Paul Murphy
Question:262. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in the provision of passports for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59882/21]
View answerPassport Services
Questions (262, 266, 280)
Michael Ring
Question:266. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact the estimated date for the issue of this passport has passed and the passport is required. [59990/21]
View answer
Róisín Shortall
Question:280. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be provided for a baby (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60504/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 262, 266 and 280 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
Foreign Policy
Questions (263)
Holly Cairns
Question:263. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has officially communicated with the state of Barbados in relation to the country becoming a republic recently. [59903/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland and Barbados enjoy warm and friendly relations which are bolstered by the cultural, historic and economic ties that our two island nations share. This warm relationship is further enhanced by our shared commitment to the multilateral system as members of the international community.
A letter of congratulations from President Higgins to President Mason has issued. I also would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations to the people of Barbados on the occasion of their country becoming a republic, and to wish President Mason every success in her new role.
Protected Disclosures
Questions (264)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:264. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of protected disclosures made to him concerning his Department and bodies under its aegis in 2018, 2019 and 2020. [59912/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has received no protected disclosures in 2018, 2019 and 2020. There are no bodies under the aegis of my Department.
Social Enterprise Sector
Questions (265)
Brendan Smith
Question:265. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of funding to be provided by his Department in 2022 for the promotion and support of the social enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59937/21]
View answerWritten answers
While my Department engages in supporting the promotion of Irish enterprises abroad, it has no specific remit for promoting and supporting the social enterprise sector in Ireland.
Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 262.
Foreign Policy
Questions (267)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:267. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland is taking to deal with the ongoing crisis in Ethiopia and in particular to the people suffering in Tigray; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59994/21]
View answerWritten answers
The ongoing crisis in Ethiopia, including the recent escalation in military operations and declaration of a state of emergency, is having a devastating humanitarian impact on people across Ethiopia including and in particular Tigray.
Through our bilateral engagements, as well as within the European Union and at the UN Security Council, Ireland continues to advocate for urgent and unimpeded humanitarian access, a negotiated ceasefire, and political dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict.
I am alarmed by the conflict’s impact on civilians, including harrowing reports of widespread and ongoing sexual violence, and other serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Accountability for violations of international law committed by all parties, including as described in the recent joint Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights/Ethiopian Human Rights Commission report, is essential.
There has been a shocking rise in hate speech, arbitrary arrests and detentions, including of UN staff, and other acts likely to fuel tensions. Human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms are universal and inalienable values that States must uphold. No individual should be deprived of their liberty without legal authority, or without necessary procedural protections.
It is clear there can be no military solution to this crisis. I strongly support the efforts of African Union Envoy, former Nigerian President Obasanjo, and by President Kenyatta of Kenya to mediate a way forward.
Ireland has been to the fore of efforts to address the conflict at the Security Council. Working closely with the African members of the Council, on 5 November we secured agreement on the first Council statement in six months on the situation, which called for a cessation of hostilities and ceasefire negotiations, alongside respect of international humanitarian law, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, the re-establishment of public services, and the scaling up of humanitarian assistance.
We continue to push for a strong and constructive EU response to the crisis. At the Foreign Affairs Council in October and again last month, Minister Coveney emphasised the need to ensure humanitarian access, to halt the fighting, and to incentivise dialogue —including through possible use of restrictive measures if required.
Ireland was the first country to commit funds to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the current crisis, with to date over €4.4 million in humanitarian aid disbursed. Notwithstanding the recent decision of the Ethiopian authorities to restrict the size of our Embassy in Addis Ababa, 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.
Human Rights
Questions (268)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:268. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when his attention was drawn to an issue reported in a newspaper (details supplied) which indicated that there is an exchange between the United Nations Human Rights Council and Chinese diplomats of information on Uighur dissidents; if he will provide details of dates his Department met with a person (details supplied); the names of those present at these meetings; the action that was taken by his Department on foot of the disclosures made by the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60042/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is aware of the issues raised by the individual concerned. The former Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva met with the individual concerned on 2nd March 2016. The current Ambassador met with the individual concerned on 29 July 2019 and again on 16 September 2021. In the intervening periods the Department has also communicated with the individual concerned by email and telephone.
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 has since ceased.
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.
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.
Question No. 269 answered with Question No. 260.
Question No. 270 answered with Question No. 260.
Question No. 271 answered with Question No. 260.
Foreign Policy
Questions (272)
Neale Richmond
Question:272. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a full report on Irish efforts to extract Irish citizens from Afghanistan will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60101/21]
View answerWritten answers
An internal report on the evacuation of Irish citizens from Afghanistan, taking stock of our engagement and feeding into lesson learning, has been prepared by my officials - in line with standard practice. My Department’s support for Irish citizens in Afghanistan is ongoing.A total of 108 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted in evacuating Afghanistan since the crisis broke in mid-August. My Department, including through our Embassy in Abu Dhabi, continues to work with EU Member States and partners in the region to support the ongoing evacuation efforts.My Department has also provided support in the immediate aftermath of the crisis to established residents, a number of whom were assisted in returning to Ireland. Separately, we have supported the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in evacuating over 350 Afghans at risk under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).I would like to avail of the opportunity to put on record my appreciation for our international partners, strong cross-government collaboration, and the critical role of staff in my Department and across our Embassy network in the evacuation efforts.
Foreign Policy
Questions (273)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:273. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he will take to try to get persons (details supplied) home for Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60303/21]
View answerWritten answers
This is a complex case involving an Irish citizen who has been prevented from leaving China since March 2019. My Department has been providing ongoing consular assistance to the citizen since that time through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai, while he and his legal teams work on the legal, commercial and financial issues through the appropriate channels. Our Consul General has met and engaged very regularly with the citizen, and continues to provide all possible consular advice and support.
There has also been extensive and regular engagement at the most senior political and diplomatic level with the Chinese authorities in Beijing and Shanghai, and with the Embassy of China in Dublin, in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible. During my visit to China earlier this year I discussed the case with a view to achieving a resolution of the matter.
As the Deputy will appreciate, and as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen until he is permitted to return to Ireland.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (274)
Ivana Bacik
Question:274. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications for foreign birth registration that have been received in relation to otherwise stateless children in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [60316/21]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the information requested by the Deputy, the Passport Service does not maintain specific records in relation to the number of Foreign Birth Registration applicants received from otherwise stateless individuals.
European Union
Questions (275)
Thomas Pringle
Question:275. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied with the express aim of the new German government to see the European Union transformed into a federal state along the lines of Germany itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60333/21]
View answerWritten answers
I very much welcome the agreement now reached between the SPD, Greens and FDP parties in Germany that will allow a new German Government to take office this week. Germany is a key partner for Ireland and I look forward to working closely with my new German counterpart over the coming weeks and months as we advance joint Irish-German priorities.
I have noted the references in the Programme for Government of the new German coalition relating to the Conference on the Future of Europe and, in particular, their wish that the Conference should lead to a constitutional convention and the further development of a federal European State which is decentralised and organised according to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Ireland's approach to the Conference on the Future of Europe is that it is an important initiative seeking to promote greater deliberative democracy within the EU which we fully support. We have made clear that it needs to be a citizen-led process, with the greatest weight attached to the views of ordinary citizens rather than that of Member States or institutions such as the European Parliament or European Commission. This approach has informed our national programme in Ireland, led by my colleague, Minister of State Thomas Byrne, which has involved extensive outreach to community groups and sectors, particularly those whose voice is seldom heard on issues related to Europe.
This approach is one which is also shared by a large number of Member States who, along with Ireland, consistently argue within the Council for a policy-first, citizen-led discussion within the Conference.
Minister Byrne and I will continue to work to encourage as many voices as possible within Ireland, including EU citizens living in Northern Ireland, to have their say in relation to the Future of Europe within the Conference framework. A number of Citizens' Panels, comprising 800 citizens randomly selected across Europe, are currently meeting and their deliberations and recommendations will be accorded particular weight when the final report on the Conference is prepared by its Plenary and submitted to the Conference Executive Board next year. Sixteen Irish citizens are participating within the four Panels, one of which is scheduled to hold its final decisive session in Dublin in early February.
Middle East
Questions (276)
Patrick Costello
Question:276. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on matters following his recent visit to Palestine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60346/21]
View answerWritten answers
The situation in relation to the question posed is as set out in my reply to PQ no. 56374/21 and in my statement to the Dáil on the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on 30 November.
Passport Services
Questions (277)
Michael Ring
Question:277. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the revenue generated on a daily basis by the appointment service fee for urgent passport appointments since it was launched on 27 September 2021 to date; the revenue for same-day turnround and four to five-day turnaround applications; the number of applications processed through this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60348/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Offices in Mount St, Dublin 2 and in Cork 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. Over 1500 urgent appointments have been facilitated since the Passport Service launched this service in Dublin on 27th September 2021 and in Cork on 26th October 2021.
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. Applicants can book an appointment through the Department of Foreign Affairs website (www.dfa.ie/passports). The Passport Service is following public health guidelines in relation to this service in order to protect the health and safety of customers and staff in our public offices and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.
The following fees for an Urgent Appointment with the Passport Service apply:
|
Fees |
- |
|
Same Day Turnaround Appointment Fee |
€150 |
|
4 Day Turnaround Appointment Fee |
€75 |
|
Adult Passport Fee |
€95 |
|
Child Passport Fee |
€45 |
The fees were approved by the Oireachtas in 2019 in Statutory Instrument No. 259/2019 Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations. All income from the Passport Service are Appropriations in Aid for Vote 28 and are fully accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts. This income is not offset against expenditure.
Total Revenue by Appointment Type from 27 September 2021 to 1 December 2021
|
Total Revenue |
- |
|
Total revenue for 1 day turnaround appointments including passport fee |
€198,880 |
|
Total revenue for 4 day turnaround appointments including passport fee |
€102,730 |
Total daily revenue figures from the public Passport Offices in Mount Street, Dublin 2 and in Cork are outlined in the table below. These figures include the Urgent Appointment Service fee and the Passport fee.
|
Date |
Passport Office Mount St.Dublin 2Urgent Appointment Service Revenue (€) incl. passport fee |
Passport Office CorkUrgent Appointment Service Revenue (€) incl. passport fee |
|
27-Sep |
€995 |
- |
|
28-Sep |
€2,040 |
- |
|
29-Sep |
€2,910 |
- |
|
30-Sep |
€2,985 |
- |
|
Oct |
||
|
1 Oct |
€2,545 |
- |
|
04-Oct |
€6,090 |
- |
|
05-Oct |
€6,225 |
- |
|
06-Oct |
€6,395 |
- |
|
07-Oct |
€6,620 |
- |
|
08-Oct |
€6,955 |
- |
|
11-Oct |
€4,610 |
- |
|
12-Oct |
€6,465 |
- |
|
13-Oct |
€6,025 |
- |
|
14-Oct |
€7,225 |
- |
|
15-Oct |
€6,885 |
- |
|
18-Oct |
€4,320 |
- |
|
19-Oct |
€5,885 |
- |
|
20-Oct |
€6,760 |
- |
|
21-Oct |
€6,735 |
- |
|
22-Oct |
€6,405 |
- |
|
26-Oct |
€7,060 |
€680 |
|
27-Oct |
€7,470 |
€460 |
|
28-Oct |
€6,020 |
€630 |
|
29-Oct |
€7,275 |
€1,090 |
|
Nov |
||
|
01-Nov |
€7,035 |
€970 |
|
02-Nov |
€6,815 |
€850 |
|
03-Nov |
€6,245 |
€460 |
|
04-Nov |
€7,035 |
€970 |
|
05-Nov |
€5,495 |
€920 |
|
08-Nov |
€6,540 |
€1,280 |
|
09-Nov |
€6,885 |
€1,020 |
|
10-Nov |
€7,335 |
€1,380 |
|
11-Nov |
€6,175 |
€920 |
|
12-Nov |
€6,720 |
€800 |
|
15-Nov |
€6,320 |
€2,420 |
|
16-Nov |
€7,130 |
€1,600 |
|
17-Nov |
€6,635 |
€750 |
|
18-Nov |
€6,470 |
€1,280 |
|
19-Nov |
€5,145 |
€970 |
|
22-Nov |
€6,125 |
€1,890 |
|
23-Nov |
€4,905 |
€1,040 |
|
24-Nov |
€6,100 |
€530 |
|
25-Nov |
€5,470 |
€290 |
|
26-Nov |
€5,785 |
€870 |
|
29-Nov |
€5,610 |
€1,740 |
|
30-Nov |
€5,560 |
€990 |
|
Dec |
||
|
01-Dec |
€3,915 |
€460 |
European Union
Questions (278)
Paul Donnelly
Question:278. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if discussions on improving ties between the European Union and Vietnam were discussed at the most recent European Union Foreign Affairs meeting. [60376/21]
View answerWritten answers
The European Union and Vietnam enjoy a good relationship and the current framework for engagement is the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force in October 2016. Discussion of the relationship did not feature on the agenda of the most recent Foreign Affairs Council.
EU–Vietnam trade has increased considerably in recent years and, in 2020, Vietnam became the EU's 15th largest partner in trade in goods, with bilateral trade worth €43.2 billion. A Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Vietnam entered into force on 1 August 2020, and a separate Investment Protection Agreement will come into force when ratified by all EU Member States.
2021 is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Vietnam. Our Embassy in Hanoi was established in 2005 and, in the period since, our relationship has gone from strength to strength. Ireland sits alongside Vietnam on the United Nations Security Council, and we work together to respond effectively to global challenges, not least through our support to peacekeeping. The Taoiseach met the President of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly on 21 September 2021.
We will continue to build on this strong relationship, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora in the years ahead.
Question No. 279 answered with Question No. 260.
Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 262.
Passport Services
Questions (281)
Bernard Durkan
Question:281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when an appropriate passport and travel document will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60530/21]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific case about which the Deputy has enquired, a travel document has been issued to the applicant.
Middle East
Questions (282)
Gary Gannon
Question:282. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will take tangible action at European Union level to bring forward the adoption of import and export prohibitions towards illegal settlements such as those in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Defence in view of the announcement on 27 October 2021 by Israel that it has given final approval for the building of 1,800 housing units and initial approval for another 1,344 and the earlier announcement that construction tenders for 1,355 housing units in the occupied West Bank are at an advanced stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60547/21]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the State of Israel across a range of bilateral issues, including trade and economic issues, and will continue to do so. The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, are wholly opposed to Israeli settlements, which are contrary to international law, and are damaging to the prospects of peace.
Ireland distinguishes in all its dealings between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 in line with in line with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Ireland is also active on this matter at EU level. EU law and guidelines on this issue are an important part of the EU contribution to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2334.
Ireland has previously raised at EU level the question of whether settlement goods should be excluded from the EU market altogether. However, it is absolutely 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.
With regard to the announcement on 27 October referred to by the Deputy, during my recent visit to Israel and the oPt, I met with Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid. I conveyed in the strongest terms my concern at this announcement.
On 28 October, Ireland released a statement jointly with eleven other European countries, urging the Israeli Government to reverse this decision and reiterating strong opposition to its policy of settlement expansion across the occupied Palestinian territory. I have raised this issue at the Security Council, as well as with my EU counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council. With Ireland’s support for the announcement to be discussed at the UN Security Council, the settlement announcement was discussed by the Council on 8 November, at which Ireland highlighted the illegality of the action under international law.