgent or emergency passport, can contact the Passport Service via our Customer Service Hub Webchat function on our website.
Irish citizens who are resident overseas should continue to contact the Passport Service through the local Irish Embassy or Consulate General who continue to provide assistance to all our citizens abroad.
Staff of the Passport Service continue to produce emergency and urgent applications, to offer customer service through WebChat, to assist with consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas and temporary reassignment of staff to the Department of Health. As well as issuing almost 3,000 urgent and emergency passports, the Passport Service has issued approximately 35,000 passports since the beginning of the year. Our Webchat team have also responded to more than 36,000 queries.
While normal processing has paused the Passport Service has a comprehensive plan in place to resume all services, and will do so as soon as possible in line with the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. At present, there are approximately 89,000 Passport Online applications in the system. The return of operations will commence with all applications received via Passport Online. 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 1,900 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 as a priority after online applications have been processed.
896. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20802/21]
View answerIn 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 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 on 16 April 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
899. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements for the next meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/21]
View answer900. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his recent discussions with members of the UK Government in relation to Northern Ireland with particular reference to recent violence and disturbances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20825/21]
View answer902. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had discussions with members of the Northern Ireland Executive and or with political parties in Northern Ireland regarding the recent violence and disturbances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20827/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 899, 900 and 902 together.
The events of recent weeks in Northern Ireland have been deeply concerning to us all. The Government has been in regular contact with the British Government throughout this period. The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Johnson spoke on the 8 April, and called for calm and dialogue. I have also been in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, and travelled to London for a series of engagements with the British Government last week, including meetings with the Secretary of State, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Minister of State to the Cabinet office David Frost. In all of these engagements, we discussed the importance of calm, measured leadership and of our two Governments working together to support the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.
Both I and the Taoiseach have also engaged with the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland in recent days, to hear their perspectives on events on the ground and the way forward. Officials in my Department have also maintained regular contacts with the Northern Ireland Office.
With regard to the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, this is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing together the Irish and British Governments under Strand Three of the Agreement on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments.
It is vital that we continue to work closely on a North/South and East-West basis in support of the power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and successor agreements. The British Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important dimension of that work and we are engaging with the British Government through the Secretariat of the BIIGC with a view to setting an early date in the period ahead for its next meeting.
901. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the recent discussions he had with members of the UK Government pertaining to the Ireland-Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20826/21]
View answerLast week I visited London for a programme of bilateral engagements focussing on a number of matters including recent developments in Northern Ireland, British-Irish and EU-UK relations, the implementation of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol, and foreign policy issues in the context of Ireland’s membership of the Security Council.
I held meetings with UK Government counterparts, including the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Dominic Raab, and a joint meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, Lord Frost.
In regards to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland, I made clear that our shared goal must be full implementation of the Protocol, which was negotiated between the UK and the EU to address the challenges caused by Brexit on the island of Ireland. It is the agreed way to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, to avoid a hard border and protect the EU Single Market. The recent unilateral steps taken by the UK on the Protocol have been unhelpful and undermined trust among Member States and the European Commission. The UK must do everything in its power to repair trust via EU-UK channels. I welcome the technical level contacts between the EU and UK in recent weeks seeking to resolve the series of outstanding issues around implementation of the Protocol. I am encouraged by the commitment arising from last week's constructive meeting between Vice President Šefcovic and Lord Frost where they agreed to facilitate further, intensified discussions at technical level as well as their commitment to hold further joint engagement with Northern Irish stakeholders shortly.
I am aware of the concerns expressed by some in Northern Ireland in relation to certain elements of the Protocol. We will continue to engage and listen to stakeholders in NI. However, the best and only place to deal with these concerns are the structures established for that purpose - the Joint and Specialised Committees.
We have always been clear that we want the Protocol to work effectively for Northern Ireland, and we believe that it can help build prosperity for its people and businesses. Full access to both the UK internal market and the EU Single Market of 450 million people presents real opportunities for trade, for inward investment, and for jobs which would benefit all communities in Northern Ireland. Politicians and stakeholders from across these islands should be highlighting that and fully exploiting these opportunities.
903. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has had discussions with international leaders in the context of an international response to human rights abuses globally and now a matter of serious concern; if he will continue to pursue these issues through the EU and UN and if necessary using Ireland’s position on the UN Security Council to do same; if a particular action can be taken against the perpetrators of such abuse in the European Criminal Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20851/21]
View answerIreland is a strong contributor to European Union and United Nations efforts to eliminate human rights violations.
This includes our work on the broad range of country situations on the Security Council’s agenda, many of which involve serious human rights issues, as well as through our work on the Security Council’s subsidiary bodies, including the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, which Ireland is co-chairing, and the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.
We are keenly aware of the essential role played by UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions in protecting civilians and promoting respect for human rights, and, in our role on the Council, Ireland is supporting their crucial work in this area.
Ireland also continues to engage actively at the UN Human Rights Council. At the recently concluded 46th session of the Council, Ireland delivered over 20 National Statements on country-specific human rights situations.
At EU level, Ireland is an active participant and contributor to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which works globally to support the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security.
Ireland regards the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the cornerstone of the international criminal justice system. The ICC’s jurisdiction is limited to the territory or nationals of States Parties to the Rome Statute or States that have accepted the Court’s jurisdiction on an ad hoc basis and to situations referred to it by the Security Council of the United Nations.
While the ICC is central to the overall framework for international criminal justice, it is a court of last resort. The ICC does not substitute for national judicial systems. States bear the primary responsibility to investigate the most serious international crimes.
Ireland, together with its EU partners has been, and continues to be, a consistent and strong supporter of the ICC. We will continue to support and defend the Court throughout our term on the UN Security Council.
904. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces returning here from overseas deployment will have to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine upon their return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19008/21]
View answerDefence Forces personnel arriving into the State in the course of performing duty are classified under the Health Act as exempt travellers and as such are exempt from the requirement to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine. This is in line with S.I. No. 44/2021 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Restrictions upon Travel to the State from Certain States) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 which identifies those who are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine.
Notwithstanding this exempt traveller classification and out of an abundance of caution, personnel repatriating from peace support operations in all instances where a PCR test has not been conducted in advance of repatriation, will be tested on arrival in Ireland. Following a negative test result they will be required to restrict their movements for 14 days after repatriation at their home address or at a military installation. In all cases where personnel repatriating test positive or are not in a position to self-isolate at home they will be afforded the facility to self-isolate in a military installation or other dedicated facility.
The first major rotation of personnel returning to Ireland from a peace support operation since the establishment of mandatory hotel quarantine was completed successfully on the 7th of April when the 62nd Infantry Group returned from the UNDOF mission on the Golan Heights. In this instance, the 121 strong contingent returned to Dublin from the UN mission area on a dedicated charter flight. They were transported directly to a hotel for a PCR COVID-19 test. All personnel in the returning contingent tested negative and went home to undergo a 14 day period of restricted movements.
905. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the future use of the firing range at Cushla, County Roscommon which is no longer in use by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19715/21]
View answerThe firing range at Cushla, County Roscommon is administered by the Department of Defence on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in whom the land is vested. The Department of Defence currently has no plans to dispose of the land. Ordinarily, surplus property is disposed of by way of public auction.
906. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Defence if all vacancies (details supplied) are advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19810/21]
View answer908. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Defence if any person can apply for a position (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19865/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 906 and 908 together.
The only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners, one of whom must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
The chairman and the non military ordinary member positions are advertised through the Public Appointments Service, which uses the Stateboards.ie website, as they arise. These positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants and there is not a requirement to be a retired public servant to apply. Appointments are made by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
907. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a report on the plans of his Department to provide permanent stable accommodation as against hostel accommodation for retired veterans of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19851/21]
View answerMy Department formally recognises two veterans’ organisations that represent all former personnel, namely, the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE), the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel. The Department provides grants to both associations.
ONE provides board and lodgings for 49 ex-service personnel in three residential homes in Dublin, Letterkenny and Athlone, while IUNVA accommodates 4 retired personnel in its home on The Curragh. In addition, ONE currently has 12 Veterans Support Centres (VSCs) nationwide, while IUNVA operates drop-in centres at 8 of its 22 posts around the country.
Under the Programme for Government, the Department is continuing to assist ONE in its plans to establish a network of VSCs around the country. ONE plans to establish a total of 15 VSCs. The VSC aims to prevent homelessness through early intervention and to actively address loneliness. VSCs are available to all veterans to seek support and advice, not just to ONE members.
Departmental properties have been made available to ONE and IUNVA to house their VSCs and drop-in centres. 9 of ONE's Veteran Support Centres are located in military barracks, as are 3 of IUNVA's drop-in centres. Refurbishment work has been undertaken on a number of these properties to facilitate their use by the organisations. 11 of the 15 VSCs which ONE are in the process of establishing will be based in Defence Forces barracks.
As a further means of assisting the recognised Veterans Associations, the Department secured total funding of €300,000, awarded under the Dormant Accounts Fund, to assist ONE and IUNVA with specific special projects. ONE has nominated the provision of a VSC and hostel to accommodate 5 retired members of the Defence Forces in Cobh, Co. Cork as their special project. Work is currently underway refurbishing a former Social Welfare Office premises in Harbour Row, Cobh. ONE has plans to establish another VSC and hostel to accommodate 6 retired veterans in Cork City. This will bring to 60 the number of retired veterans that ONE will be able to accommodate.
My Department has no plans to develop permanent accommodation for retired veterans of the Defence Forces. Matters pertaining to housing are a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
909. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of qualified female pilots currently in the Air Corps; the number of female pilots currently in training; the number of qualified female air traffic controllers in the Air Corps; and the number of females currently in training to become qualified air traffic controllers. [20093/21]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that the Air Corps employs 1 qualified female pilot, and 2 qualified female air traffic controllers. There are currently no female trainee pilots or air traffic controllers.
Equality and inclusion are priorities for the Defence Forces and there are no restrictions with regard to the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties.
The Government remains committed to maximising recruitment capacity in order to return to, and maintain, the agreed strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel.
910. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence the number of qualified female civilian fitness instructors employed either by his Department or the Defence Forces working in each military barracks here in tabular form. [20094/21]
View answerCivilian staff deployed at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces are employed by my Department. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum of roles and include craft workers, services, administrative, healthcare professionals and other specialist grades. My Department does not employ any qualified female civilian fitness instructors.
911. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence if he has engaged virtually with his French counterpart to date in 2021. [20422/21]
View answerThe normal meetings of EU Defence Ministers during the Portugese Presidency have been deferred. As a result, I have not had any contact to date in 2021 with my French Defence counterpart, Ms. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces.
912. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence 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. [20721/21]
View answerThe only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners, one of whom must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
My Department reports on the gender balance of the Army Pensions Board annually to the Department of Justice which has a coordinating role in this regard. The most recent return showed a gender balance of 67% male and 33% female in respect of the Army Pensions Board.
Appointments to membership of the Board will continue to be made in line with government policy and the relevant legislation.
