Thursday, 2 Dec 2021

Written Answers Nos. 63-82

Passport Services

Questions (63, 64, 65, 70)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59558/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will urgently issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59559/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will urgently issue in the case of a person; if original documentation belonging to the parents can be urgently returned given the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59560/21]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

70. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59608/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64, 65 and 70 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicants' guardians directly and given an update on the status of the passport application. 

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 63.

Question No. 65 answered with Question No. 63.

Passport Services

Questions (66)

Michael Ring

Question:

66. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a passport application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this application was submitted in December 2020 to the Passport Office. [59561/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has completed an extensive search of its records and there is no record of an application in the name of this applicant received in December 2020 or January 2021. 

All passport applications received during this period have been dealt with by the Passport Service.

If the applicant can provide proof of postage through Passport Express, including a tracking number, the Passport Service would be happy to follow up further on this case.

Foreign Policy

Questions (67)

Seán Haughey

Question:

67. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the decision by the Government of Ethiopia to restrict the size of the Irish Embassy in Addis Ababa; his response to the stated reasons by the Ethiopian government for taking this course of action; if Ireland will continue to allocate Irish Aid development and humanitarian supports to Ethiopia; his response to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59562/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Deputy Colm Brophy)

I am deeply disappointed by the Government of Ethiopia’s decision to restrict the size of our Embassy in Addis Ababa, requiring the majority of our diplomatic staff to leave the country.  Our Ambassador and one other diplomat have been permitted to stay.   The Embassy remains open, with a particular emphasis on critical consular assistance to Irish citizens.

The Ethiopian authorities indicated that the decision to scale-down the size of our Embassy was due to the positions Ireland has articulated internationally, including at the UN Security Council, on the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.

Ireland’s focus, together with our EU partners, has been on the humanitarian consequences of the war and the need to end the violence for the good of Ethiopia and the region. The most recent statement by the UN Security Council on Ethiopia, led by Ireland together with African members of the Council, was issued on 5 November.  It echoed the calls of the United Nations Secretary General for full humanitarian access, a ceasefire, and political dialogue between parties. 

Ireland fully supports the role of the African Union in seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict, including through the work of its Special Envoy, former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo. We are committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia.

Ireland's engagement internationally on Ethiopia, including at the Security Council, has been consistent with the positions and statements made by the European Union, including by the EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell.

Ireland has maintained a close partnership with Ethiopia since establishing our diplomatic presence there in 1994. Over €160 million in Irish Aid development and humanitarian support has been provided to Ethiopia in the past 5 years, with the Embassy team playing an important role in designing and overseeing critical programmes.

Ireland was the first country to commit funds to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the current crisis in Tigray, with to date over €4.4 million in humanitarian aid disbursed to mitigate the circumstances which Ethiopians in Ethiopia and who have taken refuge in Sudan find themselves due to conflict.  My Department will disburse a further €16 million in Irish Aid funding over the coming weeks to humanitarian partners operating in Ethiopia including UN OCHA, UNICEF, UNFPA and the International Rescue Committee. We will continue to prioritise humanitarian need while this crisis persists.

I hope the decision of the government of Ethiopia to restrict the size of the Embassy will be temporary, so that our staff can return to carrying out their important duties in the country as soon as possible.

Passport Services

Questions (68)

Michael Ring

Question:

68. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a passport application by a person (details supplied) was cancelled; the attempts made to verify the witness signature; the dates the checking was carried out; the number of working days this occurred after receipt of the application and after receipt of the supporting documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59572/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

First time passport 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.

In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of all guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Verification of consent of all guardians is vital to protecting the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and its guardians.

Passport applications are valid for six months for a number of reasons including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations on the requirement for a recent photograph. The ICAO is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport. This timeframe also ensures that a refund of the fees can be processed electronically where required. If the refund is not made electronically within six months then it can take up to 12 months to process a refund by bank transfer.

With regard the specific application about which the Deputy is enquiring, the online application was received by the Passport Service on 6 June 2021. The supporting documents required to complete the application were received by the Passport Service more than three months later on 13 September 2021. This meant that the completed passport application was not submitted until 13 September 2021. As a result the passport processing could not commence until the fully completed application was received. The completed passport application was reviewed on 12 November 2021, 42 working days after the supporting documents were received.

As part of this process a member of Passport Service staff called both witnesses to the parents' signatures on the Child Identity and Consent Form on 12 November 2021. Unfortunately, neither witness was available when called and the passport application had come to the point where it was close to expiration. At that stage, as there was insufficient time available within the 6 month validity period to request, receive and process a new Child Identity and Consent form, the application was cancelled.

The Passport Service is currently reviewing the cancellation process with a view to improving customer experience.

The passport fee has been refunded in this case and I encourage the applicant's parents to re-apply for their child's passport again, ensuring all documentation is submitted immediately and that that witnesses to the parents' consent are fully contactable.

Passport Services

Questions (69)

Michael Ring

Question:

69. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin in time for their travel plans. [59592/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the application about which the Deputy has enquired, a passport has been issued and dispatched to the applicant. 

Question No. 70 answered with Question No. 63.

United Nations

Questions (71)

Carol Nolan

Question:

71. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address alarming reports that a person was relieved of their post at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva following remarks made regarding the Uighur people and their treatment by the Chinese government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59625/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department is aware of the issues raised by the individual concerned. Both the current and former Ambassadors to the United Nations in Geneva have personally met with the individual concerned, who remains in contact with my officials.

Ireland has raised the issue of the release of the names of NGO delegates to UN Member States and received assurances from the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights that, while there had been a historical practice whereby the names of participants were occasionally confirmed to States in limited circumstances, this practice had ceased since the end of 2015.

Ireland is a strong advocate for the protection of civil society space and Human Rights Defenders. In 2013, Ireland led a new resolution at the Human Rights Council entitled “Civil society space: creating and maintaining, in law and in practice a safe and enabling environment”. This resolution addressed the issue of civil society space as a human rights concern for the first time at the Human Rights Council. Ireland continues to lead on the renewal of this resolution, most recently in July 2021, focusing attention on the essential role civil society plays in the Covid-19 response and recovery.

In September 2021, at the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland, as part of a core group, led a successful resolution condemning any acts of intimidation or reprisals against Human Rights Defenders engaging with the United Nations.

In common with other European Union Member States, Ireland has raised our concerns with China regarding the situation in Xinjiang on a number of occasions, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. Most recently, at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland joined an EU Group Statement of 26 Member States, which called on China to comply with its obligations under national, and international law to respect and protect human rights, including in Xinjiang. On 21 October, Ireland joined a cross-regional statement on Human Rights in China at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, which calls on China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Bilaterally, as is standard practice, my officials have discussed the situation in Xinjiang with the Chinese Ambassador and most recently have discussed, at senior level, the application of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, as well as China's retaliatory actions.  I also raised our concerns regarding this situation with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during our meeting on 30 May. In that discussion, I outlined Ireland and the EU's position on the treatment of Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. I emphasised the importance of allowing unrestricted access to the region to independent observers in order to make an objective assessment of the situation, particularly through the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Passport Services

Questions (72, 73)

Michael Ring

Question:

72. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications with consent form errors submitted online and those submitted via passport express by the reason for the errors for example, witness not answering a verification telephone call, incorrect occupation listed for witness, consent form signed in the incorrect place and so on in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59637/21]

Michael Ring

Question:

73. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a record is kept of the verification of supporting documents for passport applications in respect of children; if a record and log is kept of the telephone calls made by the passport office to witnesses on consent forms; if it is possible for this information to be supplied to applicants, parents and guardians on request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59638/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.

Under Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport.

The Passport Service does not currently record the incidence of errors in consent forms at the important checking and validation stage. The focus is always on the verification of consent which is vital to protect the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and the guardians.

The Passport Service records verification of consent on the passport applicant's individual file. Applicants can request a copy of their passport application from my Department. 

The Passport Service monitors and seeks to improve issues that arise for applicants during the online and paper based passport application process. The Passport Service advises applicants during the online application process to make sure that the consent form is correctly witnessed once they have completed the online process.

The Passport Service provides instructions on how to correctly complete these forms on the Department's website (www.dfa.ie/passports/how-to-get-your-application-witnessed/).

In addition to this, the Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and regularly offers training and guidance to Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms.

Question No. 73 answered with Question No. 72.

Middle East

Questions (74)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a decision by the Belgian Government to intensify its scrutiny of all goods originating in Israel in order to ensure that all products from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are excluded from preferential trade tariffs under the EU-Israel Association Agreement; if he will consult with his Belgian colleague and other like-minded European Union states in the context of the recently registered European Citizen’s Initiative to develop an European Union legal proposal to ban trade with these settlements; if he considers such leadership from Ireland appropriate in view of the strong support of the Houses of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59650/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am aware of the steps taken by the Belgian Government regarding implementation of differentiation policy, including the labelling of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Belgium and Ireland work closely together at EU level and our officials engage regularly on a range of issues, including Belgium’s approach to the longstanding policy of differentiation.

Ireland distinguishes in all of its dealings between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on 23 December 2016. This Resolution reflected the position already held by Ireland, the EU and the UN for many years.

Regarding the European Citizens’ Initiative, following its registration the organisers must now gather one million signatures in support in order for it to proceed further. Ireland has previously raised at EU level the question of whether goods from occupied territories, including from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, should be excluded from the EU market altogether. However, it is clear that at present there is no possibility of getting substantial support, still less consensus, for such a proposal.

We have therefore instead focused our advocacy on practical measures to differentiate in EU policies between Israel itself and the illegal settlements. This has resulted in a number of EU measures already, including guidelines on the labelling of settlement goods (so that consumers can identify them and make their own choices in this matter), and exclusion of settlement institutions from EU research funding.

Settlement goods are already excluded from the normal lower tariffs applying to goods from Israel and other countries with which the EU has trade agreements, when they are imported into the EU.

I have directed my officials to continue to explore further such options, as well as the potential for them to gain support from EU partners.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (75)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

75. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59703/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Details of expenditure by the Department of Foreign Affairs on energy in each of the years 2016-2020 and to date in 2021 are set out in the following table.  A breakdown by energy category is not maintained by the Department.     

Year	€
2016	1,783,446
2017	1,681,609
2018	1,775,801
2019	1,815,369
2020	1,786,669
2021 to date	1,597,765
Total:	10,440,659

Departmental Properties

Questions (76)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

76. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of his Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59721/21]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The health and safety of the staff of my Department at headquarters and across our network of 96 diplomatic and consular missions is a constant priority for myself and the Department’s Management Board. 

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic my Department has implemented all official advice and guidance in order to maximize the safety of staff and minimize the spread of the disease.  Our health and safety protocols are fully compliant with the Government's up-dated Work Safely Protocol: COVID-19 National Protocol for Employers and Workers. On ventilation, the Work Safely Protocol notes that workplaces should not in most cases require new mechanical ventilation systems and we follow the recommended practice of regularly and naturally refreshing and circulating air in and through our offices. 

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has overall responsibility for the maintenance of our headquarters buildings in Dublin, Cork and Limerick and has assured us that out heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are maintained to the highest standards. 

At the Department's request OPW mechanical and electrical experts recently surveyed the ventilation systems in our Passport Service buildings in Dublin and Cork. The Passport Service staff of nearly 600 people is working on site daily to serve the high demand for passports and my Department is working to ensure that the health and safety of all those colleagues is prioritised alongside the business need to serve our citizens.  My Department will act quickly to implement any additional ventilation or air purification measures recommended by the OPW in the reports of the survey they have undertaken on our behalf.

Defence Forces

Questions (77)

Duncan Smith

Question:

77. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he has plans to upgrade Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin; if he has commissioned a report into the future of the barracks; if so, the intention of such a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59640/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

As the Deputy will be aware Cathal Brugha Barracks is the only operational  military installation  in  Dublin City. In 2020, the Refurbishment of Accommodation Blocks 1 & 2 was completed at a cost of €2.8m. Additional capital  investment called for in the Infrastructure Development Plan provides for the provision of APC Garaging works which are scheduled to commence in 2024.

As part of the Housing for All Implementation Fund, my Department has submitted an application for funding to conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis should a relocation of Cathal Brugha Barracks arise for consideration. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no policy decision that the Barracks  be relocated rather the purpose of the proposed study is an exploratory exercise to assess the full implications should such a proposal arise.

Defence Forces

Questions (78)

Duncan Smith

Question:

78. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that foreign-born members of the Defence Forces are having in serving particularly in serving overseas; the steps he is taking to address these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59641/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

An applicant to the Defence Forces must either be a citizen of the State or be any other person who has a lawful entitlement to reside and work within the State for the period of time required for the purpose of any such appointment.

I am aware of recent commentary on the matter of citizenship for non-irish serving members of the Defence Forces.

I believe it is critically important that the Defence Forces reflects the modern demographics of today’s Irish society. To that end, the Defence Forces is committed to supporting a diverse workforce through its various policies and strategies. While I fully welcome and support these policies to promote diversity, issues of citizenship are outside my remit and are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.

As of 1st November 2021, Ireland is contributing 566 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.  A total of 36 of these personnel were not born in Ireland.

In preparing for overseas deployments, 'Host Nation' national requirements and cultural sensitivities must be considered, and this extends to official documentation.

I am informed by the Military Authorities that in a limited number of cases, issues have arisen whereby 'Host Nation' requirements do not allow for the deployment of Defence Forces personnel who do not hold an Irish Passport. Opportunities for overseas service, however, are available in alternative missions for those personnel who are affected by this.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (79)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

79. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59698/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The table below sets out the amounts spent by the Department of Defence over the past five years on electricity and heating costs in relation to its buildings at Newbridge, Roscrea, Renmore and Dublin.  The figures provided reflect the apportionment of costs arising from shared usage of buildings in Renmore and Dublin with other Departments.

There is no separate itemisation of lighting costs available within the costs incurred for electricity. Therefore, electricity costs includes all forms of electric usage (i.e. printers, IT systems, lighting, etc.).

YEAR	ELECTRICITY	HEATING
2017	€160,557.68	€37,136.36
2018	€152,263.24	€60,956.34
2019	€152,079.58	€51,838.14
2020	€158,182.62	€43,029.83
2021 (YTD)	€138,554.98	€40,628.79

Variations in cost arise from one year to the next for a variety of reasons. 

70% of energy consumption in the Department's Newbridge building is IT related. All Department buildings remained open throughout Covid19 restrictions. While civilian staff had an option to work from home, Defence Forces staff continued to attend in the Department's Headquarters in Newbridge. As a result any reduction in energy consumption was minimal.

The cost of electricity for business has been steadily increasing over the last two years.

The cost of heating fuels varies annually as delivery of fuel (i.e. Kerosene, Wood Pellets or LPG) is demand driven. As a result annual expenditure will vary for the Department.

The Department assumed ownership of Wood Pellet expenditure relating to its Newbridge building from OPW during 2017 and 2018 was the first full year where all Wood Pellet expenditure was assigned to the Department. 2019 also saw the introduction of LPG to Renmore building which is a significant cheaper fuel option to Kerosene oil.

Departmental Properties

Questions (80)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

80. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the steps he has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of his Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59716/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The Department of Defence adheres to all Government advice and guidelines addressed in the Work Safely Protocol regarding steps required to ensure adequate ventilation in all of its buildings. The Department has also engaged with the Office of Public Works (OPW) throughout the pandemic to ensure the Department's compliance with the guidelines and checklists produced by the Health & Safety Authority (HSA).

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 require employers to make sure there is an adequate supply of fresh air (ventilation) in enclosed areas of the workplace. The simplest way to ensure adequate air quality in poorly ventilated areas is by way of natural ventilation which relies on passive air flow through windows, doors and air vents that can be fully or partially opened.

No air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in the Department's Offices in 2021 nor are there plans to do so.  The Department is satisfied that there is satisfactory ventilation in all its buildings as all offices have opening windows facilitating airflow through the building.  This, allied to limited and restricted attendance in the offices and compliance with other covid protective practices supports the safety of staff when they may be required to attend the offices for essential business reasons under the current arrangements.    

Obviously the Department will keep this matter under review with regard to any necessary changes recommended by way of expert technical advice in relation to ventilation, or further advices issued by the relevant authorities.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (81)

Joe Carey

Question:

81. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education the status of a school project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59520/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

In respect of the major school building project referred to by the deputy, I am pleased to report that funding has been secured for the development of a 4 Classroom Primary School, which includes the construction of a new school building and all associated site works.

The project is being devolved for delivery to Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board (LCETB)

The execution of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between my Department and LCETB is currently being arranged.  Once the SLA is in place, LCETB will procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and progress the project to tender and construction in due course.   

It is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project at this early stage of the process.

State Examinations

Questions (82)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

82. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education her views on the leaving certificate exams for 2022 in particular in relation to the case of a student (details supplied). [59523/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.