Written Answers Nos. 401-420
401. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to introducing a commercial rates waiver for businesses struggling with soaring inflation costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39567/22]
View answerLocal authorities levy rates on property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015.
In order to support businesses and ratepayers, and in recognition of the impacts of COVID-19, the Government funded the cost of commercial rates waivers in recent years. These waivers applied for significant portions of 2020, 2021 and into 2022. These were unprecedented measures, which offered support to businesses and financial certainty to local authorities.
Government has the challenge of balancing competing demands for finite resources. There are no current plans to extend the COVID-19 commercial rates waiver beyond Q1 2022 or to introduce further rates subvention from central Government.
Local authorities are fully aware of the exceptional circumstances faced by many ratepayers in the last nearly two years and have worked with ratepayers to agree flexible payment options that reflect capacity to pay.
402. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department given that it has exceeded its estimated date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38799/22]
View answer404. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine and expedite a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38823/22]
View answer406. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that new photos were submitted in June but the tracker has not updated and the family is due to travel on 17 July 2022. [38880/22]
View answer408. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38912/22]
View answer412. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review an urgent passport request (details supplied); and if he will provide an update on the matter. [39168/22]
View answer423. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39423/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 402, 404, 406, 408, 412 and 423 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
403. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38822/22]
View answerDue to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration (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 over 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.
The processing of FBR applications resumed in November 2021. FBR staff have since processed 7,000 FBR applications while also continuing to provide support to Passport services due to the unprecedented levels of passport demand.
The FBR Service provides 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. For other applications, the FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt.
Supporting documentation for the application to which the Deputy has referred was received on 7 October 2020, and is due to be processed in the near future. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in this regard.
The Passport Service has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand for passports and FBRs since June of last year. Over 570 staff have been assigned to the Passport Service since June 2021, including 200 who have started since May of this year.
The unprecedented level of staff currently working in the Passport Service will be maintained in the months ahead. This will allow for the reassignment of additional staff to the processing of FBR applications with the aim of significantly reducing turnaround times for these applications by the end of this year.
405. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address the reports of cross-border attacks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda at the United Nations Security Council; the steps which Ireland and the European Union are taking to support peace talks by the east African Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38859/22]
View answerIreland has consistently expressed concern at the conflict and insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during our term to date. Unfortunately, recent months have seen an increase in insecurity and violence in eastern DRC and a worrying escalation of tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. At the most recent discussion on the DRC at the UNSC on 29 June, Ireland specifically expressed concern at rising tensions and stressed the importance of regional efforts to address the crisis.
Ireland supports the efforts of the United Nations, through the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), to reduce violence and instability in DRC, both through our membership of the UNSC and our deployment of personnel to MONUSCO.
Ireland has been a troop contributing country to MONUSCO, previously MONUC, since 2001. Additionally, Ireland provided €4.9 million in humanitarian assistance to the DRC in 2021, and have committed a further €4.4 million for humanitarian assistance and response in 2022.
The European Union (EU) is currently actively engaged in the DRC and has encouraged the development of a strategic, political resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC. Ireland has emphasised the importance of the engagement of national and regional organisations and actors to promote peace and stability in DRC and the wider Great Lakes Region, including as a member of UNSC and the EU. The DRC will be among the subjects to be discussed by EU Foreign Ministers when the next meet on 18 July. Ireland has welcomed the efforts of the East African Community Heads of State Conclave, including the Nairobi peace process, and the recent summit between the Presidents of DRC and Rwanda hosted by the International Conference on the Great Lakes (ICGLR) in Luanda, Angola.
Ireland will continue to maintain that politicisation of instability must not be allowed to deepen the current crisis in eastern DRC. As a UNSC member, Ireland will steadfastly encourage efforts by regional and international partners to de-escalate tensions and build trust. Regional cooperation remains essential in the pursuit of peace and security, and Ireland will continue to highlight the importance of the ongoing implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region, and to encourage constructive engagement in the Nairobi peace process and the implementation of the ICGLR Roadmap.
407. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) and its calls for greater co-ordination and planning, stronger communications and engagement with civil society organisations meeting the needs of people fleeing Ukraine and the communities in which they now live; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38885/22]
View answerI thank the Deputy for bringing my attention to this campaign concerning the needs of those fleeing the war being waged against Ukraine by Russia.
My Department is in ongoing contact with the Embassy of Ukraine in Ireland and is leading on the foreign policy aspects of this crisis, including on support to the Ukrainian armed forces for the defence of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and the protection of Ukrainian civilians through the European Peace Facility; the imposition of sanctions on Russia and Belarus; support to Ukraine in their successful application for EU candidate status; support for the UN and NGOS providing emergency humanitarian aid to those in most need in Ukraine and neighbouring countries; and leading efforts at the UN Security Council, the Council of Europe and other international organisations to hold Russia to account for its actions.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also participates in the Senior Officials Group, chaired and coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, which meets on a weekly basis to coordinate the Government's response to the Ukraine crisis, including the response of relevant Departments to the needs of Ukrainians in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive. The issues raised in the Ukraine Civil Society Emergency Response submission focus on the areas of responsibility of a number of government departments who provide supports to Ukrainians in Ireland and within whose remit the various policy proposals and suggestions fall.
409. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff who are abated under his Department in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38952/22]
View answerWhile my Department is aware of and compliant with the abatement provisions of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, there are currently no staff who are subject to abatement.
410. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38972/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
411. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the duration for which that he will run the pilot project in respect of the proposal for Passport Office officials to verify Garda log entries by a designated email process (details supplied) before rolling out the procedure. [39092/22]
View answerThere are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. The witnessing of these forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the passport application form. In the case of children's applications, it ensures that the consent of guardians is verified.
Garda stations maintain logs of these witnessed forms for verification purposes. For each application involving a Garda witness, the Passport Service calls the relevant Garda station to confirm that the Garda witness recorded the witnessed form in the station logbook. Passport Service staff will call the relevant Garda station up to three times to verify the Garda's signature.
In cases where the Garda signature cannot be verified by calling the Garda station, a new system has been established between the Passport Service and An Garda Síochána to verify these applications. This new system assists in reducing the number of applications that are delayed due to a failure to verify witness details. An average of 15 applications per day are verified in this manner. Over the past four weeks, the Passport Service has issued over 6,000 passports per day.
This system was fully rolled out across the Passport Service in June 2022. The Passport Service and An Garda Síochána will keep the system under review to ensure that it continues to operate effectively.
413. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the Government’s international engagement on the Irish protocol particularly with the European Union, the United States and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39178/22]
View answerAs has been the case throughout the Brexit process, the Taoiseach and Ministers continue our intensive engagement with our counterparts from other Member States, the EU institutions, and globally in support of our Brexit priorities. This outreach is supplemented by our Embassies abroad and by senior officials across the civil service. Solidarity with Ireland’s position and support for the Commission’s approach and for minimising disruption in Northern Ireland remains steadfast among our EU partners.
The Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister Johnson on 10 May and engaged with representatives of the UK Government, the NI Executive, Scotland, Wales, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, and Jersey at the British-Irish Council Summit meeting in Guernsey on 8 July. He is in ongoing contact with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel, and met with Commission Vice-President Šefcovic on 7 June.
I spoke on 13 June with European Commission Vice-President Šefcovic about the UK Government’s publication of draft legislation on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. I speak regularly with my EU counterparts including during my recent visits to Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Spain and Sweden, as well as in the margins of EU meetings such as the Foreign Affairs Council, and meetings in other international forums. On 3 July, in a joint article in the UK’s Observer newspaper with German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, we made clear our concerns about the UK’s unilateral approach on the Protocol and set out a way forward based on partnership and vision.
Minister of State Byrne also avails of the opportunities of meetings with his counterparts at the General Affairs Council and in capitals to reiterate our position and to thank them for their ongoing support.
I am also in ongoing contact with my counterparts in the British Government, as well as with stakeholders in Northern Ireland. I spoke by phone to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on 13 June and expressed my deep disappointment at the UK’s proposed illegal actions. Far from fixing the challenges arising from the Northern Ireland Protocol, the UK’s Northern Ireland Protocol Bill will create a whole new set of uncertainties and damage relationships within Northern Ireland, across our islands, between our governments, and between the UK and the EU and its Member States. I spoke by phone to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shailesh Vara on 7 July and met with him in London on 11 July.
The Government remains in regular contact with the US administration. I travelled to Washington D.C. at the end of April where I discussed the Protocol with senior members of the Biden administration, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Minister of State Byrne travelled to the US for a series of engagements in June. I have welcomed a number of US Congressional Delegations to Ireland in recent months, including a bipartisan Congressional Delegation which visited Dublin and Kerry in May. We are grateful for continued bipartisan US support for peace and stability in NI throughout the Brexit process, and we will continue to ensure that the Irish perspective is understood through continued high-level contact, as well as through ongoing engagement by our Embassy in Washington, D.C.
414. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the Government engagement on the issue of accession to the European Union of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldovia and the Western Balkan countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39179/22]
View answerIreland 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 currently seven recognised candidates for membership of the European Union: Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova. Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia are recognised as potential candidates by the EU. Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have formally submitted applications 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 17 June 2022, the European Commission presented its Opinions on the EU membership applications submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova as invited by the European Council. The Commission recommended that candidate status be granted to Ukraine and Moldova, on the understanding that reforms are taken in a number of areas. It was also recommended that candidate status eventually be granted to Georgia, once a number of priority reforms have been addressed, with the Commission to review progress on all three applications by the end of 2022. Ireland welcomed and supported the 23 June decision of the European Council to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and to Moldova and potential candidate status to Georgia.
Ireland has long advocated for this outcome and I have strongly supported Ukraine's EU perspective at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. As I re-iterated when I met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in April, Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU membership. President Zelenskyy also expressed his thanks for Ireland being in the leading group of countries supporting Ukraine’s candidacy during the Taoiseach’s visit to Kyiv on 5-6 July.
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. I and my officials have also had frequent meetings with representatives of the Ukrainian, Georgian and Moldovan authorities on the issue of EU membership, including with the Embassy teams of those countries here in Ireland.
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 has been Bulgaria’s 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.
Diplomatic efforts led by the outgoing French Presidency have been underway in recent weeks to resolve the issues. On 24 June the Bulgarian Parliament approved a proposal from the French Presidency aimed at resolving the impasse and lifting the veto. Following further discussions, including en marge of the NATO Summit in Madrid on 29-30 June, the French Presidency produced a revised proposal which has been accepted by the North Macedonian government and submitted to the country’s national assembly for consideration, with a parliamentary vote expected on 15 July.
The issue was discussed during the joint visit of the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, T.D., with his Finnish counterpart, Tytti Tuppurainen, to Skopje on 4 July with both Ministers emphasising that the latest Presidency proposal represented a clear opportunity for North Macedonia to advance on its European track while safeguarding both the Macedonian language and identity.
Elsewhere, 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’s aggression against Ukraine has also been of concern recently.
The possibility of granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina was also discussed at the June European Council meeting. Ireland welcomes that the Commission will be providing a further report on the country’s progress in meeting its reform agenda, and looks forward to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina as it advances further on its European path.
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.
415. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made in relation to the processing of Irish passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39180/22]
View answer424. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff recruited to the Passport Office each month to date in 2022; the number of passport applications for each type of passport processed each month in 2022; the average waiting time for processing each type of passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39506/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 424 together.
The Passport Service is already out-performing any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. Over 720,000 passports have been issued to date in 2022, compared to 634,000 in the whole of last year.
The Passport Service continues to outperform its previous busiest year, 2019, by over 20%.
The Passport Service is continually working to deliver enhanced customer experience and service delivery to our citizens. This year the Passport Service is experiencing an unprecedented volume of demand for passports. This is as a direct result of pent-up demand for travel after two years of pandemic-related restrictions.
This level of demand is not unique to Ireland. In countries such as the UK and United States, the turnaround time for all types of passports can be up to 10 weeks. The Passport Service has decreased the processing times for first time online applications by 40% since March. Processing time for first time online applications now takes 25 working days, down from 40 working days in March. In addition, almost half of adult online renewals are processed within 2 days. The Passport Service is performing at its highest capacity ever and is producing an average of almost 6,000 passports per day.
The current processing times are:
- Online adult renewal - 10 working days
- Online child/complex renewal - 15 working days
- Online first time application - 25 working days (from 6 June)
- An Post Passport Service - 8 weeks
In order to achieve these type of results and to continue to improve the service, my Department has made an unprecedented investment in the Passport Service. In terms of staffing, over 570 staff have been assigned to the Passport Service since June of last year, including 200 since May 2022. The addition of these staff has allowed the Passport Service to maintain its current turnaround times in the face of enormous levels of demand.
In addition to significantly more staff being assigned, the Passport Service has made important improvements as follows that will help to ensure that passport applications can be processed within turnaround times:
- A large number of the new staff have been assigned to the Customer Service Hub. This has greatly increased the number of calls and webchats being answered and is assisting with customers getting access to the information they need. In recent weeks, the number of calls handled by the Hub has risen to over 2,000 per day.
- In May the Passport Service released two online video guides that provide tips to ensure that passport photos and witnessed consent forms for children are correctly submitted. Passport photos and witnessed consent forms are some of the main reasons that an application may be rejected, so it is important the customers have all the information they need to ensure that these are submitted correctly. These easy-to-follow video guides are available on my Department's website and social media channels and I encourage all applicants to watch them before they submit their application.
- The Passport Service has worked with An Garda Síochána to develop a system for verifying Garda witnesses on passport applications in cases where the Garda signature cannot be verified. This system assists in reducing the number of applications that are delayed due to a failure to verify witness details.
- Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff has been underway for several months to increase the resources that can process complex applications, such as first time child applications.
- Passport Online is continuing to expand and is now available to 97% of our citizens around the world. Most recently, Passport Online has been rolled out to first time applicants in the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar. The availability of Passport Online worldwide will continue to enhance customer experience and will mean even more efficiencies for the Passport Service.
I encourage all citizens to check their passports before booking any travel and to apply online and on time.
The information requested by Deputy Whitmore is outlined below in tabular form:
The number of Passport Service staff recruited in each month to date in 2022:
|
2022 |
Number of new staff assigned to Passport Service |
|
January |
115 |
|
February |
26 |
|
March |
13 |
|
April |
8 |
|
May |
40 |
|
June |
150 |
|
July to date |
25 |
Number of passports issued broken down by application type, for each month January-June 2022:
|
2022 |
First time applications |
Renewal Applications |
Total |
|
January |
9,108 |
76,593 |
85,701 |
|
February |
14,973 |
111,083 |
126,056 |
|
March |
18,857 |
89,853 |
108,710 |
|
April |
20,681 |
95,957 |
116,638 |
|
May |
25,304 |
96,794 |
122,098 |
|
June |
24,443 |
96,494 |
120,937 |
|
Total |
113,366 |
566,774 |
680,140 |
416. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the Government’s engagement with the European Union on the issue of food security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39181/22]
View answerIreland is a recognised champion of international food security and global efforts to reduce hunger. In light of the deepening global food security crisis, we are actively engaged in discussions on these matters at a range of EU fora. We are particularly concerned at the situation in least developed, and import-reliant developing countries, including in the Horn of Africa. These countries are experiencing the compound impacts of COVID-19, climate change and conflict, and, now the devastating consequences of Russia’s invasion.
The Taoiseach’s participation in the European Council on 23-24 June is a notable example of this engagement, along with our contributions to Council Conclusions for a Team Europe Global Food Security Response, adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 June. EU Member States have agreed to combat Russian efforts to assign blame to EU/Western sanctions for the food crisis; reduce the dependence of partner countries on grain imports; promote sustainable food systems; and to mobilise EU funding. Solidarity in facilitating exports from Ukraine was also highlighted, with support expressed for the proposed EU ‘Solidarity Lanes’ that will facilitate the release of 22 Million tonnes of grain trapped in Ukraine.
The EU has now committed €5 billion in funding to support global food security over the next three years. This includes immediate measures through its Neighbourhood South Facility; the launch of a €225 million ‘Food and Resilience Facility’; a €1 billion pledge in support of the Sahel and Lake Chad regions; and a pledge of over €600 million for the Horn of Africa.
Ireland is committed to an effective, rapid, and well-co-ordinated Team Europe response to the global food security crisis, and we will continue to play our part. Last year, we committed €800 million to nutrition work over the next five years; we signed a three-year partnership with the World Food Programme for €75 million; and, we increased our funding to the International Fund for Agricultural Development by 67%.
417. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the Government’s plans to increase overseas aid to deal with the threat of famine which has been made worse by the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39182/22]
View answerGlobal food insecurity is at record levels and has worsened with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Rising global food prices have been exacerbated by the effective blockade on shipping from Ukraine's ports which has restricted access to wheat and fertilisers. The United Nation’s outlook for the coming months highlights twenty global hunger hotspots where humanitarian action is an urgent priority.
In its review of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) published in 2020, the OECD found Ireland to be an excellent humanitarian partner. Ireland is supporting responses worldwide including a strong focus on the 20 hunger hotspots and the 2022 allocation of €126 million for Irish Aid’s humanitarian action is substantially higher than 2021. In addition the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine has provided €25 million to assist the World Food Programme’s activities in crisis countries. In order to help address the underlying causes of food insecurity Ireland has pledged to invest €800 million by 2027 in improving global food and nutrition systems.
The Horn of Africa, to give one specific example of our response, is experiencing one of the most severe droughts in at least forty years. Responding, my Department has contributed over €48 million in humanitarian support to Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia over the past 18 months. These interventions complement the Irish Aid investment of over €12 million in development funding last year, including in partnership with Irish NGOs.
In addition, the region is being supported through Ireland’s contributions to multilateral humanitarian action, such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland prepositions funds with partners such as the CERF which enables them to react immediately to crises as they happen. Since 2021, the CERF has allocated almost $100 million to help drought-affected communities in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Ireland is the 8th largest contributor to CERF providing €11.5 million in 2022. Ireland has supported a strong EU response and in April the EU pledged €348 million for 2022 to provide both humanitarian assistance and longer-term support to tackle root causes of food insecurity.
At the UN Security Council Ireland will continue to draw international attention to humanitarian crises. As the informal focal point on Conflict and Hunger on the Security Council, Ireland is a consistent advocate on global food insecurity. We are also a strong voice at the EU on collective action and the urgent need for scaled up responses.
418. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39236/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired the Passport Service has reviewed the application and progressed it as appropriate.
419. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to upgrade the Irish Honorary Consul in Cancun, Mexico to a Consulate General Office. [39261/22]
View answerIreland has a network of 92 Honorary Consuls in 54 countries. The position is honorary and Honorary Consuls play an important role in delivering consular assistance and services to our citizens and in representing Ireland abroad.
While the role and functions performed by Honorary Consuls can vary, they are generally appointed to provide consular services and assistance to Irish citizens in their area of accreditation. They act as a focal point for the local Irish community, particularly in countries where there is no resident Mission, and they assist with trade promotion and arrangements for high-level visits, in consultation with their supervising Mission, as well as promoting the increase of Ireland’s visibility and profile.
The Honorary Consulate in Cancun has been in place since August 2008, and the term of the current Honorary Consul there was recently renewed until August 2026. The Government has no plans to upgrade the Honorary Consul in Cancun to a Consulate General office. The Embassy team in Mexico City manages Ireland’s relations with Mexico. It is considering appointing new Honorary Consuls in the coming months in the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, and has invited suitable candidates to submit expressions of interest.
The Governments Global Ireland programme aims to see Ireland’s global footprint and influence double in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. Since its launch in June 2018, 14 new Missions have been opened, including, in 2021, in Kyiv, Manchester, Manila and Rabat. A Government decision in 2021 approved the opening of a further four new Missions in Dakar, Lyon, Miami and Toronto. Along with the reopening of our Embassy in Tehran, this will bring to 19 the number of new Missions opened as a key deliverable of 'Global Ireland' .
All Missions are located in regions where there are opportunities for Ireland to advance our national, political and economic priorities. Missions work as part of an integrated Team Ireland in cooperation with State Agencies and other Government Departments, to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development of opportunities in trade, tourism, investment, science, technology and innovation, culture and education.
420. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken formally with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Thailand in the past 12 months. [39262/22]
View answerIn recent weeks we have had excellent communication and exchange, at both Ministerial and official level, with the Kingdom of Thailand. Although I have not had a meeting so far in 2022 with Thailand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am pleased to report that Thailand’s Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Vijavat Isarabhakdi, travelled to Ireland earlier this month and met with Minister of State Brophy.
On 12 July, Thailand’s Ambassador to Ireland met with the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The first Bilateral and Political Consultations between Ireland and Thailand were also held in Dublin on 1 July, marking a significant milestone in our deepening bilateral relationship.
As COVID-19 travel restrictions lift, outward ministerial visits have also recommenced. Minister of State Rabbitte travelled to Thailand in June to attend the Global Summit of Women in Bangkok where she met with the Minister for Social Development and Human Security, Mr Juti Krairiksh.
Throughout the year Ireland’s Embassy in Thailand maintains communication with Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and senior officials in the Thai government. In line with established Department of Foreign Affairs reporting procedures, the Embassy’s team provide regular reports on developments in Thailand and I am kept fully informed of ongoing work.
