Written Answers Nos. 854-873
854. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will utilise its position on the UN Security Council to demand the immediate release of a person (details supplied) and for an end to the persecution of and release of opposition political activists in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40433/21]
View answerIreland has been vocal in strongly condemning the unjust detention of political prisoners in Belarus. We are committed to keeping the situation in the country high on the international agenda and that is what I told Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya during her recent visit. The number of those detained simply for holding or expressing views that the Lukashenko regime do not like continues to rise and there are now over 560 political prisoners.
Many of those unjustly detained, such as the person referenced by the Deputy, have received lengthy sentences. I know many members of the Oireachtas have 'adopted' political prisoners and I commend them for maintaining awareness of their plight. Ireland has repeatedly expressed concern for the treatment of those detained following numerous reports of torture and the spread of Covid-19 in Belarusian detention facilities.
Ireland has been strongly critical of the impunity Belarusian security forces continue to enjoy in their persecution of political activists, human rights defenders and journalists. There has been no meaningful attempt by the Belarusian authorities to investigate the thousands of reported human rights violations and so Ireland continues to do what we can to bring international accountability.
Ireland played a constructive role at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where a successful EU-led resolution granted an investigative mandate to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to examine human rights violations. In recent weeks, along with our EU partners, we also secured a mandate renewal for the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus.
Belarus does not feature as an agenda item at the UN Security Council. However, I and Minister of State Byrne have both participated in meetings of UN Security Council members to put pressure on the Lukashenko regime to adhere to their international obligations and commitments. Ireland has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those unjustly detained in international settings, including at the UN, and that is what we will continue to do.
858. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the last occasion on which a Department-wide review of all funding within his Department took place; the frequency of such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40636/21]
View answerMy Department has a rigorous system of planning, monitoring, evaluation and auditing to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources and deliver value for money. All funds and programmes are closely monitored at headquarters and mission level using a Standard Approach for Grant Management to ensure they deliver on the intended results and meet their objectives.
The independent Evaluation and Audit Unit of the Department, which reports to the Secretary General, has responsibility for supporting, protecting and enhancing the delivery of the Department’s mission. It provides objective assessment, assurance, advice and insight regarding corporate performance, governance, risk management and internal control. The Audit Committee provides independent appraisal of the audit and evaluation arrangements, and publishes a report on its work each year.
In line with the Public Spending Code and the Department's Evaluation and Audit Strategy, the Evaluation and Audit Unit undertakes evaluations and reviews of strategies and programmes implemented by the Department, which address the major funding schemes. These evaluations and reviews are independent evidence-based assessments of the effectiveness of the use of funding in order to inform strategic decision-making. This work is undertaken in line with best international practice and adheres to standards set by the OECD.
Reports of all major evaluations and reviews are published on the Department, Irish Aid and OECD websites.
859. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland plans to propose a review of Colombia with a specific focus on the prosecution of conflict-related sexual violence as recommended by the Informal Experts Group in July 2020. [40654/21]
View answerSince taking up our seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January, Ireland has been active across the broad range of geographic and thematic issues on the Council agenda, including on Colombia, in line with the three core principles underpinning Ireland’s term: Building Peace; Strengthening Conflict Prevention; and Ensuring Accountability.
Ireland has long been a supporter of Colombia in its efforts and progress towards peace and our seat on the UN Security Council has allowed us to deepen our engagement at what is a crucial time for the Peace Process.
During the annual UN Security Council Open Debate on Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) in April, Ambassador Byrne Nason in her statement outlined Ireland’s strong position on the need to tackle CRSV and the belief that the Security Council must fully implement the recommendations of the Informal Expert Group (IEG) on Women, Peace and Security. Ireland in January took up the position of co-chair of the IEG with Mexico and will work to ensure follow-up to recommendations put forward in this regard.
In Ireland’s statements to the Security Council on Colombia this year, we have consistently called for the full implementation of the peace agreement, particularly the provisions on gender and ethnicity in line with the UN Secretary-General’s recommendation on Colombia in his Annual Report on Conflict Related Sexual Violence in March 2021.
In the statements, we also reaffirmed our strong support for the peace process and commended Colombia for the progress made to date, particularly on truth, justice and reconciliation efforts. We encouraged full implementation across all aspects of the peace agreement and raised concerns regarding the persistently high levels of violence experienced by social leaders and human rights defenders.
Ireland participated in the most recent Council Quarterly Briefing on Colombia on 13 July, and we are pleased that the Council agreed a press statement on 16 July, reiterating full and unanimous support for the peace process, and concern at persistent attacks against community and social leaders.
The IEG recommended in its report to the Council in September 2020 that Security Council members should support the advocacy of women’s civil society organisations with regard to opening a case on CRSV with the Colombian Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP), and should continue to encourage the UN Verification Mission to report on CRSV as part of its mandate with regard to verification of reintegration and guarantees.
Our Embassy in Bogotá has been following up on the issues and these recommendations raised in the IEG report. From discussions with the SJP, it is clear that CRSV will be a transversal issue in all the macro-cases under its remit, particularly those with a geographic focus. CRSV is viewed as a fundamentally important issue and, in order to guarantee the full effectiveness of the transitional justice system in terms of reconciliation it must be visibly addressed. To that end, the Truth Commission has made it a priority and held its first public recognition event in 2019 on the subject. The Truth Commission is currently drafting the final report, due in November, and it is expected that CRSV will be treated as a transversal theme across the report, as well as forming a core component of the chapter on gender.
Given the ongoing work being undertaken on these recommendations, Ireland is not considering proposing a review at this time, but will continue to follow this issue closely in the coming months and will remain actively engaged on Colombia during our Council term.
860. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has made an assessment of whether the excessive and disproportionate use of force and reported killings of civilian protestors in Colombia in recent months constitute a violation of Article 1 of the EU-Colombia free trade agreement; the steps Ireland has taken to assess human rights compliance under the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40655/21]
View answerMy Department, including the Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá, closely monitors the human rights situation in Colombia and has been active, in co-ordination with our EU partners, in responding to human rights concerns that have emerged in Colombia in the context of the recent national strike.
I would like to express again my serious concern at the reported violence by the police in Colombia against protestors and observers, and also at attacks on the police themselves and police infrastructure, during the national strike. I trust that the Colombian authorities will fully investigate and bring those responsible for abuses or human rights violations to justice.
Earlier this month I had a phone call with the Vice-President and Foreign Minister of Colombia, Marta Ramirez, during which we discussed these issues and concerns.
High-level Political Dialogues between the EU and Colombia take place on a regular basis and human rights issues of concern are raised. The 6th High-Level Political Dialogue took place in December 2020 and discussed peacebuilding, stabilisation, human rights defenders and ex-combatants among other issues.
The human rights situation in Colombia is closely linked to the implementation of the peace agreement and Ireland supports the Colombian Government’s full implementation of these accords. Between 2016 and 2021, Ireland provided more than €13 million in funding to Colombia in areas such as human rights, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. We also continue to deepen our lesson-sharing programme based on the experience in Northern Ireland.
My Department will continue to closely monitor the human rights situation in Colombia,
There is no consideration at EU level of any invoking of a possible violation of Article 1 of the EU-Colombia trade agreement. As the Deputy will be aware, matters relating to trade agreements are the responsibility of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
861. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps his Department is taking to help the ongoing situation in areas of Palestine with a lack of Covid-19 resources, such as testing and vaccines Covid-19 vaccines in areas of Palestine under Israeli occupation; his views on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40808/21]
View answerI share the concern about the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities, including those in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Ireland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is informed by our commitment to reach the furthest behind first, as set out in our international development policy ‘A Better World’.
At the global level, Ireland is playing its part to support fair and equitable access to vaccines for all. In 2021 Irish Aid has invested more than €100 million in global public health systems, as a means to enable global vaccination preparedness and roll-out and to support the COVAX Facility, of which oPt is a beneficiary. Together, the EU and its Member States have committed more than €3.2 billion to COVAX and as of mid-July, the facility has shipped more than 129 million vaccines to 136 participating countries.
Ireland is convinced of the ethical obligation to share surplus vaccines to vulnerable populations and we are supporting efforts in Brussels to establish a common EU-wide vaccine sharing mechanism. It is vital that this mechanism should support and complement, rather than compete with, COVAX.
In February, COVAX confirmed that the occupied Palestinian territory was a priority participant in its programme of support to 92 low and middle-income countries. The first COVAX shipment was delivered in March, and to date 1,061,000 vaccines have been provided from a variety of sources. More than 4 million doses are expected to be delivered throughout Q3 and Q4, including COVAX supplies and vaccines directly procured by the Palestinian Authority. More than 945,000 vaccine doses have been administered to date in the oPt (22 July) and the Palestinian Authority’s vaccination programme is ongoing.
Ireland will provide more than €18 million in development and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in 2021, including support to UNRWA and UN OCHA for essential humanitarian relief. Ireland has also engaged bilaterally in the oPt for many years to strengthen institutions, health systems and build preparedness capacity.
Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have responsibilities to ensure the welfare of citizens in the occupied Palestinian territory. As I have outlined in my statements to the UN Security Council, ending the worst effects of the pandemic for all requires constructive cooperation to support timely, effective and unimpeded vaccination in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The overall human rights situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory remains a priority and we aim to ensure that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains high on the international agenda, including during Ireland's tenure on the UN Security Council.
862. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to help bring an end to the blockade of Cuba by the United States of America through work on the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40809/21]
View answerIreland’s position on the US embargo on Cuba is long-standing and clear. Fundamentally, Ireland believes that the embargo serves no constructive purpose and that its lifting would facilitate an opening of Cuba’s economy to the benefit of its people. Ireland, along with our EU partners, has been a consistent supporter of the annual Resolution put forward by Cuba at the UN General Assembly regarding the US economic blockade, and I can confirm that Ireland again voted in favour of this Resolution when it was brought before the General Assembly on 23 June this year.
Officials in my Department closely follow developments relating to the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which is a US federal law that strengthens and continues the US's long-standing economic embargo against Cuba. I was concerned by the decision taken in 2019 by the previous US Administration to suspend waivers for Title III of the Act, which had protected European persons and entities from its extra-territorial elements. Together with our EU partners, Ireland has firmly and continuously opposed extra-territorial measures that seek to extend the US embargo against Cuba to third countries, as contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade.
I also regret the inclusion of Cuba on the list of State-sponsors of terrorism by the previous US Administration and I support the statement made by EU HR/VP Josep Borrell following the third EU-Cuba Joint Council in January 2021, that this decision will have a negative impact on foreign direct investment in Cuba and will further aggravate the already difficult situation of the Cuban people in the midst of the pandemic.
The situation in Cuba has not been discussed on the UN Security Council in some time. Ireland will actively engage, in line with our long-standing position, should this issue be brought to the Council agenda during our term.
I will continue to engage with the US Administration on a range of foreign policy issues. Frank and open dialogue with the US on policy towards Cuba, including the impact of sanctions, will be vital to finding a solution that best accords with the hopes and ambitions of the Cuban people.
863. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will be supporting the TRIPS waiver campaign to waive patents on vaccines and shore up supply of vaccinations to developing countries; the number of vaccines that Ireland has donated to developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40811/21]
View answerI firmly believe that universal and equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable diagnostics, treatments and vaccines is crucial in the global fight against COVID-19. I am determined that Ireland, in particular the Irish Aid programme, plays its full part in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment leads on Intellectual Property Rights and World Trade Organisation (WTO) matters, including on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement. However, International Trade is a competence of the EU under the Treaties and in exercising that competence, the European Commission engages fully with the Member States, including Ireland, through a variety of Committees and Working Parties/Groups, including on Intellectual Property.
As regards the broad waiver proposed by a number of WTO Members, on 4 June, the EU submitted a proposal to the WTO General Council, which proposed that WTO Members could agree on a global trade initiative for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics encompassing the three components of (i) trade facilitation and disciplines on export restrictions; (ii) concrete actions to expand production and ensure supply of vaccines at affordable prices to low and middle income countries during the pandemic and (iii) clarification and facilitation of TRIPS Agreement flexibilities relating to compulsory licences.
The EU has also submitted a Declaration to the TRIPS Council to assist the next phase of discussions with a view to trying to reach agreement with all Members of the WTO on how to achieve the shared goal of expanding production and facilitating equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics for all.
The EU continues to be committed to an open and comprehensive dialogue with all WTO members to explore how the multilateral rules-based trading system can best support universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and to continue ramping up production, to share COVID-19 vaccines and medicines more widely and faster and to ensure equitable access to these products for low and middle-income countries.The EU considers that the COVAX Facility, the international initiative to ensure global access to COVID vaccines, is the mechanism that is best placed to ensure that high-income countries finance vaccines and support for developing countries to secure their share of global supply.
In 2021, through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland has allocated approximately €100 million to global public health. Some €5 million of this has gone directly to support COVID-19 vaccines for developing countries. €4 million of this has been in direct support to the COVAX Facility. It also includes support through Irish Embassies abroad to help partner countries manage the pandemic.
Ireland’s support sits within the broader Team Europe response. While the EU and Member States have committed over €3.2 billion to COVAX, clearly still much more needs to be done. COVAX is beginning to show some real results, shipping over 129 million vaccines to 136 participant countries as of mid-July. Further support to COVAX before the end of the year is under consideration.
Ireland is convinced of the ethical obligation to share surplus vaccines to vulnerable populations in other countries. We are supporting ongoing efforts in Brussels to establish a common EU-wide vaccine sharing mechanism; it is vital to Ireland that this mechanism should support, rather than compete with, the COVAX Facility. As the vaccination rollout makes progress domestically, the Government is actively looking to see when vaccine sharing through COVAX might be possible.
864. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he, his Department and the Government are taking to give legislative effect to the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval which requires legislation passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas (details supplied). [40863/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. Where the British Government are proposing significant changes to the Stormont House framework, such as through its proposals published on 14 July 2021, we have made clear that any changes must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive.
Following a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 24 June, we agreed to begin an intensive process of engagement with the British Government and the Northern Ireland parties to find an agreed way forward. It is essential that the voices of victims and families are at the heart of that process.
The framework of the Stormont House Agreement provided for a set of institutions to deal comprehensively and fairly with the legacy of the Troubles, which included an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR) for truth recovery, to be available to victims and survivors across the UK and Ireland.
The objective of the ICIR will be to enable victims and survivors to seek and privately receive information about the Troubles-related deaths of their next of kin.
The Irish and British Governments concluded an agreement on the establishment of the ICIR in October 2015. As set out in that agreement, the Commission will consist of five members; an Independent Chairperson of international standing, appointed by the two Governments, one Commissioner each appointed by the Irish and British Governments, and two Commissioners appointed jointly by Northern Ireland's First Minister and deputy First Minister.
The ICIR agreement was signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in October 2015 and laid before the Oireachtas in January 2016. The Independent Commission can only be formally established once the necessary legislation has been enacted in both jurisdictions and the two Governments have notified each other of completion of all other domestic legal procedures required to bring the agreement into force.
We have strongly communicated our position on this issue to the British Government and will continue to do so, and to caution in the clearest terms against any unilateral action. The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties represented on the Northern Ireland Executive on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead, with the aim of finding a collectively agreed path forward that meets the needs of victims, families and society as a whole.
866. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with members of the British Government in relation to the need to implement the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40906/21]
View answer867. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with members of the British Government and with the European Union to resolve some difficulties that have arisen in implementing the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40907/21]
View answer872. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on any recent or future planned engagements with the European Union regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol. [40947/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 866, 867 and 872 together.
The Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland is an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement. It was jointly negotiated, and jointly agreed, by the EU and the UK – the result of a painstaking process which took more than four years, during which a whole host of options were explored. Ultimately, the Protocol was - and is - the only solution found to the problems caused by Brexit for the island of Ireland.
I am in regular and ongoing contact with Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefcovic, British Government counterparts, political leaders and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Protocol. We all have a responsibility to listen carefully to the genuine concerns and engage with citizens, businesses, politicians and community leaders in the North. We also have to be clear there is no agreed alternative to the problems caused by Brexit on the island of Ireland apart from the Protocol – a solution which was jointly negotiated, jointly agreed and which must now be jointly implemented.
It is important to reiterate that the Protocol makes no change to the constitutional status of Northern Ireland as set out in the Good Friday Agreement. The Protocol prevents a hard border on this island and protects the gains of the Good Friday Agreement.
Where there have been challenges in the implementation of the Protocol, the EU has been listening and engaging to find solutions within the framework of the Protocol. Last month, the Joint Committee – the proper forum for discussion regarding implementation of the Protocol – came together to take stock of progress to date and give consideration to the identified issues of concern. EU and UK officials continue to work on developing solutions to these outstanding issues through the Specialised Committee on Implementation of the Protocol, which met as recently as last week. It is important that this process continues and is encouraged - working together like this is the way we will find sustainable solutions.
UK unilateral actions taken to date have damaged trust. The UK and EU must work together to find pragmatic solutions. Last month the EU acceded to a UK request to extend the grace period for chilled products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, for example. The decision on chilled meats was announced as part of a package of measures by the Commission, also enabling drivers from the North to enter the South without a motor insurance green card, providing easements on movements of animals between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and including an EU commitment to provide a long-term solution to the supply of medicines to Northern Ireland before the temporary arrangements currently in place expire. By taking such steps, the European Union continues to show that it is a willing partner.
I took note, of course, of the publication recently of the UK Government paper on the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland, and will analyse this paper closely, together with EU colleagues. We will continue to encourage the UK to work in partnership with the EU to identify realistic solutions in a spirit of positive and constructive engagement. However, any solutions must take place within the framework of the Protocol and the principles that underpin it.
The Protocol also presents real opportunities for Northern Ireland, with full access to both the rest of the UK internal market and the EU single market, and there are also significant potential opportunities for Northern Ireland through the Protocol, with open access to the rest of the UK internal market and to the entire EU Single Market of more than 450 million people. There is evidence of increased interest in Northern Ireland as an investment location since the beginning of the year - but stability and certainty are needed to help realise that potential.
I will continue to do all I can to encourage pragmatic engagement on the implementation of the Protocol and to underpin peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
868. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has conveyed to the British Government that its proposals to introduce a statute of limitations, end civil cases and inquests linked to the era of the Troubles are totally unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40908/21]
View answer869. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent discussions with the British Government in relation to the need to implement the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40909/21]
View answer870. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has conveyed to the British Government the widespread and strong opposition to the recent proposals to renege on commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40910/21]
View answer873. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has conveyed to the British Government the very understandable and major concerns of the families of victims and survivors in relation to their recent proposal to introduce an amnesty for persons, both state and paramilitary, who committed atrocities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40975/21]
View answer874. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made it clear to the British Government that the proposal to introduce an amnesty is totally unacceptable to victims and survivors groups and that these proposals are causing further pain and distress to many families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40976/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 868, 869, 870, 873 and 874 together.
The position of the Government on the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland is clear and consistent. The Stormont House Agreement is the way forward on these issues. It was agreed in 2014 by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it represents a balanced and comprehensive framework to address the painful legacy of the Troubles, based on the principles of truth, justice, rule of law and reconciliation.
The proposals published by the British Government on 14 July for a ‘Statute of Limitations’, ending criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to Troubles-related incidents, as well as inquests and civil litigation, have caused significant upset, shock and concern. They represent a very radical departure from the Stormont House Agreement and we do not accept them as the basis of a way forward.
Where the British Government are proposing significant changes to the Stormont House framework, we have made clear that these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. Only through a collective approach can we hope to deal with these issues comprehensively and fairly, and in a way that responds to the needs of victims and survivors, and society as a whole.
Following a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 24 June, we agreed to begin an intensive process of engagement with the British Government and the Northern Ireland parties to find an agreed way forward. It is essential that the voices of victims and families are at the heart of that process.
It is the position of the Government that there should be effective investigations into all Troubles-related deaths, regardless of the perpetrator. The rule of law and the protections afforded by the European Convention on Human Rights must apply equally to everyone and must be upheld, and this principle is at the core of the Stormont House framework.
We have strongly communicated our position on this issue to the British Government and will continue to do so, and to caution in the clearest terms against any unilateral action. The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties represented on the Northern Ireland Executive on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead, with the aim of finding a collectively agreed path forward that meets the needs of victims, families and society as a whole.
