Wednesday, 28 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 509-527

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (509, 510)

Michael Collins

Question:

509. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the briefings and the number of briefings he had with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his officials (details supplied) in advance of his meetings with President Macron of France and the German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel in December 2020 as part of his Brexit talks meeting schedule; if a copy of any such briefing documents, the dates on which these briefings took place and the persons present at such meetings will be made available to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21543/21]

Michael Collins

Question:

510. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of engagement he had with a person (details supplied) on 5 December 2020 on the matters pertaining to marine and fisheries alone; if he will provide details of the discussions and conclusions reached on marine and fisheries matters at those talks as part of his engagement with the French leader in advance of the Brexit deal of 24 December 2020; if he will further make available any position paper or proposals he presented or received on that day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21544/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 510 together.

I did not meet either President Macron or Chancellor Merkel in December 2020, and as such, no briefing material exists.

Throughout the negotiations process that led to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Ireland stayed in close contact with other EU Member States and the Commission. This included engagements I held with my counterparts, including with the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany in visits during December 2020. The technical detail of the negotiations were a matter for the European Commission and the United Kingdom Government, represented respectively by chief negotiators Michel Barnier and David Frost.

In engagements with EU partners throughout the negotiating process, I repeatedly raised the disproportionate impact of Ireland's fishers of the UK's departure from the EU.

The Government is keenly aware that the terms of the TCA present real challenges for our fishers and the communities that they are at the heart of. We continue to engage with these stakeholders and remain committed to supporting them through these challenges.

Question No. 511 answered with Question No. 507.

Passport Applications

Questions (512)

James Lawless

Question:

512. Deputy James Lawless 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. [21615/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

In 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. 

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.

The Passport Service continues to process all renewals for work-related travel where evidence is provided. Where it is a first time application, the application will be assessed where the applicant has no other citizenship. Adult first time applications require a very high level of verification to protect the integrity of the Irish passport.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requests that the applicant submit the application online as soon as possible in order that that it may be processed. Processing times are diminishing and the production of passports has accelerated.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (513)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

513. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in registering the foreign birth of a person (details supplied); when the application will be concluded which is pending for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21762/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications has been temporarily paused since Ireland entered Level 5 restrictions of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19.

Prior to this pause, it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to a heavy demand on the FBR service, the complex nature of FBR applications, as well as constraints on output due to previous COVID-19 restrictions.

The FBR application referenced was registered on 20 September 2019, and is currently waiting to be processed.   All related documents are being stored in a secure environment.

The delay in the service is regretted. The FBR service is scheduled to resume once Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions of the framework are in place. Furthermore, plans are in place to provide increased resources to deal with arrears.

Middle East

Questions (514)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

514. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has read a recent report (details supplied); his views on the report; his further views on whether it is now time to begin speaking in relation to Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian people in terms of apartheid rather than merely occupation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. 

Ireland’s position on this issue will continue to be based on international law, Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power under the Fourth Geneva Convention, and on the relevant Resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Our approach is rooted in the illegality of Israel’s occupation and the right of Palestinians to self-determination. The restrictions that are imposed on Palestinians undermine the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a right which is at the heart of the Two-State solution.

Israel’s actions in respect of settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are in contravention of its obligations under international law. Settlements and occupation are detrimental to the wider respect for Palestinians’ human rights, such as the right to water and education, and the enjoyment of civil and political rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. Settlements are also a key source of tension, violence and conflict across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where the situation is of particular concern.

Violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law are both a cause and consequence of the conflict and an impediment to a sustainable political solution. I have argued consistently at EU and UN level that there needs to be a greater focus on the actions in the occupied Palestinian territory which are unjust and which undermine the possibility of reaching a peace agreement, including settlement expansion, demolitions, evictions and expropriations, the treatment of Palestinian children by the Israeli security forces, restrictions on the provision of humanitarian assistance to populations in need, and restriction of access to water supplies.

We raise our concerns regarding discriminatory practices resulting from the occupation on a regular basis with the Israeli authorities, as well as at EU and UN level, including at the Security Council. 

We will continue to raise our concerns about human rights issues in the occupied Palestinian territory. The role of civil society is vital and we will continue to support space for civil society in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, and to provide financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs working on human rights issues.

Irish Language

Questions (515, 516)

Holly Cairns

Question:

515. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit facilitate persons wishing to engage with their services through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21903/21]

Holly Cairns

Question:

516. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if all forms issued by his Department and agencies under his remit are available in both the Irish and English languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21921/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.

My Department takes its obligations under the Official Languages Act (2003) very seriously. Passport Online, the Passport Service’s online application service, is available through Irish. Passport applicants can also complete paper application forms in Irish. APS1G and APS2G are Irish language forms.

A fluent Irish speaker works in each of the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and applicants can apply for an appointment in Irish.

Other relevant forms are available in Irish, and citizens can engage with all our services through the Irish language, on request, either by phone, post, email or in person.

Passport Services

Questions (517)

Robert Troy

Question:

517. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to increase staff in the passport office to deal with the backlog of applications that have mounted during Covid-19 restrictions (details supplied). [21944/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

In 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 have compelling reasons for travel as defined in the recent 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.

The Passport Online system has improved the ability of the Passport Service to process applications more efficiently. The full return of Services will commence with applications received via Passport Online. The Passport Service is confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that application on hand can be cleared in six to eight weeks.

There is no requirement, at this time, to allocate additional staff to the Passport Service. Similar to all work places, social distancing is required so this limits the occupation of buildings but my Department has been working closely with the Office of Public Works on this matter. 

Question Nos. 518 and 519 answered with Question No. 507.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (520)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

520. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of each contract entered into by his Department and the agencies under his remit to deal with Covid-19 management and reaction; and the name of the contractor in each case. [22139/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

In 2020 and 2021 to date, the Department of Foreign Affairs agreed three contracts for Covid-19 related spending. Details are supplied in the table following. The values provided are inclusive of VAT.  

Year	Payee	Value	Reason
2020	Dell	€842,160	The Department used the negotiated procurement procedure for mobile workstations that included a 22” monitor, wired mouse and keyboard, laptop and carry case. This allowed the Department to support the remote safe, effective and productive working of local staff in our Mission network during the course of the Pandemic.
2020	Quadra Consulting	€2,541	The completion of a Covid-19 Building Risk Assessment of Iveagh House. This contract is a Central Government Framework Contract.
2020	Quadra Consulting	€15,377	The completion of a Covid-19 Building Risk Assessment of 7 HQ premises. This contract is a Central Government Framework Contract. Billing for this contract is ongoing.

Human Rights

Questions (521)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

521. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 5 November 2020, the progress made regarding a person (details supplied) in India; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22230/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

This person is one of a number of human rights defenders in India currently being detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. I have expressed my concern on a number of occasions about this individual, who is elderly and has a health condition.  My concern for his health is heightened by the rapid deterioration in the COVID situation in India. I was disappointed to learn that the courts have refused bail in this case but I understand that certain essential items of personal care have been provided after judicial intervention. 

The Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi has monitored this case since the detention of the human rights defender last October. The Embassy joined other EU Member States in raising the case with the National Human Rights Commission of India, expressing concern about the conditions of his detention, given the age and health profile of the human rights defender, and raising the possibility of his release on humanitarian grounds. However, the National Human Rights Commission having reviewed the circumstances of the arrest and detention, found that no protection applies on the grounds of infringement of human rights.

The case has been raised bilaterally with the Indian side by the Ambassador of Ireland at senior levels in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, and jointly with EU partners, most recently during the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue which took place earlier this month in New Delhi.

The promotion of human rights, including the protection of human rights defenders, is a priority of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland expects the Indian authorities to have due regard for the wellbeing of the human rights defender in this case during his detention and to have full respect for the rule of law including presumption of innocence.

 Our Embassy in New Delhi will continue to monitor developments in this case.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (522)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

522. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent by his Department on public relations advice and media advice since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged for this advice in tabular form. [22274/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations or media advice. From time to time, consultants or companies with a public relations and communications background are commissioned to provide other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management.

Africa Day, which falls on 25 May annually, is the official day of the African Union and marks African unity. The Department of Foreign Affairs has supported a programme of events to celebrate Africa Day since 2006, through financial support and the provision of information and coordination services. In 2020, the Department of Foreign Affairs entered into a contract with the public relations and public affairs agency, DHR Communications, for the provision of professional services for the coordination and communication of Africa Day supports and events for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. This includes planning, managing and executing an information campaign for local authorities and community groups; publicising the range of Africa Day events taking place; updating and maintaining the Africa Day website and social media channels; and facilitating engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Since 2010, DHR Communications has administered the Simon Cumbers Media Fund on behalf of the Department. The Simon Cumbers Media Fund (SCMF) was established by Irish Aid in 2005 to improve the quantity and quality of media coverage of the developing world.  Management of the Fund involves promoting two funding rounds each year, including through national and regional information workshops and targeting of key editorial staff, managing and administering the application process, organising the judging process and providing detailed feedback to all applicants, maintaining and updating the SCMF website and managing the SCMF student competition.

From 2020 to date in 2021, fees incurred in relation to the above mentioned projects are as follows:

	Company	Nature of work	Cost	Narrative, if required
2020
	DHR	Simon Cumbers Media Fund	€26,429.36
	DHR	Africa Day	€23,333.90
2021
	DHR	Africa Day	€11,470.90

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (523)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

523. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent by his Department on advertising and public messaging in print, broadcast and online since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged to assist with placing the advertisements and the companies advertised with in tabular form. [22292/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens.  In 2020 and to date in 2021 some examples of campaigns included the Passport Online and ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’.

With the UK’s departure from the EU at the beginning of 2020 it was important to highlight the substantial and lasting changes for businesses that were to come into effect at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 and into 2021.  This Brexit Communications campaign focused on business “Brexit Readiness”, and encouraging those who trade with, or through, the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland), to take action and avail of information and resources available at gov.ie, to limit the disruption to their business.

Expenditure in 2020 on this public information campaign was €643,862.15 and 2021 was €671,202.09.  While the costs of both the 2020 and 2021 campaigns were borne by my Department, this is a whole of Government campaign that was prepared and executed in partnership with other Government Departments and Agencies, in particular, the Department of the Taoiseach. Additionally a number of other Government Departments and Agencies ran related and focused sectoral campaigns in their areas of responsibility which were funded directly by those Departments and Agencies.

My Department though its Embassy network has also engaged in promotion of certain other initiatives and projects that relate to Ireland’s foreign policy activities in the areas in which Missions are accredited.

Expenditures are outlined in the table following:  

Year	Campaign	Vendor	Campaign Activities	Costs
2020	Get Ireland Brexit Ready	TBWA, PHD Media, Outsource Media, Irish Examiner, Kick Communications	Creation of creative assets; advertising: radio, TV, press, social media, search; outdoor advertising; video & radio production; advertising in Brexit supplement	€643,862.15
2019/2020	Passport Online	Kick Communications	Creation of creative assets for radio, press and trade fair stands	€46,590.00
2020	Mission expenditure	Press, media and/or social media engagement in areas of accreditation	Embassy initiatives and projects that relate to Ireland’s promoting foreign policy objectives	€24,343.00
				€714,795.15
Year	Campaign	Vendor	Campaign Activities	Costs
2021	Get Ireland Brexit Ready	PHD Media; Outsource Media; Kick Communications	Creation of creative assets; advertising: radio, TV, press, social media, search; outdoor advertising; video & radio production	€671,202.09
2021	Mission Expenditure	Press, media and/or social media engagement in areas of accreditation	Embassy initiatives and projects that relate to Ireland’s promoting foreign policy objectives	€5,300.00
				€676,502.09

Departmental Transport

Questions (524)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

524. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated cost of replacing State vehicles which are owned by his Department or agencies under his remit with hybrid or electric models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22566/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

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. 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 be a significant factor when deciding on an official vehicle.

Overall, the Department owns 175 vehicles between its HQ and its 90 Missions abroad. Given the variety of locations in which the Department operates abroad, including locations where hybrid or electric vehicles are not viable options, it is not possible to provide estimated costs for replacing all vehicles owned by the Department with hybrid or electric models. However, in 2020 the Department completed the purchase of 14 vehicles (12 cars and 2 motorbikes) at a cost of €361,339. Of the 12 cars, 8 were hybrid or electric, of which 5 replaced non-hybrid or electric models. The cost of the hybrid/electric vehicles was €219,310.

The Department will continue to seek to purchase hybrid or electric vehicles wherever possible and expects to spend similar funds on such vehicles in the coming years.

Irish Language

Questions (525)

Holly Cairns

Question:

525. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit facilitate persons wishing to engage with their services through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21898/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

My Department is committed to providing services under its administration through Irish.  In line with  the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department identified certain objectives as being relevant for the promotion of services through Irish, in particular objective 2.

Objective 2 of the Strategy is that the Official Languages Act will be fully implemented and that the right of the public to use Irish in dealings with the State and with other bodies will be developed and the appropriate arrangements to deliver this will be put in place.  

In this regard, my Department has fulfilled its commitments in relation to the provision of services in Irish under the Official Languages Act 2003.  The Department’s fourth Irish Language Scheme is in place since September 2017. Commitments under the Scheme continue to be delivered and include the following:

- The static content on my Department’s new website is bilingual and there is an option for users to  access the site in Irish or English, as is the case with the Defence Forces’ website.

- Signage at my Department buildings is bilingual.

- My Department has arrangements to ensure that individuals who wish to conduct their business in Irish can so do.  My Department has a pool of Irish speakers to allow customers to conduct their business through the medium of Irish, should they so wish.  Training is provided continuously.  Correspondence received in Irish is answered in Irish. 

- When my Department issues new press releases, it has procedures in place to ensure that it complies with the requirement that a minimum of 20% be available through Irish.

- Irish Language awareness is part of the induction process for new staff in my Department.

My Department also has a Líonra na Gaeilge Committee which holds meetings throughout the year.

Additionally, the Learning and Development Branch actively promotes Irish internally through accommodating requests for Irish language courses at  various skill levels and by running various events through Irish.

Currently, my Department is developing a new (fifth) Irish language Scheme which will build on existing practices and provisions.

Irish Language

Questions (526)

Holly Cairns

Question:

526. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence if all forms issued by his Department and agencies under his remit are available in both the Irish and English languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21916/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

There are a limited number of forms issued from my Department.  The majority of these forms are in both Irish and English languages. Where a form is not available in Irish it will be made available in Irish upon request.

Search and Rescue Service Provision

Questions (527)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

527. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence his engagements with the Minister for Transport in relation to the Air Corps providing a search and rescue service; if his attention has been drawn to information (details supplied); if he has endorsed the submission made by the Air Corps in respect of providing a search and rescue service; and if he has carried out a costing and or business case in respect of an Air Corps search and rescue service. [22000/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

I thank the Deputy for bringing the relevant material to my attention. I am aware of the over-arching matters outlined in same.  

Since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. From within the Defence Organisation, both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations on an “as available” basis. A Service Level Agreement is in place setting out their roles and responsibilities in this regard.   

No decision has yet been taken to change any aspect of the current delivery model of Search and Rescue (SAR) aviation services in Ireland's SAR domain. There is, as you are aware, an ongoing project under the remit of the Department of Transport, to consider, develop and bring to fruition a new Marine Search and Rescue aviation contract for future service provision. I endorse the process underway to date and I am satisfied with the Department of Transport’s discernment in appointing experts and Steering Group members to this project.

In the context of this ongoing process, late last year, I asked my officials to engage further with the Department of Transport to explore the option of the Air Corps providing some element of the next generation SAR aviation service while at the same time ensuring that the service meets domestic and international obligations for SAR and represents value for money for the State.  This process is currently ongoing. I can confirm that a proposal by the AC, which includes costing material, has been shared with the Department of Transport by my Department as part of ongoing engagement. I have also met with the Minister for Transport in March on this matter.

Ultimately, decisions on the scope, nature and procurement strategy for the next service will be a matter for Government once the detailed appraisal and business case has been finalised.