Thursday, 10 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 303-317

Passport Services

Questions (303)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

303. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be provided for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7194/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant's parent as to the steps they must take to progress the passport application.

Election Monitoring Missions

Questions (304)

Paul Murphy

Question:

304. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 26 January 2022, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Hungary has not complied with the Copenhagen Declaration as Hungary has not provided a legal framework for domestic citizen NGOs to conduct election observation missions; if he will urge a full-scale independent election observation mission of the forthcoming April elections in Hungary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7209/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am aware that current Hungarian legislation, while allowing for international observation, does not allow for non-partisan election observation by domestic civil society organisations. Ireland encourages the Hungarian Government to implement the recommendations of the June 2018 Final Report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election Observation Mission in this regard and thus bring Hungary into line with the OSCE Copenhagen Document of 1990.

I note the recommendations of the OSCE ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission of 4 February 2022 to deploy an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the Hungarian parliamentary elections scheduled for 3 April.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (305)

Denis Naughten

Question:

305. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken at European Union and United Nations level to address the deplorable humanitarian situation in Syrian refugee camps; the role and further actions to be taken by the Government to assist in these actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7216/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Addressing the humanitarian needs of those who have fled the conflict in Syria, as well as addressing the political causes of that conflict, remains a priority for Ireland.

In terms of direct assistance Ireland provided €24 million in humanitarian aid in 2021 to assist those impacted by the Syrian conflict. Using a variety of trusted partners (such as UN agencies, Irish and International NGOs and the International Committee of the Red Cross) we have ensured that critical assistance reaches those most in need. This includes displaced Syrians still within the country as well as refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey. I would like to acknowledge again the generous role played by those neighbouring countries in hosting the majority of Syrian refugees - most of these refugees live among the local communities rather than in camps.

Ireland's ability to help Syrian refugees, politically and with assistance, is magnified within the EU. Since the start of the crisis the EU has mobilised more than €24.9 billion in response. I attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 24 January during which the Council assessed how the EU might best respond to recent developments in Syria and I highlighted the humanitarian imperative to ensure access to aid for all those in need.

The humanitarian situation will continue to be challenging as long as conflict continues in Syria. Ireland strongly supports the efforts of the UN, led by Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, to find a sustainable political solution. I urge the Syrian government to intensify their engagement with the UN facilitated process.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (306)

James Browne

Question:

306. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of Departmental civil servants and State agency employees under his remit, respectively working in County Wexford and their respective Departmental section in tabular form. [7235/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

There are no employees of my Department working in County Wexford. There are no State Agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Sustainable Development Goals

Questions (307)

Denis Naughten

Question:

307. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made by his Department in respect of its targets and goals set out in Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7279/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland has adopted a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with each Minister having responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their functions. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has responsibility for promoting the SDGs, and for overseeing their coherent implementation across Government.

Under the current National Implementation Plan, my Department is responsible for leading implementation in respect of 65 of the 169 targets. These range across the Sustainable Development Goals and, given the integrated nature of the SDGs, often involve collaboration with other Government Departments.

The SDGs are mainstreamed across my Department's work in accordance with 'The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World' and 'A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development'. The Department works to achieve progress towards the targets on which it leads, for example through the Government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme, and in international forums for SDG implementation, particularly the United Nations system.

A key tool for tracking national SDG progress is the Voluntary National Review process at the UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. Ireland will present its next Voluntary National Review in 2023. This will outline Ireland’s progress on SDG achievement since our first Voluntary National Review in July 2018. In terms of specific progress in my own Department, I would highlight that my Department's Annual Report and the Irish Aid Annual Report. These are not specific SDG reporting instruments but do outline significant elements of the Department's work toward achieving the SDG targets.

At national level, a renewed focus is currently being given to progress Ireland’s commitment to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Substantial progress has been achieved in recent months in reviewing Ireland’s implementation of Agenda 2030 and identifying key priorities and actions for inclusion in the next National Implementation Plan. It is intended that the draft Plan will be made available shortly and form the basis of discussion at the next SDG National Stakeholder Forum. This will allow for a final round of input from stakeholders prior to finalisation and publication. My Department continues to be actively engaged in this process.

European Union

Questions (308, 309, 310, 311)

Gary Gannon

Question:

308. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a funding suspension which an organisation (details supplied) has been subjected to by the European Commission since May 2021 in order to investigate if a project had been subject to infringements of obligations or irregularities; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that although this review which was described as a precautionary measure was completed in July 2021, that no breaches or wrongdoings were identified but the suspension has not been lifted; his views on whether the failure by the European Commission to clear the name of this organisation is causing major difficulties for it at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7354/22]

Gary Gannon

Question:

309. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make strong representations to the European Commission seeking clarification on the reasons that a deferment of funding has continued since July 2021 with regard to the continued suspension of funding by the European Commission for a human rights organisation (details supplied) although no anomalies were discovered; the specific legal grounds for the continued suspension of funding; if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the current situation on the organisation’s human rights work; if he will express the Government’s discontent in relation to the deferment; if he will request the European Commission to expedite the restoration of the funding given Ireland’s continued support for the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7355/22]

Gary Gannon

Question:

310. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the European Commission has continually conceded that Israel has failed to present any concrete credible evidence against an organisation (details supplied) as one of the six designated NGOs for which there is a continued suspension of funding by the European Commission for the human rights organisation; his views on whether this appears to be an effort by Israel to obstruct the work of the NGOs that monitor, report and promote accountability for violations of human rights and international law by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7356/22]

Gary Gannon

Question:

311. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the European Commission has suspended funding to some of the six Palestinian human rights NGO organisations labelled by Israel as terrorist entities in October 2021; if so, the organisations that have been penalised in this way; if his attention has been drawn to the purpose or rationale of this initiative; his views on the destabilising effect and the potential devastation that the European Commission’s actions will have in undermining the work of Palestinian civil society; if he will raise the issue at European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7357/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 311, inclusive, together.

I have repeatedly expressed my concern regarding the designation of six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist entities by the Israeli authorities. This includes organisations in receipt of support from Irish Aid and the EU. I spoke in detail on this matter in reply to a Parliamentary Question on 27 January. Ireland is fully committed to funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders in Palestine as a key part of our support for the Palestinian people.

As set out in the previous reply, Ireland is working closely with our EU partners on the issue. EU officials have engaged with Israeli authorities regarding the basis for these designations and I understand that the European Commission's consideration of the information provided by the Israeli authorities is ongoing. Irish officials at the Permanent Representation to the EU remain in close contact with the Commission on this matter. Ireland regularly discusses Middle East Peace Process issues with the European Commission and European External Action Service and this issue was most recently raised by my officials on 28 January. In addition, Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah and Embassy in Tel Aviv are actively engaged with the EU and other stakeholders locally. Past allegations of the misuse of EU funds in relation to certain Palestinian civil society partners have not been substantiated.

Ireland has also repeatedly raised this issue at the UN Security Council, including most recently on 19 January. I made a statement on 27 October expressing concern after these designations were made, and directly raised this matter with Israeli officials during my visit to the region from 1-5 November.

Ireland will continue to support Palestinian civil society organisations and human rights defenders and the critical role they play in promoting international law, peace, human rights and democratic values.

Question No. 309 answered with Question No. 308.

Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 308.

Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 308.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (312)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

312. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of electric vehicle charging points that are available for use by staff across all carparks provided for use by his Department throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7382/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs operates three diesel-powered vans that are used for delivery of official post and other items between our thirteen buildings in the State, most notably Iveagh House and our Passport Service buildings in Mount Street, Balbriggan and Cork. Post is also routinely delivered to other Government Departments and agencies and to diplomatic corps embassies based in Dublin. It is planned to replace all three vehicles, in order of age and condition, with electric vehicles by 2024. Two EV charging points have been installed in the car park at the rear of Iveagh House, and the Office of Public Works will be requested to install additional charging points at the Passport Service buildings in Balbriggan and Cork for use of staff and corporate vehicles. This is but one of sixty initiatives already achieved or actively being pursued under a Green Foreign Ministry initiative that I launched in July 2019 aimed at mainstreaming and enhancing sustainability right across the Department’s headquarters buildings and Ireland’s diplomatic missions.

Defence Forces

Questions (313)

Carol Nolan

Question:

313. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question Number 275 of 3 February 2022, if he will provide details on the essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries that have been funded to maintain CBRN capability from 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7135/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Under the Framework for Major Emergency Management the Defence Forces can be tasked in aid of Civil Power to provide operational support in a response to a national chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident in order to mark, cordon, monitor, measure, decontaminate, retrieve and dispose of any CBRN devices and matter so found. Additionally, the Defence Forces in the context of overseas deployments may be required to operate in CBRN environments.

As outlined in PQ 5642/22 there was no direct expenditure in 2019, 2020 and in 2021 on CBRN suits. The amended table of expenditure covering years 2019 to 2021 in the sum of €605,001.15 (as tabulated below) has been spent on essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries during that period in order to maintain CBRN capability. The expenditure covers such items as consumables, filters, spare parts, decontamination lotion and servicing necessary to maintain ongoing CBRN platforms.

Specific details of the essential CBRN platforms and ancillaries are subject to normal operational security reporting restrictions and are not disclosed for operational security reasons.

Table 1 – CBRN Support Expenditure

2019	2020	2021	Total
€514,789.05	€45,961.50	€44,250.60	€605,001.15

Public Sector Staff

Questions (314)

James Browne

Question:

314. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of Departmental civil servants and State agency employees under his remit, respectively working in County Wexford and their respective Departmental section in tabular form. [7230/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

My Department has no office based in County Wexford and no civil servants or state agency employees currently working in County Wexford.

Nuclear Waste

Questions (315)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

315. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Defence if a military risk analysis has been undertaken in relation to the legacy dumping of nuclear waste in the State’s south-west waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7269/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The matter of nuclear waste being dumped at sea comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications.

The Defence Forces therefore do not have responsibility for undertaking a risk assessment of legacy issues associated with this matter.

Military Activities

Questions (316)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

316. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Defence if a risk analysis has been undertaken in relation to the threat from military activity of other states in Ireland’s exclusive economic zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7270/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Military exercises or manoeuvres are traditionally recognized as being a part of the freedom of the high seas as captured in article 87 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These rights are transcribed directly into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of coastal states.

Under international law, including UNCLOS, states are entitled to carry out naval exercises in another state’s Exclusive Economic Zone, EEZ. It is not unusual for naval ships or vessels of other States to carry out training exercises within the Irish EEZ or to passage through this area. This is not in any way an infringement of our national territory and is therefore not regarded as threatening activity that requires a risk analysis.

The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance, and as such any Naval Service patrol should be viewed as a multi-faceted activity. In terms of fishery protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the EEZ.

The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of the EEZ using the two CASA CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the EEZ.

All observed activities, including foreign military activity, are monitored during regular maritime defence and security operations by the Defence Forces.

Sustainable Development Goals

Questions (317)

Denis Naughten

Question:

317. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the progress made by his Department in respect of its targets and goals set out in Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7274/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

In September 2015, 193 UN Member Countries including Ireland adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which consist of 169 targets around the 17 high level goals. The SDGs are a global blueprint for collective progress to a more prosperous and sustainable world by 2030. The SDGs are applicable to all countries, developed and developing, and action is required for their implementation both domestically and internationally.

Ireland is committed to implementing the SDGs, and published its first SDG National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 in July 2018. While the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing the coherent implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the whole-of-Government approach to implementation of the SDGs means all Ministers are responsible for implementing the SDGs related to their functions.

As Minister for Defence, I retain responsibility for implementing the individual SDGs relating to issues under the aegis of the Department of Defence. My Department works with other stakeholder Departments' to ensure a coordinated whole-of-Government approach to implementation of the Goals, both domestically and internationally is achieved. A number of the issues that are relevant to the performance of the functions of the Department of Defence are reflected in our Statement of Strategy 2021-2023.

The Defence Forces are committed to promoting equality in all aspects of their work. This is set out in the Defence Forces Equality Policy, which commits to ensuring that the principles of equality are adhered to in all its employment policies, procedures, instructions and regulations. This ongoing commitment is also exemplified in the Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan.

In line with such policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female recruitment and participation in the Defence Forces, which include the following:

- Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework, including a Female Recruitment Standing Committee reporting on initiatives for 2022, with dedicated female recruitment teams proposed. In addition, a female specific "Always on" (constant targeting of the female demographic) campaign commenced in October 2021.

- The Defence Forces actively engage with schools to conduct career talks and regularly attend events aimed at future career choices for schools.

- A Gender, Equality and Diversity Officer has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces. Gender Advisors are available to all Brigades and Services and trained Gender Focal Points are deployed with all overseas units and ships in order to promote a gender perspective in operations.

- A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

Over the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence 2015, further projects will be progressed to ensure the development and promotion of strategies that continue to support increased female participation in the Defence Forces.

The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning Defence that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme including;

- The establishment of a Commission on the Defence Forces which published its report on the 9th February.

- Support for the establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces.

- Development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training in the Curragh.

- To ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do.

- Amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, bringing the Defence Forces within the scope of its provisions.

A range of services are provided to veterans based on a process of regular engagement. In December 2021, as Minister for Defence, I welcomed the provision of an additional €200,000 of funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan towards the provision of services by the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (O.N.E.) and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) to former members of the Defence Forces. This funding is in addition to €300,000 previously secured for both organisations across the period 2020–2022.

In January 2022, I announced the immediate establishment of a judge-lead Independent Review into dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces. The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy and Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum have both welcomed the Review and confirmed their full support and co-operation with this process.

In February 2022, the Commission on the Defence Forces completed their report. The Commission have undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. Their recommendations will require careful consideration, prior to the preparation of a plan of action for Government consideration. The work of the Commission will inform the future development of the Defence Forces and defence provision in Ireland.

This work will continue alongside the on-going work of White Paper implementation projects, the High Level Implementation Plan arising from the Public Service Pay Commission Report on the Defence Forces, the Equipment Development Plan and the Infrastructure Development plan, both five year rolling plans published in 2020, and all the other work being undertaken by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to ensure the Defence Organisation can fulfil all roles as set out by Government.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is a key strategic partner with the Defence Organisation with whom we will continue to have a close and effective working relationship in the areas of UN Peacekeeping; international security policy; disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control; and sustainable development. The Defence Organisation will support the “Global Ireland 2025” ambitions to expand and grow the contribution Ireland makes abroad. The Defence Organisation will continue to contribute to the implementation of the relevant sustainable development goals and targets, as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.