Peadar Tóibín
Question:100. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure investment commitments made under the New Decade New Approach deal are implemented. [29399/21]
View answerNorthern Ireland
Questions (100)
Written answers
On 9 January 2020, the Irish and British Governments published a new agreement, New Decade New Approach (NDNA), which was reached together with the political parties in Northern Ireland and restored the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. The Irish and UK Governments also set out their own respective commitments.
The Government has remained focussed on implementing these important commitments. They are reflected in our Programme for Government, which ensures that their delivery is at the heart of this Government’s work.
In 2020, the Government established a Shared Island Initiative and Shared Island Fund, which provides €500m for capital investment over the next five years. This funding is ring-fenced for collaborative North/South investment, and emphasises our commitment to mutually beneficial North-South cooperation on new and existing projects, as set out in the NDNA agreement.
Projects such as the Ulster Canal and the reviews of rail and air connectivity are being progressed, as is work relating to the development of Greenways including the cross-border Sligo-Enniskillen Greenway.
We will work with the Executive and the UK Government on commitments regarding third-level opportunities for young people, from across the North West, at the Ulster University Magee Campus in Derry. Proposals for the establishment of All-Island Research Centres are also being discussed.
Projects such as the Narrow Water Bridge and potential investment in research and innovation, continue to be developed, and announcements regarding these are expected this summer.
The Government has also made budgetary provisions to deliver on the language and culture commitments we made as a Government to support Irish language broadcasting, community groups, and the development of Irish language networks.
In addition, my Department’s expanded Reconciliation Fund, along with the International Fund for Ireland and the new PEACE PLUS programme for Northern Ireland and the Border counties, will provide critical funding for work on peace and reconciliation.
The first NDNA Implementation Review Meeting took place virtually on 11 January 2021. I attended together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, First Minister and deputy First Minister, and the leaders of the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. At this meeting, we affirmed our shared commitment to the ongoing implementation of the NDNA agreement.
Middle East
Questions (101)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action Ireland plans to take against Israel following the continued bombardment of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33911/21]
View answerWritten answers
The recent escalation of violence which took place was deeply concerning. I welcomed the ceasefire which came into effect on 21 May and encourage all efforts to ensure that it holds.
Tensions in the region are still high. There is a responsibility on all parties to ensure that the ceasefire is respected and to avoid all unilateral actions which can increase tension. The international community bears a responsibility to support the ceasefire and to encourage the parties towards a return to political engagement. I am committed to that effort and have been in regular contact with key counterparts in the region, and in Europe and the US, to that end.
Recent violence has had a serious impact on an already difficult humanitarian situation and in this context I announced on 19 May that Ireland would provide €1.5 million in emergency humanitarian support for the occupied Palestinian territory through UNRWA and UNICEF.
The events which took place in May happened in a context of settlement expansion and ongoing threats of evictions. Ireland remains committed to a negotiated Two-State solution based on international law, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and agreed parameters.
My Department will continue to raise our issues of concern with Israel at both political and official levels, bilaterally and in multilateral fora. These include the serious issues of unnecessary demolitions, settlement expansion and evictions.
Ireland supported emergency sessions of the UN Security Council on this issue. We will continue to use our seat on the Council to stress the importance of these issues to Ireland, including at the meeting of the Council later today. In my address to the Council on 16 May, I emphasised the obligations that all sides have under international humanitarian law. These obligations must also be remembered in the context of the ceasefire.
I will continue to highlight this issue at the UN and through the EU, and support international efforts to ensuring the current ceasefire holds. In this respect, I also want to underline Ireland’s full support for the efforts of UN Special Co-ordinator on the Middle East, Tor Wennesland.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (102)
Colm Burke
Question:102. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the preparations made by the Government for the recommencement of international travel in Ireland and plans to allow for usage of the EU digital Covid certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33759/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel to and from Ireland. The Government announced on 28 May that subject to the prevailing epidemiological situation, international travel will resume on 19 July.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), previously called the Digital Green Certificate, is intended to facilitate freedom of movement across the EU and to allow for the progressive lifting, in a coordinated way, of travel restrictions, subject to prevailing medical and scientific advice in each Member State. The Regulation is expected to come into force on July 1. All Member States will have a six-week phasing in period in order to become compliant with the Regulation. The new Certificate will not become a pre-condition to free movement across the EU. Persons travelling without a EUDCC can still travel, but may be subject to limitations such as enhanced testing, quarantine or self-isolation.
The Department of the Taoiseach has established a group, involving a broad range of Departments, in relation to this proposal. The Department of Health is working on the required legal instruments. On the Certificate itself, the HSE. in cooperation with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer is developing the IT and required operational procedures.
From 19 July, Ireland will broadly align itself to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from third countries (outside EU/EAA). To protect citizens against the importation of variants, an ‘emergency brake’ mechanism will be co-ordinated at EU level to react swiftly to the emergence of a variant of concern or variant of interest.
Irish Aid
Questions (103)
Michael McNamara
Question:103. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has a policy on the funding or defunding of organisations with gender critical views by Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33878/21]
View answerWritten answers
Gender equality is one of the policy priorities of A Better World, Ireland's policy for International Development. Ireland is proud to be among the top OECD DAC donors in targeting gender equality. In 2019, 76% of our ODA contributed to gender equality and we expect this figure to be similar for 2020 and 2021. The Irish Aid annual report for 2019, published last autumn, had a spotlight on Ireland's support for gender equality and is available on the Irish Aid website.
All organisations which receive funding from Irish Aid are asked to demonstrate how they are addressing gender equality through the activities being supported. Within the OECD, Ireland's aid programme is one of the strongest supporter of civil society organisations. Many civil society organisations in receipt of Irish Aid funding advocate for women's rights, as well as rights of LGBT+ people. The full articulation of such rights has in many jurisdictions been under particular strain during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I attach importance to the advocacy role played by civil society organisations in many of our partner countries. Ireland is proud to promote free speech and active policy debate, as a marker of a healthy democracy.
EU Membership
Questions (104)
Cathal Berry
Question:104. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the current political situation within Hungary; and the way in which this will affect its relationship with the EU. [33939/21]
View answerWritten answers
The EU faces significant challenges concerning Hungary and respect for Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union foundational values. These challenges involve particularly rule of law but also more recently LGBTQI+ rights.
Ireland is a firm supporter of the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union.
As I said earlier, I am particularly concerned about recent changes to Hungary’s laws. The potential for the Bill recently passed by the Hungarian Assembly to harm the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary, particularly young people, is extremely worrying. The Government has made known its clear views on these developments, including at the EU's General Affairs Council. The Embassy of Ireland in Hungary has also actively supported statements made locally by like-minded partners and has registered deep concern about this law and its implications for equality and human rights
The Multiannual Financial Framework and Recovery Fund 2021-2027 package, finalised unanimously last December, requires Member States allocated funding from the EU budget to respect the rule of law. Although it is regrettable that Hungary and Poland have since felt that a legal challenge to this Regulation is necessary, they are within their rights to do so. However, Ireland strongly believe this Regulation is fair and proportionate and plans to intervene in support of the Council in these proceedings.
In 2020, the European Commission introduced a new Annual Rule of Law Report process that offers an impartial assessment of the rule of law situation in each Member State. The Hungary chapter of the 2020 Report highlighted a number of concerns regarding judicial independence and anti-corruption.
As part of the Article 7 process, there have been a number of hearings in relation to Hungary and EU values at the General Affairs Council.
Ireland will continue to urge Hungary to engage constructively with the Commission and Member States and to address the concerns raised by its EU partners.
Middle East
Questions (105, 108, 152)
Barry Cowen
Question:105. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any engagement with his counterpart in the new Israeli government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33699/21]
View answer
Gino Kenny
Question:108. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to the new Prime Minister of Israel on the occupation of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33905/21]
View answer
Bríd Smith
Question:152. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if in view of ongoing violence against Palestinian people by the Israeli state, he will reconsider Irish Israeli relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33806/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 108 and 152 together.
Israel’s new coalition Government took office on 13 June. I have written to Israel’s new Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid and I look forward to having the chance to speak with him in due course on a range of issues.
The EU’s High Representative has spoken to Foreign Minister Lapid. I participated in a discussion on the Middle East at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, 21 June. At this meeting I supported early engagement with the new Government by the EU. The relationship between Israel and the EU is important and we hope to have an opportunity to meet with Minister Lapid at a Foreign Affairs Council in the coming months.
At the FAC I also supported EU engagement in a reinvigorated role for the Middle East Quartet and for the role of the EU's Special Representative on the Middle East Peace Process, including in engaging with the new Israeli Government.
Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Israel is important and valued across a range of issues. I have made four working visits to Israel and Palestine as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I have clearly outlined Ireland’s position on the Middle East Peace Process during these visits and will continue to do so. During the escalation in violence last month, I discussed the conflict with the Israeli Ambassador; in particular on the issue of compliance with international humanitarian law. These messages are important, as is our channel of communication with the Israeli Government.
Ireland remains firmly committed to a negotiated Two-State solution based on international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and agreed parameters.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (106)
James O'Connor
Question:106. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the diplomatic efforts on the repeal of the US Presidential Order under section 212 F of the Immigration and Nationality Act 1952 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33617/21]
View answerWritten answers
The repeal of the Presidential Order under section 212 F of the US Immigration and Nationality Act 1952 is solely a matter for US authorities. However, as I have stated before, ease of travel is vital to our economic relationships and for building connections across the Atlantic. We continue our work to ensure that the restrictions will not have any long-term impact on existing channels of migration, exchange, education and tourism, which benefit our countries significantly.
We have raised the issues associated with the ongoing US travel restrictions, including the question of resumption of travel between our two countries, in our contacts with the US Administration - most recently, during my meeting with US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan in May. We agreed that it is important that we restore connectivity with the US as soon as it is feasible, and safe, to do so.
Our Embassy in Washington D.C is also engaging closely with other contacts in the Administration, and with the US Department of State on these matters, urging them to ease the restrictions, where appropriate. Our Ambassador has written to them to raise the issue of processing National Interest Exemptions for economic reasons to assist Irish companies travelling to the US. Together with other EU countries, we have also written to US Secretary of State Blinken requesting reconsideration of the US travel restrictions currently in place.
My Department has a very positive working relationship with the US Chargé d’affaires and her team at the US Embassy in Dublin. Although US immigration regulation is a matter for the US authorities, my Department has continued to encourage the US Embassy to maintain the processing of exemptions to their travel restrictions for those travelling to the US for medical reasons.
We are particularly keen that the current travel restrictions will not negatively impact the future of the J1 and Working Holiday Agreement programmes. I look forward to working actively with the US again to promote travel between our countries.
International Relations
Questions (107)
John Brady
Question:107. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is prepared to utilise Ireland’s position on the United Nations Security Council and within the EU to influence these bodies to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations steps up its efforts to seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Myanmar following the military coup in February 2021, particularly given there is now growing evidence that Myanmar is facing into a period of sustained internal violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33780/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has strongly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and violence against civilians. The coup is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that has taken years to establish, and does nothing to tackle the public health, security or economic issues faced by the people of Myanmar. I have called upon the Myanmar military to demonstrate restraint, respect human rights and the rule of law, immediately release political detainees and restore legitimate civilian government.
In my statements, I have emphasised the importance of a united response to this crisis, in particular, we need to recognise the importance of engaging partners in the region to ensure an effective, appropriate, and sustainable outcome to the crisis. Ireland has been active in supporting similar statements from the EU and notably from the Security Council.
Ireland welcomes and supports the diplomatic efforts of ASEAN. I appreciate the sensitivity and complexity of the situation. However, the promise of their Leaders’ Summit and the five-point consensus has yet to be fulfilled and I encourage ASEAN and its members to be resolute in finding a path forwards.
Ireland repeated our call for the urgent, full implementation of the ASEAN Consensus most recently at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday and in the closed consultation of the United Nations Security Council regarding Myanmar last Friday.
Ireland was also a member of the core group for the Resolution that was comprehensively adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Friday last, which called on the Myanmar armed forces to engage with ASEAN constructively with a view to realising an inclusive and peaceful dialogue among all stakeholders in the country.
The Deputy is right to be concerned that Myanmar may well be facing a period of protracted repression, conflict and instability. I share those concerns and Ireland will continue to work actively to use our influence with partners and through our positions within the EU and the UN Security Council to promote the rule of law and protect the human rights of the people of Myanmar.
Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 105.
United Nations
Questions (109)
Alan Farrell
Question:109. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being made by Ireland to raise climate change as an issue of national security on the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33245/21]
View answerWritten answers
The UN Security Council is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security and it is in this context that it addresses climate change.
I am deeply concerned about the security impacts of climate change. It is no coincidence that of the 15 countries most susceptible to climate risks, 8 host a UN peacekeeping operation or a special political mission.
As a result, we have prioritised the issue of climate change through our membership of the UN Security Council. We are doing this in a number of ways.
First, we have taken up the role of co-chair of the Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security along with Niger. As co-chair we are working to ensure that members of the Council have access to the latest analysis and research on climate related security risks. This is important to build our collective understanding of how climate change contributes to insecurity but also how climate action can help build peace. The strengthening of knowledge in this way is part of our efforts to build consensus across Security Council members on the importance of the Council robustly tackling this issue as part of its mandate.
Secondly and relatedly, we are working to advance the inclusion of climate in UN Security Council mandates and resolutions where it makes sense to do so. This includes, for example, the provision for comprehensive risk assessments and risk management strategies in peacekeeping mandate renewals where relevant. We are also keen to ensure that missions at country-level have the operational capacity and expertise to deliver on these climate-related mandates and we are currently looking at how we can better support this.
Finally, we are supporting international efforts to develop and pilot integrated climate and security risk and foresight assessments through the Weathering Risk initiative.
We will continue to prioritise this issue across our engagement at the Security Council.