Written Answers Nos. 427-449
427. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23224/22]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not employ third parties to deal with public relations.
428. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration that the Government is giving to opening a passport office in Belfast. [23292/22]
View answerThe Passport Service is a unified service composed of three constituent offices located in Lower Mount Street and Balbriggan in Dublin and South Mall in Cork, respectively. Passport applications from all citizens - whether at home or abroad - are distributed for processing across the three Passport Offices, on the basis of the type of application rather than county or country of residence of the applicant.
Over 90% of all passport applications, including first time applications, are now being made through Passport Online. The Passport Service is committed to continuing to offer a range of application channels, including an offline service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service.
Passport Online is the priority channel for applications as there are many efficiencies built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
The paper-based, mail-in "Passport Express" service is available to citizens at almost 1,000 An Post post offices and at over 70 post office locations in Northern Ireland. The Passport Service continues to see a steady and increasing demand for passports from citizens in Northern Ireland. With the availability of both Passport Online and Passport Express very few applicants are required to travel a significant distance in order to apply for their passport.
In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork offer an Urgent Appointment service for passport renewal with a 1 or 4-day turnaround. The Passport Service offices in Dublin and Cork have processed almost 5,000 Urgent Appointments to date in 2022. These Urgent Appointment applications represents just 0.9% of the total 540,000 applications received by the Passport Service since January of this year.
I am satisfied overall that the range of service options available meets the current needs of passport applicants and that recent service improvements allow the Passport Service to provide this essential citizen service in an efficient and effective manner. While there are no plans to open additional passport offices, the Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance customer experience for citizens.
431. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a toddler (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23368/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service regrets the delay in processing this application and is prioritising it so that no further delay is experienced.
438. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23409/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service regrets the delay in processing this application. The application is being prioritised to ensure no further delays are experienced.
441. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international criminal courts in the Hague can pursue a war crimes charge against specific individual Russians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23416/22]
View answerThe International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over international crimes, including war crimes, that have been committed on the territory of Ukraine since 21 November 2013. Ukraine is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, but Article 12(3) of the Statute permits a state not party to the Statute to accept the jurisdiction of the ICC by lodging a declaration with the Registrar of the Court to that effect. Ukraine lodged two separate declarations in April 2014 and September 2015 accepting the jurisdiction of the ICC over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Ukraine.
On 28 February 2022 ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced his intention to begin the process of opening a formal investigation into the situation in Ukraine. The Prosecutor had 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 these areas.
On 2 March 2022, Ireland joined a group of concerned States Parties to the Statute in referring the situation in Ukraine to the ICC. The purpose of this referral was to remove the need for the Prosecutor to engage in a lengthy authorisation process before the Court’s Pre-Trail Chamber which would otherwise have been required to investigate a situation in a country not a party to the Statute.
The Prosecutor has now commenced investigation activities in Ukraine which are intended to lead to the prosecution at the ICC of individuals for the commission of international crimes, including war crimes. His office has deployed an investigation team to Ukraine to collect evidence and has established a dedicated portal through which any person who may hold information relevant to the Ukraine situation can contact ICC investigators. He has also joined a Eurojust Joint Investigation Team together with the national prosecution authorities of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania to facilitate cooperation between them on their respective investigations into international crimes committed in Ukraine.
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, including war 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. As part of our support for the Court, on 14 April I announced that Ireland will make a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC, with €1 million to be distributed immediately to the Office of the Prosecutor. This contribution will be used to benefit the ICC’s work across all situation countries, not just Ukraine.
443. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland can influence the international community to direct further humanitarian aid to those suffering as a result of the invasion of the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23418/22]
View answerThe evolving humanitarian situation in Ukraine and for those who have fled Ukraine is of grave concern.
At both EU and UN, Ireland has been active in encouraging coordinated international responses to those affected by the Russian invasion, including reporting on Minister Coveney's 14 April visit to Kyiv.
In 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. This report highlighted how Ireland uses its diplomatic, development and humanitarian tools, aligned with flexible funding models, to deliver results. It is this combined model that is being used to deliver Ireland’s response to those most affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Irish Aid humanitarian response has focused on those who remain in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries, such as Moldova and Poland. In addition to a €20 million Irish Aid humanitarian package which has been disbursed to organisations active on the ground in Ukraine or its immediate neighbours, 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.
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 whom 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.
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, demanded that the Russian Federation uphold its obligations under international law and encouraged the international community to provide all possible support to the Ukrainian people. On 5 May 2022, An Taoiseach participated in a pledging conference that raised €6.15 billion in humanitarian and economic supports for Ukraine. Together the EU and its Member States have provided nearly €1 billion in humanitarian assistance.
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. Ireland hosted an Arria Formula meeting at the UNSC last month on Conflict and Hunger to draw international attention to the impact of the war in Ukraine on global food security and the need to continue to support other humanitarian crisis.
445. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which bilateral and multilateral aid is currently being directed to the various locations in serious need at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23420/22]
View answerA Better World, Ireland's international development policy, focuses Irish Aid’s work on meeting the needs of the furthest behind first, with an emphasis on those in the world’s poorest or climate-exposed countries, especially women and girls.
The allocation to Official Development Assistance for 2022 is €1 billion, the highest ever and a 20% increase on last year’s allocation. This will allow Ireland to maintain its longstanding focus on meeting the needs of people furthest behind, such as those affected by food insecurity and conflict. Among the areas of focus this year are Ukraine, the Horn of Africa, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, as well as countries in the Sahel.
Ensuring that our resources reach those in greatest need is central to our work and our ability to do so is well-recognised. In 2020, for example, the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) highlighted Ireland as "an excellent humanitarian partner", with its funding models a "useful inspiration for other DAC donors", while respected international think-tank ODI found Ireland to be the most principled donor in its index.
Ireland's ODA is delivered through multilateral organisations such as the UN, funding to Irish civil society organisations, as well as bilateral ODA spent through Irish Embassies abroad. Our funding is complemented by Ireland's political and diplomatic engagement, including now as a member of the UN Security Council. These complementary channels ensure that Ireland’s ODA is directed to where it is needed most, in the most appropriate and effective way.
446. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community is focused on the need to address human rights abuses worldwide; the current level of activity in this regard or proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23421/22]
View answer449. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of cases of human rights abuses currently under investigation by the European Union or United Nations; when decisions are expected in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23424/22]
View answer455. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which re-evaluation of the United Nations has taken place with particular reference to ensuring a clear and unequivocal response in worldwide situations of human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23435/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 446, 449 and 455 together.
The promotion and protection of human rights is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland, as part of our commitment to a rules-based multilateral order with the United Nations at its core.
Our current term on the UN Security Council for 2021-2022 actively reflects that commitment, through our focus on ensuring accountability and mainstreaming human rights across all areas of the Security Council agenda.
The Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, is the primary international forum responsible for advancing respect for human rights. Our previous membership of the Council (2013-15) enabled us to contribute substantively to the promotion and protection of human rights. In order to continue this work, Ireland intends to seek our next term on the HRC for the period 2027 – 2029.
Ireland is committed to ensuring that the UN is capable of continuous reform to adapt to emerging as well as to traditional global challenges, including in the field of human rights. We work closely with EU partners including the EU Special Representative on Human Rights, Mr Eamon Gilmore, to ensure that the Human Rights Council, Special Procedures, and the UN Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Bodies are continuously strengthened to ensure an effective response to human rights violations and abuses.
The nature and scale of human rights cases under investigation by the UN varies from national Commissions of Inquiry to individual complaints to the Treaty Bodies. As such, consolidated figures on the number of cases are not available.
In addition, Ireland is a committed supporter of the International Criminal Court as the cornerstone of a strong international criminal justice system. We are providing a €3 million in funding which will assist with regard to all situations before the court. Currently, the Office of the Prosecutor is engaged in 17 investigations and 10 preliminary examinations across 25 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. As a result of the Prosecutor’s investigations, there are currently 22 cases against 29 individuals active before the International Criminal Court.
447. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which European enlargement continues to be encouraged strategically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23422/22]
View answer448. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in relation to new applications for European Union membership; the number outstanding for specific period; when a decision is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23423/22]
View answer450. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if associate membership of the European Union is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23426/22]
View answer451. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in regard to the admission to the European Union of Member States of the western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23425/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 447, 448, 450 and 451 together.
Ireland 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.
There are five recognised candidates for membership of the European Union: Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are recognised as potential candidates by the EU. Bosnia and Herzegovina has formally submitted an application for membership, while Kosovo has a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, and has indicated an intention to submit a formal application for EU membership during 2022.
On 28 February, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine submitted a letter to the Presidency formally applying for membership of the European Union, in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty. In light of the grave situation facing Ukraine, President Zelenskyy requested that the application be treated under ‘a special procedure’. Three days later Georgia and Moldova followed suit, submitting their letters of application on 03 March.
Currently, EU relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are set within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. ‘Association Agreements’ and ‘Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements’ (DCFTAs) are in place with all three aimed at promoting deeper political ties, stronger economic links and ensuring respect for common values. While some progress has been made over the years towards closer integration with the EU, progress on reforms has been slow overall.
Ukraine’s application was discussed at the informal European Council meeting on 10 & 11 March. This resulted in the ‘Versailles Declaration’, which acknowledged the “European aspirations and the European choice of Ukraine”. The European Council also invited the Commission to submit its opinion on all three applications in accordance with the established procedures, while noting that “Ukraine belongs to our European family”. The European Council meeting on 24-25 March again reaffirmed Ukraine’s European perspective and reiterated its invitation to the Commission to submit its opinion in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties. It is not clear at this stage when the Commission will submit its formal Opinion on all three applications though the analysis required understandably takes time and in the past, it has taken up to three years for the Commission to revert to the Council with their opinion.
Ireland strongly supports the European perspective of the Eastern Partnership’s associated partners, Ukraine, Moldova & Georgia. Ukraine in particular has made impressive progress in aligning with EU standards and deserves recognition for their efforts to defend European values. We have come together with a grouping of other EU Member States who are similarly strongly supportive of Ukraine’s application, with a view to providing political and practical assistance in support of Ukraine’s European perspective. The EU should encourage and support Ukraine’s application, though we should not minimise the steps that remain to be taken. There is no provision at present for any kind of ‘associated membership’ for those countries submitting formal membership applications.
In the Western Balkans, current issues relating to the enlargement process largely revolve around the commitment to opening Inter-Governmental Conferences (IGCs) with Albania and North Macedonia. The main obstacle to agreement is Bulgaria’s continued objection to moving ahead with opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia due to bilateral difficulties related to the Macedonian language, the Bulgarian community in North Macedonia, and the implementation of the 2017 Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations. Discussions are continuing between the Bulgarian and North Macedonian governments to resolve the issues and both countries are to be commended for their efforts to promote closer cooperation and improved relations.
The EU is continuing to encourage greater reform efforts on the part of Serbia and Montenegro, particularly in relation to Rule of Law and promotion of good governance. Serbia’s non-alignment with the EU common position relating to Russia has also been of concern recently.
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.
