Written Answers Nos. 983-997
984. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41118/22]
View answer985. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41136/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 984 and 985 together.
It is standard international practice, usually by prior mutual agreement, to exchange small, modestly valued, representative gifts between Ministers and foreign dignitaries during ministerial and other high-level visits to and from Ireland. On occasion, as per international custom, the Minister for Foreign Affairs may also present a gift in order to reciprocate one received from a counterpart. Gifts received are token in nature, of nominal value and are typically retained within the Department of Foreign Affairs or the Private Office of the Minister in Iveagh House.
Under section 15 of the Ethics in Public Office Act (1995), gifts presented to office holders valued in excess of €650 are deemed to be gifts to the State and must be recorded accordingly following valuation through the Office of Public Works. The Minister for Foreign Affairs did not receive any such gifts in the period requested.
Department officials maintain a working list of gifts received by the Minister for Foreign Affairs while travelling abroad and from visiting dignitaries to Dublin for record-keeping purposes. The table below has been compiled from electronic records held by the Department of Foreign Affairs for the period January 2022 to date. A basic description of the gift is provided for each location visited and/or a specific source indicated where applicable.
|
Inward Visits |
Location |
Gift(s) received |
|
Visit of Governor and First Lady of New Jersey |
Iveagh House |
Ornamental plate |
|
Visit of Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall |
Grow HQ - Waterford |
GIY GROW Box plants received from Grow HQ owners |
|
Lunch with US Congressional delegation |
Iveagh House |
Ceramic tray/plate with US congressional seal |
|
Visit of the Leader of the UK Labour Party |
Iveagh House |
Box of House of Commons chocolate mints |
|
Visit of Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan |
Leinster House |
Ornamental plate |
|
Visit of US Senator, Tammy Baldwin |
Iveagh House |
Ornamental plate |
|
Trips Abroad |
Location |
Gift(s) received |
|
Gymnich EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting |
Brest, France |
French European Council Presidency gift bag (containing branded water bottle, pencil, candle, notepad) |
|
Visit to Iran; Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian |
Tehran, Iran |
Leather photo frame |
|
Munich Security Conference |
Munich, Germany |
Munich Security Conference gift bag (containing assorted token items such as branded facemask, pen, brochure, sticker) |
|
Visit to Washington D.C. and Boston |
Washington D.C., Boston MA |
Ornamental vase in the shape of a cod "the sacred cod" (from MA Governor Charlie Baker); "Anything but Steady" - novel by Professor Ofrit Leviatan; small glass globe from the Harvard Centre for European Studies; "Boston Irish" hoodie from a delegation of Massachusetts State House Irish-American caucus representatives |
|
Visit to Madrid |
Madrid, Spain: Real Instituto El Cano |
Glass paperweight bearing the logo of the Institute |
|
EU-Jordan Association Council |
Dead Sea, Jordan |
Ornamental ceramic plate; metal ornamental olive leaves |
|
Visit to Türkiye |
Hatay, Türkiye; Ankara Türkiye |
Governor of Hatay: Gift box of Turkish perfume and scented facial wipes; FM Çavusoglu: gift set of espresso cups and saucers; small, metal ornamental serving dishes in the shape of leaves |
|
Visit to Romania and Moldova |
Bucharest, Romania; Chiinu, Moldova |
PM Ciuca of Romania - metal presidential coin; FM Aurescu and President Iohannis of Romania - books; FM Popescu of Moldova - 2 bottles of Moldovan wine |
986. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or his Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41154/22]
View answerIt is standard international practice, usually by prior mutual agreement, to exchange small, modestly valued, representative gifts between Ministers and visiting dignitaries during ministerial and other high-level visits. On occasion, as per international custom, the Minister for Foreign Affairs may present a gift in order to reciprocate one received from a counterpart.
The exchange of gifts can provide a platform to promote Irish craftsmanship and goods internationally, which in turn helps promote strengthened economic and cultural links between the countries involved. Such gifts are of nominal value and are purchased on basis of the most economically advantageous cost savings arrangements and value for money. A decision is made on the type and value of the item to be presented to ensure it respects the culture of the recipient and ethics requirements of public office holders. The list of suppliers of such token gifts is kept under regular review to ensure quality and value.
The Department maintains a working list of gifts given to visiting dignitaries. Three such gifts were given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to foreign dignitaries visiting Ireland in the period from January 2022 to date – a set of cufflinks, a Jerpoint Glass vase and a Bernadette Madden silk scarf. All three items had a price range from €35.00 to €55.00
988. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department can provide urgent assistance to an Irish citizen (details supplied) who is currently being detained in Bulgaria. [41317/22]
View answerI am pleased that the referenced consular matter was resolved and that the citizen returned to Ireland. The Embassies of Ireland in Bulgaria and Romania were actively engaged on the issues that unfortunately arose and provided consular assistance to the citizen. The Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria is following up on matters arising more generally with the relevant authorities.
989. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit met their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, including the way that relevant policies and actions are monitored and the way that the obligation is reflected in their annual reports. [41370/22]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to promoting a fair and equal workplace for our people and, in particular, to our obligations under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
Equality and respect for human rights are fundamental values of my Department, both as a policy objective and in the performance of its functions. The fostering of a positive working environment is a guiding principle for the implementation of our strategic objectives.
Under the Department of Foreign Affairs' HR Strategy 2019-2022, there is a strong focus on gender equality, equality, diversity and inclusion, and as such, the Strategy is a key vehicle for DFA to implement the Public Sector Human Rights and Equality Duty.
A number of specific policies and action plans have been developed through the HR Strategy to progress Gender Equality across the Department. These include the publication of a third iteration of the Gender Pay Gap report in 2021, which included a new action plan to reduce the gender pay gap.
The Department has also established a new informal inter-Departmental group on the gender pay gap, aimed at sharing best practice around measures to tackle the gap and improve gender equality across Departments.
My Department is committed to proofing our policies, procedures and services across our business areas to ensure that we comply with our requirements in the area of human rights and equality. To this end, the Statement of Strategy 2021-23 commits my Department to conduct an assessment of the human rights and equality issues relevant to its functions. This will enable us to identify further concrete actions that can be taken to ensure that we comply with our obligations under the 2014 Act.
There are no bodies or agencies under the remit of my Department.
990. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies; the total number of members of each board; the numbers on each board broken down according to gender; and the number of persons with a declared disability on each board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41388/22]
View answerThere are no State boards under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
991. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who is currently being detained in Bulgaria, falsely accused of not matching the person in the photograph on their passport; and if he will step in urgently to ensure that the Bulgarian prosecutor is informed that they are the person in the photo on their passport, allowing for their release and return to Dublin [41434/22]
View answerI am pleased that the referenced consular matter was resolved and that the citizen returned to Ireland. The Embassies of Ireland in Bulgaria and Romania were actively engaged on the issues that unfortunately arose and provided consular assistance to the citizen. The Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria is following up on matters arising more generally with the relevant authorities.
992. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of permits granted for military aircraft to land at Shannon Airport and to pass through Irish airspace in each month of 2021 and to date in 2022; the countries that made the requests; the number of such permits that were refused in each month of 2021 and to date in 2022; the countries that made the requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41549/22]
View answerThe Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland and in Irish airspace. The Order provides that no foreign military aircraft shall fly over, or land in, the State without the express invitation or permission of the Minister. It further provides that the aircraft shall comply with such stipulations as the Minister may make. Requests for permission for foreign military aircraft to land in or overfly Ireland are routinely required to include confirmation that the aircraft meets specific criteria – namely, that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; and that it will not engage in intelligence gathering.
Furthermore, applications must also specify that the flights do not form part of a military exercise or operation. These conditions are applied to ensure compatibility with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances. This policy provides a context within which requests for permission to overfly, or land in, the State are considered by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Statistics on overflights and landings of foreign military aircraft are published on my Department's website on a quarterly basis.
Statistics for Overflights and Landings of Foreign Military Aircraft for 2021 and 2022 to date
In the below table, the numbers in parentheses reflect flights which were approved but later cancelled by the requester.
|
Requester |
Approved Requests to Land at Shannon Airport |
Refused Requests to Land at Shannon Airport |
Approved Overflight Requests |
Refused Overflight Requests |
|
JANUARY 2021 |
||||
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
France |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
5 (1) |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Poland |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Switzerland |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tunisia |
0 |
0 |
2 (2) |
0 |
|
USA |
25 (4) |
0 |
32* |
0 |
|
Total |
28 (4) |
0 |
47 (3) |
0 |
|
FEBRUARY 2021 |
||||
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
3 (1) |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
France |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Honduras |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
3 (1) |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
USA |
11 (2) |
0 |
30* |
0 |
|
Total |
17 (3) |
0 |
46 (1) |
0 |
|
MARCH 2021 |
||||
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Equatorial Guinea |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
France |
2 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Italy |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Spain |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
USA |
25 (3) |
0 |
28* |
0 |
|
Total |
29 (3) |
0 |
56(0) |
0 |
|
APRIL 2021 |
||||
|
Canada |
2 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
France |
2 |
0 |
5 (2) |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Slovak Republic |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
USA |
22 (3) |
0 |
49* |
0 |
|
Total |
27 (3) |
0 |
76 (2) |
0 |
|
MAY 2021 |
||||
|
Algeria |
0 |
0 |
1(1) |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
France |
2 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
2 |
0 |
4(2) |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
1 (1) |
0 |
|
Poland |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Slovak Republic |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
USA |
26(2) |
0 |
35* |
0 |
|
Total |
30(2) |
0 |
67 (4) |
0 |
|
JUNE 2021 |
||||
|
Canada |
1 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
France |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Honduras |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Italy |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
USA |
31(2) |
0 |
55* |
0 |
|
Total |
33(2) |
0 |
82(0) |
0 |
|
JULY 2021 |
||||
|
Australia |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Canada |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
France |
5 |
0 |
9(1) |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Italy |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Mexico |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Pakistan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Poland |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
1(1) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
USA |
16 |
6 |
50* |
0 |
|
Total |
26(1) |
6 |
74(1) |
0 |
|
AUGUST 2021 |
||||
|
Canada |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Germany |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
India |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Israel |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Italy |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
USA |
30(1) |
0 |
45* |
0 |
|
Total |
34(1) |
0 |
60(0) |
2 |
|
SEPTEMBER 2021 |
||||
|
Australia |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Canada |
2(1) |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Congo |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
France |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Italy |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
India |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
2 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Namibia |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
The Netherlands |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Slovakia |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Tunisia |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Ukraine |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
UK |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
USA |
29(2) |
0 |
63* |
0 |
|
Total |
39(3) |
0 |
101(0) |
5 |
|
OCTOBER 2021 |
||||
|
Argentina |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
2(1) |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Colombia |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
France |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Germany |
1 |
0 |
4(2) |
0 |
|
Greece |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Honduras |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Italy |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Poland |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Portugal |
0 |
0 |
2(2) |
0 |
|
Slovakia |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Switzerland |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
USA |
22 |
0 |
51* |
0 |
|
Total |
27(0) |
0 |
87(5) |
0 |
|
NOVEMBER 2021 |
||||
|
Australia |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Canada |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
France |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Germany |
1 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Greece |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Italy |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Poland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Spain |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Switzerland |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
USA |
34(1) |
0 |
45* |
0 |
|
Total |
40(1) |
0 |
69(0) |
1 |
|
DECEMBER 2021 |
||||
|
Australia |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Canada |
1(1) |
0 |
1(1) |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
6(1) |
0 |
|
Italy |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Poland |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
USA |
7(2) |
0 |
36*(1) |
0 |
|
Total |
9(3) |
0 |
54(3) |
0 |
|
JANUARY 2022 |
||||
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
5(2) |
0 |
|
China |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
France |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
7(1) |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
2 |
0 |
3(2) |
0 |
|
Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Slovak Republic |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
USA |
16(3) |
0 |
35* |
0 |
|
Total |
19(3) |
0 |
65(5) |
0 |
|
FEBRUARY 2022 |
||||
|
Australia |
0 |
0 |
2(2) |
0 |
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
3(1) |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
2(1) |
0 |
|
Colombia |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
France |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
12(2) |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
India |
0 |
0 |
1(1) |
0 |
|
Italy |
1(1) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mexico |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Pakistan |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
USA |
21(7) |
0 |
50* |
0 |
|
Total |
27(8) |
0 |
79(7) |
0 |
|
MARCH 2022 |
||||
|
Australia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
3(1) |
0 |
|
Canada |
1 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Czech Republic |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
France |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
11(2) |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Italy |
1 |
0 |
2(1) |
0 |
|
Japan |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Mexico |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
UK |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
USA |
38(3) |
0 |
68* |
0 |
|
Total |
45(3) |
0 |
103(4) |
1 |
|
APRIL 2022 |
||||
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Czech Rep. |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
France |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
0 |
11(2) |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Italy |
0 |
0 |
2(1) |
0 |
|
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
0 |
2(1) |
0 |
|
New Zealand |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Pakistan |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Switzerland |
0 |
0 |
2(1) |
0 |
|
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Ukraine |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
USA |
36(7) |
0 |
52* |
1 |
|
Total |
42(7) |
0 |
96(5) |
1 |
|
MAY 2022 |
||||
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Canada |
2 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
|
Colombia |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Czech Rep. |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
France |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Germany |
0 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
|
Greece |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Indonesia |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Italy |
2 |
0 |
5(2) |
0 |
|
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Kuwait |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Qatar |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Slovak Republic |
2(2) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Switzerland |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Turkey |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
USA |
56(4) |
0 |
59* |
0 |
|
Total |
63(6) |
1 |
112(2) |
2 |
|
JUNE 2022 |
||||
|
Bahrain |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Belgium |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Egypt |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
France |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Germany |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Italy |
4(2) |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Japan |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Jordan |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Netherlands |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
New Zealand |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Pakistan |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
UK |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
USA |
20(2) |
0 |
49* |
0 |
|
Total |
29(4) |
0 |
78(0) |
0 |
*In the case of US military aircraft, under the terms of a specific arrangement dating from 1959, overflights are permitted without prior notification, on condition that the aircraft are unarmed, carry only cargo and passengers, and comply with navigational requirements. If a proposed US military overflight does not meet these criteria, this arrangement does not apply, and advance permission must be requested. The standard conditions would then apply. The US Embassy submits post-facto notifications of military aircraft overflights to the Department of Foreign Affairs on a monthly basis. Accordingly, the overflight figures for USA in these tables are the total of post-facto notifications of overflights and advance permissions for overflights.
993. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dividends paid by State-owned enterprises under the remit of his Department in each of the past five years; the projected dividends to be received in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41651/22]
View answerThere are no State-owned enterprises under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
994. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to an Irish citizen (details supplied) being wrongly detained in Sofia, Bulgaria; and if so, the measures that the Government is taking to secure their release. [41717/22]
View answerI am pleased that the referenced consular matter was resolved and that the citizen returned to Ireland. The Embassies of Ireland in Bulgaria and Romania were actively engaged on the issues that unfortunately arose and provided consular assistance to the citizen. The Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria is following up on matters arising more generally with the relevant authorities.
995. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that Ireland proposes to take to ensure that Russia feels the optimum impact of sanctions; his views that the measures implemented to date have been inadequate and ineffective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41733/22]
View answerThe EU has imposed the most significant sanctions in its history in response to the situation in Ukraine. In total, EU sanctions in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to a total of 1,212 individuals and 108 entities.
Sectoral sanctions target the financial, energy, technology, defence and transport sectors, and Russian media involved in propaganda. The sale of EU luxury goods to Russia is prohibited, as is the import from Russia and Belarus of certain products. Restrictions have also been introduced on economic relations between the EU and the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
EU sanctions are being refined on a continuous basis to ensure that they have maximum impact. The most recent sanctions package was adopted on 21 July. It contains a range of measures aimed at clarifying and tightening existing sanctions, aligning with other like-minded States, and preventing circumvention. Among the measures introduced is a ban on Russian-origin gold, which is Russia's most significant export after energy.
While the impact of individual sanctions measures may not all be seen immediately, there is no doubt about the collective impact on the Russian economy. GDP is predicted to record a steep decline in 2022, with recent estimates ranging from 8 to 15 percent. Restrictions on the import to Russia of high-tech components are proving particularly effective, and are feeding through to significant declines in industrial production. This is beginning to impact on Russia’s ability to replenish military equipment, and will also impact on the oil and gas production sectors.
It is true that Russia continues to derive very significant income from the export of hydrocarbons. However, by the end of this year, the bulk of Russian oil will be banned from the EU, depriving Russia of a key source of energy income. Ireland stands ready to ban all oil and gas imports immediately, though we recognise that some EU Member States are highly dependent on Russian imports and that energy security considerations cannot be ignored. The European Commission is currently looking at ways to reduce the EU’s dependency on Russian gas.
To date, Irish financial institutions have frozen assets valued at €1.76 billion. This is not an insignificant figure, and when combined with frozen assets from all other EU Member States, it demonstrates the very real impact of sanctions on figures and entities connected to Russia’s leadership and war effort.
997. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that the European Union is taking to investigate the death of a person (details supplied). [41932/22]
View answerI strongly condemned the killing of Ms Abu Akleh in Jenin on 11 May 2022 as she carried out her vital work as a journalist. Media freedom and the safety of journalists must be protected, including in situations of conflict, and I called for an impartial, independent and effective investigation. Accountability must be ensured and those responsible brought to justice.
I also condemned unreservedly the policing of the funeral in Jerusalem, which was attended by Ireland’s Representative in Ramallah. The use of force against mourners by the Jerusalem police was wholly unacceptable and rightly attracted widespread condemnation.
On 11 May, the EU condemned Ms Abu Akleh’s killing, calling for a thorough and independent investigation. The EU expressed solidarity with journalists and emphasised the importance of supporting their fundamental work, in particular while covering conflicts. On 13 May, the EU’s High Representative/Vice President, Josep Borrell, also made a statement in response to the use of force by the Israeli police at Ms Abu Akleh’s funeral.
On 13 May, Ireland joined other members of the UN Security Council in condemning Ms Abu Akleh’s killing and stressing the need for accountability. The Council called for a thorough, transparent, fair and impartial investigation into her killing and recalled that journalists should be protected as civilians. Ireland has continued to raise this issue in monthly meetings of the Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
On 24 May, Ireland organised a meeting at the UN Security Council on the protection of journalists. Ireland stressed that peace and security, freedom of expression and a free and independent press are inextricably linked, and again called for an independent investigation into Ms Abu Akleh’s killing and for the perpetrators to be held to account. A debate on the protection of journalists in armed conflict also took place in the Dáil on 24 May.
The overall human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a key priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Ireland will continue to take every opportunity to stress the need for respect for human rights and full accountability, in particular in our role as a member of the UN Security Council. I am committed to working with partners to promote coherent and effective EU action towards a lasting and peaceful two-State solution.
