Written Answers Nos. 361-380
362. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether there is an undue delay in processing foreign births; the length of the current processing time; the number of foreign births registered in each of the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15929/22]
View answerThe processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of Foreign Birth Registration staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.
The number of entries made to the Foreign Births Register each year since 2002 are detailed in the table below.
Foreign Birth Registration Entries 2002-2022 (rounded to the nearest 1000)
|
Year |
Entries |
Year |
Entries |
|
2002 |
9,000 |
2013 |
5,000 |
|
2003 |
7,000 |
2014 |
6,000 |
|
2004 |
5,000 |
2015 |
6,000 |
|
2005 |
7,000 |
2016 |
8,000 |
|
2006 |
4,000 |
2017 |
18,000 |
|
2007 |
3,000 |
2018 |
17,000 |
|
2008 |
9,000 |
2019 |
19,000 |
|
2009 |
12,000 |
2020 |
12,000 |
|
2010 |
9,000 |
2021 |
7,000 |
|
2011 |
7,000 |
2022 (to date) |
3,000 |
|
2012 |
5,000 |
363. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether Ireland can genuinely be a credible and effective actor and have international influence by continuing to raise human rights issues with Israel in the context of the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli Government through measures (details supplied); his further views on whether it is time to be genuinely proactive; the new initiatives that he will undertake; if he will reconsider adopting the legislation to make it an offence to import or sell goods or services originating in an occupied territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15930/22]
View answer364. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the opinion of a person (details supplied) that Israel has sunk to such political and moral depths that it is now an apartheid regime and that it is time for the international community to recognise this reality as well; his views on their opinion that the solution would be for Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories and the establishment a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel; the steps he intends to take to build an alliance of countries within the European Union to expedite work towards such a solution; if he will take similar urgent action in this instance as has been taken in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine which is also a gross violation of international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15931/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 364 together.
I refer the Deputy to the answers given in the responses to questions 15351/22 and 15466/22 on 24 March and to my recent statements on the matter in the Dáil, which address many of the issues raised.
Ireland is a credible actor on this issue, advocating an approach based on international law and our support for a two-State Solution. Ireland will remain active on this issue both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, including within the EU and at the UN.
The Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward.
Ireland has supported legal avenues to differentiate between settlements and Israel, for example by joining a case before the European Courts in 2019 on labelling of certain goods produced in settlements. Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed settlements, and this Government will continue to do so.
Ireland’s priority remains to protect and encourage a peace process that can deliver a two-State Solution, based on international law including international human rights law, and on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
365. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign births registration application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15934/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
The application referenced was registered on 1 November 2021, and is being stored in a secure environment.
The FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt. FBR staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants can contact the Passport Service directly.
My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.
372. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of retainers his Department has with outside organisations; and the cost of each retainer in tabular form. [16151/22]
View answerMy Department has no retainers with outside organisations.
373. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the processing times for applications for passports; the current number of applications that await processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16167/22]
View answerThe Passport Service is proactively managing the current demand for passports and has put in place resources and structures to address the estimated significant increase in demand for passports in 2022 in this essential citizen service.
In recent weeks, the Passport Service has reduced the average turnaround time for first time applications from 40 working days to 35 working days. In addition, 45% of adult online renewal applications are processed in one working day.
The current passport processing times are:
- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals
- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals
- 35 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online
- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service
There are currently over 171,000 applications in the Passport Service system. While there is a very high volume of applications, this 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.
Figures show that of the total number of applications in the system, 61% are fully complete and are being processed by the Passport Service. The other 39% of applications in the system 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.
First time passport applications do take longer to process than renewal applications and there are a number of reasons for this. First time applications are necessarily complex to process, since, in many cases, they are applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. It is the statutory responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants.
In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated.
I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time.
375. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Ireland-Palestine scholarship programme runs on a yearly basis; and if so, when applications will open for the next round of awards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16297/22]
View answerThe Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme is part of the Ireland Fellows Programme, which brings promising mid-career professionals from partner countries each year to study for a master’s-level qualification at a University or Institute of Technology in Ireland.
The Ireland Fellows Programme dates back to 1974 and is an integral part of my Department's Irish Aid international development programme. Building on an initial focus on students from Africa, in 2009 the Ireland Fellows Programme was extended to Vietnam. Following the publication of the A Better World policy on international development in 2019, the Programme was further enlarged to include students from the occupied Palestinian territory, and in 2020-2021, from Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Fellowships are awarded to 25 students from the occupied Palestinian territory each year. Ireland’s funding to the Palestinian people has traditionally had a strong focus on education, which is crucial to Palestine’s long-term economic viability.
The objective of the Ireland Fellows Programme is to help to build a cohort of people with the potential to become leaders in their home country and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Courses within the Programme are aligned with Ireland’s policy for international development, A Better World. The Fellowship award covers course fees, accommodation, living costs, and flights. The Ireland Fellows Programme promotes gender equality, equal opportunities, and welcomes diversity and alumni are invited to stay connected with Ireland, and with each other, after returning home.
The process of selecting Fellows for the 2022-23 academic year – including those from the occupied Palestinian territory - is underway and expected to conclude in June 2022. Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are expected to open in September 2022.
376. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16313/22]
View answerWith 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.
377. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 338 of 25 January 2022, if he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or with the British Foreign Secretary in relation to the UK Nationality and Borders Bill 2021 regarding the unacceptable provisions in that legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16332/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government has a number of concerns regarding the proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme set out in the UK’s draft Nationality and Borders Bill. As currently drafted, the Bill would provide that the UK’s immigration rules may require that non-Irish and non-British citizens obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK, including for journeys across the land border with Northern Ireland.
The movement of people on the island of Ireland, particularly in border areas, is unique, with tens of thousands of people crossing the border every day in the course of their daily lives, including to access essential services, for business, and for family reasons. It is a uniquely shared space. This is something which the Irish and British Governments recognised and committed to supporting in Strand 2 of the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement.
The introduction of the proposed ETA scheme for cross-border journeys would cause considerable disruption to the lives and livelihoods of many people across the island who are not Irish or British citizens, particularly those residing in border areas. The scheme could have a significant impact on tourism in Northern Ireland, with many tourists first arriving here before travelling onward to Northern Ireland or including a destination in Northern Ireland as part of their itinerary. There are potential implications also for cross-border healthcare, education, and integrated supply chains.
It is regrettable that MPs in the House of Commons voted last week against an amendment from the House of Lords, which would have exempted cross-border journeys to Northern Ireland from the proposed ETA requirements.
Our Government has been engaging with the British Government at both official and political level to make clear our concerns with regard to the ETA scheme. Most recently, I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Minister of State for Northern Ireland at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin. During our meeting, I expressed the Government’s serious concerns with regard to the draft Bill’s ETA provisions as they relate to Northern Ireland. I highlighted the complexities that the implementation of such a scheme would present in the context of cross-border travel on the island of Ireland, as well as the serious implications for daily lives and livelihoods on this island. Senior officials in my Department continue to engage with their British Government counterparts with respect to these concerns.
This legislation is not yet finalised and will continue to be debated in Westminster. For our part, we will continue to engage on the issue and emphasise our serious concerns, with a view to finding a satisfactory resolution which addresses them.
378. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign births' registration application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16355/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the FBR Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
With regard to the applications referenced, the applicant was advised by e-mail on 17 December 2021 that additional documents were required for both applications. Until these additional documents are submitted, the applications cannot be progressed further.
My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.
379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a new court order proving dispense of guardian's consent is being requested when the original court order has been supplied in the case of a person's application for a passport (details supplied); the reason that the original court order is not being accepted; if the original court order can be accepted given the particular circumstances of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16361/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service is in direct contact with the applicant’s mother to advise on the steps they must take to progress the application.
380. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16375/22]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to promoting gender, equality, diversity and inclusion and creating a culture of dignity and respect in the workplace, as set out in our Statement of Strategy 2021-2023. Over recent years, my Department has taken a proactive and strategic approach to advancing gender equality and wider diversity and inclusion issues. As part of my Department’s Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022, a number of initiatives and policies have been advanced to improve gender, equality, diversity and inclusion, including the roll out of training. Thus far, training on Diversity and Inclusion has been provided by the following organisations listed in the table below. The costs, year and focus of the training are also set out in the table.
|
Organisation |
Training Provided |
Cost |
Year |
|
Shannon Consultants |
Managing in a Multicultural Environment |
€1,700.00 |
2018 |
|
Irish Deaf Society |
Sign Language |
€260.00 |
2019 |
|
Herlihy Access |
Disability Liaison Officer Accessibility Crse |
€675.00 |
2019 |
|
NUI Maynooth |
Cert in Disability Studies |
€1,250.00 |
2019 |
|
Shannon Consultants |
Unconscious Bias Training |
€1,700.00 |
2019 |
|
Gerry Sharvin Training Consultancy |
Disability Awareness Training – Online training course for DFA staff on Disability Awareness |
€1,980.00 |
2019 |
|
ASIAM |
Autism Awareness |
€1,000.00 |
2019 |
|
Carr Communications |
Working in a Multicultural Environment |
€950.00 |
2020 |
|
Gerry Sharvin Training Consultancy |
Disability Awareness Training – Online training course for DFA staff on Disability Awareness |
€1,000.00 |
2020 |
|
Appian Point |
Unconscious Bias Training |
€1,950.00 |
2020 |
|
NDI |
Diversity & Inclusion Conference |
€959.00 |
2021 |
|
Sircula Limited |
Leaders Women At Work |
€195.00 |
2021 |
|
Sircula Limited |
D&I Leaders Global Forum |
€265.00 |
2021 |
|
Public Affairs Ireland |
Dignity At Work |
€295.00 |
2021 |
|
Irish Deaf Society |
Irish Sign Language |
€340.00 |
2021 |
|
Irish Centre for Diversity |
Introduction to Diversity & Inclusion for officers going on posting in Summer 2021 |
€1,057.80 |
2021 |
|
Irish Centre for Diversity |
Inclusive Leadership training for Management Board |
€1,100.00 |
2021 |
|
Irish Deaf Society |
Video tutorial on how to sign certain phrases through Irish Sign Language |
€500.00 |
2021 |
|
Shout Out |
ABCs of LGBTQ+ Ally-ship Workshop |
€750.00 |
2021 |
|
Sile O’Donnell |
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Workshop |
€400.00 |
2021 |
|
Total spend |
€18,326.80 |
