Written Answers Nos. 195-214
195. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of plans to reopen the foreign birth registration application process in order that the application for persons (details supplied) can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56620/21]
View answerMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that as of Monday 15th November, the processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Foreign Birth Registration applications are citizenship applications and as in all jurisdictions involve a complex and lengthy process.
The applications referenced were registered on 16 March 2021, and are being stored in a secure environment.
FBR staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may contact the Passport Service directly.
My Department is fully committed to allocating additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the high volume of new applications anticipated and the 32,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand.
196. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a simple online adult passport renewal application by a person (details supplied) has been given an estimated target issue date of ten weeks from the receipt of the application considering that this persons last passport expired only months ago so it should only take ten working days for this application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56676/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicant mistakenly applied for a first time passport when completing the application form online. As a result, the estimated issue date given is in line with processing times for first time applications.
The Passport Service has contacted the applicant and informed them of what is required to progress their passport application.
197. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the current difficulties surrounding the emergency passport service; if his Department is reviewing the emergency telephone line to increase capacity due to large volume of callers; if persons can get an immediate urgent appointment with the passport office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56699/21]
View answer215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he can put in place an effective turnaround for applications for passport renewals or new passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56791/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 215 together.
The Passport Service Customer Service centre has been operational since June 2021 in line with the scaling up of passport operations as pandemic restrictions were eased. Currently, 75 officers are responding to customer queries by phone and webchat as well as with enquiries related to Emergency Passport cases.
Since June, Customer Service officers have responded to 130,000 queries from customers. In October, the Customer Service Hub handled 27,000 enquiries from customers. The Passport Service very much regrets that on days of very high volume of passport queries, people have had difficulty contacting them. As a result, my Department is actively working to recruit and assign additional staff to improve our service and meet current and expected demand.
The Emergency Passport service is available free of charge in cases of medical emergency or death of a family member abroad. Proof of emergency is required to avail of this service. In cases of genuine and documented emergency, every effort is made to assist the applicant. In October alone 4,600 Emergency Passport cases were handled by the Customer Service Team.
Additionally, the Passport Offices in Mount St, Dublin 2 and in Cork now offer an Urgent Appointment Service for the renewal of passports. The Urgent Appointment Service ensures that, for those who unexpectedly require a very urgent turnaround of a passport renewal, there is an option available that is transparent, predictable and clear. It means that an applicant can book and pay for their appointment, safe in the knowledge that they will have their passport within a day, or a few days. To avail of the Urgent Appointment Service for Passport Renewal, applicants must first book an appointment to attend the public office in Dublin or Cork through the Department of Foreign Affairs website (www.dfa.ie/passports). Over 800 urgent appointments have been facilitated since the Passport Service launched this service on 27th September 2021.
Passport Service operations were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as were many Government services. Despite the consequences of the pandemic, the Passport Service has issued over half a million passports to date in 2021 and 45% of simple adult renewals issue within one business day.
My Department attaches the highest priority to ensuring that the Passport Service is resourced to respond to current and anticipated high demand for passports. My Department is actively working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit and assign additional permanent and temporary staff between now and the end of January 2022, bringing total staff numbers to 920 and effectively doubling the number of staff at the Passport Service. I am confident that these additional resources will help to improve customer experience and reduce turnaround times.
The Passport Service is working with relevant divisions within my Department to ensure the health and safety of all staff is prioritised alongside the business need to serve our citizens. Plans are at finalisation stage thanks to excellent co-operation from the Office of Public Works to ensure that additional staff will be accommodated to meet the anticipated unprecedented demand for passports in 2022.
The Passport Service continually examines how to improve processing times and engagement with applicants. Preparation is currently underway for several system and service improvements that will enhance the customer service experience and will improve processing times. These improvements will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months.
The current passport processing times are:
- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals
- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals
- 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online
- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service
The aforementioned passport processing times are based on current average application turnaround times and relate to passport applications submitted to the Passport Service with required supporting documentation. When passport applicants do not provided all of the requisite documentation to the Passport Service, it takes much longer to process the application and issue a passport.
Currently, there are 108,000 passport applications on hand at the Passport Service. Of the online applications on hand, 34,000 or 35% of applications are incomplete and the onus is on the applicant to submit the required documents to the Service. The Passport Service contacts applicants who have not submitted the requisite documentation. However, the Passport Service must wait in those 34,000 cases until the applicants submit the outstanding documentation that is required. While the Passport Service makes every effort to contact applicants in such circumstances, their experience is that many applicants take weeks and sometimes months to send in the necessary documents.
The Passport Service is attaching particular priority to the nearly 7% of online applications which have not been issued on or before estimated issue date which was indicated to the applicant. Intensive work is underway to eliminate this problem and these delays are regretted very much by the Service.
The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for first time passports. Out of a total of 108,000 passport applications currently on hand with the Passport Service, 70,000 or 64% of these are first time applications.
These first time applications are necessarily complex to process, since they are essentially applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. It is the statutory responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of applicants.
In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Due to the intensive analysis underpinning first time online passport applications processing time is 40 working days.
In the context of the National Development Plan, my Department is making a major investment in the future of the Passport Service. Over the next couple of years, we will replace the core technology underpinning the service, which will deliver efficiencies and a more resilient passport system. Budget 2022 also included an investment of an additional €10m in passport services in response to the increasing demand for passports both at home and abroad.
I urge citizens to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to ensure that they apply in plenty of time. In the case of people planning to travel in 2022, whose passports are already out of date or who have children who are first-time applicants, I would encourage them to apply now online.
Passport Online can be accessed by all first time applicants, irrespective of age both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which efforts continue to be made at all levels to ensure that the Northern Ireland peace process is not damaged by ongoing Brexit related developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56773/21]
View answer199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland and or the UK authorities with a view to ensuring that recent interpretations of Brexit are not allowed to damage the peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56774/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
At an early stage in the Withdrawal Agreement negotiations, both the UK and the EU acknowledged the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, recognising the necessity of protecting the gains of the peace process, including avoiding a hard border and protecting North-South cooperation. To recall, the Protocol is the joint EU-UK solution to mitigate against the disruption Brexit causes for citizens and businesses on the island of Ireland. It is an integral part of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the result of over four years of difficult negotiation. It was designed and agreed by the UK and the EU to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement and gains of the peace process, and to protect the integrity of the EU Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. Discussions between the EU and the UK on the Protocol, including between UK Minister David Frost and Commission Vice President Maros Šefcovic, are ongoing. Our aim is to see a positive outcome to these discussions. I am in regular and ongoing contact with political leaders and representatives of business and civil society in Northern Ireland in relation to the implementation of the Protocol. Last week, the Taoiseach also had a series of calls with the leaders of the Northern Ireland political parties, to discuss the current situation regarding talks on the Protocol. He highlighted the EU’s commitment to addressing genuine implementation issues around the Protocol and emphasised that the ongoing talks between the EU and the UK should be given every chance to succeed. Support for the Commission package and minimising disruption remains strong in Northern Ireland, particularly among the business community. Recent polling on attitudes to the Protocol in Northern Ireland show that a majority of people view the Protocol as a good thing for Northern Ireland and that people, across communities, support “ongoing solution seeking” and a pragmatic approach. I am also very aware of stakeholders’ views on opportunities that the Protocol offers for Northern Ireland, giving them access to both the UK as well as the EU internal markets. Realising the opportunities presented by the Protocol, as our economies build back from the impact of COVID-19, should be the focus of our energy at this time. The Commission’s recent proposals address concerns raised by unionists, including significantly reducing checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and giving Northern Ireland a greater say in how the Protocol is implemented. It is also important to reiterate that the Protocol recognises the constitutional status of Northern Ireland, as set out in the Good Friday Agreement. I have met with Minister Frost on a number of occasions in recent months, most recently in September, at the meeting of the British Irish Association in Oxford. I have also discussed the Protocol in meetings with other UK ministers, including with Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss on 13 October and the Minister for Europe and Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Wendy Morton, on 1 October. Other Ministers have also regularly raised the Protocol with UK counterparts in recent contacts.In all contacts with relevant stakeholders, I have emphasised the importance of using the EU-UK framework for issues related to the Protocol and of finding a solution that works for the people of Northern Ireland. We are impressing on them that invoking Article 16 would have far-reaching implications for the EU-UK relationship and for our bilateral relationship. The European Commission has acted in good faith. A good faith response is required from the British Government.I am of course also in regular contact with Vice President Šefcovic, with our partners across the EU, and the US Administration and members of Congress, all of whom remain committed to protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process. The Protocol is the agreed way to do this and I believe strongly that the Protocol will work, if we allow it to with flexibility and pragmatism.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if political and economic issues that have arisen in the aftermath of Brexit have become problematic given that pre-Brexit no such situations arose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56775/21]
View answerThe Government has dedicated substantial time and resources into preparing for the political and economic effects of Brexit since 2016. The Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement agreed by the EU and the UK mitigate many of the potential political and economic issues that might have arisen as a result of Brexit. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for tariff-free, quota-free trade in goods and for sectoral cooperation in a number of important areas.
The Protocol is the agreed solution to mitigate the disruption caused by Brexit for the island of Ireland. It safeguards the Good Friday Agreement, ensures there is no hard border on the island of Ireland and also protects the EU single market and Ireland’s place in it.
On 13 October, the Commission announced a package of far-reaching proposals aimed at addressing the practical, genuine issues raised by businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland. Discussions continue between the EU and the UK. Ireland wants these discussions to succeed and is fully supportive of the Commission’s approach.
The Government undertook an intensive effort across departments and agencies to mitigate the disruption caused by Brexit. This included the development of two Brexit Omnibus Acts; three Brexit Action Plans; substantial investment in the State’s infrastructure and IT systems (including provision for 1,500 additional staff to support new checks and controls); and the provision of financial, upskilling and advisory supports for impacted sectors and businesses. Throughout the Brexit process, our readiness work was always underpinned by a strong communications and outreach programme.
However, no Government mitigation programme can address all of the challenges of Brexit. Even with the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement in place, the seamless trade in goods with Great Britain has ceased due to the UK Government’s decision to leave the Customs Union and Single Market.
The Government keeps the outworking of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement under ongoing review and, as we have done throughout the Brexit process, we will remain fully engaged with stakeholders and support businesses as they continue to navigate the Brexit challenges. A range of financial, upskilling and advisory supports for impacted sectors and businesses remain available. In particular, the Government is currently assisting traders in their preparations for the introduction of further UK import controls on 1 January and 1 July 2022.
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of recent discussions he has had with the UK Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union to ensure that a renegotiation of the UK interpretation of Brexit is not allowed to damage the economy and security on the island of Ireland and with particular reference to Northern Ireland given the excellent state of both economies pre-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56776/21]
View answerI have met with UK Minister of State David Frost on a number of occasions in the last year, most recently in September, at the meeting of the British Irish Association in Oxford. I have also discussed the Protocol in meetings with other UK ministers, including with the UK Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss on 13 October and the Minister for Europe and Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Wendy Morton, on 1 October. The issue has also been regularly raised by other Ministers in recent contacts with UK counterparts.
In all contacts with UK ministers and officials, I have emphasised the importance of avoiding any actions that would have far-reaching implications for both the EU-UK relationship and, in turn, our bilateral relationship. The European Commission has acted in good faith. A good faith response is required from the United Kingdom Government. I have called on the UK Government to engage seriously and constructively in talks with the EU so that we can provide stability and predictability for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland.
Discussions between the EU and UK on the Northern Ireland Protocol including between David Frost and Maros Šefcovic are ongoing and it is important that we give these talks every chance to succeed. Our aim is to see a positive outcome to these discussions.
The Government keeps the outworkings of the Withdrawal Agreement including the Protocol and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement under on-going review and, as we have done throughout the Brexit process, we will remain fully engaged with stakeholders and support businesses as they continue to navigate the Brexit challenges.
I remain in regular contact with business, civic society and political stakeholders in Northern Ireland and I am very aware of their views about the opportunities that the Protocol offers for Northern Ireland, giving them access to both the UK as well as the EU internal markets. Surveys show that two-thirds of NI businesses see the opportunity in this. We are seeing historically high FDI interest in Northern Ireland. We need to use the Protocol to deliver on a prosperity agenda for the people of Northern Ireland. Realising these opportunities, as our economies build back from the impact of Covid, should be the focus of our energy at this time.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he can take through the European Union or United Nations to address the refugee crisis in eastern Europe; if these matters can be dealt with at the highest level to ensure the maintenance of basic humanitarian standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56777/21]
View answer203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he can activate the European Union and the United Nations to address the issue of refugees including women and children currently remaining in life threatening situations on the borders of Poland and the Baltic states; his views on whether it is possible to mount an international campaign to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56778/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
Ireland condemns the regime of Alexander Lukashenko for its exploitation of migrants for political purposes.
At the November Foreign Affairs Council meeting, EU Foreign Ministers discussed the escalation in the crisis along the EU’s borders with Belarus. We took swift action and agreed to broaden the listings criteria for sanctions on the Belarusian regime.
This broader listing will target individuals and entities organising or contributing to activities by the Lukashenko regime that facilitate illegal crossing of the EU's external borders.
Ireland also supports EU outreach to countries of origin to stem the flow of migrants to Belarus, by communicating the considerable risks and dangers associated with facilitating irregular migration. I am hopeful that in the coming weeks the EU's continuing engagement will result in a diminishing flow of migrants to Belarus.
While the current humanitarian crisis has been orchestrated by the Belarusian regime, it is important that EU Member States respect and uphold the right to international protection in line with obligations under the Geneva Conventions. Ireland has expressed its support for the deployment of experts from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, to the border region. International organisations, aid workers and independent monitors and journalists should be allowed to access both sides of the border, in our view.
Ireland has repeatedly demonstrated our solidarity with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, and with those trapped at the border. Just three weeks ago, Minister of State Byrne visited the Lithuanian-Belarussian border, accompanied by members of the Lithuanian Government. As part of that visit, he viewed some migrant camps that have been established by the Lithuanian Government, met with the Lithuanian Border Guards and also with the Lithuanian Red Cross, which, this year, has received a contribution of €100,000 from Irish Aid to help provide relief to the migrants.
At the request of Ireland, France and Estonia, the three EU members of the UN Security Council, the Council held an AOB discussion on Belarus on 11 November, focused on the ongoing migration issue there. Ireland expressed concern about the deteriorating situation at the EU-Belarus border, condemned the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes by the Belarusian authorities, and highlighted the need to prevent a humanitarian crisis unfolding. The EU members of the Council, joined by Norway, the UK, and the US, as well as incoming Council member Albania, held a press stakeout after the meeting, stressing that all actions must be guided by fundamental values, especially regarding the protection of migrants’ human rights.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the top 20 locations worldwide that are experiencing violations of human rights, lack of protection against starvation and the organised equivalent of ethnic cleansing; if the perpetrators are likely to be charged before the International Criminal Courts of Justice and Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56779/21]
View answer205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if serious efforts can be made to ensure that those encouraging the use of human rights abuses against vulnerable persons can be challenged in the international courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56780/21]
View answer210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which at European Union and United Nations level he continues to focus on the vulnerability of women and children who continue to fall victims to physical and mental abuse; the steps being taken to address these issues and incarcerate the perpetrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56786/21]
View answer212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to raise at European Union Security Council level the ongoing worldwide abuses of women and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56788/21]
View answer213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that are being made at international level to challenge the activities of international abuses of human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56789/21]
View answer214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he through the United Nations and the European Union can continue to highlight abuses of human rights at various locations throughout the globe some in warzones and some not in which vulnerable persons continue to be abused, trafficked and murdered; if efforts have been made to bring the perpetrators to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56790/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 205, 210, 212, 213 and 214 together.
The promotion and protection of human rights is a foreign policy priority for me as Minister, and for the wider Government. As well as bilaterally through our mission network, Ireland contributes strongly to United Nations and European Union efforts to eliminate human rights violations and abuses. The rights of women and children are central to our engagement, especially in conflict zones where risks of child recruitment or trafficking in persons are particularly prevalent. At the UN Security Council this month alone, Ireland highlighted human rights concerns in discussions on, inter alia, Ethiopia, Syria and Yemen.
Conflict remains the most significant driver of humanitarian crises, while the number and complexity of these crises globally continues to increase. Each conflict is unique in its character, scale and complexity, and as such cannot be ranked by any single set of criteria of severity.
The particular human rights violations and abuses encountered by women and children, including sexual and gender-based violence, crosscuts all of Ireland’s engagement on both conflict and human rights. In addition to co-chairing the UN Security Council’s Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, Ireland is an active member of the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. During our Presidency of the Security Council in September, we set a record in respect of the number of women civil society participants that we invited to brief the Council.
Ireland is currently actively engaged in the Third Committee session of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, which is addressing a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues including gender equality and the rights of the child. We have delivered a series of statements, including on trafficking in persons, the rights of persons with disabilities, the right to freedom of expression and opinion, and the situation of human rights defenders; as well as in relation to specific country situations including Myanmar, Belarus and the occupied Palestinian Territories. Ireland co-sponsored a significant number of resolutions, including in relation to the human rights situations in Syria, Iran, DPRK and Myanmar, and joined joint statements in relation to the human rights of LGBTI+ persons and the human rights situation in Xinjiang. We are active at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and, at the most recent session, made national statements on a broad range of issues, including violence against women and children’s rights. Ireland also co-sponsored several resolutions including a resolution on child, early and forced marriage in times of crisis (including the COVID-19 pandemic). In the context of increased authoritarian restrictions globally, Ireland will also join a Joint Statement supporting the right to peaceful protest.
At EU level, Ireland is an active participant and contributor to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which works globally to support the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security. Human Rights issues are frequently discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Most recently, on Monday, 15 November, in a discussion on Ethiopia at the FAC, I repeated my concerns in relation to the human rights situation, urging a strong EU response. Ireland strongly support the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which strengthens the EU’s ability to take collective action against perpetrators of human rights violations.
Finally, it is a priority for Ireland that there is accountability for human rights violations, including for the heinous crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing. A strong international criminal justice system is central to fighting impunity. While states bear the primary responsibility to investigate the most serious international crimes, including war crimes and genocide, Ireland regards the International Criminal Court as the cornerstone of such a system. We are a consistent and strong supporter of the Court.
In respect of peacekeeping, Ireland also has a long tradition of contributing to UN and EU peace-support missions and has more than 550 personnel in United Nations mandated missions overseas.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which an organisation (details supplied) can be encouraged to assist refugees converging on the Baltic states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56781/21]
View answerFurther to my earlier response to the Deputy, I emphasise again that Ireland condemns the regime of Alexander Lukashenko for its exploitation of migrants.
Earlier this year, Irish Aid responded to the migrant crisis in the Lithuania-Belarus border region by providing €100,000 in humanitarian assistance to the International Federation of the Red Cross for transmission to the local Lithuanian Red Cross Society.
In addition, the International Federation of Red Cross launched an operation through their Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to assist refugees in Lithuania. Ireland is a regular contributor to the DREF and contributed €1 million to this fund in 2021.
The International Federation of the Red Cross is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, comprising 192 Red Cross and Red Crescent member societies, and reaches 150 million people annually through 17 million volunteers, members and staff. The Federation coordinates relief operations to assist victims of disasters, and combines this with development work to strengthen the capacities of its member National Societies. In 2020 Irish Aid provided €3.4m in funding to the IFRC in core funding and in response to humanitarian crises and emergencies.
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the activities of Boko Haram are being or can be curtailed or restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56782/21]
View answer208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the activities of Al Shabaab are being restricted, curtailed or challenged with particular reference to the need to protect their victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56783/21]
View answer209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the kidnapping of women and children by Boko Haram is being challenged and restricted and the perpetrators incarcerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56785/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 208 and 209 together.
I strongly condemn the continued violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. Ireland supports EU, UN and other international efforts to reduce their influence, and to prevent their attacks, especially against civilians, and humanitarian workers and facilities.
Through the Irish Aid programme and as an EU Member State, my Department is helping address the poverty, hunger and exclusion which can generate support for these groups, as well as responding to humanitarian need in regions affected by conflict. This includes €27 million in Irish Aid humanitarian funding to the Lake Chad region since 2015. Irish Aid also supports those displaced by conflict in northeast Nigeria, where the numbers in need of humanitarian assistance and protection are at the highest levels recorded.
Through the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the United Nations is helping stabilise the situation in the Lake Chad region. Ireland is penholder, together with Niger, on the UNOWAS file at the UN Security Council. In its Presidential Statement on the consolidation of peace in West Africa, of 17 August 2021, the UN Security Council strongly condemned continued attacks against civilians in the region, as well as attacks and the threats of attacks against schools, children, and educational personnel, including with regard to recent abductions in Nigeria.
Ireland’s membership of the International Support Group for the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin, and observer status at the Sahel Alliance, allows us to work with others to coordinate our support to Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €56.6 million in humanitarian assistance to Somalia, including to communities displaced by conflict in Al Shabaab-held areas. The UN-mandated, African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, AMISOM, supports the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts against Al-Shabaab.
Ireland is Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee at the UN Security Council. That Committee oversees an arms embargo and the use of other tools to encourage a more peaceful and secure Somalia. This complements Ireland’s role as an EU Member State supporting Somalia, including the strengthening of its government institutions.
The EU has three missions in the Horn of Africa. A number of Irish nationals are deployed to the civilian mission EUCAP Somalia, including the current Head of Mission, and one expert is deployed to the civilian mission EUCAP Sahel Niger. Twenty Irish Permanent Defence Forces personnel participate in EUTM Mali, and a further fourteen are deployed to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Ireland’s participation in these missions allows us to contribute to peace and security, help protect human rights, and put in place conditions for sustainable development.
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish Aid continues to target the appropriate locations globally with particular reference to ensuring that both multilateral and bilateral aid reaches those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56787/21]
View answerIreland's Official Development Assistance (ODA), is directed through multilateral and bilateral channels, to countries and people who are in greatest need. A Better World, Ireland's international development policy, emphasizes this approach throughout. The policy confirms Ireland's emphasis on the key sectors that affect the poorest most, such as education, health, and food, and a commitment to ensuring gender equality and climate action is addressed. A Better World also commits to the overarching objective of reaching those that are furthest behind first in all our work.
Our ability to follow-through on these commitments in practice is evident in, for example, the high proportion of Irish Aid funding which targets least developed and low income countries. Where the average DAC member's bilateral allocation to these countries is just under one quarter, half of Irish ODA is bilateral aid to low income and least developed countries. Irish ODA also places a strong emphasis on fragile contexts.
Our commitment to, and ability to deliver on, a needs-based allocation of development assistance is also internationally recognised. In 2020, the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) highlighted Ireland as "an excellent humanitarian partner", with its funding models a "useful inspiration for other DAC donors". On average, around 20% of the Irish Aid budget each year is spent on humanitarian response.
Last year, the respected international think-tank ODI assessed the characteristics of ODA expenditure in leading donors and found Ireland to be the most principled donor, noting specifically Ireland's needs-based approach.
