Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 401-426

Passport Services

Questions (405)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

405. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport applications by persons (details supplied) will be expedited. [22939/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to two of the applicants and has provided an update as to the steps the applicant must take to progress the third application.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (406)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

406. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 23 March 2022, the status of any bilateral engagement he has had with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia with a view to bringing about an end to the war in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, driven by seven years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. I have held discussions with Special Envoy Grundberg as well as Major General Michael Beary, head of the United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement.

I have engaged extensively with the countries of the region, including in direct talks with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Deputy Foreign Minister al-Jubeir.

At the end of April I wrote to Saudi Foreign Minister Al Saud to acknowledge the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the GCC in hosting intra-Yemeni talks in Riyadh in March and April and to welcome the humanitarian funding pledged by Saudi Arabia for 2022. I welcomed the truce which was brokered by the UN on 2 April, and expressed our hope that all parties will use this opportunity to engage in dialogue, and bring about a permanent cessation of violence.

In addition to significant diplomatic efforts, Ireland has been a consistent and reliable donor to Yemen and has contributed over €37 million in humanitarian funding since 2015, including a commitment of €5 million for 2022 which I pledged on behalf of Ireland at the Pledging Conference for Yemen on 16 March. Ireland also contributes to the crisis in Yemen as an EU Member State. Since 2015, the EU has contributed over €1.2 billion, including €827 million in humanitarian aid and €407 million in development assistance.

Ireland will continue to support all efforts to end the terrible conflict in Yemen, including through direct engagement with Saudi Arabia and other regional actors and in the context of our position on the UN Security Council.

Question No. 407 answered with Question No. 389.

Diplomatic Representation

Questions (408)

Alan Kelly

Question:

408. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to appoint cultural officers in the Irish Embassy in Athens, Greece. [22953/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The appointment of full-time specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide has been identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. Five positions in Berlin, London, New York, Los Angeles and Beijing have been filled to date in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Consideration is being given at present to further such appointments in priority locations and regions as part of the Global Ireland programme, subject to resources and to local conditions and requirements. The cultural brief in Athens is currently managed by the Embassy's diplomatic staff.

Foreign Policy

Questions (409)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

409. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a recent review has been carried out on current strategies and protocols in relation to bringing Irish citizens home who have been stranded overseas against their will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23000/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department undertook consular operations on an unprecedented scale in 2020 and 2021. A major element of the assistance provided was the repatriation of Irish citizens from around the world. In 2020, for example, my Department assisted more than 8,000 citizens to return to Ireland.

Informed by the particular circumstances of the pandemic, my Department now has in place a comprehensive approach to supporting, where appropriate, significant groups of Irish citizens requiring repatriation from overseas in crisis situations. In general, citizen repatriation is facilitated through commercial flight options while these remain available. The second preference is to help facilitate citizen repatriation through charter flights operated by EU partners – under the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism – or by other international partners. As a last resort, where no other options are available and where specified conditions are met, my Department may explore the chartering of an aircraft to facilitate stranded citizens to return to Ireland.

Where citizens are carried on flights chartered by the Government or by EU or other international partners, every effort is made to ensure that fares are set at a reasonable level and that passengers are billed in advance of travel. Citizens who it has been established do not have the means to pay in advance of travel, may be repatriated on the basis of an undertaking to repay the relevant costs at a subsequent time. Detailed procedures to oversee the recoupment of funds are in place.

On 4 December 2021, in exceptional circumstances, my Department arranged for a charter flight to assist 156 people to return to Ireland from Morocco, following the suspension by the Moroccan authorities of regular commercial flights. In January 2022, an internal review of that operation was conducted and a number of policy recommendations were made for the operation of future repatriation charter flights arranged by the Government. My Department will keep its approach in this area under review to ensure that the policies and protocols in place continue to provide the appropriate consular assistance to Irish citizens who find themselves stranded overseas while also ensuring robust procedures are in place to manage Government funds.

My Department does not generally offer financial assistance to Irish citizens stranded overseas. In individual cases where it has been established that a citizen cannot access funds for one reason or another, a procedure is in place for the advance of funds through our embassy network to facilitate the return of the citizen to Ireland. In such cases, funds are advanced on the basis of an undertaking to repay the relevant costs at a subsequent time, which is followed up after the citizen has returned to Ireland.

Human Rights

Questions (410)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

410. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view on possibly compromising trade relations with China by forming a human rights position on the Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23001/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland has a wide-ranging relationship with China, which covers political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links. The Government takes a holistic approach to this relationship; our trade relationship with China is not considered separately from our values and priorities including in relation to human rights.

The protection and promotion of human rights remains a core pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy. In the pursuit of our bilateral relations, the Government takes the full breadth of Ireland's values and interests into account. We will remain alert to situations of concern as they arise.

In this context, Ireland frequently raises issues of concern, including regarding the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, with the Chinese government directly and in appropriate multilateral fora. Ireland remains deeply concerned about the evidence-based reports of human rights abuses and violations in Xinjiang. I raised these concerns when I met my Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in China last May. We have most recently raised our concerns at the 49th United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2022, including in a national statement, and in the UN Third Committee on Human Rights in October 2021. I am pleased to hear confirmation that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet will travel to China and will visit Xinjiang. This needs to be a transparent mission, with unfettered access.

Ireland has strong trade figures with China. In 2020, total bilateral trade (goods and services) was worth €28.8 billion. Total trade in goods for the period January -December 2021 was worth €20 billion.

Northern Ireland

Questions (411)

Pa Daly

Question:

411. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recent representations that he has made to the British government with regards to the implementation of New Decade, New Approach. [22008/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement reached in January 2020 was a significant shared achievement in restoring the power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to operation. As we have set out in the Programme for Government, we will work to ensure that the agreement is implemented in full.

I have remained in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to discuss progress with respect to the implementation of the NDNA, including most recently as part of recent British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) that took place at the end of March. The next BIIGC is scheduled to take place in June.

For our part, the Government published a series of commitments, at the time of NDNA, focused on working with the Executive through the North South Ministerial Council to deliver projects that benefit people across the island, including greater connectivity between North and South; investing in the North West region and in border communities; supporting the Irish language in Northern Ireland; and supporting reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process. Although Covid 19 has been the understandable focus in the time since the NDNA was reached, nevertheless progress has been made to implement those important commitments.

The package of language and identity legislation agreed in New Decade New Approach was detailed and balanced and should be implemented without delay – as should all the commitments in NDNA. This would have been better done in the Assembly as intended but there is no reason for further delay or deadlock over the positive measures agreed in support of linguistic diversity and cultural expression in Northern Ireland. It should be advanced on the basis of the legislative provisions negotiated, agreed and published at the time of NDNA. I look forward to seeing progress on this legislation in Westminster as soon as possible, as committed to by the Secretary of State.

As part of the NDNA, it was also agreed that there would be regular review meetings involving the two Governments at Ministerial level and the parties to monitor progress on its implementation, and the delivery of commitments by each Government. On 11 January 2021, I participated in the first Implementation Review Meeting alongside the First Minister, deputy First Minister, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and party leaders in Northern Ireland. It is regrettable that a second review meeting has not been able to take place to date; however, it is hoped that a second review meeting can take place in the period ahead.Of course, Assembly Elections have just taken place and the formation of an Executive is now the important focus for the parties, and we will continue to work in full support of the institutions. The full implementation of the NDNA is a key priority for the Government in the period ahead, and we will work with a new Executive and the British Government to this end. The agreement reached in NDNA will also shape our approach to getting the institutions up and running. We will also work to ensure a resumption of full and regular meetings of the North South Ministerial Council as part of these efforts.

Ukraine War

Questions (412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 440, 442, 444)

Neale Richmond

Question:

412. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his work at European Union level in response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. [18298/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

413. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts in regard to the Russian attack on Ukraine. [15296/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

414. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he sees a role for Ireland in promoting an early ceasefire in Ukraine. [16687/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

415. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Ukrainian issue was discussed during the course of discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts. [15297/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

416. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he directly or through the European Union or the United Nations can bring about a ceasefire and withdrawal of Russia from Ukraine. [16688/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

440. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action that can be taken at European Union and United Nations level to challenge the atrocities taking place in the Ukraine with particular reference to the principle of the scorched earth policy being pursued by Russia against the Ukraine; if a charge in the international criminal courts can be sustained by the perpetrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23415/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

442. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the European Union continues to make itself less dependable on the Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23417/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

444. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community is activated in a response to the invasion of the Ukraine; if this is likely to manifest itself in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23419/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 412, 414, 415, 416, 440, 442 and 444 together.

Ireland has been staunch and unwavering in its support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.Since Russia's further invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, my officials have formally registered Ireland's opposition to Russia's actions with the Russian Ambassador. Ireland stands ready to support any initiative which can deliver peace, in line with international humanitarian law as well as international human rights norms and standards, and which respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

I witnessed with my own eyes the shocking aftermath of the devastation in the Ukrainian town of Bucha. I expressed to the Mayor of Bucha, Mr. Anatoliy Fedoruk, the sincere condolences of the Irish Government and people. I committed to bearing witness to these terrible atrocities and to raising the situation internationally. Those who perpetrated these heinous crimes must be brought to justice.On 19 April, as I promised to the mayor of Bucha and Foreign Minister Kuleba, I briefed the UN Security Council on my visit to Ukraine. I described how I stood at the edge of one of the mass graves, where the work of carefully exhuming bodies continued. 503 civilians had been identified at that stage - and just 4 soldiers. At the UN Security Council, I was clear that these facts speak to an utter disregard by Russian forces for their clear and unambiguous obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. Ireland will continue to use our membership on the UN Security Council to hold Russia accountable for its actions.

Ireland is one of over 40 countries that referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is providing a further €3 million to the ICC. Investigation teams from the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC are already actively collecting evidence from Ukraine.

On 4 May, the European Commission presented proposals for a sixth package of sanctions aimed at depriving Russia and Belarus of the ability to wage war on Ukraine. The package will include additional listings of individuals and entities, including high-ranking military officers and other individuals deemed to have been involved in committing atrocities in Bucha and in the siege of the city of Mariupol. The package also targets additional Russian and Belarussian banks, including Sberbank, Russia's largest bank. Three big Russian state-owned broadcasters responsible for Russian state propaganda will be sanctioned, and will be unable to distribute their content in any form in the EU or attract advertising. The package also targets services, including accountancy, public relations and consultancy services to Russian companies.

A complete import ban on all Russian oil is also proposed, to be introduced in an orderly fashion, it is hoped agreement can be reached soon to ensure that EU Member States can secure alternative supplies. Crude oil will be phased out within six months, and refined products such as petrol and diesel by the end of the year. There are also provisions to prevent Russia from diversifying its client base for oil products, including a ban on the provision of insurance and financing for the shipping of Russian oil.Ireland has allocated €20 million in direct humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, via the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN agencies. Additionally, at EU level, Ireland has contributed €11.5m to an EU humanitarian assistance package of €550m.

The EU is providing a €1.5 billion package of European Peace Facility (EPF) support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ireland is contributing its full share (€33 million), which will go towards non-lethal elements only.

As I re-iterated when I met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in April, Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU Membership. We have come together with a group of other Member States, with a view to providing political and practical assistance in support of Ukraine’s European perspective.In February, the EU Council agreed a €1.2 billion emergency macro-financial assistance package for Ukraine. Preparations for the swift disbursement of the second €600 million tranche of this assistance are underway.

EU leaders agreed to develop a Ukraine Solidarity Trust Fund with a view to the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine, once the Russian onslaught has ceased.

Ireland has and will continue to play an active, constructive and compassionate role at EU level in meeting the challenges which arise from Russia's illegal military aggression.

Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 413.

Question No. 415 answered with Question No. 413.

Question No. 416 answered with Question No. 413.

Social Media

Questions (417)

Holly Cairns

Question:

417. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23049/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Simon Coveney)

My Department takes its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 seriously, and we are committed to providing services in both official languages, including communications campaigns promoting the Irish language at home and overseas around International Mother Language Day, Seachtain na Gaeilge, and European Day of Languages. In terms of social media, given the fact that the Department’s outreach is primarily targeted at foreign audiences, there is a limited scope for social media posts exclusively in Irish. Instead therefore we usually provide Irish language posts with some English text included to ensure that the context and meaning of posts is understood abroad.

Platform	Irish (Exclusively	Irish (Featured)
Twitter	1.10%	6.45%
Facebook	0.50%	19.60%
LinkedIn	0%	14.29%

Social Media

Questions (418)

Holly Cairns

Question:

418. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts that were exclusively in languages besides English or Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that featured languages besides English or Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23067/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Simon Coveney)

The Department’s official social media accounts primarily target at foreign audiences and therefore provide content in multiple languages in addition to English and Irish. Most foreign language social media posts however are undertaken directly by Ireland’s missions and Embassies abroad and fall outside the remit of this response.

In terms of Departmental HQ social media accounts, along with running our own communications campaigns around St Patrick’s Day, St Brigid’s Day, Bloomsday, Hallowe’en and other significant events in multiple languages, we also participate in initiatives such as World Portuguese Language Day and International Francophonie Day, amongst others. The Department’s official accounts often ensure that foreign language posts include some English text to ensure accessibility to as wide an audience as possible.

Platform	Not Irish or English (Exclusive)	Not Irish or English (Featured)
Twitter	1.26%	4.87%
Facebook	0.50%	18.09%
LinkedIn	0%	1%

Social Media

Questions (419)

Holly Cairns

Question:

419. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts that included closed captioning and or subtitling between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23085/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Simon Coveney)

My Department complies with the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. The Department endeavours to ensure that its video content is accessible to as many people as possible, and we are committed to providing Departmental videos with closed captioning and/or subtitling where practical.

Platform	CC or Subtitled
Twitter	68.53%
Facebook	89.61%
LinkedIn	78.05%

Citizenship Applications

Questions (420)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

420. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied). [23121/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My 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 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 26 February 2020, and is due to be processed in the near future. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant shortly in this regard.

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.

Question No. 421 answered with Question No. 391.

Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 390.

Question No. 423 answered with Question No. 390.

Question No. 424 answered with Question No. 391.

Question No. 425 answered with Question No. 391.

Ukraine War

Questions (426)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

426. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of contracts awarded in 2022 by his Department or bodies under his aegis outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23195/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not awarded any contracts in 2022 related to the provision of assistance to refugees arriving in the State from Ukraine.