Written Answers Nos. 401-420
401. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or his Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of any firms involved; and the amount spent on public relations by his Department. [24447/21]
View answerMy Department does not employ persons or firms to deal with public relations and has not incurred expenditure in this area.
402. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if financial support for mandatory quarantine can be put in place to support a person (details supplied) who was originally to return to Ireland in 2020 but has been delayed due to the pandemic in South America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24521/21]
View answerI can confirm that any individual travelling to Ireland from or via a country currently listed as a 'Designated State' by the Department of Health is required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine. The legislation provides for some limited categories to be exempted from this requirement, and a review mechanism is also available upon arrival in the State where appropriate.
My Department does not have the authority to exempt any passenger from mandatory hotel quarantine or from paying for mandatory hotel quarantine. However, in certain cases where an individual can provide evidence that they need to travel to Ireland for an essential reason, but that they are unable to pay the costs of mandatory hotel quarantine in advance, our Embassies or Consulates General may issue a Deferral of Payment Certificate. This enables the individual to pre-book a place in a designated facility, and therefore to travel. It does not necessarily exempt the individual from having to pay for mandatory hotel quarantine as this decision rests with the authorities upon arrival in Ireland.
The citizen is advised to contact his nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate, in advance of travel, for advice and assistance and, if appropriate, a Deferral of Payment certificate. Contact details of all Irish Embassies and Consulates are available on the Department’s website.
403. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he continues to monitor development in Northern Ireland arising from Brexit or the Good Friday Agreement with particular reference to the need to ensure a cohesive and progressive approach with the objective of varying the spirit and the letter of the peace process working with the various political groupings in Northern Ireland and with the British Government in order to ensure an ongoing good working relationship between all the parties involved and to discourage unilateral action that might be a threat to the Good Friday Agreement and Stormont House Agreement and the encouragement of pre-Brexit friendly relations throughout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24671/21]
View answerThe full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent agreements is an utmost priority for this Government.
The Government regularly engages with the Northern Irish Executive through the mechanisms provided for in the Good Friday Agreement, including the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and the British Irish Council (BIC). The Government also has regular contact at political and official level with the parties to the Northern Irish Executive and with the British Government.
The NSMC is essential to overseeing and developing North South cooperation on matters of mutual interest, including the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. Two successful NSMC plenary meetings have taken place following the NDNA agreement, as well as a number of Sectoral meetings at Ministerial level, and progress continues across the breadth of North-South areas of cooperation.
The Government also looks forward to enhanced roles for the BIC and British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC), as set out in the Programme for Government.
I have been in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis with regards to the BIIGC and a date is being set for a meeting in June.
The position of the Government with respect to the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland is clear and consistent. The Stormont House Agreement is the way forward. It was agreed collectively by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented.
Where the UK Government are proposing significant changes to that framework, we have made clear that these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive.
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK. It addresses the complex and unique challenges presented by Brexit on the island of Ireland. The Protocol is the agreed way to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, and protect the Single Market.
Our shared goal must be to achieve full implementation of the Protocol. We welcome the recent constructive engagement between the EU and UK, as well as their joint outreach with NI stakeholders.
We are listening carefully to concerns relating to implementation of the Protocol, including from the unionist and loyalist communities, and we are committed to supporting engagement between the UK and EU to address them appropriately.
404. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland proposes to focus on major human rights black spots globally through its membership of the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24672/21]
View answerIreland assumed its seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021. We are committed to actively supporting human rights across the full Council agenda, which includes some 20 thematic files and 30 country and regional files.
Three core principles underpin our approach: Building Peace, Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Ensuring Accountability.
As part of our approach to ensuring accountability, Ireland is committed to promoting respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law, prioritising the protection of civilians, supporting the fight against impunity, and standing by the International Criminal Court.
Many of the countries on the Security Council agenda face serious human rights challenges, and this is an important consideration in our work on country-specific items.
UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions play an essential role in protecting civilians and promoting respect for human rights, and Ireland will continue to support their crucial work in this area.
We will continue to promote accountability and compliance with international human rights law in our engagement on thematic issues, and in our work on Security Council subsidiary bodies.
Ireland is an active participant in the Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). The Working Group recently adopted the first set of Conclusions on South Sudan which included strengthened language on humanitarian access, the best interests of the child, and on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. Ireland will continue to seek to further mainstream child protection across the work of the Council during our term.
Ireland is also actively engaged on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and is co-chairing the Informal Expert Group on WPS. On 8 March, Ireland hosted an informal Security Council meeting on the need to ensure the full, meaningful and equal participation of women in UN-led peace processes.
We will also seek to promote interaction between the Security Council and Geneva-based UN bodies.
405. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish trade missions abroad continue to make successful conclusion in respect of the promotion of Irish exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24673/21]
View answer407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish consulates overseas are engaged with the promotion of Irish exports with particular reference to issues arising in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24675/21]
View answer413. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken to extend trade links globally through consulates and embassies with particular reference to the need to replace losses through Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24681/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 405, 407 and 413 together.
Organising visits overseas by Ministers, and supporting trade missions, in partnership with the State Agencies is a very important part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Embassy network. Trade missions contribute significantly to the development of our trade and economic relationship with key markets. Opportunities for such visits will be pursued with vigour as soon as circumstances allow.
Embassies and Consulates General play an important role in advancing Ireland’s international trade agenda as part of Team Ireland overseas. They provide support for Ireland’s State Agencies, including through supporting their strategic objectives and activities in overseas markets. The role of the Embassy network in supporting the promotion of exports is particularly pertinent in markets with limited or no State Agency presence.
Since the referendum result in 2016, we have been taking steps to build up the resilience of the economy in the face of Brexit. This included actions across the whole of Government, including through Ireland Connected, to diversify trade beyond the UK market while working to consolidate the exports we currently send to the UK.
In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, which aims to double the impact and scope of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Global Ireland's targets include enhanced global engagement, the expansion of Ireland’s Embassy network and strengthening of Ireland’s State Agency presence overseas. Each of these measures will increase Ireland’s international visibility, facilitate market diversification and intensification, and deepen bilateral relations in support of the Government’s economic and political objectives, including in the context of Brexit.
To date, the Government has approved funding for new Embassy in locations Latin America, the Pacific region and the Middle East. Embassies are due to open later this year in Kyiv, Manila and Rabat, and a Consulate General covering the north of England, in Manchester.
New Embassies and Consulates General are being opened in locations chosen on the basis, inter alia, of their potential to diversify our markets, to increase trade and investment with Ireland, and to enable Irish companies to better take advantage of new opportunities.
As of 1 January 2021, the UK is outside the seamless trading environment of the EU Single Market and Customs Union. Officers based at all Embassies and Consulates General continuously engage in economic and public diplomacy to promote Irish exports and to advance Ireland’s prosperity and raise awareness of Ireland as a place to live, study, work, visit and do business.
They engage on a range of trade-related issues, including market access, regulatory compliance, visas, phytosanitary issues, and double taxation agreements. The mission network also supports Irish businesses in market, by providing contacts and information.
406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the European Union continues to address threats to the rule of law in all European member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24674/21]
View answerIreland is a firm supporter of the rule of law, enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union. We believe that it is important for the EU to have the necessary tools to monitor the rule of law across Member States and effectively respond to challenges where they arise. A number EU mechanisms address possible breaches of the rule of law.
A rule of law conditionality mechanism was agreed in December 2020 as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework and Next Generation EU package for 2021-2027. The mechanism requires Member States allocated funding from the EU’s budget to respect the rule of law, which is an essential precondition to comply with the principles of sound financial management enshrined in Article 317 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The conditionality mechanism covers breaches of rule of law, the procedure that will apply, and possible measures (e.g. suspension of funding and a reduction of funding under existing commitments) against Member States found in breach. Once the regime of conditionality is introduced, Ireland will support its fair, proportionate and effective implementation.
In 2020 the Commission introduced a new Annual Rule of Law Report process, which presents a broad overview of the rule of law situation across EU Member States and the EU as a whole, as well as an examination of the rule of law situation in each Member State. It gives an impartial assessment of both positive and negative developments. Ireland actively engaged with the Commission in the preparation of the Ireland chapter of the 2020 report and we welcomed the objective review of rule of law in Ireland. Work on the 2021 report is now underway and included a recent virtual visit to Ireland by the Commission.
As part of the process, five country chapters of the Annual Report will be discussed at a General Affairs Council meeting during each Presidency. The Ireland country chapter of the 2020 Report was discussed at the April General Affairs Council meeting. These discussions are an opportunity for Member States to learn from each others' national experiences and to share best practices. The country chapters of each Member State will be discussed in due course.
Proceedings in relation to Hungary and Poland under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union are ongoing and there have been a number of hearings at the General Affairs Council. Ireland has actively participated in these hearings - and will continue to do so - highlighting the importance we attach to respect for the rule of law. Ireland supports the continuation of Article 7 proceedings and we hope that discussions at Council level can continue towards a constructive resolution. The European Commission has also launched infringement procedures in relation to reforms of the judicial system in Poland and in relation to laws affecting the civil society space and academic freedom in Hungary.
We will remain open to dialogue on the rule of law and we encourage our fellow Member States to do the same.
408. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which bilateral and multilateral aid from Ireland continues to find the destination for which it was intended; the exceptions to the rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24676/21]
View answerIreland's Official Development Assistance (ODA), directed through multilateral and bilateral channels, is directed to countries and people who are in greatest need.
A Better World, Ireland's international development policy, re-emphasizes this approach throughout with an overarching principle to reach those that are furthest behind first, as well as achieving the core objective of reducing humanitarian need.
Our ability to follow-through on these commitments in practice is evident in, for example, the high proportion of Irish Aid funding that is bilateral aid which targets least developed and low income countries. Where the average DAC member's bilateral allocation to these countries is just under one quarter, half of Irish ODA is bilateral aid to low income and least developed countries.
Our commitment to, and ability to deliver on, a needs-based allocation of development assistance is also internationally recognised. In 2020, the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) highlighted Ireland as "an excellent humanitarian partner", with its funding models a "useful inspiration for other DAC donors".
Also last year, the respected international think-tank ODI assessed the characteristics of ODA expenditure in leading donors and found Ireland to be the most principled donor, noting specifically Ireland's needs-based approach.
409. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the international community continues to monitor the activities of Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab with reference to the areas they continue to be most active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24677/21]
View answerIreland strongly condemns the violence and terror perpetrated by Boko Haram and Al Shabaab. Ireland supports the EU, UN and other international efforts to reduce the influence of Boko Haram and Al Shabaab and to prevent their attacks, especially against civilians and humanitarian workers and facilities. Ireland continues to monitor the activities of these groups and to assist populations affected by their actions.
Through Irish Aid, the Government's official aid programme, Ireland is tackling poverty, hunger and exclusion which can be a driver of support for groups such as Boko Haram and Al Shabaab, as well as responding to humanitarian need in regions affected by conflict. This includes €27 million in humanitarian funding to the Lake Chad region since 2015, and also funding for those displaced by conflict in North-East Nigeria. Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €56.4 million in humanitarian assistance to Somalia, including to communities displaced by conflict in Al Shabaab-held areas. With humanitarian needs in these regions likely to remain acute, Irish funding will continue to target those most in need.
The UN is active in the Lake Chad Basin areas affected by Boko Haram, through its Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission. Ireland is penholder together with Niger on the UNOWAS file at the UN Security Council, working to ensure that UNOWAS has a clear strategic direction in its work on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in West Africa. In its Presidential Statement on peace consolidation in West Africa of 3 February, the Security Council condemned attacks against civilians in Borno State on 28 November 2020, and the abduction of schoolchildren in Katsina state, claimed by Boko Haram.
The UN-mandated African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) supports the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to combat Al Shabaab. Ireland is Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee at the UN Security Council. That Committee oversees an arms embargo and other tools to encourage a more peaceful and secure Somalia, including engagement with Al Shabaab. This complements Ireland’s role as an EU Member State supporting Somalia, including the strengthening of its government institutions. The EU provides significant development funding to Somalia, and to countries affected by Boko Haram. Ireland is a member of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin (ISG), and has observer status at the Sahel Alliance: both are forums which enable donors to coordinate support in addressing the challenges in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
The EU has three Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions in the Horn of Africa. A number of Irish nationals are deployed to EUCAP Somalia, including the current Head of Mission. In the Sahel, Ireland currently has 14 Defence Forces personnel participating in EUTM Mali. Ireland also deploys one expert to the EUCAP Sahel Niger. 14 Defence Forces personnel are deployed in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Ireland’s participation in these missions allows us to contribute to peace and security across the Sahel, help protect human rights, and put in place conditions for its sustainable development.
410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which positive steps continue to be taken to influence the future of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24678/21]
View answerIreland’s priorities for the Future of Europe still remain closely aligned with the delivery of the EU Strategic Agenda agreed by the European Council in June 2019.
These priorities include protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe; and promoting European interests on the global stage. It reflects many of Ireland’s priorities as defined in the National Statement on the European Union which was published by the Government in April 2019.
While Covid-19 has impacted progress of the Agenda, the priorities defined in the Agenda are still relevant in guiding the EU’s recovery from the COVID pandemic in the years ahead. Flexibility will be required by both member states and the EU Institutions as we all work together to both meet the objectives of the Strategic Agenda and also achieve a full recovery together.
Europe will not recover from the current COVID crisis without the support of its citizens and to this end, the Conference on the Future of Europe will engage citizens in a debate about Europe’s future challenges and priorities. Over the next year, a series of debates and discussions will be held all across the EU, including Ireland, that will enable citizens from every corner of Europe to share their ideas to help shape Europe’s future.
A multilingual digital platform, which facilitates citizen submissions, was launched in Brussels on 19 April. Reflecting the conference theme, “The future is in your hands”, this platform enables citizens to share ideas on any topic they consider important for the future of the EU, comment on others’ submissions, create and participate in events. To date, over 7,700 participants have made over 1,500 suggestions and over 400 events have been registered on the platform.
In Ireland, our aim is to have an inclusive conversation with Irish and other EU citizens living across the island of Ireland, to ensure that all of our voices are heard during this process. The national launch of the Conference will take place on 14 May with a programme of events being launched shortly thereafter.
412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to influence the international community and European countries to ensure they play their part in resolving the refugee crisis throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24680/21]
View answerI have repeatedly urged the need for greater solidarity and burden-sharing among EU Member States in dealing with the issue of migration. We must find more sustainable solutions involving consensus among Member States based on solidarity and responsibility. Otherwise ordinary men, women and children will continue to die, as nearly 700 have already done seeking to cross on the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes this year.
We fully support EU efforts to put in place more effective and humane arrangements to manage the considerable migratory pressures which Europe continues to face. The EU Commission’s “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” represents an opportunity to renew and intensify efforts to agree a common approach and put in place such arrangements. Although the Pact proposals are currently being analysed to assess their implications for Ireland, we support EU efforts to deal with the migration issue in a comprehensive and holistic manner, including through resettlement and increased legal pathways for migration; addressing root causes of migration and reforming the Common European Asylum System.
With conflict the main driver of humanitarian crises, prevention and response to humanitarian crises is a key priority during Ireland’s term on the UN Security Council, and is central to ‘A Better World’, Ireland’s policy for International Development Cooperation.
The world is facing an unprecedented series of humanitarian crises. The United Nations estimates that more than 80 million people have suffered forced displacement and that half of them are children. This is more than at any time since the Second World War. More than 26 million of these people are refugees. Ireland’s humanitarian response focuses on the most severe crises, providing more than €100 million through our UN, Red Cross and NGO partners on the ground.
Since 2015, Ireland has accepted nearly 3,800 people under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. This included 1022 asylum seekers (including six unaccompanied minors) from Greece under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. The next phase of the IRPP will see Ireland welcome up to 2,900 people between 2020 to 2023. This new phase of the programme will build on the important work that we have been doing since 2015 and is a vital part of upholding our responsibilities in helping those fleeing the most harrowing of circumstances such as war and persecution.
415. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will use Ireland’s position on the United Nations Security Council to ensure a human rights observation mission is added to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara mandate when it is renewed in October 2021. [24700/21]
View answerIreland has a long tradition of contributing to UN peace keeping missions and we have maintained a continuous presence in these missions since 1958. During our time on the Security Council we are focused on improving the mandates of UN peacekeeping missions to ensure that they align with the needs of the populations that they serve and are adequately resourced, including in the case of MINURSO.
Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for MINURSO, the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. The UN path is, in our view, the only path forward.
The Council, in UNSCR 2548 of 2020, called on the parties to the conflict to develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights and has encouraged enhancing cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including by facilitating visits of the High Commissioner to the region.
The Council held closed consultations on Western Sahara on the 21st of April in which Ireland made clear its longstanding position and urged de-escalation. Ireland has called on all parties to respect the terms of the ceasefire agreement of 1991, to fulfil their obligations under international law, including ensuring full respect for human rights, and to refrain from taking any actions that could lead to further destabilisation of the situation on the ground.
Peacekeeping has an essential role to play in protecting civilians and promoting respect for human rights. In advance of the mandate renewal process in October, Ireland will work with other Security Council members to consider how to best support the promotion of respect for human rights, accountability and compliance with international law through the mission.
416. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence if Irish military attachés will be appointed to a small number of Irish embassies abroad as outlined in the White Paper on Defence 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24518/21]
View answerA proposal to explore the potential for Defence Attaché appointments to EU member states / third countries is a component of a White Paper project which is due to commence in 2022.
The initial project sought to "progress options for building on existing bilateral relations through staff exchanges, exploring the option of Defence Attaché appointments to key EU member states/third countries where appropriate, developing bilateral MOUs and more regular civil/military staff to staff engagements ".
A number of elements of the project which were outlined in 2015 have already been mainstreamed into the normal work of Department branches, resulting in a reduction in overall scope of the project. It is now expected that the initial project will merge with another project which aims to "...prepare a specific short-term review to assess the increased capacity required in staffing in international fora."
I am aware of the value and benefit that Defence appointments can bring to certain key embassies. At present Ireland provides ten Military Representatives / Military Advisors to the EU, UN, NATO (via the Partnership for Peace office) and the OSCE. Recently, the Defence representation in the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York increased, with the deployment of a Deputy Military Advisor and an Assistant Principal from my Department to assist with the additional peacekeeping work that the Security Council seat has brought. Consideration around the potential benefits of expanding our bilateral engagement through the embassy network to include Defence Attachés will be advanced through the White Paper project commencing next year.
417. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the communications the UK Royal Navy has with its counterparts here in relation to the ongoing movements and exercises of its submarines in the Irish exclusive economic zone but just outside Ireland's territorial waters; and if he will assure Irish fishers that they are not endangered by these practices while fishing in the waters around the coast. [23616/21]
View answerWith regard to Ireland's EEZ, it is not unusual for naval ships or vessels of other States, including the UK, to carry out training exercises within this area or to passage through this area. This would normally involve prior notification to Irish Authorities where an exercise was taking place close to our Territorial Waters but this is not a requirement. I can confirm in the case of the recent submarine sighting off North West coast of Donegal the Naval Service were aware of the vessel but did not receive advance communication of the vessel’s activity or position from their UK colleagues. It is not a requirement for foreign authorities to give Ireland advance notice of such activity and the vessel in this case has not done anything out of the ordinary. Other States' naval ships or vessels would be within their rights to carry out a training exercise in our EEZ or to traverse the Irish EEZ. This is not in any way an infringement of our national territory.
418. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the funding allocated by his Department or agencies under his remit to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the expected allocations to An Taisce for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24099/21]
View answerThere was no funding allocated from my Department or agencies to An Taisce for the periods specified.
419. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Defence if he will extend the 2021 deadline for accepting applicants for the Defence Forces cadetship competition. [24354/21]
View answerThe Permanent Defence Force Cadetship competition launched on 30 April 2021.
There are a broad range of considerations which must be factored into the timeline of the 2021 Cadet Competition and the planning and management of the assessments associated with each phase of the process.
In order to meet the timeline for the various elements of the assessments, it is necessary to close the competition on 26 May, and to then immediately proceed with the assessment phases.
Therefore, an extension of the application deadline is not under consideration at this time.
Candidates who are interested in a Cadetship in the Defence Forces are encouraged to apply via the Defence Forces website at www.military.ie by 26 May 2021.
420. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the non-governmental organisations in receipt of funding from his Department; the amount of funding allocated to same in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/21]
View answerMy Department makes an annual grant payment each year from the Defence Vote to the Irish Red Cross Society towards the administrative running costs of its headquarters. In 2020, the grant paid to the Irish Red Cross Society was €965,000.
In December 2018, a Government decision provided for an allocation of €85,000 from the Defence Vote to Sail Training Ireland for 2019 and 2020, subject to the organisation being compliant with the Code of Governance for Voluntary Bodies. Sail Training Ireland is a charitable organisation established in 2011 by individuals who were previously involved with the State funded ‘Asgard’ sail training vessel. The full amount was paid in 2019, however, due to Covid-19 only €20,000 was paid in 2020.
