Written Answers Nos. 243-255
243. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the necessary information that is required in order to process a query through the Oireachtas passport query service; if the information on the attached passport query form is sufficient; if not, if additional information is required (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22037/22]
View answerIn response to the high volume of applications being submitted to the Passport Service, a temporary phone line was established in October 2021 to respond to Oireachtas members' queries on urgent passport cases.
In each case raised by an Oireachtas Member, the Passport Service reviews the application in question, and can provide an update as to the status and estimated issue by date of the application to the public representative. However, applications can only be expedited in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad. Such applications are expedited through the Travel Emergency service.
In cases where the estimated issue-by date has passed and the application is fully complete, the Passport Service will prioritise the application to ensure that no further delay is experienced.
While a form is not required in order to enquire about a citizen’s passport application, the representative making the call through the Oireachtas line must provide the following information to the Passport Service:
- The name of the TD or Senator that they are calling on behalf of
- Their Oireachtas email address
- The passport application number for the query
- Confirmation that consent has been received from the data subject (the applicant/guardian of applicant)
- Confirmation of the applicant/guardian of applicant’s name
It can also be helpful for the representative to have further information such as the applicant’s date of birth, in case an incorrect application number is provided to the Passport Service.
246. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the allegations which have been named CatalanGate; his views that there needs to be an official enquiry into this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22224/22]
View answerThe Government follows developments in Spain closely through our Embassy in Madrid and I am aware of the allegations referred to by the Deputy. I understand that it has been proposed that these will be subject to investigation by the appropriate channels in the Spanish public system and for that reason it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter further.
247. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Irish embassy in Kyiv will reopen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22234/22]
View answerFollowing the outbreak of the war, our Embassy in Kyiv has been working remotely from Ireland. In the coming weeks the Embassy will move its remote operation to Warsaw.
The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to review the situation and is conducting the necessary security and contingency planning in relation to a possible re-entry of officers into Ukraine in the future.
The Embassy and officers at the Department of Foreign Affairs HQ remain in ongoing contact with registered Irish citizens in Ukraine, currently approximately 30, and with Government of Ukraine on bilateral and multilateral matters.
248. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure a safe evacuation for civilians in relation to the civilians in the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol city which has been surrounded by Russian troops and the difficulties faced creating a humanitarian corridor to allow these people to escape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22243/22]
View answerI am deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, including in Mariupol where civilians are under siege in the Azovstal steel works and supplies are running out. The repeated failure to establish humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of besieged civilians, due to Russian shelling, is unconscionable.
Following his meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres on 26 April, President Putin expressed openness in principle to the safe evacuation of civilians from Azovstal, with the involvement of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a long and trusted humanitarian partner of Ireland and will receive €5 million as part of the announced €20 million Irish humanitarian aid package to support Ukrainians in-country and in refugee host countries. Irish Aid also provided €10 million in annual core funding to the ICRC in February. My officials are in regular contact with the ICRC, which has an established presence in Ukraine, and has been working to establish access to besieged civilians in Mariupol. As an impartial, independent and neutral organisation, the ICRC engages in dialogue with all parties to conflict and is therefore well-placed to facilitate the evacuation for civilians and wounded, once it is safe to do so.
Ireland is advocating and coordinating at the EU and UN level for safe passage and humanitarian access to be ensured. Satisfactory security guarantees and concrete and specific agreements need to be arranged and implemented if genuine humanitarian corridors are to function effectively, including evacuation of civilians from Mariupol.
249. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of secondments from his Department to the university third level sector over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22251/22]
View answerThere were no secondments from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the third level sector over the past two years.
250. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of fines and totality of the amount paid in respect of fines issued by the EU on his Department for failing to transpose EU directives; if he will include the directive that was not transposed on time; and if he will indicate the directives that are still not fully transposed for the past 25 years to date in 2022. [22326/22]
View answerThere have been no fines issued by the EU on my Department for failure to transpose EU directives.
251. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider rolling out a noise amelioration grants programme for residents of Rathcoole, County Dublin similar to that which is available to UK residents near military airfield given that Rathcoole is located directly below the take and approach surfaces of runway 04 for Casement airdrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21801/22]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that Casement aerodrome is the only operational military installation in the State and has been in operation since 1917. It is my understanding that the Air Corps have and continue to enjoy a good relationship with the residential and commercial communities in the surrounding environs. I am advised that neither my Department nor the Air Corps are aware of any causes for or complaints being made arising from ongoing operations. In the circumstances, I do not have any plans to introduce a grant scheme along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
252. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Defence the details of secondments from his Department to the university third level sector over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22246/22]
View answerNo officials have been seconded from my Department to the university third level sector over the past two years.
253. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if there are currently contracts in place with external providers that allows for a private company to send technicians from Britain to service planes in the service of the Air Corp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22286/22]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that there are no contracts of this description in place to service aircraft for the Air Corps.
254. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the status of the transfer of lands (details supplied) to Wicklow County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22287/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the formal legal transfer to Wicklow County Council has recently been finalised. The matter is now concluded from my Department's perspective.
255. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a schedule of fines and totality of the amount paid in respect of fines issued by the EU on his Department for failing to transpose EU directives; if he will include the directive that was not transposed on time; and if he will indicate the directives that are still not fully transposed for the past 25 years to date in 2022. [22321/22]
View answerMy Department has not incurred any fines for failing to transpose EU directives for the period in question.
