Written Answers Nos. 681-703
683. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of serviced sites fund, affordable housing funding and affordable purchase homes that have been completed and offered for sale in Q1 and Q2 2022; the details of the location, unit size and sale price of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44255/22]
View answer684. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of serviced sites fund, affordable housing funding and affordable purchase homes that will be completed and offered for sale in Q3 and Q4 2022; the details of the location, unit size and sale price of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44256/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 684 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
2022 represents the first year of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. Significant funding has been secured and is being made available to support delivery of affordable housing for purchase or for cost rental by local authorities, AHB's and by the LDA.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, launched in July this year, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. The Scheme aims to support in the region of 8,000 households in acquiring new homes in the private market in the years 2022 to 2026 with an overall budget of €400 million.
A delivery target has been set for 2022 of just over 4,100 affordable homes for affordable purchase and cost rental across the various delivery streams. In implementing Housing for All, each local authority has now prepared a Housing Delivery Action Plan for 2022 to 2026. 18 local authorities with a strong and identified affordable housing need were asked to include planned affordable housing delivery in their Action Plans. I have also set five-year Affordable Housing delivery targets for those local authorities.
Local authorities have been asked to begin collating information on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is currently done for social housing. It is intended that information on delivery across all delivery streams will be gathered by my Department and I expect that my Department will be in a position to begin reporting on affordable delivery in national quarterly delivery statistics later this year. A pipeline of affordable housing delivery is also being developed by local authorities.
685. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social homes that were built in Q1 and Q2 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44257/22]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on a quarterly basis on social housing. This includes data on all areas of new social housing delivery including new build construction. This data is available to Q1 2022, and is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/. Data for Q2 2022 will be available in due course.
686. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing first tenancies delivered and sustained in Q1 and Q2, 2022; the target number of housing first tenancies for the remainder of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44258/22]
View answerHousing First recognises that a stable home provides the basis for recovery in other areas. With Housing First, the priority is to support a person who has experienced homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible, without any preconditions around addiction or mental health treatment. Then, intensive work continues on these issues once they are housed. Housing First has been a key element of Government homelessness policy.
The Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).
Data on the number of Housing First tenancies created are published every three months as part of my Department's Homeless Quarterly Progress Reports. At the end of Quarter 2 2022, a total of 117 Housing First tenancies had been created since the beginning of the year. While the sustainment rate of tenancies created this year has not yet been collated, the Housing First programme had an overall sustainment rate of 86.6% during the 2018-2021 Implementation Plan period.
Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland committed to the further expansion of Housing First. A new National Implementation Plan, which provides for a further 1,319 tenancies covering the period 2022-2026, was published in December 2021. The new Plan outlines the targets for each region and in each year. In 2022, it is aimed to create a total of 282 Housing First tenancies nationwide.
687. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a direction will be issued to local authorities authorising the payment of the Covid-19 recognition payment to fire brigade personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44283/22]
View answerOn 19 January 2022, the Government announced a Covid-19 recognition payment for frontline healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. This once-off payment is ring fenced to staff who were ordinarily onsite in Covid-19-exposed healthcare environments within the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021. It applies to eligible staff in the public health service and six other specific cohorts, one of which is staff employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver paramedic services on behalf of the Health Service Executive.
My Department, in conjunction with the Local Government Management Agency, is currently liaising with the Department of Health to finalise the modalities of how this recognition payment is to be made to eligible staff. Although it is currently not possible to state when recognition payments will be made, my Department is seeking to finalise these arrangements as soon as possible.
688. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a date has been determined for the directly-elected mayor role in Limerick; and if he will commit to a date. [44290/22]
View answerThe Government approved the General Scheme of a Bill providing for a directly elected mayor for Limerick at its meeting of 20 April 2021. Government also approved the publication of the General Scheme and its referral both to the Oireachtas for pre-legislative scrutiny and to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a Bill.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee for Housing, Local Government and Heritage published its Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme in November 2021.
My Department is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of this complex Bill and its publication has been identified as a priority as soon as practicable. Drafting is well-advanced.
The time frame for its passage through the legislative process will be a matter for the Oireachtas, having regard to the overall Government legislative programme. The timing of an election for mayor of Limerick will then be a matter for Government once the legislation is enacted.
690. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to concerns raised in relation to an Irish citizen being detained in Bucharest (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41934/22]
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 has followed up on matters arising more generally with the relevant authorities.
691. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if advice will be provided in relation to a foreign birth registration query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41970/22]
View answerApplications for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) can only be initiated and paid for using the online application and payment system. The technology underpinning the payments system used by the FBR Service is designed to accept payments from the major card issuers worldwide. The applicant would be advised to liaise with their financial institution or card issuers regarding any issues with the online payment system.
It should be noted that due 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.
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 of supporting documents.
The Passport Service has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand for passports and FBR applications since June of last year. A major recruitment drive, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service, has been underway over the past several months. This has seen the Passport Service taken on over 600 staff since June 2021.
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.
692. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an urgent passport application (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41973/22]
View answer693. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41990/22]
View answer695. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine and expedite the passport application of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42049/22]
View answer697. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/22]
View answer698. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be issued to a person (details supplied) in advance of the travel date of 11 August 2022. [42079/22]
View answer699. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will be processed for a person (details supplied) given that the expected issue date was the first week of July 2022 and the applicant has travel plans in August 2022. [42130/22]
View answer705. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42243/22]
View answer707. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review an urgent passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42245/22]
View answer710. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review an urgent passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42274/22]
View answer712. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review an urgent passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42298/22]
View answer713. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review urgent passport applications for children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42299/22]
View answer714. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a child (details supplied). [42315/22]
View answer715. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an passport application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [42363/22]
View answer716. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will urgently expedite same. [42380/22]
View answer717. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42384/22]
View answer719. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an online passport renewal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42417/22]
View answer721. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of two passport applications for children (details supplied); when the applicants can expect to receive their passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42532/22]
View answer722. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42554/22]
View answer724. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an urgent passport application by person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42572/22]
View answer729. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be issued for a person (details supplied). [42700/22]
View answer731. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport for a child will issue to a person (details supplied); if there remains any outstanding information on the file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42739/22]
View answer732. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport applications by persons (details supplied) which have been showing an estimated issue date of 4 July 2022 without any further update. [42762/22]
View answer738. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be issued to the parents of a child (details supplied). [42879/22]
View answer739. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine and expedite a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42901/22]
View answer759. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43407/22]
View answer760. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43408/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 699, 692, 693, 695, 697, 698, 705, 707, 710, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 719, 721, 722, 724, 729, 731, 732, 738, 739, 759 and 760 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
694. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that are being made by him and his Department to have the United States government appoint a special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42011/22]
View answerThe Government works closely with the US Administration in relation to Northern Ireland, in support of the Good Friday Agreement. Successive US Administrations and Members of Congress have made vital contributions to maintaining peace on this island, and working with the Irish and British Governments as well as the people and political representatives of Northern Ireland, to the achievement and consolidation of the Good Friday Agreement.
The role of the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland has been greatly valued by the Irish Government over many years, including in relation to the continuing work of embedding peace and reconciliation. The work of the most recent Special Envoy Mike Mulvaney was much appreciated.
The Government would warmly welcome the appointment of a Special Envoy. I emphasised this in recent exchanges with senior US politicians,, including during my visits to the United States. I will continue to encourage the appointment of a Special Envoy at every appropriate opportunity.
The US will undoubtedly continue to play an invaluable role in supporting peace, stability and prosperity in Northern Ireland, including in protecting and promoting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement. I know that President Biden will continue to make a vital contribution to this ongoing effort, as he has consistently done throughout his career.
696. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn the recent report that a court in Nigeria has imposed a sentence of death by stoning on three men for homosexual acts; if he will contact the relevant parties in Nigeria to express abhorrence at this practice; if he will take all the steps that are necessary to ensure that this death sentence does not proceed as planned given the impact it will have on Nigeria’s international standing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/22]
View answerLGBTQI+ persons continue to face systematic discrimination and disproportionate levels of violence in many countries across the world. Protecting and promoting their rights is a key priority for Ireland’s foreign policy as outlined under ‘The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World’.
In 2019, Ireland joined the Equal Rights Coalition, an inter-governmental coalition of 42 countries dedicated to taking coordinated action to advance and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ people everywhere. Ireland strongly supports efforts condemning violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. We work to promote the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals globally, through our bilateral missions and in international fora, including the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly Third Committee, which address LGBTQI+ rights. Most recently, at the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland strongly supported the successful renewal of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Ireland is strongly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances, and continues to seek its universal abolition. The death penalty constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and is contrary to the right to life while also negatively impacting on a number of other basic human rights.
The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja continues to closely follow this case in cooperation with civil society organisations, and our EU and UN partners. The Embassy engages strongly in the areas of democracy, governance, human rights and the rule of law, supporting organisations to advance and broaden civil society space in these areas, whilst encouraging Nigeria to meet its international commitments in this regard.
Embassy Abuja plays an active role in an informal EU and likeminded Coordination Group on Human Rights, regularly chairing the grouping and engaging on sensitive human rights cases. This grouping recently convened to discuss this case in particular, and outreach with relevant stakeholders is ongoing.
I understand that an appeal is currently underway in this case and the Department of Foreign Affairs, through our Embassy in Abuja, will continue to follow developments in Nigeria closely.
700. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action that he has taken in response to the execution of democracy advocates (details supplied); and if he will raise the matter at the United Nations Security Council. [42177/22]
View answer708. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that were taken by him, his Department and the United Nations Security Council to stop executions of pro-democracy and opposition leaders in Myanmar from being carried out further to his Department’s statement (details supplied) condemning the executions; and if he will call for the matter to be brought before the UNSC with a view of creating a clear, collective and concrete plan of action given that multiple reports now suggest that the military junta is preparing to execute a further 41 political prisoners. [42258/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 700 and 708 together.
I remain gravely concerned by the deteriorating security, human rights, and humanitarian situation in Myanmar. The country is suffering from severe economic recession, large-scale displacement, and collapsing public services.
At a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Myanmar on 13 June, Ireland expressed abhorrence on the passing of death sentences, primarily by military courts and without the possibility of appeal. The EU also spoke at that session, calling on the Myanmar de facto authorities to apply the moratorium on executions observed since 1988. In particular, the EU called on the de facto Myanmar authorities not to carry out the death sentences. Ireland also expressed concern in a National Statement on Myanmar at the Human Rights Council on 29 June.
Ireland released a statement following the shocking announcement that four pro-democracy activists in Myanmar had been executed by the military. Ireland is unequivocal in its stance against the death penalty and condemns these killings in the strongest terms. In a press statement agreed by all 15 members, the UN Security Council also condemned these executions and recalled the ASEAN Chair’s Statement, which denounced the executions and expressed strong disappointment that they had proceeded despite appeals from the ASEAN Chair and some ASEAN members for the sentences to be reconsidered.
Ireland extends deep condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of Phyo Zeya Thaw, Kyaw MinYu (Ko Jimmy), Aung Thura Zaw, and Hla Myo Aung. Our thoughts are with them and all those who have been affected by the violence that in Myanmar since the coup in 2021.
Ireland calls for the immediate and unconditional release by the military of all those arbitrarily detained in Myanmar, including the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. On 2 September, the courts sentenced both Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint to a further three years imprisonment with hard labour, on charges of electoral fraud. Cumulatively, Aung San Suu Kyi now faces a total 20-year sentence, with further cases outstanding. Ireland supports the EU's condemnation of these sentences and its call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. Such proceedings appear to be an attempt to exclude Aung San Suu Kyi and democratically elected leaders from future political engagement in Myanmar, contrary to the inclusive approach called for by ASEAN's five-point consensus.
Ireland is engaged in discussions at the UN Security Council where the crisis remains on the agenda, and continues to work closely with partners in the EU to encourage a diplomatic solution to end this crisis and, above all, the suffering of the people of Myanmar.
701. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action that can be taken by him through the European Union and the United Nations Security Council to impose immediate targeted sanctions on aviation fuel and for a global arms embargo against the military junta in Myanmar be put in place. [42178/22]
View answerI fully endorse the strong and comprehensive European Union approach to the coup in Myanmar set out in the 22 February 2021 Council Conclusions (Foreign Affairs Council) and the associated adoption of sanctions.
The EU has adopted four sanctions packages on Myanmar since the coup in February 2021, most recently on 21 February 2022. This latter sanctions package was the first to include entities related to the oil and gas sector.
Pre-existing EU restrictive measures also remain in place. These include an embargo on arms and equipment that can be used for internal repression; an export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police; export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications that could be used for internal repression; and a prohibition on military training for, and military cooperation with, the Tatmadaw.
Ireland was also a member of the core group of nations who proposed the June 2021 United Nations General Assembly resolution which called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar. This non-binding resolution was supported by 119 countries.
Sanctions remain necessary due to the continuing grave situation in Myanmar, the intensifying human rights violations, and abuse of international law, including international human rights law. My Department actively monitors developments in Myanmar and consults regularly with our partners on the United Nations Security Council and in the European Union. Ireland welcomes consideration of further measures that would be effective in working to restore the democratic path in Myanmar without exacerbating the humanitarian situation or negatively affecting developmental gains.
702. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will engage with the National Unity Government of Myanmar which has been recognised by the European Parliament as the legitimate government of Myanmar. [42179/22]
View answerIn previous statements on Myanmar, I have maintained that the election results of November 2020 and the sustained, large-scale popular opposition to the coup since 1 February 2021 demonstrate that the military have no mandate to govern Myanmar. The people of Myanmar have consistently endorsed the democratic path and overwhelmingly reject the military coup. The coup is a reversal of the progress made towards establishing democracy and rule of law in Myanmar.
Ireland has had no engagement or bilateral meeting with the Myanmar military and firmly rejects any attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime. Any future election that excludes major political parties from participation cannot be either free or fair and will not deliver sustainable peace in Myanmar.
Ireland is gravely concerned by the continued arbitrary detention of prisoners on political grounds. On 2 September, the courts sentenced both Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint to a further three years imprisonment with hard labour, on charges of electoral fraud. Cumulatively, Aung San Suu Kyi now faces a total 20-year sentence, with further cases outstanding. Ireland supports the EU's condemnation of these sentences and its call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. Such proceedings appear to be an attempt to exclude democratically elected leaders from future political engagement in Myanmar, contrary to the inclusive approach called for by ASEAN's five-point consensus. Ireland calls for the release of all those detained.
Ireland acknowledges the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and the National Unity Government (NUG) as important stakeholders in Myanmar’s future. However, Ireland’s practice is to recognise states and not governments. Therefore, we do not recognise specific governments in Myanmar or elsewhere. Ireland has engaged with the NUG at official level and we encourage their involvement in discussions and negotiations. We also commend the NUG for facilitating greater representation from women, youth and ethnic-minority groups.
The democratic will of the people of Myanmar must be respected and we will continue to advocate actively within the European Union, the United Nations, including through membership of the United Nations Security Council, on behalf of the people of Myanmar.
703. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will refer the situation in Myanmar through the United Nations Security Council to the International Criminal Court; if he will take action for Ireland to join the Rohingya genocide case at the International Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42180/22]
View answerThe 25 of August 2022 marked five years since the Rohingya crisis began in Myanmar. Violence and terror perpetrated by the Myanmar military created conditions where over 750,000 Rohingya people had no option but to flee their country.
Conditions for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya to Myanmar remain uncertain. Approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees continue to seek refuge in camps in Bangladesh, while tens of thousands more across the region, and over 140,000 internally displaced persons remain confined in camps in Rakhine in Myanmar.
The situation has deteriorated further since the illegitimate military coup on 1 February 2021. I am deeply saddened at reports that over 2,200 people have been killed, approximately 15,000 have been detained, over 1 million displaced by conflict, and some 14 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland is committed to ensuring humanitarian assistance for the most vulnerable communities in Myanmar, including internally displaced persons and Rohingya refugees, and calls for unhindered access for humanitarian workers to all regions.
We continue to provide direct funding to the Rohingya crisis. Since the Myanmar military operations in late 2017, Ireland has provided direct funding of over €8.47m to the Rohingya crisis, provided core funding to many of the UN agencies active in the response and deployed experts from Irish Aid’s Rapid Response Corps and humanitarian supplies via the UNHRD. This year, Ireland is providing €1 million to the UNHCR Rohingya response in Bangladesh. Ireland also activated the Emergency Response Fund Scheme in response to the fires in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar in March 2021, with €100,000 disbursed.
Ireland is actively engaged on this issue as part of our role as an elected member of the UN Security Council. The Council has discussed Myanmar on 9 occasions since the coup, most recently in a Private Meeting on 27 May. We have also raised the situation in Myanmar at each session of the Human Rights Council, most recently making a national statement on 29 June.
In this respect it is important to note that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is continuing to conduct a criminal investigation into alleged crimes within the Court’s jurisdiction committed against the Rohingya people. That investigation was authorised by the Pre-Trial Chamber of the Court in November 2019. The Prosecutor visited Bangladesh earlier this year and confirmed during that visit that his investigation would be a priority during his tenure. He has allocated additional resources to the investigative team, in particular with a view to accelerating the collection and analysis of evidence. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Government made a voluntary contribution of €1 million to the Office of the Prosecutor, in order to help him meet the increased demands on his Office. This voluntary contribution will be made available for the benefit of all country situations in trial or under investigation, including the situation in Bangladesh/Myanmar.
Ireland is a firm supporter of the International Court of Justice. My Department monitors the cases before the Court closely and the question of third party intervention in proceedings between states is kept under regular review.
