Written Answers Nos. 184-205
184. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the time limit for serving as a member of the Board of An Bord Pleanála; the approximate date of expected vacancies that will likely be filled before February 2025; and the way board members are selected. [47270/21]
View answerThe appointment of Board members to An Bord Pleanála is governed by section 106 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and Part 7 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. It provides that appointments to the Board by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government are generally made from candidates nominated by panels of prescribed bodies.
Section 108 of the Act provides that an ordinary member shall hold office for such term (not exceeding 5 years) as shall be specified by the Minister when appointing him or her to office, and may be re-appointed by the Minister for a second or subsequent term of office.
Information on Board membership, including details of current terms of office are available on the State Board website: membership.stateboards.ie/board/An%20Bord%20Plean%C3%A1la/
185. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will re-examine the amount available to applicants under the housing adaption grants given the increase in building materials in order that the amounts awarded better reflect the costs of such works for older people and persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47287/21]
View answerFunding of €75 million is available nationally in 2021 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme. This funding has increased year on year since 2014. As part of the annual budgetary process, consideration will be given to this funding in future years in line with the Programme for Government commitments and the Policy Statement on Housing Options for Our Ageing Population, which is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ea33c1-housing-options-for-our-ageing-population-policy-statement/
As detailed in Housing for All, housing policy objectives 6 and 7 give a commitment to undertaking a review of the range of housing grants available to assist with meeting specific housing needs both for our ageing population and people with a disability. Officials from my Department will begin a review of the existing grant limits and income thresholds applicable to the grant schemes later this year.
186. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person cannot receive funding under the housing adaption grant twice in a four year period; if there is a four-year rule in which a person has to wait to apply for the grant for a second time as detailed in correspondence from a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47288/21]
View answerHousing Circular 41 of 2019, issued 20 December 2019, provided local authorities with revised guidelines for the operation of the Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability scheme, in respect of private houses. This circular also included a revised single application form for use by all local authorities.
These guidelines clearly state that there is no legal bar to the payment of a second grant where an applicant’s circumstances have changed significantly, additional qualifying works under the grant schemes are necessary and the applicant remains eligible for grant assistance under the relevant schemes qualifying conditions . No limit applies to the amount of grant funding an applicant can receive in their lifetime nor the minimum time limits between grant applications.
Local authorities, in administering the scheme, should always work with qualifying applicants to ensure they get the most beneficial outcome possible in line with their circumstances. Engagement with local authorities is on-going and my Department is currently undertaking workshops with local authorities to ensure the Scheme is being administered optimally.
187. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the cut-off point in terms of household income for eligibility for the new cost-rental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47312/21]
View answerOn 19 August 2021, I made the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Designation) Regulations 2021, which came into effect that day. These Regulations govern the process by which the owners of dwellings may obtain the designation of their properties as Cost Rental dwellings.
The first Cost Rental homes were delivered by the Approved Housing Body (AHB) Clúid at Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, in August 2021, utilising funding from the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) scheme. The eligibility criteria for prospective tenants was agreed with my Department on an administrative basis, given the priority placed on seeing this homes occupied as soon as was possible. For Taylor Hill, in order to be eligible, net household income was required to be lower than €53,000 per annum. Prioritisation thereafter was informed by identifying household need and size relative to the homes being made available.
It is my intention to make Regulations governing the eligibility conditions that will be applicable to Cost Rental over the longer term, including the household income limits, by November 2021.
188. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the cut-off point in terms of household income for eligibility for the proposed new affordable purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47313/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, sets out the objective that everybody should have access to sustainable, good quality housing to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard, and located close to essential services, offering a high quality of life.
Housing for All confirms the introduction of two new affordable purchase scheme. The first will see the delivery of affordable homes by local authorities. The second will see the introduction of a 'First Home' affordable purchase shared equity scheme for homes in private developments. Both of these schemes are primarily focused on supporting first-time buyers purchasing newly-built homes. In terms of eligibility, they will be targeted at households constrained by the maximum mortgage and deposit available to them. The schemes will bridge the gap between the market value and what the household can afford via the provision of equity support. The equity support can subsequently be redeemed at any time at the home-owner’s discretion, or remain outstanding until the home is sold or passed on.
The detailed design of the First Home is currently progressing, for the scheme’s introduction in early 2022. Eligibility will be informed by the Central Bank’s macro-prudential rules along with designated price ceilings established by area for the scheme. Price ceilings for eligible homes and the maximum level of support available will be confirmed in advance of the scheme’s operation.
It is intended that Regulations regarding income eligibility in respect of the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme will be put in place by November.
189. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will be reviewing the €320,000 maximum market values of the property that can be purchased or self-built in counties Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, and the €250,000 maximum in the rest of the country, given that housing prices have increased by almost 7% in the past year; if so, when this review will be taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47323/21]
View answerThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is targeted at first time buyers who wish to own their own home, have access to an adequate deposit and have the capacity to repay a mortgage, but who are unable to access a mortgage sufficient for them to purchase their first home.
The loan enables credit worthy first time buyers to access sustainable mortgage lending to purchase new or second-hand properties or to self-build, to borrow up to 90% of the maximum market values, €320,000 in the counties of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow and €250,000 in the rest of the country.
As part of Housing for All, I announced that a reformed successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', will be prepared later in 2021. The Local Authority Home Loan will include an increase in the income ceiling for single applicants in counties Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, to reflect the higher market prices in these areas, thus increasing the number of people eligible and increasing the borrowing capacity of applicants in these areas within the €320,000 house price limit.
I have already implemented a reduction of the mortgage interest rate for new borrowers by 0.25% under the existing Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL), as from 10 September 2021 which will lower monthly repayments and increase borrowing capacity. This lower rate will also apply to loans issued under the forthcoming Local Authority Home Loan.
The link to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme and FAQ's is: rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie/
190. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the statutory protections that are in place to protect homeless service users who may be vulnerable; if there are plans to expand these protections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47343/21]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but contributes to overall expenditure incurred by housing authorities in the provision of homeless accommodation and related services. Exchequer funding provided by my Department is governed by a Protocol agreement between the Department and the lead authority in each region. This Protocol sets out the funding arrangements and structures to ensure adherence with statutory requirements and public financial procedures. The Protocol agreement requires that local authorities and their service delivery partners, including voluntary NGOs and private operators, comply with all statutory codes including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Fire Services Acts and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016.
In respect of Garda vetting, the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 sets out the legal requirement for Garda vetting and the parameters for same. While many of the NGOs working within the homeless sector have members of staff and volunteers that are vetted under the Act, homeless services are not currently specifically identified in the relevant legislation whereby vetting is mandatory. My Department is actively engaging with the Garda National Vetting Bureau and the Department of Justice in this regard with the objective of ensuring that where it is needed, Garda vetting is made available under the Act.
Separate to the Protocol arrangements, all homeless accommodation that is provided by local authorities and funded by my Department, are required to comply with standards. The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority and NGO delivered services. The NQSF specifically provides that service users are safeguarded and protected from abuse and their safety and welfare is promoted where services are provided. Local authorities also carry out inspections on facilities that are not covered under the Framework. This regime operates in parallel with, and is based on, the NQSF arrangements. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive are in the process of reframing the quality assurance arrangements under the NQSF to cover all privately operated facilities and this regime is due to be in place shortly.
191. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reports that have been provided to him in the past 12 months from the ESRI; the titles of these reports; if he has received reports that he has not published; if so, if he plans to publish these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47344/21]
View answerDetails of the four reports from the ESRI commissioned by, or prepared for, my Department in the past 12 months are set out in the following link, together with the publishing information.
My Department operates a housing economics research programme with the Economic and Social Research Institute. Under this programme, which began in May 2017, two to three research papers are published each year with an emphasis on generating findings which influence policy-making. Department officials and ESRI researchers work together as papers are finalised. The nature of the research programme requires that all such papers must be published.
192. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reports that have been provided to him in the past 12 months from the Housing Agency; the titles of these reports; if he has received reports that he has not published; and if so, if he plans to publish these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47345/21]
View answerThe Housing Agency works with my Department and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in the delivery of housing and housing services. A key part of the Agency's work is to act as a centre of expert knowledge on housing and to support housing policy development through research work and collaboration with key stakeholders.
In this regard the following reports were produced and published by the Agency in the past 12 months:
- Review of Part V of the Planning & Development Act
- Summary of Social Housing Assessments 2020
- Roadmapping a Viable Community-Led Housing Sector for Ireland, and
- Review of Local Authority Social Workers and Personnel Employed to Assist Travellers with their Accommodation Needs.
The Agency has an important role in supporting my Department in developing various aspects of housing policy. To this end they produced two research papers over the past year in the area of Income Eligibility for Social Housing as follows:
- Review of Income Eligibility for Social Housing Support, and
- Social Housing Income Eligibility – International Comparisons.
These were not published as they are contributions to an ongoing deliberative and policy analysis process in my Department.
My Department also routinely engages with the Agency to produce reviews and analysis that are technical and operational in nature. Such reports are not published. Two such reports were produced by the Agency in the past 12 months as follows:
- AHB Operational Cost Review-Analysis and Proposed Framework for P&A-CALF Funding, and
- Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Governance Review.
193. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to introduce greater incentives for persons who buy a vacant or dilapidated property and seek to renovate it into a family home; the current financial supports that already exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47350/21]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 127 of 28 September 2021 which sets out the position in this matter.
194. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to meet a group (details supplied). [47353/21]
View answerThe regeneration of Poolbeg West is the next important step in transforming the Docklands area, given its strategic location east of Grand Canal Dock, with close proximity to important bridge connections to Dublin Port and North Lotts. The residential potential within the available lands is for a maximum of 3,500 additional residential units.
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) being the responsible agency for the progression of this site in line with the requirements of the NAMA Act, in July 2020, named a consortium of Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) and Colony Capital (Colony) as the Preferred Bidder to acquire the 80% shareholding with NAMA retaining a 20% shareholding.
A condition of the planning scheme, as modified by An Bord Pleanála on 9 April 2019 is the provision of 15% social and affordable homes on this site in addition to the 10% statutory under Part V arrangements.
On July 21 2021 the consortium submitted a planning application to Dublin City Council (DCC) for Phase 1 to construct 600 apartment units including 90 affordable housing apartments and 62 No. social housing apartments. The social and affordable housing is provided in accordance with Objective H7 of the Planning Scheme. DCC issued a decision on Sept. 16th requiring the applicant to revert to the planning authority with further information on nine directives.
My Department remains committed to working with DCC, any relevant Approved Housing Bodies and the receiver and/or developers of the SDZ area to progress this site, subject to agreement on all the normal and relevant terms, including value for money aspects.
I met representatives of the Irish Glass Bottle Action Group on the 2nd March last together with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan. As a matter of course, any requests for meetings received by my office from stakeholders or other interest groups will be responded to directly.
195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken urgently to control rents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47379/21]
View answerThe Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 introduced a targeted rent increase restriction of 4% per annum in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), having regard to the constitutionally protected property rights of landlords and local rental market factors. The aim was to provide rent certainty to tenants and landlords by moderating medium-term rent levels.
The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 introduced measures in July 2021 to better protect tenants with affordability challenges by extending the operation of RPZs until the end of 2024 and prohibiting any necessary rent increase in a RPZ from exceeding general inflation, as recorded by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). This measure significantly reduced the level of permissible rent increases for the estimated 74% of all tenancies which are in RPZs.
When introducing these measures, I was very clear on the need to carefully monitor inflation. At that time, HICP inflation averaged 0.73% p.a. over the previous 3 years but had risen to 1.6% p.a. in the year ending June 2021. I needed to revise the RPZ rent control relatively quickly in July, on a basis that could be independently verified. The Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Act 2021 also provides that an index, other than HICP, may be prescribed for the purposes of restricting rent increases in RPZs. Given the continuing rise in HICP inflation, up to 3% p.a. in August, I intend to consider all the legal options available to me to ensure that effective rent controls are legally in force in RPZs to cap the rate of any rent increase where the general inflation rate is too high. I intend to bring forward the Housing and Residential Tenancies Bill 2021 before the end of this Dáil term and any necessary provision relating to rent control in RPZs will be considered in this context.
My Department is currently examining this matter and the advices of the Office of the Attorney General will inform any changes in this area.
196. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta an líon daoine a bhain cearta bainte feamainne amach le cúig bliain anuas bunaithe ar úsáid fad téarmach den chladach le feamainn a bhaint; an bhfuil i gceist aige déanamh cinnte go mbeidh fáil ag lucht traidisiúnta bainte feamainne ar chearta bainte feamainne in aon dlí nua a thógtar isteach don earnáil seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [47380/21]
View answerIs é an ról atá ag mo Roinn i dtaca le feamainn a shábháil ná an ghníomhaíocht a rialáil de réir an Achta um Imeall Trágha 1933, arna leasú. Déantar gach iarratas, is cuma má thagann siad ó dhaoine aonair nó ó ghnólachtaí, a mheas de réir fhorálacha an Achta agus de réir aon reachtaíochta chomhshaoil i bhfeidhm ag an am. Agus an ghníomhaíocht seo á rialáil, ní mór a chinntiú, chomh fada agus is féidir, go ndéantar an acmhainn a bhainistiú go cuí agus go bhfuil sé mar aidhm an timpeallacht mhuirí a chosaint agus leibhéal sábhála feamainne atá inbhuanaithe a chumasú freisin.
Ina óráid ag Cruinniú Mullaigh Feidhm A Bhaint As Saibhreas Ár nAigéin i 2018, shoiléirigh an tAire ag an am Damien English T.D. a bhí freagrach as Acht Imeall Trágha 1933, go bhfuil cearta áirithe, de chineál foirmiúil agus neamhfhoirmiúil araon, chun feamainn a bhaint ann agus go gcaithfear iad a urramú i gcomhthéacs iarratais a chinneadh feamainn a bhaint de láimh faoin Acht Imeall Trágha 1933.
Is ábhar d’Údarás Clárúcháin Maoine na hÉireann (PRAI) clárú dlíthiúil na gceart neamhfhoirmiúil sin, cosúil leo siúd a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag lucht bainte feamainne traidisiúnta, agus ba cheart dóibh siúd ar mian leo a gcearta a chlárú dul i dteagmháil go díreach leo. Dá réir sin, níl aon ról ag mo Roinn sa phróiseas sin agus ní bhailíonn sí an fhaisnéis a iarrann an teachta.
Má tá éileamh á dhéanamh ar cheart forordaitheach a chlárú, beidh feidhm ag alt 38 den Acht um Athchóiriú an Dlí Talún agus Tíolactha 2009 (arna leasú ag an Acht um an Dlí Sibhialta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha) 2011). Is féidir éileamh a bhunú go dtí an 30 Samhain 2021. Is é an seasamh reatha ná nach féidir le héilitheoir iarratas a dhéanamh faoin dlí a bhí i bhfeidhm sular tugadh isteach An tAcht um Athchóiriú an Dlí Talún agus Tíolactha 2009 tar éis 30 Samhain 2021. Ón 1 Nollaig 2021, chaithfí aon iarratas a dhéanamh faoi na forálacha atá leagtha amach san Acht 2009 féin. Forálann alta 33(b)(ii) den Acht 2009, áfach, do thréimhse teorann 60 bliain maidir le héilimh ar chearta saintreoracha feamainn a thógáil.
Athróidh mo Roinn a próisis agus a nósanna imeachta um Cheadúnú Feamainne Imeall Trágha más gá, chun aon athruithe a dhéanfar amach anseo ar na hAchtanna Talún agus Tíolactha a thagann faoi shainchúram na Roinne Dlí agus Cirt a léiriú.
197. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes that have been built nationally to date in 2021. [47448/21]
View answerDetails on social housing delivery for each local authority, across a range of delivery mechanisms, are included in social housing statistics published by my Department. This data is available to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is available on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the followinink: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/
A detailed Social Housing Construction Status Report is also published each quarter which provides scheme level detail on new build activity. The most recent publication covers the period up to the end of Quarter 2 2021 and is available on my Department's website, www.gov.ie/en/publication/d7709-social-housing-construction-projects-status-report-q2-2021/. This data includes information for each local authority and includes a list of the individual projects that make up the new build programme for that local authority.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he expects to liaise with political leaders in Northern Ireland with a view to ensuring the future of the Good Friday Agreement and adherence to the settlements arrived at between the EU and the UK in the context of Brexit. [34649/21]
View answer232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which issues arising from Brexit continue to impact on Ireland and on the island of Ireland as a whole; the extent to which progress is being made to address the issues with particular reference to the protection of the Good Friday Agreement including no Border on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47415/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 232 together.
It has always been clear that Brexit would be profoundly disruptive for the island of Ireland as a whole. The UK’s decision to leave the Customs Union and Single Market produced inevitable and unwelcome consequences for the island. Even with the Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement in place, the seamless trade we enjoyed with Great Britain when we were both members of the Single Market cannot be replicated as was. The Government has dedicated substantial time and resources into preparing for Brexit since 2016 and continues to do whatever it can to mitigate against disruption caused by Brexit.
At an early stage in the Withdrawal Agreement negotiations, both the UK and the EU acknowledged the unique circumstances on the island, recognising the necessity of protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process, including avoiding a hard border and protecting North-South cooperation. The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent agreements is an utmost priority for this Government. The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which is an integral part of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, was designed and agreed by the UK and the EU to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement and gains of the peace process, while at the same time protecting the integrity of the EU Single Market and Ireland’s place within it.
I am in regular and ongoing contact with political leaders and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland in relation to the implementation of the Protocol, as well as with Commission Vice President Maros Šefcovic, fellow EU Member State colleagues, and British Government counterparts.
Our approach, shared by our EU colleagues, continues to be informed by engagements with people and businesses across Northern Ireland, taking on board genuine concerns as we seek realistic solutions within the framework of the Protocol. Throughout these engagements, the clear message we have received is that most people in Northern Ireland – especially those in the business community – want the Protocol to work well.
However, stability, certainty, and predictability are required to realise the opportunities which the Protocol presents for Northern Ireland. This can only be achieved by the UK and the EU jointly agreeing solutions to outstanding issues. In this regard, we welcome the continuation of technical talks between the two sides and the latest meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Protocol on 24 September.
We take unionist concerns in relation to the Protocol seriously and we will continue to listen and engage with those concerns, just as we have with the perspectives of everyone across Northern Ireland. 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.
We remain confident that solutions do exist, within the parameters of the Protocol, for the issues that have arisen to date. The EU has consistently demonstrated a considered, credible, solution-driven approach to these issues. We will continue to encourage the UK to work in partnership with the EU in a spirit of positive and constructive engagement in order to identify pragmatic and sustainable solutions.
199. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to, and his views on, the emerging famine in southern Madagascar, the world’s first climate-induced famine as described by the UN World Food Programme. [43423/21]
View answerIn response to the emerging famine in southern Madagascar, the consequence of three consecutive years of drought compounded by Covid-19, in July I approved a grant of €0.5m in Irish Aid funding to the World Food Programme's activities in Madagascar. This enables WFP to provide life-saving food rations and nutritional support to the most vulnerable and is in addition to the annual core funding to WFP from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Currently 1.13 million people are facing acute food insecurity and 14,000 people are catastrophically food insecure. In addition, 500,000 children, aged 6 to 59 months are suffering from acute malnutrition. This is likely to deteriorate further over the coming months, which are the traditional lean season. My officials, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Maputo and engagement with the UN humanitarian system, continue to actively monitor the situation in Madagascar.
200. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the detail of the measures and actions the Government aims to achieve through Ireland’s presidency of the UN Security Council. [43424/21]
View answerToday, Thursday 30 September, is the final day of Ireland’s Presidency of the UN Security Council, a role we held for the month of September 2021. During this time, we chaired all meetings of the Council and were responsible for managing its agenda.
The Council Programme of Work for September included meetings on a range of important issues, including Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen and the Middle East Peace Process. I chaired a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on 9 September, and Ireland engaged extensively in the negotiations to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for six months from 17 September.
Ireland’s Presidency of the Council provided an important opportunity to highlight a number of our policy priorities, and we convened three High-Level signature meetings in September.
On 8 September, Ireland chaired an Open Debate of the Security Council on peacekeeping operations and on 9 September, I was very pleased to preside over the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2594 on peacekeeping transitions that was drafted and negotiated by Ireland. This important resolution provides a framework for ensuring that the reconfiguration of a UN presence is properly planned for and resourced, particularly with respect to protecting civilians. I also chaired an informal interactive dialogue with the League of Arab States on 22 September.
The Taoiseach chaired a High-Level meeting on Climate and Security on 23 September, during the UN General Assembly High Level Week. At that meeting, the Taoiseach announced Ireland’s intention, along with Niger, to convene discussions with all Council members, on a thematic resolution on Climate and Security. A resolution on the link between climate change and the maintenance of international peace and security would be a first for the Security Council and would allow it to better assess and address the effects of climate change in its work.
Minister Byrne chaired the third signature High-Level meeting on 27 September to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). This meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of the CTBT and the need for entry into force and universalisation of the Treaty.
Ireland prioritised the Women, Peace and Security agenda during our Presidency to support the right to full, equal and meaningful participation of women in matters of peace and security. We also placed a particular focus on including women peacebuilders in Council meetings as civil society briefers, as we believe it is crucial that the Council hears the voices of those affected by its decisions.
Throughout our Presidency, we continued our work to protect human rights, uphold International Humanitarian Law, and promote accountability for violations. Over the next 15 months of Ireland’s Security Council membership, we will continue to work openly and constructively with all partners, as a solution-oriented member of the Council.
201. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of the upcoming meetings provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. [37472/21]
View answer202. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the latest meetings of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. [46324/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
The New Decade, New Approach Agreement (NDNA) reached in January 2020 was a very significant shared achievement by the parties in Northern Ireland together with the British and Irish Governments, in restoring the power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to operation.
As outlined in the Programme for Government, the full implementation of the NDNA is an important priority for the Government. As provided for in the agreement, the first Implementation Review meeting took place in January of this year, and a second is planned for the period immediately ahead, to review progress made to date.
The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) is essential to overseeing and developing North South cooperation on matters of mutual interest, including the implementation of the NDNA Agreement. The important work of the NSMC to develop cooperation on an all-island basis resumed in 2020, and three successful NSMC plenary meetings have now taken place, as well as a number of Sectoral meetings at Ministerial level. Progress is underway with respect to these commitments that come under its remit – we look forward to this progress being continued and seeing these commitments implemented in full.
The 35th summit of the British-Irish Council (BIC), hosted by the Northern Ireland Executive, took place on 11 June. Former First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed all administrations to the summit, which included in person and virtual attendance. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and I attended in person and the UK side was represented in person by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, and Secretary for State for NI Brandon Lewis. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford attended virtually. The summit discussion consisted of firstly addressing recovery and planning for potential impacts following Covid-19, and secondly a discussion regarding latest political developments and ongoing work and future of the BIC. The Council noted that the next BIC Summit would be hosted by the Welsh Government.
I also attended the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) on 24 June alongside my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys, and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and the former Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, Robin Walker. The Conference was established under Strand Three of the Good Friday Agreement “to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments”.
The meeting allowed for discussion of a wide and positive agenda of East-West and economic and security cooperation. We were also able to discuss how we can, together, best support the stability of all institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. There were also important discussions around the need to make progress on addressing the legacy of the past. As agreed at the BIIGC, the Government has joined the British Government and the Northern Irish parties in a process of intensive engagement of these issues, with discussions beginning in July. The BIIGC is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement. It was positive to see it take place for the first time since 2019, and we agreed that the Conference should meet again in November.
203. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of E3 visas between the United States of America and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47077/21]
View answerThe Government continues to prioritise immigration issues in our relationship with the United States. This includes working towards secure legal pathways for Irish people to live and work in the US as well as addressing the situation of undocumented Irish.
We have continued to raise these matters, including but not limited to the E3 Visa Bill, in our engagement with successive US Administrations, members of the US Congress, and leaders from across the political spectrum. The Taoiseach raised the matter in March this year while meeting with President Biden during his St. Patrick's Day virtual visit. He also discussed the issue of the E3 visa bill, and creating pathways to citizenship, with the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Most recently, I raised the matter in my meetings on Capitol Hill during my visit to Washington D.C. last week.
President Biden's proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021 shows that immigration issues are a key priority for his Administration, and Ireland welcomes this development. The Government continues to pursue the E3 Visa Bill, which, if passed, could allow access to thousands of US visas each year to Irish citizens, providing new opportunities to live and work in the US.
Our Embassy in Washington D.C. engages in extensive outreach in support of the Bill, working with the US Congress on a bipartisan basis, meeting with both members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate. We will seek at the earliest opportunity the reintroduction of the Bill to the United States Congress.
204. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had with the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth and the Minister for Justice with regard to expanding the Irish Refugee Protection Programme to facilitate an increased number of asylum seekers from Afghanistan to be granted refugee status in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47197/21]
View answerThe current programmes through which Afghan nationals can re-locate to Ireland are the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, managed by the Department of Children, Equality Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs, and the family reunification and international protection programmes managed by the Department of Justice. Last month I announced, together with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Minister of State for Law Reform, Youth Justice and Immigration, that places would be allocated to Afghan nationals under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. The Refugee Protection Programme was created in 2015 as part of Ireland’s response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe. It allows a predetermined number of vulnerable people in need of international protection to be granted refugee status in Ireland.
Approximately 370 places have been allocated to Afghan nationals under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and some 150 of those have arrived in Ireland. Priority was given to those working on human rights issues, including the rights of women and girls, and minorities, as well as those working with NGOs and European and international organisations. My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth considers requests for refugee status. My officials transmit requests received to his Department for consideration.
The Government at its meeting earlier this week, approved the introduction of a new Afghanistan admission programme. Under the new programme, current or former Afghan nationals resident in Ireland can apply for close family members in Afghanistan, or who have recently fled Afghanistan to certain countries, to be granted temporary residence in Ireland. I very much welcome this new proposal from my colleague, the Minister for Justice, which will create a tailored reunification programme and enable Ireland to better respond to the situation in Afghanistan. Up to 500 places will be available under this programme. The current possibilities for Afghan nationals to be granted permission to enter Ireland will continue in parallel to the new programme.
205. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had at UN Security Council level with regard to ensuring that at-risk Afghan nationals who wish to leave Afghanistan will be allowed safe passage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47198/21]
View answerThe situation in Afghanistan has been a priority in the work of the Security Council, including during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council in September. In these discussions, Ireland has called for a peaceful and negotiated political settlement, and we have placed a very strong emphasis on the need for any new administration to guarantee the protection of civilians, to fulfil Afghanistan’s obligations under international law, and to respect human rights, especially for Afghan women and girls. We have highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation as a top priority, and have also consistently called for the safe, secure, orderly and unhindered departure of foreign nationals and at-risk Afghans who wish to leave the country.
On 9 September, I chaired a Security Council debate on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Speaking at that meeting, I stressed that Kabul airport and Afghanistan’s land borders must be fully open and operational, both to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and to ensure that Afghans and foreign citizens can safely depart. I also emphasised the need for full and safe humanitarian access to allow life-saving support to reach all Afghans, and called for the full respect of the human rights of all Afghans, including women and girls as well as minorities.
It is critically important that the UN can continue to do its vital work in Afghanistan and, in this context, Ireland played an active role in the negotiation of UN Security Council Resolution 2596, adopted on 17 September, which renewed the mandate of UNAMA for a further 6 months.
Ireland was also actively engaged in the negotiation of Resolution 2593, which was adopted on 30 August. This called on the Taliban to respect its commitments to allow the safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and foreign nationals who want to leave, and for the re-opening of Kabul Airport and enhanced airport security.
We supported the Security Council Press Statement of 27 August, which was issued in response to the appalling terrorist attacks near Kabul Airport, and which called on all relevant parties to respect and facilitate the safe evacuation of civilians. Ireland was also actively engaged in the negotiation of the Security Council Press Statement adopted on 16 August, which emphasised the need for all parties to respect their obligations under International Humanitarian Law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians, and underscored the particular vulnerability of humanitarian and medical personnel, interpreters and other international service providers.
We will continue to prioritise the situation in Afghanistan in our work on the Security Council, and to do whatever we can to help ensure that at-risk Afghans can safely leave the country.
Our work on the Security Council complements our other activities in support of the Afghan people, including our ongoing efforts to provide refuge here in Ireland for some of those who are most at risk.
