Tuesday, 16 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1-75

National Risk Assessment

Questions (20)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

20. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which further potential risks have been identified in the context of the national risk assessment. [51253/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The National Risk Assessment provides an opportunity to identify and discuss significant risks that may arise for Ireland. Since it was first published in 2014, it has provided an overview of strategic risks and highlighted risks, such as Brexit, housing and pandemics. The process is designed to ensure a broad-based and inclusive debate on risks facing the country.

A new draft National Risk Assessment was published for consultation in July, and laid before the Oireachtas. It seeks to capture the impact of the pandemic, including how it has magnified existing risks and the new risks it has introduced. It also suggests new or existing strategic risks. New or previous risks outlined in the draft that was published for consultation include economic scarring and digital exclusion, as well as the heightened risk to social cohesion given the uneven impact of the pandemic.

Work is well advanced on finalising the National Risk Assessment 2021/2022, which will be published in the coming weeks.

Questions Nos. 21 to 23, inclusive, resubmitted.

European Council

Questions (24)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which progress was made at the most recent European Council meeting with particular reference to the most pressing issues. [52868/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I attended a meeting of the European Council on 21/22 October in Brussels.

The agenda covered COVID-19, energy prices, trade, external relations, migration and digital transformation. We also had a discussion on the rule of law in the European Union.

We discussed Covid-19, with a particular focus on vaccination rates across the EU, in the context of rising infection rates in some Member States and tackling disinformation in relation to the pandemic.

We also discussed the importance of the global roll out of vaccines and the central role of the World Health Organisation in global health governance.

On energy prices we discussed what we can do individually as Member States, and collectively as EU, to mitigate the impact of recent price fluctuations on vulnerable citizens and businesses. We also considered medium and long-term measures to increase the EU’s energy resilience and green transition.

We also discussed digital issues including ongoing progress on the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, ahead of the publication of a European Chips Act planned by the Commission.

We discussed trade, including its coherence with the overall international perspective of the EU, and, of course, critically, the importance of trade to global economic recovery.

We discussed migration, including ongoing work to support countries of origin and transit.

We called on Turkey to implement fully the EU-Turkey Statement of 2016, including vis-à-vis the Republic of Cyprus.

We discussed also a new issue of enormous concern: the instrumentalisation of vulnerable migrants by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus.

We agreed conclusions on a number of important Summits – including COP15 on biodiversity; and COP26 Climate Summit, which I attended in Glasgow; the Asia Europe (ASEM) Summit, which I will participate in when it will be held virtually on 25/26 November; and the EU-Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Brussels on 15 December.

Questions Nos. 25 to 28, inclusive, resubmitted.

Northern Ireland

Questions (29)

Neale Richmond

Question:

29. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach when the shared island dialogue will hold its next meeting. [53398/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I launched the Shared Island Dialogue series to foster inclusive, constructive civic dialogue on key issues for a shared future on the island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Over the last year, there have been seven Dialogue events and two roundtable discussions. I participated in the first Dialogue event last November, hearing from young people on their perspectives for the future of the island.

Subsequent Dialogues have focused on Climate and Environment; Civil Society; Equality; Economic recovery; Health cooperation; and Education, with participation by Government Ministers.

More than 1,000 civic representatives have participated in the Dialogue series from across all regions, communities and traditions on the island.

The Dialogue series has proved really worthwhile and valuable from the Government’s perspective and from feedback received from participants.

Exciting projects are also emerging from these discussions such as the All-Island Women’s Forum that has been established by the National Women’s Council.

I will be participating in a Shared Island event in December which will look at progress with our Shared Island initiative to date and further implementation next year.

As part of the approach, the Shared Island Dialogue series will continue next year, with early discussions to focus on Tourism and Sport.

The Shared Island unit in my Department is also considering how a next phase of dialogue is undertaken, including on hopefully being in a position to convene more in-person discussions next year.

Questions Nos. 30 to 38, inclusive, resubmitted.

Office of the Attorney General

Questions (39)

Martin Kenny

Question:

39. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a full account of each and every private client of the Attorney General during their time in office since June 2020; and the extent to which the Attorney General acted on behalf of or advised the directors or shareholders of a company (details supplied). [53526/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Attorney General was appointed in June 2020 in accordance with provisions of Article 30 of the Constitution. There were no special or exceptional arrangements applying in this regard.

While I have responsibility for answering questions on administrative matters connected with the Office of the Attorney General, I have no function in respect of the detail of the Attorney General’s professional engagements outside of his role as Attorney General.

Prior to his appointment, the Attorney General informed me and I informed the other leaders of the parties in Government that he had a small number of existing litigation commitments that he considered he had a professional obligation to discharge. It was agreed that he would do so.

The Attorney General’s involvement in these matters dates back to 2011 in one case and 2017 in two others. The first matter related to the State recapitalisation of Irish Permanent. The Attorney General was involved in one hearing in that matter in November 2020 and his involvement ceased at that time. The second matter related to a commercial dispute and the Attorney General's involvement ceased in February 2021. The final matter related to the Inspectors investigation into certain matters relating to INM and involved a hearing on two Saturdays, 18 and 25 September 2021. The Attorney General's involvement in that matter ceased on 25 September. He has no continuing private professional obligations. I would note also that the Attorney General is bound by a duty of confidentiality to his clients.

Question No. 40 resubmitted.

Commissions of Investigation

Questions (41)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

41. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the number of commissions of investigation currently ongoing; the duration of each commission of investigation; the deadline for each commission of investigation; and the actual and projected cost of each commission of investigation. [54098/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The only Commissions of Investigation for which I am the specified Minister under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 are the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Commission of Investigation and the National Asset Management Agency Commission of Investigation. Both Commissions are fully independent.

The IBRC Commission of Investigation was established in June 2015 following consultation with Oireachtas parties. It is investigating certain transactions, activities and management decisions at the IBRC and in its first module is investigating the Siteserv transaction.

Its original deadline was 31 December 2015 but following several requests from the Commission, and after consultation with the opposition, its timeframe for reporting has been extended. Most recently, in October this year, I granted a further request for an extension, this time until the end of March 2022.

From the time of its establishment to the end of October 2021 the Commission cost €10.75 million approximately, excluding third party legal costs that have been incurred but not yet paid, which will be a matter for the Commission to determine at the end of its investigation.

In its Seventh Interim Report in February 2020, the Commission estimated that the final cost of the Siteserv investigation will be from €12 - €14.5 million. This estimate assumed the investigation would be completed by the end of 2020, not end March 2022 as is now the case, and excluded costs or delays associated with possible judicial review hearings.

The Commission also acknowledged that it involved a substantial degree of uncertainty regarding the amount of costs actually recoverable by the parties before it and assumed its Legal Costs Guidelines are not successfully challenged.

The Commission’s most recent Interim Report does not provide any update on the €12 - €14.5 million estimate but my Department has given its view on many occasions that the final cost is likely to significantly exceed the Commission’s estimate and could exceed €30m. The recent further extension of its timeline, as well as the Commission’s acknowledgement of the possibility of court challenges, further supports my Department’s view.

The NAMA Commission was established in June 2017 following consultations with Opposition parties to investigate the sale by NAMA of its Northern Ireland portfolio, known as Project Eagle.

Its original deadline for reporting was 31 June 2018 but following several requests from the Commission its timeframe for reporting has also been extended. Most recently, in September 2021, I granted a further request for an extension, this time until the end of December 2021.

From the time of its establishment to the end of October 2021, the Commission cost €3.75 million approximately, excluding any third party legal costs incurred but not yet paid and which will be considered by the Commission at the end of its investigation.

The estimated cost for the Commission when it was established was €10 million approximately, excluding the cost of any litigation that may arise. The Commission has not provided an updated estimate for the cost of its investigation but the expenditure incurred to date suggests it is unlikely to exceed the original estimate.

The Fennelly Commission is the only other Commission of Investigation for which the Taoiseach was the specified Minister in the past decade. Its work related to certain allegations made by Garda Maurice McCabe and its final report was completed in March 2017. The total cost of the Commission was €3,528,658.

Question No. 42 resubmitted.

Brexit Issues

Questions (43)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

43. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent dialogues with the Government and President of the United States of America providing an update on the Northern Ireland protocol. [54347/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I keep in close contact with the President of the United States. I most recently spoke to him by phone on 14 November. I also had the opportunity to speak to him in person in the margins of the World Leaders’ Summit at COP26, when he reaffirmed his full commitment to protecting the Good Friday Agreement and I expressed my appreciation for the strong position he has taken in that regard.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (44, 45, 48)

Neale Richmond

Question:

44. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the COP26 United Nations climate change conference. [54388/21]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

45. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent COP 26 United Nations climate change conference. [54391/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the measures he will take to achieve the aspirations arising from discussions at the COP 26 United Nations climate change conference. [54701/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 45 and 48 together.

I participated in the World Leaders Summit at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1-2 November.

At the Action and Solidarity round-table discussion for leaders on 1 November, I expressed Ireland’s strong commitment to global action to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement and keep global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees centigrade.

On 2 November, I delivered Ireland’s National Statement to the plenary session, taking the opportunity to reiterate our climate ambition, and our commitment to supporting small island developing states and least developed countries, many of whom are very vulnerable to climate change. I announced that Ireland is more than doubling its climate finance contribution to at least €225m a year by 2025.

The Conference provided an opportunity to engage with many of my fellow leaders from around the world. I had formal bilateral meetings with the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and with Fijian Prime Minister, Josaia (Frank) Bainimarama. Over the course of the Summit, I also had informal meetings and exchanges with the US President, the Prime Ministers of Iceland, India, Israel, Norway, Palau, Vietnam, and many of my EU colleagues including Presidents Michel and von der Leyen.

I also spoke with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as well as First Minister Paul Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

During my visit, I also met a delegation of researchers and students from UCC, members of the Dingle Sustainable Energy Community, and youth delegates from Ethiopia and Burkina Faso, whose attendance at COP26 is supported by Irish Aid.

Questions Nos. 46 and 47 resubmitted.

Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 44.

Questions Nos. 49 to 51, inclusive, resubmitted.

Cabinet Committees

Questions (52)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

52. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [54390/21]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on Health last met on Monday 8th November. It is intended that it will meet again shortly.

Questions Nos. 53 to 61, inclusive, resubmitted.

Questions Nos. 62 to 74, inclusive, answered orally.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (75)

Gerald Nash

Question:

75. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to provide more access to remote working within the public sector; the status of negotiations with trade unions regarding the development of an agreed framework on remote working in the civil and public service into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54951/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

You will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working.

In July, 2021, the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service. The Policy Statement commits the Civil Service to implementing a policy of blended working for the future that can provide flexibility to both employees and their employers in a manner that supports the continued delivery of high quality services to Government, the public and business while providing employees, where appropriate, with choice and opportunity.

Remote working in the Civil Service, post pandemic, will be facilitated on a blended basis. In this context, Officials in my Department have also been working with, and continue to work with employers across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service with the aim of achieving the 20% target.

This Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the sector and will assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public sector. The Framework will be finalised over the coming weeks, following engagement with employee representatives. When this engagement has concluded and the Framework is agreed with the Civil Service Management Board, it will be rolled out to all civil service organisations. The Framework will inform the development of organisational blended working policies, which will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each Department/Office.

Negotiations, on the Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service, commenced with the employee representatives in September and the discussions are ongoing.