Written Answers Nos. 311-332
311. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request local authorities to register a property on the derelict sites register in cases in which it is declared as uninhabitable by the owner in their local property tax return, with a view to maximising the number of residential units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48552/22]
View answerThe Derelict Sites Act 1990 imposes a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. The Act also imposes a duty on local authorities to take all reasonable steps, including the exercise of appropriate statutory powers, to ensure that any land within their functional area does not become, or continue to be, a derelict site. Local authority powers include requiring owners or occupiers to take appropriate measures on derelict sites; acquiring derelict sites by agreement, or compulsorily; and applying a derelict sites levy on derelict sites.
It is a matter for local authorities to determine the most appropriate use of the legislation within their respective functional areas.
My Department continues to liaise with local authorities on the implementation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (the Act) with a view to improving its effectiveness. In this regard, my Department initiated a review of the Act in November 2021 and has sought initial submissions from local authorities on potential improvements to the legislative provisions and the way they are applied. My Department has now established a focused working group to progress this matter further.
312. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage an ndéanfaidh sé teagmháil le hUisce Éireann maidir lena gceanglais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021. [48554/22]
View answerÓ Eanáir 2014, tá freagracht reachtúil ar Uisce Éireann as gach gné de phleanáil, de sholáthar agus d’oibriú na seirbhísí uisce ar an leibhéal náisiúnta, réigiúnach agus áitiúil. Mar chuid dá chúrsaí oibriúcháin, tá sé de fhreagracht ar Uisce Éireann Achtanna na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus 2021 a chomhlíonadh, agus níl aon fheidhm agamsa maidir leis an ábhar seo. Tá foireann thiomanta bunaithe ag Uisce Éireann chun déileáil le huiríll agus fiosrúcháin ó ionadaithe poiblí. Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an bhfoireann trí ríomhphost chuig oireachtasmembers@water.ie nó ar an teileafón ar uimhir tiomnaithe, 0818 578 578.
313. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of times the discretionary top-up for housing assistance payments was used in County Kildare in 2021 from quarter 1 2021 and to date in 2022, by municipal district; the average percentage amount of this top-up per district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48558/22]
View answer314. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons from each municipal district in County Kildare who are currently in receipt of a housing assistance payment at and below the prescribed limits per family size occupying same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48559/22]
View answer315. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of family units that are under-accommodated from each municipal district in County Kildare and that are currently in receipt of a housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48560/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 to 315, inclusive, together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q2 2022, over 104,700 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were over 60,700 households actively in receipt of HAP support, including 2,155 active tenancies Kildare.
Local authorities have had discretion, because of local rental market conditions, to exceed the maximum rent limit by up to 20%, or up to 50% in the Dublin region for those households either in, or at immediate risk of homelessness. On 11 July 2022 I introduced an increase in the HAP discretion rate to 35% and for new tenancies, expanded the couple’s rate to single person households.
It is a matter for each local authority to determine whether the application of a discretionary increase is warranted, and the level of such an increase, on a case-by-case basis.
The table below provides a breakdown of the total number of active HAP tenancies at the end of each quarter from January 2021 to end Q2 2022, including the number of households in receipt of discretion and the average discretionary increase paid, for each of the municipal districts in Kildare.
Kildare discretion by municipal area at end Q1 2021
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @end Q1 2021 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Athy |
566 |
168 |
15% |
|
Celbridge - Leixlip |
243 |
197 |
17% |
|
Kildare - Newbridge |
719 |
366 |
12% |
|
Maynooth |
327 |
215 |
16% |
|
Naas |
426 |
270 |
15% |
|
Other MAs outside LA |
84 |
56 |
17% |
Kildare discretion by municipal area at end Q2 2021
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @end Q2 2021 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Athy |
561 |
168 |
16% |
|
Celbridge - Leixlip |
250 |
205 |
16% |
|
Kildare - Newbridge |
704 |
369 |
12% |
|
Maynooth |
326 |
219 |
16% |
|
Other MAs outside LA |
93 |
61 |
17% |
Kildare discretion by municipal area at end Q3 2021
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @end Q3 2021 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Athy |
562 |
183 |
15% |
|
Celbridge - Leixlip |
254 |
216 |
17% |
|
Kildare - Newbridge |
702 |
378 |
13% |
|
Maynooth |
331 |
236 |
16% |
|
Naas |
428 |
280 |
16% |
|
Other MA's outside LA |
100 |
65 |
18% |
Kildare discretion by municipal area at end Q4 2021
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @end Q4 2021 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Athy |
509 |
165 |
15% |
|
Celbridge - Leixlip |
244 |
203 |
17% |
|
Kildare - Newbridge |
697 |
383 |
13% |
|
Maynooth |
315 |
213 |
16% |
|
Naas |
434 |
276 |
16% |
|
Other MAs outside LA |
102 |
68 |
18% |
Kildare discretion by municipal area at end Q1 2022
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @end Q1 2022 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Athy |
494 |
169 |
15% |
|
Celbridge - Leixlip |
237 |
198 |
17% |
|
Kildare - Newbridge |
676 |
380 |
13% |
|
Maynooth |
293 |
198 |
16% |
|
Naas |
412 |
271 |
16% |
|
Other MAs outside LA |
105 |
74 |
18% |
Kildare discretion by municipal area at end Q2 2022
|
Municipal Area |
Active Tenancies @end Q2 2022 |
No. of tenancies that received discretion |
Average Discretion Rate |
|
Athy |
470 |
167 |
15% |
|
Celbridge - Leixlip |
226 |
189 |
17% |
|
Kildare - Newbridge |
657 |
374 |
13% |
|
Maynooth |
279 |
190 |
16% |
|
Naas |
391 |
261 |
16% |
|
Other MAs outside LA |
112 |
81 |
18% |
A key principle of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, which best suits their needs, in their area of choice. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Decisions in relation to HAP, including the suitability of HAP accommodation, is solely a matter for the local authority concerned and my Department does not hold data in relation to same.
316. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of family units that are seeking a transfer due to overcrowding from each municipal district in County Kildare; if they are currently in receipt of a housing assistance payment or if they are not receiving support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48561/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
Requests for housing transfers are considered solely by the relevant local authority concerned in accordance with that authority’s allocation scheme, which is made by the elected members under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and in compliance with Social Housing Allocation Regulations 2011.
In determining the accommodation needs of a household seeking a transfer, and the priority to be awarded to such households, local authorities have regard to whether the current accommodation is overcrowded within the meaning of section 63 of the Housing Act 1966. Decisions as to the priority to be awarded to individual households are a matter for the local authority concerned, having regard to their allocation schemes.
317. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP applications that were refused due to the applicant landlord not having sufficient or appropriate planning permission in situ on the leased property, per county, in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48562/22]
View answer319. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discretionary parameters in cases in which a rental payment that is due to a landlord under a tenancy secured by HAP can be withdrawn by his Department and in cases in which a tenant has had to pay the rent due to the landlord during a period of time that the local authority and or the Limerick centre is processing the claim; if the policy is per county, region and or on a national basis; the number of times that HAP was withheld due to monies being paid by the tenant during processing periods by local authority per county by family size in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48564/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 319 together.
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. At the end of Q2 2022, over 104,700 HAP tenancies had been set-up since the scheme commenced, of which there were over 60,700 households actively in receipt of HAP support.
A key principle of the HAP scheme is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector, which best suits their needs, in their area of choice. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
Decisions in relation to HAP, including the suitability of HAP accommodation, is solely a matter for the local authority concerned. Data on the number of HAP applications refused due to the non-compliance of landlords with the planning regulations is not collected by my Department.
The HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages the collection of all HAP tenants’ differential rents, on behalf of the relevant local authority, and the payment of all HAP rents to landlords on behalf of tenants supported by the HAP scheme.
Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is entered on the system by the local authority and then submitted for processing and payment by the HAP SSC. If there are delays at the processing stage within a local authority, payment to the landlord may be backdated to the date on which a complete and valid application form was received by the local authority. The landlord is therefore not penalised for any delay.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review.
318. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeless HAP applications on a leased property, per county, in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48563/22]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. Under HAP, households at risk of homelessness may be eligible for additional supports. To qualify for specific additional supports available to homeless households, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988. The operation of local homeless services is a matter for each local authority.
Details of the number of Homeless HAP tenancies set up per local authority for 2016 to 2021 and up to the end of Q2 2022 are set out in the table below.
|
Local authority |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Q2 2022 |
|
Dublin City Council |
742 |
1471 |
1186 |
1164 |
1486 |
1609 |
423 |
|
DLR County Council |
2 |
29 |
169 |
210 |
206 |
185 |
68 |
|
Fingal County Council |
56 |
134 |
383 |
449 |
407 |
385 |
170 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
52 |
157 |
549 |
760 |
528 |
736 |
244 |
|
DRHE total* |
852 |
1,791 |
2,287 |
2,583 |
2,627 |
2,915 |
905 |
|
Carlow County Council |
4 |
15 |
20 |
38 |
72 |
46 |
16 |
|
Cavan County Council |
0 |
12 |
23 |
9 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
|
Clare County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
26 |
45 |
9 |
12 |
|
Cork City Council |
2 |
27 |
41 |
112 |
124 |
113 |
31 |
|
Cork County Council |
12 |
8 |
26 |
63 |
92 |
92 |
53 |
|
Donegal County Council |
1 |
0 |
2 |
13 |
41 |
22 |
9 |
|
Galway City Council |
9 |
11 |
45 |
144 |
100 |
77 |
30 |
|
Galway County Council |
5 |
13 |
12 |
73 |
81 |
51 |
12 |
|
Kerry County Council |
2 |
32 |
41 |
62 |
71 |
24 |
11 |
|
Kildare County Council |
22 |
21 |
18 |
139 |
166 |
93 |
29 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
21 |
16 |
7 |
87 |
52 |
27 |
7 |
|
Laois County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
63 |
54 |
59 |
40 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
15 |
18 |
30 |
71 |
104 |
119 |
45 |
|
Longford County Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
10 |
17 |
10 |
|
Louth County Council |
30 |
41 |
76 |
109 |
194 |
132 |
29 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1 |
1 |
9 |
37 |
32 |
21 |
12 |
|
Meath County Council |
1 |
44 |
116 |
245 |
208 |
117 |
27 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
16 |
10 |
19 |
17 |
7 |
6 |
2 |
|
Offaly County Council |
11 |
14 |
10 |
44 |
59 |
43 |
16 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
0 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
|
Sligo County Council |
7 |
12 |
15 |
24 |
34 |
51 |
24 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
10 |
11 |
13 |
53 |
143 |
88 |
28 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
26 |
56 |
60 |
164 |
239 |
155 |
90 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
0 |
5 |
8 |
50 |
69 |
46 |
28 |
|
Wexford County Council |
0 |
1 |
0 |
40 |
55 |
38 |
0 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
0 |
17 |
14 |
187 |
147 |
64 |
32 |
|
Other LAs total |
196 |
388 |
608 |
1,885 |
2,210 |
1,534 |
603 |
|
Grand total |
1,048 |
2,179 |
2,895 |
4,468 |
4,837 |
4,449 |
1,508 |
*DRHE is operating Homeless HAP on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities.
320. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority can assess a person for homeless accommodation while the applicant is awaiting assessment for social housing need; if there are any barriers to treating the applications as two separate processes, that is, not relying on the initial social housing assessment of need to conclude; if any guidance has issued to local authorities in respect of dealing with the processing of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48565/22]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
I understand some local authorities use the social housing application form as a tool to assist them reach an opinion on the applicant’s ability to provide accommodation from their own resources. Notwithstanding this, it remains the case that households need not be eligible for social housing to access homeless supports and homeless households can be provided with temporary emergency accommodation without undergoing a social housing assessment. This ensures local authorities can respond effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.
Guidelines for housing authorities in regard to the accommodation needs of homeless persons, including the assessment of whether a person is to be regarded as homeless, were issued following the commencement of the Housing Act 1988.
321. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeless accommodation units and family units that have been quality audited from each municipal district in County Kildare and that are currently in receipt of funding in respect of provision of homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48566/22]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. In addition, my Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis. Within each region, a Consultative Forum exists and it is the role of the Management Group of this forum to consider the need for homeless accommodation and the planning, implementation, funding and co-ordination of such services.
The matters raised are operational issues in the day-to-day delivery of services and as such are matters for Kildare County Council.
323. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grant limits and income thresholds are being considered in relation to his Department’s review of the housing adaptation grant for older persons and persons with a disability scheme, for private houses; if so, the timeframe for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48585/22]
View answerHousing for All commits to reviewing the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. The review is continuing within my Department and is being informed by ongoing engagement with external stakeholders, for example, the Department of Health, the HSE, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Jack and Jill Foundation. Submissions have been invited from key stakeholders such as these in relation to the review of the suite of grants.
Among the areas which the review will consider are income thresholds, grant limits, and the application and decision making processes, including the supplementary documentation required. The review is to be completed by the end of 2022.
324. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure all homeowners who are currently stuck in stage 1 of their application to the defective concrete block grant scheme, including those who applied after February 2022, will have the 90% of their engineer’s fee reimbursed while they are awaiting a decision. [48602/22]
View answerFollowing on from the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 in respect of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022.
The purpose of this Act is to implement and give legislative underpinning to a series of measures to improve and enhance the scheme as agreed by Government on 30 November 2021. Full details can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/328d7-minister-obrien-welcomes-progress-on-enhanced-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/.
Pending commencement of the Act, applications can continue to be made to local authorities and processed under the current Defective Concrete Block grant scheme, underpinned by the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations, 2020 and the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
Regulation 5 of the 2022 Regulations waives the requirement for a Stage 1 confirmation of eligibility to be in place prior to recoupment of the cost of the engineer’s fees for homeowners whose applications were received by the local authority before the 24 February, 2022.
Regulation 8 (11) of S.I. 25 of 2020 requires that a homeowner must have received a Stage 1 confirmation of eligibility before the cost of the engineers fees for their I.S. 465 report can be recouped and continues to have effect in respect of applications received by the local authority on or after the 24 February, 2022.
My Department issued guidance to local authorities on 25 February 2022 requesting they make immediate arrangements for the recoupment of engineers fees to homeowners whose applications were received before the 24 February, 2022.
325. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify, in the context of a review of solar panel planning exemptions, if planning permission is required for the installation of solar PV panels on listed buildings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48640/22]
View answerUnder the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended (the Act), all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Section 4 of the Act and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. Any such exemptions are subject to compliance with any general restrictions on exemptions set out in the Act or the Regulations and to the specific conditions set out in each class of exempted development in Schedule 2 of the Regulations. Included in the planning exemptions set out in the Regulations are those applying to the installation of solar infrastructure on a variety of building types, including houses, businesses, industrial and agricultural to which specific conditions are attached.
My Department, in the context of the Climate Action Plan and in consultation with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, has undertaken a review of the solar panel planning exemptions set out in the Regulations, with a particular focus on facilitating increased self-generation of electricity. This review is now complete. Substantial changes to the current planning exemption thresholds for solar panels are proposed, including those relating to the installation of solar panels on the roofs of houses, as well as the introduction of new classes of solar panel planning exemptions for apartments and educational/community/sports buildings.
The matter of solar development and the potential impact on protected structures has been a primary consideration of my Department throughout the development of the draft regulations.
Both the Act and the Regulations contain provisions for the protection of, inter alia, protected structures by way of restrictions on exempted development. These provisions apply to the current solar planning exemptions and have not been amended as part of the current review.
Section 57 of the Act clarifies the position with regard to planning exemptions for protected structures to provide that “[…] the carrying out of works to a protected structure, or a proposed protected structure, shall be exempted development only if those works would not materially affect the character of: (a) the structure, or (b) any element of the structure which contributes to its special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest”.
In addition, article 9 of the Regulations provides that development shall not be exempted development if it would, inter alia, “consist of or comprise […] the excavation, alteration or demolition…of places […] of archaeological, geological, historical, scientific or ecological interest, the preservation, conservation or protection of which is an objective of a development plan […]”.
With regard to what would materially affect the character of a protected structure and any uncertainty as to when planning permission is required, a person may contact the relevant planning authority and seek a declaration under section 5 of the Act that will confirm the position. In addition, a declaration in relation to a protected structure may be sought under section 57 of the Act by the owner or occupier of the structure.
It will be open to any person to seek planning permission for proposed development affecting a protected structure. Buildings of architectural heritage significance have their role to play in climate change mitigation and there will be cases where the installation of solar panels will be acceptable but this is a matter for the planning authorities to decide on a case-by-case basis, either through the declaration processes or the planning system.
Under section 30 of the Act, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case in which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned, except in very specific circumstances, which do not apply in this case.
As required under planning legislation, the proposed exempted development regulations must be laid in draft form before the Houses of the Oireachtas and receive a positive resolution from both Houses before they can be made. In this regard, the process for finalising the solar regulations has commenced and is expected to be completed imminently.
326. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by him, Ministers of State in his Department and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47914/22]
View answerThe following are details of domestic flights taken by me, the Ministers of State, and staff in my Department in each of the years from 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022.
|
Year |
Number of flights |
Route |
No of Passengers |
|
2019 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2020 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2022 |
2 |
Dublin-Kerry-Dublin |
3 |
327. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will seek a human rights observation mandate for MINURSO when its mandate comes for renewal at the United Nations Security Council in October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47939/22]
View answerIreland has a long tradition of contributing to UN peace-support missions and we have maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958. During our time on the Security Council we are pushing to improve the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations.
We are working to ensure that the mandates for peacekeeping missions align with the needs of the populations that they serve and that peacekeeping missions are adequately resourced to that purpose, including in the case of MINURSO. We believe that UN Peace Missions have an essential role to play in protecting civilians and promoting respect for human rights, and Ireland is supporting their crucial work in this area.
Ireland’s longstanding position on Western Sahara is one of full support for MINURSO, the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. The UN path is, in our view, the only path forward.
The Council, in UNSCR 2602 of 2021, called on the parties to the conflict to develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights and has encouraged enhancing cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including by facilitating visits of the High Commissioner to the region.
The Council has called on all parties to respect the terms of the ceasefire agreement of 1991, to fulfil their obligations under international law, including ensuring full respect for human rights, and to refrain from taking any actions that could lead to further destabilisation of the situation on the ground.
In the mandate renewal process, as in all our work across the Council agenda, Ireland will continue to promote respect for human rights, accountability and compliance with international law.
328. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will put in place sanctions given the unprovoked invasion of Armenia by Azerbaijan; if he will seek sanctions at an European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47960/22]
View answerIreland does not have any unilateral sanctions regimes and the Government has no plans to introduce any. However, and as referred to by the Deputy, Ireland implements EU sanctions adopted as part of the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (as well as implementing UN sanctions). The introduction of new EU sanctions requires consensus among all EU Member States. There have been no recent EU proposals for sanctions on Azerbaijan, and I have no plans to propose sanctions at EU level. Ireland's position--and that of the EU--is that dialogue and engagement, rather than sanctions, remain the most effective tools at hand to resolve this conflict. Ireland continues to support the international format of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group to achieve a negotiated, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict, particularly on the long-term status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ireland also welcomes the continued efforts of President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to broker talks between President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Prime Minister Pashinyan of Armenia. In my capacity as Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, on 13 September, I called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to pull back from any further steps which might worsen the situation, to respect international agreements, and to engage in peace talks without further delay. I also called upon member states of the Council of Europe to abide by their commitments taken upon accession, including to settle conflicts by peaceful means, and I offered the Council’s support towards efforts to make peace.
329. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will contact the Russian authorities in relation to the abduction and forcible conscription of a Russian national (details supplied) who is a Ukrainian resident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48021/22]
View answerSince the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine. Ireland and the EU have reiterated calls on Russia to fully comply with its obligations under international law, and have condemned in the strongest possible terms violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the ongoing detention, abduction and kidnapping of people by the Russian Armed Forces and their proxies.
Ireland has consistently called on Russia to end its aggression, to comply with its obligations under international law, and withdraw all forces unconditionally from the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Following President Putin’s announcement of a partial mobilisation, which aims to send further Russian military personnel to Ukraine, we have continued to work at the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, Human Rights Council other international fora, not only to bring an end to this war but also to support all measures to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
I am not familiar with the specific case referenced. However, Ireland regularly raises concerns at Russia’s actions targeting both its own citizens and those of other countries, both bilaterally and in relevant EU and international fora, including at the UN Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council and in the Council of Europe context. Such human rights violations by Russia are also regularly raised by the EU in its interactions with the Russian authorities.
330. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent scenes of violence by Israeli forces in east Jerusalem, which has included the forceful eviction of peaceful Muslim worshippers from Al-Aqsa Mosque. [48048/22]
View answerI am very concerned by the escalation in tensions in Jerusalem in recent days, particularly at the Al Aqsa compound.
These events did not happen in isolation; they are part of a broader cycle of violence in the West Bank. Ireland expressed concern regarding this increase in violence in a statement to the United Nations Security Council on 28 September, and reiterated that the protection of civilians is of paramount importance and is required under international law
I call on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and continue to engage in de-escalatory efforts. Israel, as the occupying power, must ensure that its security forces exercise the utmost care to preserve civilian life and avoid casualties.
Ireland has also repeatedly supported calls for the upholding of the status quo put in place at the Al Aqsa compound in 1967. This status quo must be respected and freedom of worship guaranteed.
331. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the historic family code referendum in Cuba, which has seen the expansion of marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples. [48049/22]
View answerI welcome the outcome of the family code referendum in Cuba on 25 September, which provides for the expansion of marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples, and also introduces a range of other measures to promote inclusion, gender equality, and protection of the elderly and children.
The result of this referendum is a significant and positive moment for the people of Cuba. The fact that reports state that the referendum passed by a considerable margin, with 66.9% of the voters casting a favourable vote, is also welcome.
332. 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. [48107/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to one of the applicants. With regard to the other application, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
