Written Answers Nos. 235-244
235. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the aid provided or agreed to be provided by the Defence Forces or the Government to Ukraine that is funded out of the funding allocated to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13472/22]
View answerI have agreed to take this question on transfer from the Department of Defence as the budget lines through which we are providing support to Ukraine are managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine.
Ireland has now committed €20 million in humanitarian aid to help mitigate the impact of the Russian further invasion of Ukraine on the lives of ordinary people. The initial €10 million funding announced by An Taoiseach two weeks ago will be allocated to support key humanitarian organisations on the ground, namely UN OCHA, UNHCR, ICRC and IFRC, as they provide life-saving assistance to the people of Ukraine. A further €10 million was announced by An Taoiseach on Monday 7 March. Ireland is also sending urgent medical supplies, including protective suits, blood bags, masks and disinfectants, in response to a request from Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
In addition, on 27 February the EU agreed a package of €500 million in military assistance for Ukraine under the European Peace Facility (EPF). Some €450 million of this support will be allocated for lethal equipment, with €50 million for non-lethal equipment. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, Ireland will not be contributing to the funding of lethal equipment. We will pay our full share (approximately €11 million) and our funding will go only to non-lethal elements.
In the period ahead, Ireland will continue to engage with European Union, United Nations and other partners to provide assistance to Ukraine.
236. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to two Irish medical students (details supplied) currently in the Sumy State University in Ukraine. [13703/22]
View answerI am aware of the Irish citizens referred to who were studying in Sumy, Ukraine. My Department has been and remains in direct contact with the citizens concerned. The Deputy can also be assured that we are engaging with the Ukrainian Government and other partners on these and other consular cases.
I am glad that two Irish students based in Sumy have now exited Ukraine safely - and we remain in regular contact with others citizens who are planning departure from the country if circumstances allow.
As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the specific details of these cases.
237. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be renewed for a minor (details supplied) considering that the applicant is a member of a sports group and that a passport is required to enable the applicant to compete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13707/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
238. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the response of his Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13723/22]
View answerSince the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine.
My Department has led on Ireland’s foreign policy response to this flagrant violation of international law and norms, including through multilateral engagement with European Union partners and at the United Nations, the development of sanctions and the provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens affected by the invasion, and the provision of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
I have met EU Foreign Ministers in a series of Foreign Affairs Council meetings since 24 February, to discuss and shape the international response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. Ireland has taken a forward stance on the European response, contributing to an ambitious sanctions package, the provision of aid and assistance to Ukraine, and the reevaluation of how the European Union engages with Russia.
At the United Nations, Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to hold Russia internationally accountable for its actions. We have actively supported Security Council and General Assembly meetings on Ukraine, and have urged others to join us in condemning Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Ireland co-sponsored a strong UN General Assembly resolution, condemning Russia’s aggression and calling for their immediate withdrawal, which was adopted with the support of the overwhelming majority of UN Member States. Ireland has called for the safe passage and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, including medical and food supplies, to those in need and has stressed the importance of safeguarding women and children during conflict. We have called on Russia to uphold its obligations under international law and to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from within the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine.
Ireland has supported motions and resolutions to suspend Russia’s participation in various international bodies, including the Council of Europe.
My Department has also provided all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens affected by recent events. My officials remain in ongoing contact with registered Irish citizens in Ukraine, currently totalling around 55 people, and are in direct contact to provide assistance and support to families with surrogacy arrangements.
This is also a regional crisis and Ireland's Embassies in all of the affected countries continue to provide support and services at a time of heightened demand as well as engaging with their host governments in support and solidarity
We have thus far committed €20 million in humanitarian aid from the development assistance programme managed by my Department (Irish Aid) to help mitigate the impact of the appalling violence inflicted on ordinary people in Ukraine.
My Department continues to engage across Government in support of the wider national response by Ireland to this multi-dimensional crisis which is on a scale not seen in Europe since the Second World War.
239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the need to progress as quickly as possible the EU membership of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13737/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on 28 February, President Volodomyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine submitted a letter to the European Presidency formally applying for membership of the European Union (EU), in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union.
Separately, the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) met for an extraordinary meeting on 4 March to discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine. EU Foreign Ministers were joined by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, among others.
Ukraine’s application for EU membership was not the primary focus of discussion at the 4 March meeting of FAC. However, on 7 March, EU Ambassadors meeting in Brussels formally approved the text of three letters addressed from the Council to the European Commission, seeking the Commission’s opinion on the applications for EU membership received from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in recent days. EU leaders meeting informally in Versailles on 10-11 March are also scheduled to endorse the decision to refer the three applications to the Commission for its opinion.
Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, and of Ukraine’s European perspective. Ukraine has made strong progress in aligning with EU standards and has shown extraordinary determination to uphold the values of the EU, and we are supportive of their accession. We must give hope to the people of Ukraine. They are demonstrating their strong support for the core EU values of democracy, human rights, a free media and economic and social progress.
It should be noted that the time it takes for a country to progress from initial interest in joining the EU, to becoming a fully-fledged candidate country, to actually joining the Union, is significant, as are the formal requirements for qualifying for membership. I also recognise that there are other candidate and potential candidate countries and that the commitments which have been made to them regarding the Enlargement process must be fulfilled.
240. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an update will be provided on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13802/22]
View answerMy thoughts, and the thoughts of the Government, are with the family and friends of Noah Donohoe at this extremely distressing time, and who throughout the past 21 months have contended with such a profound personal loss.
This is a very complex and sensitive case. It would not be appropriate for me to make any detailed comment while due processes, including the Coroner's Inquest, are ongoing.
The Taoiseach has asked officials in his Department to arrange a meeting with the family of Noah Donohoe to get a better understanding of the concerns that they might have, and arrangements for this meeting are in progress.
241. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the current situation regarding the pay and conditions for Defence Forces personnel. [13739/22]
View answerThe Defence Forces are paid increases in pay and allowances in line with Public Service pay agreements.
The current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces.
A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever was the greater, came into effect on 1st October 2021. In addition, allowances in the nature of pay were also increased by 1% on this date.
The current pay agreement also provides for further increases in 2022, namely:
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1st February 2022 last, which is in the process of being paid.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on 1st October 2022. The general round increases will also apply to those allowances that are in the nature of pay.
In addition to general round pay increases arising out of ongoing national pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019.
The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and the Government decision in December 2020, which agreed its terms of reference and membership.
In February 2022, I welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference, including an examination of the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of the recommendations is required. This will involve significant inter-departmental consultation and I also intend to get the views of key stakeholders. Following that engagement I intend to return to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan.
The Defence Forces Representative Associations will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation, relating to the implementation of any approved plan.
242. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the salaries and pensions paid out to special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department in 2020 and 2021, broken down by Minister in tabular form. [11393/22]
View answerSince my appointment as Minister for Defence in June 2020, I have appointed two special advisers. Both these advisers are appointed as advisers to me as Minister for Defence and also as Minister for Foreign Affairs. They are employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as such, their salary is administered by that Department.
243. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the number of commissions of investigation under the remit of his Department currently ongoing in the State; the cost of each commission to date; and the projected costs of each in tabular form. [12559/22]
View answerMy Department does not have any Commissions of Investigation currently ongoing.
244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is opportune to generate discussion at European Council meetings on the need for the European Union to offer assistance towards Ireland’s coastal security. [4654/22]
View answerThe EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the sea.
In 2014, the EU launched a Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS), defining maritime security as ‘a state of affairs of the global maritime domain, in which international law and national law are enforced, freedom of navigation is guaranteed and citizens, infrastructure, transport, the environment and marine resources are protected’. This launch was followed, in 2015, by an Action Plan to implement the EUMSS, and a revised Action Plan in 2018.
Ireland contributed to the revision process of the EUMSS Action Plan in 2018 through the Department of Defence, the Naval Service and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Council conclusions of June 2021 sought to engage with member states to see if the EUMSS and its Action Plan should be updated. Member States agreed that updates could be provided due to factors that have emerged owing t the passage of time since publivation in 2014. Ireland contributed to this consultation. While it was decided to begin this work in December 2021, meaningful progress will not be made until the work on the Strategic Compass is concluded. The recent Report of the Commission on Defence Forces recommends that Ireland should deepen its engagement with the implementation of the EU’s Maritime Security Strategy and consideration given to development of a whole-of-government National Maritime Security Strategy and a National Aviation Security Strategy.
While defence remains a national competence, Ireland sees the value in Member States’ national maritime activities voluntarily feeding into greater EU cooperation and adding value where possible. Ireland is a member of the existing European naval maritime surveillance information-sharing network EDA MARSUR Project and is a participant on the Greek led PESCO project “Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance’ which aims to enhance maritime situational awareness Ireland is also observing on the PESCO project Maritime (Semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Counter-Measures (MAS-MCM) which aims to deliver a high level collaboration and delivery of semi-autonomous underwater, surface and aerial technologies which can be used in a Mine Counter-Measures role.
At European Council meetings, the topic of maritime security is frequently discussed, most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Defence Format in November 2021, which I attended. That discussion focused on the EU Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept following the establishment of the Gulf of Guinea as a Maritime Area of Interest (MAI) by the Council on 25 January 2021.
The EU Coordinated Maritime Presence Concept aims to enhance the EU’s visibility through a coordination of the presence of EU Member State assets in areas of concern where there are ongoing activities which could constitute a threat to international peace and security. The purpose of such a continuous presence is to support information gathering and analysis so as to develop greater situational awareness of key areas of maritime security interest, to support the security of States in the area of interest and to be able to counter illicit activities. The Maritime Coordinated Mechanism is distinct from CSDP missions and operations.
On 21st February 2022, the Council approved two sets of conclusions on the Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) concept, the first extending the implementation in the Gulf of Guinea for two years and the second establishing a new Maritime Area of Interest in the North-Western Indian Ocean. The Strategic Compass also contains a reference to the expansion of the Coordinated Maritime Presences Concept.
Given my regular engagement in EU discussions on the matter of Maritime Security, I do not see a need to request European Union assistance towards Ireland’s coastal security.
