Written Answers Nos. 751-774
751. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address the situation in which passport applications that have been witnessed in a Garda station that is not a full-time station are not being accepted by the Passport Office despite the fact that the signature and ID number of the garda is on the application form along with the station stamp. [20134/22]
View answerIn order to verify the identity of a passport applicant and, in the case of children, the consent of their guardians, the Passport Service requires certain forms to be witnessed.
There are certain applications for applicants resident in Ireland that must be witnessed by a member of an Garda Síochána. These include:
- All Passport Express applications - Section 9 Certificate of Identity
- First time adult online applications - Identity Verification Form
- First time child online applications - Child Passport Identity and Consent Form (Guardian A)
In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, it is important that forms are correctly completed and verified by the Passport Service by calling the Garda station to confirm the Garda's signature.
In the absence of any specific details, the Passport Service is unable to confirm why these applications were rejected. Unfortunately, in cases where the Passport Service has difficulty contacting a Garda station in order to verify the Garda's signature, the passport application may be delayed. In some cases, the applicant may be requested to submit a new witnessed form where the Passport Service has been unable to contact the Garda station.
The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 5th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 187 countries.
752. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consular assistance has been provided for a person (details supplied) who was arrested in Togo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20142/22]
View answerI can reassure the Deputy that I am aware of this case and it remains both a concern and priority. My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country.
My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) which communicates regularly with the citizen, while we continue to provide consular advice and support.
There has also been, and will continue to be, engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that I and my Department will remain engaged on the matter.
753. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the situation in relation to a person (details supplied); the steps that he has taken to assist in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20147/22]
View answerI can reassure the Deputy that I am aware of this case and it remains both a concern and priority. My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country.
My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) which communicates regularly with the citizen, while we continue to provide consular advice and support.
There has also been, and will continue to be, engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that I and my Department will remain engaged on the matter.
755. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the proposed role of Special Envoy for Freedom of Expression to the UN will be proceeded with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20229/22]
View answerOn 30 November 2021, Cabinet noted the contents of the Report of the Group established to review the role and appointment of Special Envoys and approved the recommendations contained in the Report. The report is publicly available on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The review makes a number of specific recommendations on how future Special Envoy appointments would take place through an independent appointment process. These recommendations include:
- At the initial stage, the Management Board of the Department of Foreign Affairs will make a recommendation on the need for a Special Envoy role based on a valid business case reflecting foreign policy objectives and priorities;
- The Management Board will consider whether the role can be filled from within the existing skills and expertise of the Department or other Departments, or whether external expertise is required, and recommend accordingly;
- Cabinet approval for the creation of the role of Special Envoy will be sought;
- A detailed description of the role and Terms and Conditions will be drawn up and expressions of interest sought, with an assessment panel identifying a candidate/ shortlist of candidates to be prepared;
- Following this process, Cabinet approval will be sought for the actual appointment of the Special Envoy, and for the final mandate, terms and conditions.
There are currently no proposals for additional Special Envoys under consideration within my Department.
756. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20262/22]
View answerI can reassure the Deputy that I am aware of this case and it remains both a concern and priority. My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country.
My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) which communicates regularly with the citizen, while we continue to provide consular advice and support.
There has also been, and will continue to be, engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case, and the importance of the citizen being allowed to return home as soon as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific details of the case. However, you can rest assured that I and my Department will remain engaged on the matter.
757. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if humanitarian assistance given to Ukraine is additional to the €1.044 billion allocated to official development assistance in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20282/22]
View answerIn its review of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) published in 2020, the OECD found Ireland to be an excellent humanitarian partner, with a large share of ODA going to fragile contexts. That report highlighted how Ireland uses diplomatic, development and humanitarian tools, aligned with flexible funding models to deliver results. It is this combined model which is being used to deliver Ireland’s response to those most affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
As part of the diplomatic response to the invasion, Ireland has been at the forefront of EU efforts and those across the UN system to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As an elected member of the UN Security Council, Ireland has called for Russia’s immediate withdrawal of troops from the entire territory of Ukraine, and demanded that the Russian Federation uphold its obligations under international law.
Minister Coveney visited Kyiv on 14 April, where he met with members of Ukraine’s government and visited the town of Bucha where a number of mass graves have been discovered. Following this visit the Minister addressed the UN Security Council on 19 April, calling for an immediate halt to Russian aggression, highlighting the devastating humanitarian toll on Ukraine’s people, and calling for full accountability for the perpetrators of crimes as a result of Russia’s invasion.
The Irish Aid humanitarian response has been most particularly focused on those who remain in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries, such as Moldova. This has so far been financed from within the 2022 ODA budget allocation, itself substantially increased on the 2021 allocation, and which each year responds to unanticipated humanitarian crises. Prepositioned Irish Aid funds with key UN agencies, and the ICRC, meant that those organisations were able to respond on the ground in Ukraine immediately. To this, an additional dedicated €20 million Irish Aid humanitarian package, from within existing ODA but new funding to Ukraine, is responding to the humanitarian response in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Other Irish Aid assistance is also being explored. Ireland also joined a group of more than 40 States in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court and will provide additional funding of €3 million to the ICC to assist in the investigation of the situation in Ukraine, along with other situations before the court.
This funding complements the generous contributions made by so many citizens to Irish and other humanitarian organisations who are responding to the needs of those affected by the conflict: many of these organisations receive core funding from Irish Aid. In addition, I have activated the Rapid Response Register, with experts from the Register deploying to UN partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
OECD rules allow that some elements of the first year costs arising from accommodating refugees in Ireland can be counted as ODA, with the statistical base for those coming from Ukraine yet to finalised. The determination is made in arrears but is likely to exceed Budget Day estimations for this portion of ODA.
Conscious of wider global humanitarian need, itself being affected by the invasion of Ukraine and its impact, for example, on world food prices, Irish Aid continues to respond generously to those most impacted by other crises, including Syria, Yemen and Somalia.
758. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20302/22]
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 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.
The application referenced was registered on 18 February 2020, and is due to be processed in the near future. The FBR team will be in contact with the applicant shortly in this regard.
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.
759. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if funding (details supplied) that has been allocated has been drawn down and spent; if there has been a follow-up or appraisal of the funding given under the various programmes or headings; if any of the allocated funding has been recouped or unspent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/22]
View answerDetails of funding allocated by my Department to the Local Authority referred to by the Deputy from 1 January 2017 to date are set out in the table below. None of the funding was recouped and all of the funding was spent.
|
Year |
Description |
Amount |
|
2017 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2018 |
For the purpose of livestreaming 2018 Ireland’s Edge conference. |
€5,000 |
|
2020 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2021 |
Africa Day virtual event |
€2000 |
|
2022(to date) |
Nil |
Nil |
762. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review an application by a person (details supplied); if he will seek clarity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20423/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service regrets the delay in processing this application. The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly to advise as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
763. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of notifications of frozen funds received to date from the Central Bank of Ireland in the context of the EU sanctions scheme targeted at Russia and Russian interests since the inception of the current sanctions regime; if he will identify and publish the names of the individuals and entities who have had funds related to their Irish-registered or managed vehicles frozen in the context of the sanctions regime; the total value of the funds which have been frozen to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20439/22]
View answer764. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of derogation applications received by the Irish authorities to date in respect of Russian nationals or Russian-linked entities who have had funds frozen as a consequence of the EU sanctions regime against Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20440/22]
View answer765. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that are being taken to develop a scheme to confiscate the assets of Russian nationals and-or Russian-linked entities that have had assets frozen in Ireland as a consequence of the EU sanctions regime against Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20441/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 763 to 765, inclusive, together.
The EU has introduced unprecedented sanctions in response to the situation in Ukraine. These sanctions are only effective in so far as they are properly implemented. Ireland, along with EU partners, is working to ensure that EU sanctions are fully implemented and enforced, including through full and effective application of the asset freezes and prohibitions on making funds available to those individuals and entities included on the Ukraine-related sanctions list.
Financial institutions report funds frozen under EU sanctions to the Central Bank of Ireland, and details are in turn notified to the European Commission. The total value of funds frozen to 22 April is approximately EUR 1.2 billion. It is expected that more notifications will be received as financial institutions complete due diligence procedures, and to reflect ongoing additions to the sanctions list. Given its confidential nature, the Department is not in a position to provide more detailed information on the frozen funds.
The three national competent authorities for sanctions in Ireland are the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Central Bank of Ireland. The competent authorities are empowered to issue authorisations to derogate from EU sanctions regimes, where this is provided for in the relevant EU legal acts.
EU sanctions regimes normally include provisions to allow listed individuals and entities to apply for derogations to sanctions in very specific circumstances, such as to satisfy basic needs such as payments for food, rent or medical treatment, or to pay legal fees or bank fees.
To date, the Department of Foreign Affairs has received an application from one entity for an authorisation under Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as amended. The Department is not in a position to provide any further details on this authorisation request. The Department understands that the other competent authorities have also received applications for authorisations.
EU sanctions require that the assets of listed individuals and entities be frozen, so that the sanctioned individual or entity cannot benefit from them economically. This is a fundamental principle of sanctions, which are temporary measures that aim to incentivise changes in behaviour or policy and which are not intended to be punitive. However, some Member States have proposed that assets frozen in the context of the situation in Ukraine could be seized, and used for purposes including the rebuilding of Ukraine. I have expressed openness to this proposal. However, it requires extensive further discussion in order to ensure a robust and clear legal basis, as it would be a departure from current practice.
In March 2022, the European Commission created the ‘Freeze and Seize’ Task Force, to ensure coordination among Member States on the implementation of sanctions related to Ukraine. A particular focus of the Task Force is the identification and freezing of assets belonging to Russian and Belarussian oligarchs in the EU. The Task Force is also considering the interplay between sanctions and criminal law measures, with a view to possibly seizing the assets of those included in the sanctions list where their activities may also breach criminal law. As Ireland’s participation in the Task Force is led by the Department of Justice, that Department would be better placed to provide more information on its work.
766. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in processing a passport application by a person (details supplied) that was received in August 2021; the correct process for this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20481/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service regrets the delay with this application and has contacted the applicant's parents directly in relation to the application.
767. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; the steps that his Department is taking to alleviate the pressures being felt on the ground regarding this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20511/22]
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.
The vast majority of online applications are processed within the turnaround times outlined below.
|
Online application type |
Current average turnaround time |
|
Simple renewals |
10 Working Days |
|
Complex renewals |
15 Working Days |
|
First time applicants |
30 Working Days |
In addition, 45% of adult renewal online applications are issued within one working day of receipt.
Last week, the Passport Service reduced the average turnaround time for first time applications from 35 working days to 30 working days. This followed an initial reduction in processing time from 40 working days to 35 working days which was made last month, and is a direct result of the staffing and resources the Department has invested in the Passport Service.
There are currently over 167,000 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.
The Passport Service is currently experiencing high demand for first time passports, particularly for children. First time passport applications 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 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.
In cases of children whose parents are not Irish citizens, the process can sometimes take longer due to the need to ensure that all of the required supporting documentation to prove the child’s entitlement to Irish citizenship is submitted and correct. Due to the high level of complexity with these particular applications, further documentation is often required, adding to the processing time.
Of the total number of applications currently in the Passport Service system, 42,600 are first time child applications. 15,000 (35%) of these first time child applications are incomplete. This means that the applicant has either not sent any documentation after they applied online or additional documentation has been requested by the Passport Service. The Passport Service cannot process applications that are not complete.
The Passport Service is taking a number steps to deal with increased demand on its services:
- The Passport Service has a comprehensive plan to ensure that adequate staff, accommodation and technology supports are in place to meet expected demand for passports in 2022.
- A major recruitment drive has been underway over the past several months, which has seen the number of Passport Service staff increase by over 300 since June 2021.
- The Passport Service is currently running its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers. This recruitment effort will bring staffing numbers to over 900, which represents a doubling of staff compared to June 2021.
- Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff is underway to increase the resources that can process complex applications, such as first time child applications.
- The Passport Service is prioritising first time applications and directing increased resources to processing these complex applications with a view to reducing the current turnaround time. Passport Service staff are working targeted overtime in this regard.
- The Urgent Appointment Service is available for customers who wish to renew their passport at short notice. Customers availing of this service can renew their passport within 1 or 4 days in Dublin, within 4 days in Cork and within 5 days in London.
- In February, the Passport Service increased the number of appointments at its public offices by 100%, providing an extra 170 Urgent Appointments per week.
- A new document management system was put in place at the beginning of March. This aims to improve the processing speed in the Passport Service offices, and subsequent turnaround times for the applicant. One particular feature of the new system improves the processing time for applicants who have been asked to submit additional documents. Once the additional documents are received, they are being prioritised and complete applications can then be processed in 3 weeks. This significantly reduces the processing time, particularly for first time applicants.
- A new Passport Service site in Swords, Co. Dublin opened in November 2021 and accommodates 140 staff. Works on expansion of the Passport Service site in Balbriggan began in January 2022 and it is anticipated that this will be completed in the autumn of 2022. This will accommodate 175 staff.
- Public information media campaigns reminding citizens to check and renew their passports will continue during this busy year.
- There is an updated Department of Foreign Affairs website, which includes a new passport service section where applicants can easily find out what additional documents are required for their type of application.
- The Passport Service is also working on public education materials, including video tutorials, with a view to assisting applicants to complete their application correctly. These videos will be shared on social media and will include instructions on submitting consent forms for child applications properly.
I am confident that the measures that have been implemented will help to reduce passport turnaround times in the course of 2022, particularly for first time applications, and will assist the Passport Service in meeting the high demand forecast for this year.
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.
769. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to an application by a person (details supplied) which was submitted on 26 August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20572/22]
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 30 August 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 may continue to 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.
770. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way that a person (details supplied) can apply for a business passport given that there is no facility to apply for a business passport online, the form cannot be downloaded from the passport website and an emergency in-person appointment with the passport service says explicitly do not use this service for second or business passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20630/22]
View answerThe Passport Service may in limited circumstances issue an additional passport in accordance with the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 to a citizen where business, frequent travel or particular visa requirements make it necessary to hold a second travel document.
The Passport Service considers applications for second passports for business purposes on a case by case basis. Extra time is needed to process these applications.
A first time business passport can be applied for using a standard paper based passport application (APS 2E) form. This form is available from the applicant's local Embassy or Consulate.
The applicant must submit a letter with the application form outlining that the application is for a business passport, along with the following supporting documents:
- Current personal passport (or photocopy of all pages)
- Letter from HR department demonstrating business case for second passport
- Company registration certificate
- Evidence that supports the need for a second passport, such as:
- visa stamps in current passport
- travel itineraries (future travel plans).
While applications for second passports are not currently facilitated via Passport Online, the Passport Service is continuing to expand its online service. This work is currently focused on making the service available to all first time applicants worldwide.
The Passport Service will contact the applicant in question to ensure that they have all the information they need to complete their application for a second passport.
771. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff within his Department who availed of a secondment from January 2019 to date on the basis that it was not the intention of the staff member to return to his or her position within the Department. [20642/22]
View answerThere are currently 21 staff on secondment from my Department. All are expected to return to their previous roles, or equivalent roles appropriate to their grade, following the conclusion of their secondment.
The Department of Foreign Affairs avails of secondments to facilitate temporary staff exchanges with strategic partners across the public and private sectors and, on occasion, to fill key specialised roles associated with time-bound projects.
All secondment agreements entered into since December 2021 are concluded in line with provisions set out in the Secondments Policy for the Civil Service as outlined in Circular 27/2021.
773. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the passport fee which is due to be refunded on applications (details supplied) given that the applications were cancelled by the Passport Office but the money remains outstanding. [20699/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service issued a refund for the applications on 17 February 2022.
774. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the passport fee which is due to be refunded on an application (details supplied) given that the application was cancelled by the Passport Office but the money remains outstanding. [20700/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a refund to the applicant.
