Written Answers Nos. 74-98
84. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of outstanding passport applications that were submitted more than one, two, three, four, five and six months ago; and the envisaged timeframe to clear the backlog in passport applications. [15472/22]
View answerI will arrange to have a table outlining the full data requested by the Deputy shared with him directly after this session.
I would like to make a number of points in relation to passport processing times and a perceived application backlog.
The number of applications in the passport system that were received more than one month ago is almost 104,000. However, 37% of those applications are incomplete and require further action by the applicant. It is the experience of the Passport Service that applicants can take weeks and sometimes even months after they register their application online to submit documents such as birth certificates and witnessed consent forms.
It is also important to note that the processing time for applications does not begin until applicants submit the supporting documents that are required to complete the application.
The number of applications registered more than six months ago falls to 11,000 or 6% of the total number of applications in the system. However, 70% of those 11,000 applications require further action by the applicant. The Passport Service simply cannot progress these applications until the applicant submits the additional documents required in order to complete the application.
There are currently over 182,000 applications in the Passport Service system. While this is a very high volume of applications, it does not represent a backlog. These applications are all being processed in the usual way, with a continuous stream of new applications and a continuous dispatch of completed passports happening every day.
The Passport Service has issued over 264,000 passports this year to date. In fact, in less than three months, the Passport Service has issued 41% of the number of passports issued in all of 2021.
As a result of the investment that my Department is making in the Passport Service, the turnaround time for first time applications has recently been reduced from 40 working days to 35 working days even in the context of the unprecedented volume of applications being received.
85. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the situation in Ukraine; if there is a role for regional airports such as Ireland West Airport Knock to provide support via Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15461/22]
View answerI remain very concerned by the evolving humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
My Department, through Irish Aid, is guided by the need to get resources to those affected as quickly as possible. The generosity of people in Ireland towards Ukraine, the impulse to help those in need, and the strong solidarity with Ukrainians, is very welcome and is to be commended. People in Ireland who would like to assist are advised to send funds rather than goods. This can be done through donating to established Irish and international humanitarian organisations.
My Department, through the Irish Aid programme, has responded with an initial €20 million humanitarian aid package, allocated to long-term UN and Red Cross Movement partners already on active on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. This cash has enabled immediate assistance to be delivered to Ukrainians in need, including those that have been displaced by the conflict, and to enable the work of those seeking to establish vital humanitarian corridors. A dedicated call for proposals for Irish NGOs ready to respond is also being launched.
Separately, pre-positioned Irish Aid funds meant that UN agencies were able to respond from the first day of the invasion – for example, Ireland is among the top ten donors to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, which has released over €50 million already to its Ukraine response
Working with the HSE though the coordinated EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Irish Aid has supported the dispatch of urgent medical supplies to Ukraine. Use of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism ensures fast and targeted provision of needed supplies, and helps avoid clogging of supply lines with unnecessary goods.
Given that the Irish Aid emphasis is to provide financial support to agencies already active on the ground, it is not clear what role regional airports might play in supporting my Department’s response. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage represents Ireland in the European Civil Protection Mechanism and may have views on what role, if any, regional airports might play as part of the coordinated EU response.
86. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects the International Criminal Court to take action over the situation in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15148/22]
View answerOn 2 March 2022, Ireland joined a group of concerned States in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court. This followed the announcement on 28 February 2022 by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan that he had decided to begin the process of opening a formal investigation into the situation in Ukraine.
As Ukraine is not a party to the Rome Statute of the Court, any investigation of the situation there would require the authorisation of the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber, which is a lengthy process. That process can be avoided if a state party to the Statute refers the situation to the Prosecutor's Office.
It was for this reason that Ireland and 40 other states parties referred the situation in Ukraine to the Prosecutor, enabling him to immediately begin an investigation into alleged crimes currently unfolding in Ukraine and to commence evidence-collection.
The Prosecutor previously established that there was a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Crimea and war crimes in Eastern Ukraine since 2014. The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has, of course, drastically escalated the conflict beyond Eastern Ukraine.
The Prosecutor has now deployed an investigation team to the region that has already commenced evidence-collection activities and his Office has established a dedicated portal through which any person who may hold information relevant to the Ukraine situation can contact ICC investigators.
By joining the referral of the situation in Ukraine to the ICC, Ireland has demonstrated its strong commitment to international justice as well as to accountability for atrocity crimes arising out of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ireland, together with its EU partners, has been a consistent and strong supporter of the ICC and will continue to support its important work.
88. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has concluded its examination of a report (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15466/22]
View answerAs I set out in my reply to Deputy Brady, the Amnesty International report shines a clear spotlight on the illegal and unacceptable treatment of the Palestinians by the Israeli state. I have raised many of the issues contained in the report directly with the Government of Israel, including on my visits to the region. I have also discussed these issues regularly with my EU partners. Ireland highlights many of the concerns in the report at the UN Security Council, most recently on 22 March at a meeting of the Council on the Middle East.
I am particularly concerned at discriminatory practices by Israeli authorities towards Palestinians and the ongoing issues of settlements, demolitions and the designation of Palestinian NGOs as by Israeli authorities. Ireland has been vocal on these issues across a range of settings, both bilaterally and in international fora.
On my visit to the occupied Palestinian territory in November last year, I saw the impact that settlements are having on Palestinian communities. I am particularly concerned about developments in strategically sensitive areas around East Jerusalem. During the same visit, I conveyed these concerns to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid in the strongest terms. At the UN Security Council, Ireland made a joint press statement with France and Estonia in January, which urged Israel not to proceed with new outline plans for construction in East Jerusalem.
I acknowledge that there is considerable strength of feeling on this subject and accept much of what is outlined in the Amnesty report. Findings by civil society organisations are an important source in the ongoing process of policy formation, and my Department continually examines the decisions that we take towards encouraging the peace process that can deliver a two-State Solution.
Ireland will continue to engage with parties in the EU and at the UN Security Council and convey our concerns clearly.
The Government is committed to a two-State Solution that can allow the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to live side by side in peace and we will work with partners to revive a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and is acceptable to both parties.
89. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures the Government is taking at EU level to assist the people of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14668/22]
View answer102. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Ukraine’s application to join the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15343/22]
View answer125. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on any recent conversations with European Union counterparts in relation to the Ukrainian refugee crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15479/22]
View answer141. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role of Ireland in tackling the future challenges for the European Union in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine. [15365/22]
View answer142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the most recent discussions at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the application submitted by Ukraine for membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15341/22]
View answer155. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on discussions at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on the need to progress Ukrainian membership of the European Union as expeditiously as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14758/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 102, 125, 141, 142 and 155 together.
The EU has been united in providing support to Ukraine in its struggle as a consequence of Russia's unjustified and illegal further invasion since 24 February.
The EU has implemented the most comprehensive sanctions in its history, with the most recent round of sanctions adopted on 15 March. These sanctions have been adopted in close cooperation with partners, including the US, UK and Canada. The measures adopted to date target the financial, energy, technology and defence, airspace and transport and media sectors, in both Russia and, to a lesser extent, Belarus. Trade between the EU and the two breakaway regions in Donetsk and Luhansk has been restricted, and the export to Russia of a range of luxury goods has been banned. Individual sanctions have been imposed on almost 700 decision makers, military figures, oligarchs and propagandists and fourteen entities since 23 February.
The impact of sanctions on the Russian economy has been swift. In response, Russia has published a list of “unfriendly countries” (and territories), which includes all EU Member States, as well as the US, Canada, UK, and others who have imposed sanctions.
The EU has also provided €500 million in military assistance to Ukraine, comprised of €450 million in lethal and €50 million in non-lethal aid through the European Peace Facility (EPF). Ireland constructively abstained on the lethal equipment package but will pay our full share (approximately €11 million), directed to non-lethal elements. At our meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU Foreign Ministers also signalled their political approval for an additional €500 million in military support. In line with the commitments in the Programme for Government, Ireland’s total share will again go towards non-lethal elements.
Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU Membership. EU leaders have acted swiftly in inviting the European Commission to submit its opinion on Ukraine's application to become a member. The EU membership process has legalities and benchmarks which need to be met. We should not forget that there are other countries pursuing this process. That needs to be managed sensitively. We all recognise that the Ukrainian people are upholding the fundamental values at the heart of the European Union, in many cases with their own lives.
The EU agreed on the 4 March 2022 to activate the Temporary Protection Directive. This allows for beneficiaries to receive the support and protection of the Irish State through a quick and streamlined process. Such people have protection status for up to a year (with a possibility of extension where appropriate so overall period would not exceed three years), and would be entitled to access employment and State supports including, accommodation, healthcare and social welfare on the same basis as Irish Nationals. The decision of 4 March sets out the categories to which the Directive should apply i.e. to Ukrainian nationals who had been residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and their family members. The Decision also applies to stateless persons, and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine, who benefitted from international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and who have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022 plus their family members. Third Country Nationals and Stateless persons with permanent residence permits granted by the Ukrainian authorities who cannot return safely to country or region of origin, are also eligible for Temporary Protection.
My Department has already put together a €20 million Irish Aid humanitarian package enabling humanitarian organisations on the ground, including UN agencies and the Red Cross Movement, to provide life-saving assistance to the people of Ukraine. Urgently needed medical supplies from Irish stocks are being made available through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
On 17 March the EU agreed to allow Frontex provide Moldova with operational support for border management.
To address the question on future challenges for the EU arising from Russia's illegal military aggression in Ukraine: While we cannot predict the future, Ireland has played an active, constructive and compassionate role at EU level in meeting recent challenges. We will continue to do so.
90. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will deploy consular staff from his Department along the Ukrainian borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania to support refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. [15036/22]
View answerI am extremely concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, where Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack is causing immense suffering. I recall that this House's support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unanimous and unwavering. My Department will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure a coordinated national response.
My Department's Consular staff are assigned to deal with Irish citizens and there are currently minimal numbers of Irish citizens arriving at borders. Support for refugees is provided by humanitarian workers including those from the UN system, the Red Cross Movement and local NGOs, coordinated with local government administrations in each of the border countries. My Department has already put together a €20 million Irish Aid humanitarian package enabling humanitarian organisations on the ground to provide life-saving assistance to the people of Ukraine.
The EU agreed on the 4 March 2022 to activate the Temporary Protection Directive. This allows for beneficiaries to receive the support and protection of the Irish State through a streamlined process. Such people have protection status for up to a year (with a possibility of extension where appropriate so overall period would not exceed three years), and are entitled to access employment and State supports including accommodation, healthcare and social welfare on the same basis as Irish Nationals. The Decision sets out the categories to which the Directive should apply i.e. to Ukrainian nationals who had been residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and their family members. The Decision also applies to stateless persons, and nationals of third countries, who benefitted from international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and who have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022, plus their family members. Third Country Nationals and Stateless persons with permanent residence permits granted by the Ukrainian authorities who cannot return safely to country or region of origin, are also eligible for Temporary Protection.
91. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania are likely to join the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15157/22]
View answerIreland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries. Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania, alongside Turkey, are all currently recognised as candidates for membership of the European Union.
The European Commission presented Member States with the main findings and recommendations of the seven country reports last October in their ‘Enlargement Package’. While situations vary from country to country, the report noted limited progress in the enlargement process overall due to both the impact of the pandemic and ongoing delays and blockages in the enlargement process. It also noted a general stagnation in progress in the crucial areas of fundamental rights and rule of law.
While technically remaining the two front-runners in terms of EU accession, there is general agreement within both Council and Commission that both Serbia and Montenegro need to increase the dynamism in their reform agenda. Serbia needs to accelerate its reforms regarding fundamental rights and the rule of law, and make significant progress in the normalisation of relations with Kosovo. More recently it has been noted that a stronger showing of support for EU values will be needed if Serbia is to advance its accession process.
In Montenegro, more intensive efforts in relation to freedom of expression, media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime are required. I have also urged intensified dialogue among all parties in Montenegro to address those issues currently giving rise to tensions within the country.
Both North Macedonia and Albania have clearly fulfilled the conditions necessary to commence accession negotiations. In our view, shared almost unanimously within the Council, the negotiating frameworks for both countries should be agreed and Intergovernmental Conferences held as soon as possible to start the accession process.
Ireland will continue to support strongly the enlargement process and offer any practical assistance it can to candidate countries engaged in accession negotiations to the EU.
92. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15151/22]
View answer100. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent meeting with his EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14471/22]
View answer120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15153/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 100 and 120 together.
I participated on Monday, 21 March, in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council that took place in Brussels.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the focus of our discussions. We considered in some detail the most recent developments on the ground and the effectiveness and impact of our response to date, as well as how we can continue to extend and adapt our actions.
There was widespread agreement that we need to maintain the strongest possible pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end. In that light, we adopted a number of crucial decisions to extend our political and practical support for Ukraine and for Ukrainians affected by this conflict.
We decided that we would advance with the adoption of a second package of military assistance for Ukraine. This will supplement the package of €500 million in military assistance that the EU has already provided under the European Peace Facility. Ireland’s share of €11million for that package will go towards non-lethal elements and we would expect to contribute a further €11 million in a similar manner to this next package.
The EU has already adopted the toughest and broadest sanctions measures ever seen, targeting key sectors of the Russian and Belarussian economies, as well as 685 individuals and 14 entities. There was broad agreement at FAC on the need to maintain economic and political pressure through the adoption of a further sanctions package in the short term. There are a range of views across EU Member States as to what this further package should focus on – Ireland would favour restrictions on energy imports from Russia to the EU, specifically of coal, gas and oil, but we recognise that many EU countries will need time to undertake energy transition measures to reduce their dependency on Russian oil and gas in particular. Another key priority for all Member States is the rapid and effective implementation of the substantial packages of sanctions already agreed. Ireland has asked the Commission to prepare a rapid impact assessment of the sanctions adopted so far, so that we have evidence of what measures are working most effectively and where we may need to plug gaps.
We also discussed and coordinated our actions to support those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova in particular have shown tremendous solidarity and generosity. I visited Warsaw last week and saw the Polish response first hand. The humanity and the effectiveness of this response is outstanding. It is clear that our response to the crisis will only be sustainable if we share the burden equitably. This was a point shared and understood by my colleagues. We agreed on the need to continue to strengthen our planning, coordination and burden-sharing structures.
The Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration joined the meeting to discuss how the EU can support his country in the midst of the current crisis. In addition to hosting considerable numbers of refugees, Moldova is facing particularly challenging security and political circumstances. The fragile situation in Moldova has been very much to the forefront of our national response and we have already committed to taking 500 Ukrainian refugees from Moldova and have provided over €1 million in humanitarian aid directly to Moldova in the last three weeks. I informed the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of our response to date, and undertook to continue to support them in the coming months. We agreed to hold a support conference in Berlin in early April to mobilise further concrete international support for Moldova, and to launch a Moldova Support Platform to prioritise and coordinate our support.
EU Defence and Foreign Ministers also met jointly to approve the final text of the Strategic Compass. This important strategy document will provide clear political direction for the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) for the decade ahead. The Strategic Compass is not a common European defence policy; rather, it enables the EU to better anticipate threats, respond to crises and deepen our cooperation with partners. It sets out series of concrete actions in areas such as crisis management, resilience. capability development and the EU’s partnerships with key international actors, including the United Nations.
The Strategic Compass text sets out the reality of the current European security environment in clear terms. The threats that face us have been made abundantly clear in recent weeks. Importantly, there is a strong focus on strengthening the EU’s ability to respond to new and emerging challenges, particularly cyber-attacks and hybrid threats. In addition, the Strategic Compass also provides for the creation of a new Rapid Deployment Capacity, which will allow the EU to deploy up to 5,000 troops to respond quickly and more effectively to crises overseas. Ireland has already been a consistent contributor to UN-authorised EU CSDP missions and operations. Currently, some 28 Defence Forces personnel are deployed to military CSDP missions in Mali, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Libya, with 19 civilian experts also deployed to eight CSDP missions.
Ministers at FAC also had the opportunity to assess the EU’s policy and response to events in Mali and Ethiopia. We considered and agreed how to tailor the EU’s strategic engagement in the Sahel and how to best adapt our assistance, to ensure that we continue to deliver much needed humanitarian assistance and security for the population of Mali, while maintaining a focus on urging the transitional authorities to return to constitutional order.
It is important that the conflict in Ukraine does not cause us to lose focus on other situations of conflict and this was emphasised in our discussions of the situation in Ethiopia. Despite some positive political developments there, we are still not seeing enough progress on the ground, especially in terms of the pressing issue of humanitarian access. This is particularly concerning in light of the expected consequences of the grain shortage we expect the war in Ukraine to bring later in this year.
In advance of the Council meeting, we also held a discussion with the North Macedonian Foreign Minister. This focused on regional issues in the Western Balkans, the regional effects of the war in Ukraine, and North Macedonia’s own EU accession process, of which we remain strongly supportive.
93. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking in relation to retaliatory sanctions imposed by the Russian Federation on Irish interests in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15149/22]
View answerIn response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU has imposed the most significant sanctions in its history. EU unity on successive sanctions packages sends an important message beyond the economic effects of the sanctions.
From the beginning, it was understood that imposing sanctions on Russia would come at a cost to the EU. The impacts vary between Member States, but Russia's unconscionable actions leave us with little choice. Ireland has supported the widest possible sanctions to date, in order to put strong pressure on the Kremlin.
The effects of EU sanctions on Russia have been significant. The Kremlin has begun setting out counter-measures, including designating all EU Member States as “unfriendly countries”. Discussions are underway at EU level on how to mitigate the impacts of any retaliatory measures on Member States.
So far, EU sanctions and Russian countermeasures have had a particularly heavy impact on the aircraft leasing sector in Ireland. Regrettably, the Russian Government has announced a number of measures that serve to undermine the efforts of Irish leasing companies to recover their aircraft following the termination of leases, as required by EU sanctions. This includes certain actions in respect of aircraft registration that would be contrary to the provisions of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. Ireland has made contact with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to this end. My Department has also made a formal protest to the Russian authorities against these developments, recalling Russia’s obligations under the Chicago Convention and as an ICAO member. Working closely with the Department of Transport, my Department is also assisting leasing companies with the recovery of aircraft from third countries, where possible.
94. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications from County Mayo that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15155/22]
View answerThe number of passport applications with the Passport Service from County Mayo is outlined below in tabular form. The table outlines the total number of applications in the system for the county as well as the number that are currently being processed by the Passport Service and the number of applications that require further action from the applicant, such as the submission of additional documents.
Passport Service figures show that of the total of 182,000 passport applications in the system, 63% are fully complete and are being processed by the Passport Service. The other 37% of applications are incomplete, which means the Passport Service is waiting for the applicant to submit the necessary documentation required. While the Passport Service makes every effort to contact applicants in such circumstances, their experience is that many applicants take weeks and sometimes months to send in the necessary documents. Applications that are incomplete cannot be processed within the average turnaround times.
|
County |
Total Applications in System |
With Passport Service |
With Applicant |
|
Mayo |
1,771 |
947 |
824 |
95. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the Ukrainian Government and Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland. [15376/22]
View answer127. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the response of his Department to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14472/22]
View answer149. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on any recent conversations with his Ukrainian counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15478/22]
View answer162. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role of Ireland in supporting efforts to end the war in Ukraine. [15364/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 127, 149 and 162 together.
My Department has been responding to this multi-dimensional crisis across many areas including as a member of the EU, particularly the preparation and coordination of sanctions, through our membership of international and regional organisations, particularly the United Nations, through the provision of consular services to Irish citizens, in the provision of humanitarian aid, as well as in ongoing monitoring and reporting on the geopolitical, security and policy implications of the further invasion of Ukraine by Russia and, finally, its impact on our bilateral relations with many states. I have set out the work of my Department to date in my addresses to both the Dáil and the Seanad.
Ireland has been, and will continue to be, unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have been clear that Russia's further invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of the UN Charter and a breach of international law for which Russia must be held accountable. Ireland has been actively engaged in efforts across the multilateral system to respond to Russian aggression, alleviate the humanitarian crisis and bring an end to this conflict.
Ireland joined with 38 other state parties in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court, ICC, to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. By taking this action, the ICC prosecutor is now able to immediately begin a formal investigation.
Ireland’s efforts at the UN, EU, International Criminal Court, the Council of Europe, the OSCE -and across all multilateral institutions - are aimed at bringing an end to this conflict, ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and meeting the humanitarian needs of those caught in the conflict.
As part of Ireland's support to Ukraine, we have also been in close contact with representatives of the Ukrainian government. On 3 March, I was pleased to meet with Ukraine's Ambassador to Ireland, H. E. Larysa Gerasko, and assure her of Ireland's solidarity with Ukraine. My officials are also in regular, near daily contact with her and her Embassy team. Ireland's Embassy to Ukraine continues to operate remotely and to engage with the Ukrainian government including facilitating contact with relevant stakeholders in Ireland.
I have also been pleased to engage with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on numerous occasions in recent weeks as part of Foreign Affairs Council proceedings. I have expressed my admiration for the efforts of the Ukrainian government under pressure and re-iterated that Ireland's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.
96. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of Ireland's relationship with Saudi Arabia; if he has raised concerns about the recent execution of 81 persons there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15347/22]
View answer110. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has expressed concerns over human rights abuses to the Saudi Arabian Government following the mass execution of 81 Saudi and non-Saudi citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 110 together.
Ireland is firmly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and has consistently made our opposition clear to the Saudi authorities. When I visited Saudi Arabia last year, I raised a number of human rights concerns, including the continued use of the death penalty.
Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the execution of 81 people on 12 March directly with the Saudi authorities. The EU issued a statement setting out our deep concerns about these executions: Saudi Arabia: Statement by the High Representative on mass executions - European External Action Service (europa.eu)
Ireland welcomed the first EU-Saudi Arabia Human Rights Dialogue which was held in Brussels in September 2021 and chaired by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore. A number of human rights issues were discussed at the Dialogue, including the use of the death penalty.
The abolition of the death penalty will continue to be a foreign policy priority for Ireland and I urge Saudi Arabia to establish an immediate moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.
97. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position of his Department on neutrality; and the definition of same by his Department. [13306/22]
View answer133. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the commitment by his Department to the current position of the State on neutrality. [13307/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 133 together.
As practised by successive Irish governments, Ireland’s policy of military neutrality means that the state does not participate in military alliances or in common or mutual defence arrangements. Successive governments have exercised their executive power to maintain a consistent policy in this area.
A policy of neutrality is to be distinguished from the legal status of neutrality during an international armed conflict. The law on neutrality evolved in the 19th century but has been modified in important respects by developments in international law since that time, not least the legal prohibition in 1945 on the use of force, and the primary role of the UN Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security, as conferred on it by the UN Charter. Our neutrality has never meant failing to distinguish between aggressors and the victims of aggression, and to do otherwise would be neglecting our commitment to international law.
Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality has not been one of isolationism. It informs our active approach towards peace support operations and crisis management, our contributions to conflict resolution and peacebuilding, our work for human rights and development, and our efforts to promote disarmament and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction.
98. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions being taken by the Government to help deal with the many thousands of undocumented in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15348/22]
View answer148. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the ongoing work to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish in America; if he will consider the appointment of a Government representative to deal with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15450/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 148 together.
The Government continues to prioritise immigration issues in our relationship with the United States. This includes working towards secure legal pathways for Irish people to live and work in the US, as well as addressing the situation of the undocumented Irish.
Immigration matters are raised by senior members of the Government at every opportunity, and was a key issue raised during our St. Patrick’s Day engagements across the US, not least at the bilateral exchange between the Taoiseach and President Biden last week. These high level engagements will continue as we maintain close relations with Members of Congress and contacts from across the political spectrum in the US, and as we seek opportunities to deepen and strengthen our bilateral relations with President Biden's Administration.
I am pleased to see that immigration issues, including possible pathways to citizenship, are a priority for President Biden, as demonstrated by his proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021. The Government is actively working with his Administration, as well as with the US Congress, on a bipartisan basis, as they pursue comprehensive immigration reform in the US.
Our Embassy in Washington, D.C., as the representative office of the Government in the United States, pro-actively seeks out and creates opportunities to meet regularly with both Members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate across the political spectrum in the US. We are actively engaging with the Administration and Congress on finding innovative solutions and immigration pathways to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the US.
My Department, through Ireland's Embassy in Washington DC and our seven Consulate Generals across the US, also works closely with Irish immigration centres that provide support and information to our citizens, including the undocumented. Many of these groups, including the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres, receive significant annual funding through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme.
In response to the pandemic, a dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund for Irish communities abroad was also set up in 2020 to help these organisations meet the needs of those who are particularly vulnerable, including the undocumented Irish in the US. In 2021, over €4.22m was paid to diaspora organisations in the US for ESP and Covid-19 related projects and support.
