Written Answers Nos. 41-60
42. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current number of outstanding passport applications that were submitted more than one, two, three, four, five and six months ago; the total number of applications on hand; and the current number of staff in the Passport Service. [48266/22]
View answer44. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport applications and processing times at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48178/22]
View answer57. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons living in Cork who are currently awaiting a passport. [48907/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 44 and 57 together.
The Passport Service has issued over 940,000 passports to date this year and 2022 will be the first year ever that over 1 million passports will be issued. The Passport Service is currently out-performing its previous busiest year (2019) by 17%.
The total number of fully complete online and postal applications on hand with the Passport Service is 29,000. The vast majority of these will be processed within the normal turnaround times outlined below.
Thanks to significant investment by the Government, substantial improvements have been made this year and full, normal service has resumed.
Processing time for online first time applications has halved from 40 working days in March of this year to 20 working days. 84% of online adult renewal applications are being processed in 3 working days or less. All processing times for online applications have now returned to normal pre-Covid processing times.
The current processing times are:
- Online adult renewal - 10 working days
- Online child/complex renewal - 15 working days
- Online first time application - 20 working days
- Post Passport via An Post - 8 weeks
Currently, 100% of calls and 95% of webchats are being answered by the Customer Service Hub and customers can easily access the information they need through the Hub. In addition, my Department is implementing a staffing plan to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained during periods of peak demand.
Staffing numbers in the Passport Service have doubled since June 2021 and there are currently 828 staff. New office space on the Balbriggan campus is now open and provides over 200 additional workstations to accommodate the increase in staff numbers.
The number of fully complete online and postal applications submitted to the Passport Service for processing over 1 month ago is 3,272. The number of complete applications submitted over 2 months ago is 1,653. The number submitted over 3 months ago is 1,117. The number submitted over 4 months ago is 976 and the number submitted more than 5 months ago is 643. Finally, the number of complete passport applications submitted over 6 months ago is 254.
The vast majority of these relate to very complex or sensitive cases that may involve citizenship, guardianship or legal issues. These require very thorough examination by experienced staff and can take longer to process.
In addition, the Passport Service has recently written to 15,000 applicants, who submitted their application online but have not submitted any of the required supporting documentation. These applications date back as far as May of this year.
The number of applications currently in the Passport Service system from applicants residing in Cork is outlined below. This table also breaks down the number of applications that are currently being processed by the Passport Service and the number of applications that are awaiting further action from the applicant.
|
County |
Passport Service processing |
Awaiting further action from applicant |
Total |
|
Cork |
1,016 |
1,988 |
3,004 |
43. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Ireland's Overseas Development Aid Programme, including the way in which this vital aid will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49074/22]
View answerIreland's international development programme, Irish Aid, has a strong global reputation for quality and effectiveness. This reputation was reconfirmed in the 2020 OECD Peer Review of Ireland’s Development Assistance. Also in 2020, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a leading global development think tank, ranked Ireland as the number one donor in delivering principled aid in their “Principled Aid Index 2020”, for the second successive year.
The focus of the programme is on delivering transformative and sustainable change for the poorest and most vulnerable. The Government's international development policy, A Better World , prioritises the promotion of gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, support to climate action and strengthening governance as key strategies to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
We focus on areas where Ireland has proven expertise and can make a real difference. These include conflict prevention and resolution, humanitarian action, food systems and agriculture, health and nutrition, social protection and education.
Ireland’s aid is untied and is delivered through selected partners including governments, UN agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector, to ensure lasting improvements in the lives of communities living in poverty, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
In Budget 2023, the Government provided a total of over €1.22 million for Official Development Assistance, an increase of €177 million on 2022. The overall increase includes an additional €100 million for Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, a 17% year on year increase.
The increased funding will include allocations to international climate action, humanitarian needs within Ukraine and its immediate neighbours, and the wider food security consequences of the Russian invasion. In view of the urgent need, the Government also allocated a further €30 million for 2022 to provide additional humanitarian assistance for the devastating food security crisis in the Horn of Africa.
45. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made to date on the Passport Service Reform Programme; if the roll-out of the programme is on target; when the programme will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48549/22]
View answerThe ongoing programme of Passport Reform focuses on the future of service delivery by continuing to identify and implement projects to enhance the customer experience and provide for business continuity while maintaining the integrity of the Irish passport.
The first iteration of the Passport Reform Programme ran from 2016 – 2021 and delivered significant customer service improvements to the Passport Service including:
- Delivery of a new online channel for our citizens in Ireland and abroad: This has been transformative in terms of how the Passport Service has managed the increased demand for passports, particularly
with the reopening of travel after Covid-19 peaks. Today, over 90% of all passport applications are now being made through Passport Online. With the efficiencies gained from the online application system, 84% f online adult renewal applications are being processed in three working days or less.
- Development of a Passport Card: This credit card sized travel document fits conveniently in a wallet and allows travel to 30 countries in the EU and EEA.
- Integration with MyGov ID: Passport applicants can utilise the government wide MyGovID as an optional service when applying for their passport.
- Establishment of an Integrity Unit : This dedicated unit was set up to strengthen our anti-fraud capacity, helping to ensure the Irish passport remains one of the strongest in the world.
My Department has recently commenced the second iteration of the Passport Service Reform Programme that will run until 2025. Over this period, the Passport Service will undertake another major programme of reform, change and further enhancements with a number of core projects running in parallel:
- Design and deployment of a new back office passport processing system, including enhanced anti-fraud measures, essential to stabilise and support the improvements that the rollout of the Passport Online Service has already delivered. Procurement for this new system has been completed and the design process is presently underway;
- Redesign and security upgrade of the Irish Passport Book, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations. This project will include all aspects of the passport production process from passport design, to book/card manufacture, through to personalisation.
- Upgrade of the technology used to prevent and detect fraud in the passport application process to ensure the integrity and continued strong international standing of the Irish Passport.
46. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48828/22]
View answerIreland has unequivocally rejected the recent sham referendums in Russian partially-occupied regions of Ukraine. The votes were illegal and illegitimate. I categorically condemn the announcement by the Russian Federation of its intention to illegally annex the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Such a decision has no basis in law and this move does not reflect the freely expressed will of the people of these regions. It is a ploy to further undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in violation of the Principles of the UN Charter and international law. The move is an unlawful attempt to try to justify Russia’s aggression and represents a dangerous escalation.
Ireland will never recognise Russian claims over these regions and we call on Russia to end its aggression immediately, to comply with its obligations under international law, and to withdraw all forces unconditionally from the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
On 30 September we were proud to vote in favour of a draft UN Security Council Resolution on Illegal so-called Referenda in Ukraine and categorically rejected the so-called results of those illegal and illegitimate referenda, and announcements purporting to annex Ukrainian territory. Ireland made clear that they have no legal effect and that Ukraine’s borders have not changed. They violate the UN Charter and Russia’s obligations under international law.
The Resolution we supported at the Security Council did not pass, as the Russian Federation used the veto in a flagrant attempt to excuse its own military aggression against Ukraine. The use of the veto in these circumstances is reprehensible and undermines the legitimacy of the Council. However, this veto will not prevent the international community from responding to Russia’s breaches of international law.
47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposed timeframe to honour the Government commitment to recognise the state of Palestine. [48265/22]
View answerI have been clear in my engagement with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority of the commitment of this Government to advancing a two-State solution, in line with the agreed parameters for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The Programme for Government states that the Government will “Honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”. As I have stated previously, in the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government early recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful, and this is a matter which I discuss with EU colleagues. Recognition by Ireland outside the context of an overall peace agreement would, however, be likely to affect Ireland’s influence on the Israel-Palestine conflict at EU and international level. Timing and context would affect whether such a loss of influence would be matched by a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process and a two-State solution.
49. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his recent interactions with the European Union in relation to the continuing situation with regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48807/22]
View answerThe response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Member States, including Ireland, have collectively welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees under the Temporary Protection Mechanism. The EU has also imposed the most extensive package of sanctions in its history, in response to Russia's aggression, and in coordination with other like-minded partners.
EU Foreign Ministers met in New York on 21 September together with our Ukrainian counterpart, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba where he updated us on the latest developments in Ukraine. We reiterated our strongest condemnation of the plans by Russia to organise so-called “referenda”, with the aim of annexation by Russia of parts of Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk, and the Zaporizhzhia regions. We agreed that additional restrictive measures should be brought forward in response to this blatant violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
EU Leaders issued a statement in response to the announcement by President Putin of his intention to illegally annex the four regions on 30 September, noting that EU Heads of State and Government firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, continue to stand resolutely with Ukraine and its people, and will continue to provide strong economic, military, social and financial support to Ukraine for as long as necessary.
EU Member States also coordinated to summon Russian Ambassadors in capitals. On 3 October, the Russian Ambassador was summoned by my Department to inform him that Ireland categorically condemns the declaration by the Russian Federation on 30 September illegally annexing part of the territory of Ukraine. He was also informed that such a decision has no basis in law, that the move does not reflect the freely expressed will of the people of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and that the annexation will never be recognised by Ireland.
An eighth sanctions package is currently being discussed at EU level, in response to the organisation of illegal referendums in the occupied regions, and the announcement by President Putin of partial mobilisation in Russia and threats of the use of weapons of mass destruction. Ireland joined Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in co-signing a Polish paper proposing measures ahead of the tabling of the proposed eighth package by the Commission.
The EU has also provided €55 million in support to the Ukrainian military through the European Peace Facility, with Ireland's share contributing towards the provision of non-lethal equipment.
EU Member States have remained united in support of Ukraine throughout Russia's war of aggression and I expect this unity of purpose will continue in the coming months.
51. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recent United Nations Security Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48884/22]
View answerAs of 30 September, the Security Council has met 33 times so far in 2022 to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Ireland has pushed for the Council to hold Russia accountable, to urge it to end its illegal war in Ukraine immediately, and to call out Russia’s cynical attempts to use the Council and other UN bodies to spread disinformation.
On 22 September I addressed the Council and briefed them on my most recent visit to Ukraine. I made clear Ireland’s strong support for Ukraine, and called for dialogue, and accountability for Russia. In my intervention I made clear that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is the antithesis of the principles of the UN Charter and that it is a grave violation of international law and an attempt to change internationally-recognised borders by use of force.
I called for the Council to collectively consider how it acts to protect the principles and purposes of the UN Charter itself and emphasised that the use of the veto to block Council action is unacceptable.
I recalled the shocking evidence I saw in Bucha in April of Russian forces’ disregard for international humanitarian law and noted that attacks by Russian forces on civilians, and on civilian infrastructure, have intensified further since then. The devastating impact of explosive weapons in populated areas is ever more evident - with tens of thousands of homes, hospitals and schools destroyed. I explained that this is why Ireland is seeking the wide endorsement by States of the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, at a High-Level adoption conference in Dublin in November.
I also briefed the Council on my meetings with Ukrainian and UN staff in Odesa the previous week, which focused on the progress of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in getting Ukrainian grain and other foodstuffs onto world markets.
52. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the increase in overseas development aid spend in Budget 2023 is consistent with Ireland's committed target of reaching 0.7% of gross national index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48909/22]
View answer53. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget increase in funding for Ireland's development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49076/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
In Budget 2023, the Government allocated a total of €1.22 billion for Official Development Assistance (ODA). This is the highest ever allocation, representing an increase of 17% on 2022. It includes an increase of €100 million for the international development programme administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
This allocation for ODA, following a significant increase for 2022, reflects the Government's commitment to the international target of allocating 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI). In the context of serious budgetary pressures, these increased allocations are an important statement by the Government of Ireland's solidarity with least developed countries. They will enable us to maintain Ireland's strong focus on the impact of hunger, conflict, disease and climate change on the most vulnerable communities globally.
I visited Kenya and South Sudan last month and saw for myself the impact of climate change and conflict in the ongoing food security and malnutrition crisis across the Horn of Africa. I called on the international community to respond more effectively, through increased assistance and better integration of humanitarian, development and climate actions. I am therefore very pleased that, in the Budget, the Government also decided to allocate an additional €30 million in humanitarian assistance this year for the crisis in the Horn of Africa.
54. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the further measures that Ireland can take to ensure that war criminals committing atrocities in Ukraine will be brought to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48986/22]
View answerIreland supports initiatives to bring to account perpetrators of atrocity crimes, including war crimes, committed in Ukraine since Russia’s latest invasion of that country last February.
To that end Ireland, along with its EU partners, joined with over 40 States earlier this year to refer the situation in Ukraine to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The purpose of that referral was to remove the need for the Prosecutor to engage in a lengthy authorisation process before the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber which would otherwise have been required before he could begin investigations into crimes alleged to have occurred in a country such as Ukraine which is not a party to the Statute of the ICC. As a result of this referral the ICC now has jurisdiction over any international crimes, including war crimes, that have been committed on the territory of Ukraine since 21 November 2013.
The Prosecutor has now commenced investigation activities in Ukraine which are intended to lead to the prosecution at the ICC of individuals for the commission of international crimes, including war crimes.
As part of Ireland’s support for the Court, on 14 April I announced that Ireland will make a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC, with €1 million to be distributed immediately to the Office of the Prosecutor. This contribution will be used to benefit the ICC’s work across all situation countries, not just Ukraine.
In addition to the investigation being undertaken by the ICC, a number of investigations into international crimes committed in Ukraine have been commenced by the authorities of several states under their domestic laws. These include investigations by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General and the national authorities of a number of European states relying on the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Since 25 April Eurojust, the EU agency responsible for coordinating investigations and prosecutions of serious cross-border crime, has established a Joint Investigative Team consisting of the relevant authorities in Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia, as well as the ICC, to coordinate the collection and sharing of evidence of atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine. Ireland has supported the work of Eurojust in this area by opting-in to the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1727 of the European Parliament and the Council. This Regulation, which entered into force on 31 May, enables Eurojust to collect, preserve and analyse evidence relating to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and, when necessary and appropriate, enable its exchange or otherwise make it available to competent national or international judicial authorities.
On 14 July the Attorney General represented Ireland at the Ministerial Conference on Accountability for Ukraine hosted by the Dutch Government in The Hague. Ireland, along with other participating states at the conference, adopted a Political Declaration committing to establish a ‘Dialogue Group’ to assist in coordinating criminal investigations between Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, other countries’ prosecuting authorities and the ICC.
The Government remains committed to ensuring accountability for atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine and continues to examine all options for further supporting effective efforts to that end.
56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request a meeting with Iranian representatives to express Ireland's outrage at the treatment and killing of protesters especially the many young women who have been killed in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49079/22]
View answer60. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland (details supplied) regarding the death in custody of a person who was arrested for wearing their hijab incorrectly, the subsequent protests across Iran and any concerns that he may have for Irish citizens currently residing in Iran. [49011/22]
View answer63. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the events in Iran following the tragic death of a person (details supplied) in Tehran; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/22]
View answer64. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the recent killing by state forces of a person (details supplied) and the repression against protestors in Iran with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48961/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 60, 63 and 64 together.
The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in Iran on 16 September, was a tragedy. The fact she was arrested simply due to the way she was dressed understandably provoked a strong response from the Iranian people and the international community. The subsequent response by the Iranian authorities to largely peaceful protestors in Iran has been extremely concerning.
I raised my concerns on the matter directly with the Iranian Foreign Minister when I met him at the UN General Assembly in New York on 21 September. I called on Iran to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of Ms Amini’s detention and death.
In my statement of October 3, I made it clear that Iran is party to a number of important international frameworks that guarantee fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, as well as the importance of upholding the rights of women and girls. Iran must adhere to its obligations under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Given that the issue of women’s rights is at the heart of the protests in Iran, I also made it clear that Ireland puts gender issues and the empowerment of women and girls at the forefront of our foreign policy. We will continue to raise these issues in our dialogue with international partners, including Iran. Senior officials in my Department are in ongoing contact with the Iranian Ambassador and the Iranian authorities are fully aware of our concerns.
In cooperation with other European Union Member States, Ireland will consider all options at our disposal to respond to the death of Masha Amini and to the actions of the Iranian authorities against the protestors.
58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 23 June 2022, if he will provide an update on his Department's engagement with representatives of a company (details supplied) and the Misak community in Colombia with regard to the treatment of human rights defenders who raise concerns over the negative impacts of the company's use of land in Colombia; the details of any engagement that he or his Department has had with the United Nations Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council with regard to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49068/22]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs continues to closely engage with the company and communities in Colombia referred to in the Deputy’s question. This a multi-layered, highly complex situation with various differing viewpoints, legal considerations, and other perspectives at play.
As previously outlined, officials from my Department have met with all parties to gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances and to support the development of an inclusive dialogue through which the issues surrounding this situation may be resolved.
The Embassy of Ireland to Colombia again visited the region and met with the stakeholders involved in September 2022 to this end.
We welcome the willingness of all parties to engage constructively in a dialogue process. Our Embassy will maintain communication with all sides with a view to supporting the development and implementation of this dialogue. We hope that this will result in a long-term and inclusive solution that respects the rights of all concerned.
Moreover, we welcome the Colombian Government’s recent efforts to engage with all parties to promote dialogue, and their commitment to engage in land reforms that improve equality of land access.
Regarding engagement with the UN Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, in July 2022 I received a Joint Communication on this situation from several Mandate holders. Ireland's response is available on the communications reporting website, along with the letter (link: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=37176) . This response highlighted our efforts to support an inclusive dialogue process among all the actors, and our support to the peace process.
It also laid out the work Ireland has done to date on business and human rights, including the publication of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights in 2017. Under the NAP, the Implementation Group developed a guidance document on Business and Human Rights for Irish companies, including a section on Human Rights Defenders. Ireland is proactive in the protection of Human Rights Defenders, working closely with the UN Special Rapporteur, with leading NGOs, and with Human Rights Defenders themselves in this regard.
59. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if recent statements and actions by the Government have resulted in a diminution of Ireland's policy of neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49080/22]
View answerIreland’s policy of military neutrality has long been an important strand of our independent foreign policy. In practical terms, as followed by successive Governments, the policy means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. However, our approach has never been one of isolationism; rather our neutrality has informed our active approach towards peace support operations and crisis management, and our contributions to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Russia’s appalling military aggression against Ukraine has highlighted more than ever the importance of solidarity and cooperation amongst likeminded partners in upholding the rules based international order. While militarily neutral, we are not politically neutral in response to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine.
Against this backdrop, it is clear that the security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia’s illegal attack on Ukraine, the decisions by Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership and the Government’s own recent response to the recommendations by the Commission on the Defence Forces have all brought security and defence issues to the fore in Ireland.
In this context, and as both the Taoiseach and I have previously noted, there is a need for reflection and debate, potentially through a Citizens’ Assembly or a similar framework.
As I have mentioned, the Government also took a decision in June, based on the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, to significantly increase spending on defence, rising from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028. This marks the largest increase in defence funding in the history of the Irish State. In turn, this will lead to a greater level of investment and strengthening of the capabilities of our Defence Forces, as well as an opportunity to seek further opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with other countries, including at EU level, within the framework of our policy of military neutrality.
