Written Answers Nos. 582-601
584. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the counties that currently have the homelessness rate of HAP available to people in need in their respective counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2154/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. Under HAP, tenants source their own accommodation in the private rented market. However, additional supports are available under HAP for homeless households or households at risk of homelessness. While eligible households or individuals may source accommodation for themselves under the Homeless HAP scheme, a dedicated resource, the Place Finder Service, has been established nationwide to provide assistance. The Place Finder Service can assist qualified households in finding suitable tenancies by facilitating access to appropriate 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, including the Place Finder Service, is a matter for each local authority.
Each local authority now has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. The additional discretion available to homeless households recognises the difficulty this cohort of households face in sourcing and securing properties in a highly competitive rental market.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive operates Homeless HAP on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities.
A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency.
585. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a full list of lands in the ownership of each local authority that are zoned for housing. [2258/23]
View answerThe Land Development Agency (LDA) has developed the State Lands Database which provides a detailed and mapped representation of the extent and location of lands owned by public bodies including local authorities in Ireland. Its contents are informed by the LDA’s engagement with the Property Registration Authority, Ordnance Survey Ireland and other public bodies.
The constraints and limitations with difficulties regarding data and ongoing land registration means that the LDA will continue to update the State Lands Database to take account of information from local authorities and other public bodies on entries/records provided, and as new publicly owned sites are added to the webmap.
Details of the zoning status of lands identified in the State Lands Database are available as part of the information provided by the LDA. This zoning information is sourced from the MyPlan.ie platform which amalgamates the zoning information from statutory City and County Development Plans nationally.
The LDA has also completed the Register of Relevant Lands, being lands owned by local authorities and bodies listed under Schedule 1 and 2 of the Land Development Agency Act 2021, in urban population areas greater than 10,000. Both the State Lands Database and the Register o relevant lands are also available in an online map format on the LDA website at the following link: lda.ie/register-of-relevant-lands/map/.
586. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a full list of Part 8 planning permissions that have been granted for houses in each local authority in the past 15 years; the number of housing developments that have been built as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2259/23]
View answerLocal authority "own" developments as prescribed in Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, are classified as exempted development under section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and therefore no planning application is required for local authority development of this nature. Section 179 of the Act provides that, with certain exceptions, Part 8 type development proposals require a public consultation process and the consent by resolution of the elected members of the relevant local authority in order to proceed. Further to the public consultation on such a proposed development and the Chief Executive's report on the public consultation, the proposed development may be carried out as recommended in the Chief Executive's report unless the elected members of the local authority, by resolution, decide to vary or modify the proposed development otherwise than as recommended in the Chief Executive's report, or decide not to proceed with the development. As Part 8 type developments are exempt from planning permission, my Department does not compile statistics in this regard and individual local authorities should be contacted for the information sought.
587. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant homes officers who are employed by local authorities nationally; if those employed as vacant homes officers also carry out duties outside of this role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2260/23]
View answerIn January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, from mid-2022.
This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that VHOs are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
Local authorities were requested to arrange for the VHO position to become full-time by the end of Q2 2022 and to notify my Department accordingly. Of the 31 local authorities, 29 VHO are now on a full-time basis. I understand that recruitment is ongoing for the remaining 2 posts.
588. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the limits on the first home scheme will next be reviewed. [2305/23]
View answer589. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he is taking to ensure that the limits for the first home scheme are being consistently applied in all local authorities. [2306/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 588 and 589 together.
The First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Further information is available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
The scheme is overseen and managed independently by the First Home Scheme DAC. The rules of the scheme have been agreed by all of the scheme founders, including the participant banks (AIB (including EBS and Haven), BOI and PTSB) and the State. It is the responsibility of the First Home Scheme to apply all rules equally and fairly to all applicants without exception. The rules of the scheme are contained in the First Home Scheme brochure, which is available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/media/3fidiubp/first-homes-brochure-2023.pdf.
At its launch, it was announced by the First Home Scheme DAC that a review of price ceilings would be undertaken within 6 months. This review was conducted towards the end of 2022 on the basis of the most up to date Residential Property Price Index data on the sales prices of new homes sold as published by the CSO, as well as a study of the prices of new homes available on the market, and also factored in the increase in construction costs.
That review is now complete, and the revised price ceilings have been in place since 1 January 2023. The revised price ceilings are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie/about/property-price-ceilings/
At an event confirming the new ceilings on 9 January 2023, it was announced by First Home Scheme DAC that future reviews will be conducted on a 6-monthly basis.
590. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on working with Cork County Council to secure a site currently for sale (details supplied) to build social and affordable housing. [2307/23]
View answerThe responsibility to bring forward proposals for site acquisitions and potential development sites is a matter for local authorities and all queries in relation to this should be submitted to the relevant local authority in the first instance. My Department has no involvement until such time as it receives a capital appraisal for consideration. Each application will be considered on its merits, having regard to the housing need being addressed and value for money.
As regards the project in question, my Department has not received a capital appraisal to date and I am therefore not in a position to comment any further on the matter at this time.
591. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an entitlement to the current rate of RAS payment of a person will be affected in cases in which they receive an inheritance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/23]
View answerDecisions on eligibility for social housing support, including the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), are a matter solely for local authorities with reference to eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations. The Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. My Department issued a guidance note to assist local authorities when applying the Household Means Policy which stated that savings are relevant to the income assessment only in so far as they generate an income for applicants, by way of dividend or interest. Should this inheritance generate an income by way of dividend or interest then it may be relevant to income assessment. The Rental Accommodation Scheme, introduced in 2005, placed responsibility on local authorities to meet the accommodation needs of people in receipt of Rent Supplement for 18 months or longer, and who are assessed as having a long-term housing need. Under the Scheme rules, tenants are charged a rent contribution which is paid directly to the local authority who will determine that rent contribution by reference to its differential rents scheme and the tenant’s means.
Once a household is in receipt of social housing support, they are not generally subject to a reassessment of eligibility. However, where an individual’s financial circumstances change, and if the situation arose whereby an inheritance generated an income by way of dividend or interest then it may be relevant to income assessment, and the local authority may increase the level of tenant contribution in line with its differential rents scheme rules.
592. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of the backlog of 2,300 cases at An Bord Pleanála that consist of residential units, broken down in terms of housing typology, such as apartments versus houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2329/23]
View answerMy Department does not collate the information requested. In this connection, arrangements have been put in place by each Agency under the remit of the Department, including An Bord Pleanála, to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, 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.
593. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any further increments or increases are due in the case of a person (details supplied) and their pension from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63217/22]
View answerAny adjustments to be made to pay or pensions under public sector pay agreements are advised of by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to the National Shared Services Office (NSSO). The payment of pensions, including the application of general increases for the staff of my Department, is a matter for the pensions pay team within the NSSO. If the individual in question is due any further increases in relation to her pension under any applicable general round increases, these will be applied by the NSSO.
594. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the number of consular staff employed at foreign embassies in Dublin and notified to his Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 is a matter for each individual embassy; if the numbers can be capped or limited by the Government; and if he will outline the considerations which apply when making a decision to cap or limit those numbers. [63255/22]
View answer595. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 24 November 2022, if he will express a view on the reason for the disproportionately high number of staff employed at the embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dublin, which with 28 staff has jointly the second largest complement of any embassy in Dublin, with the same number as the embassy of the United Kingdom. [63256/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 594 and 595 together.
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 (VCDR) identifies three categories of Mission staff as follows:
- Diplomatic staff
- Administrative and Technical staff, and
- Service staff
Pursuant to Article 10, VCDR, the Department of Foreign Affairs shall be notified, inter alia, of the appointment of members of the Mission, their arrival and their final departure or the termination of their functions with the Mission.
The number of staff at each Mission fluctuates regularly due to the staff rotations of the sending States which have Missions in Ireland.
Pursuant to Article 11 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 (VCDR), in the absence of a specific agreement as to the size of a Mission, the host State may require that the size of a Mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the host State and to the needs of the particular Mission.
In general, Ireland's practice has been not to enter into specific agreements regarding the size of individual Missions or to require that the size of individual Missions be kept within specified limits pursuant to Article 11
Ireland continues to keep our policies and practices in this regard under review and, like all host states, has the option of engaging on the issue of staffing levels with any individual Mission as required, pursuant to Article 11 of the VCDR.
596. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated initial cost and ongoing annual costs of his proposal to reopen an Irish embassy in Iran. [63257/22]
View answerThe Irish Embassy in Iran was closed in 2012 for financial reasons. In 2021 the Government decided to re-establish an Irish diplomatic presence in Iran in two phases. The first phase began in August 2021 with the appointment of a Chargé d’affaires in Tehran, co-located in the German Embassy in Tehran, with the Irish Embassy in Ankara remaining accredited to Iran. The second phase involves the re-opening of the Embassy in Tehran in 2023.
While planning is underway on this basis, as with all Embassy openings, plans are regularly reviewed in the light of political and security developments. I would note that there is strong EU engagement with Iran, and 22 EU Member States have a diplomatic presence in Tehran.
As is the case with all Ireland’s diplomatic contacts with other governments, the input and analysis from Irish diplomats and officials on the ground play an essential role in ensuring that our policy and political discussions, at all levels, are as informed and impactful as possible. An Irish Embassy in Tehran will also allow Ireland to more effectively deliver clear and firm messages directly to the Iranian government, including on issues like human rights and Iran’s nuclear activities.
Ireland’s diplomatic presence since August 2021 has been critical for engagement with Iran on a number of key regional files we have worked on at the UN Security Council, including Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and the Iran nuclear deal. Those issues continue to be priorities for Ireland after our term on the Council. While there is a relatively small population of Irish citizens living in Iran, and trade is currently limited due to the impact of sanctions, Iran remains a country with significant influence on the political, security, and economic dynamics of the broader Middle East.
Costs included as part of the 2021 memo to government included an estimated €1.5 million per annum, plus a one-off fit out cost of a new Chancery of around €1 million. The cost of the mission for 2021 was €87,000 and the estimated cost, pending final accounts for 2022, was €284,000. The budget for 2023 remains to be finalised.
597. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of his contacts to date with representatives of the dictatorship in Iran in relation to his proposal to reopen an Irish embassy in Iran; and if this proposal was discussed at either of the Minister's meetings with the Iranian foreign minister during 2021. [63258/22]
View answer598. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of all meetings held with all ministers or other representatives of the dictatorship in Iran from 14 June 2017 to date, together with the venues of those meetings. [63259/22]
View answer599. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will list all lobby groups, representative bodies, trade organisations, voluntary groups or private companies which have contacted him to seek the reopening of an Irish embassy in Iran from 14 June 2017 to date. [63260/22]
View answer603. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the assessment that his Department has made of reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran is carrying out executions against anti-government protestors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63511/22]
View answer610. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the matter of protesters in Iran facing long-term imprisonment and death sentences with the Iranian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1065/23]
View answer611. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if additional tougher sanctions will be discussed at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting to be applied on Iran following this involvement in the Ukraine war. [1218/23]
View answer613. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he condemns the actions of the Iranian Government for its execution of activists, journalists and protesters; if he is engaging with officials there to communicate the views of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1436/23]
View answer630. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of his engagement with the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning recent protests for women’s rights and the treatment of protestors by state security services. [2425/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 597 to 599, inclusive, 603, 610, 611, 613 and 630 together.
I commend the courage of the Iranian women and men who continue to exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. While their protests were prompted by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, many more children, women and men have died since. I extend my condolences to the loved ones of all those who have died. The protestors’ slogan of "Women, Life, Freedom" is clear, and has resonated with many in Ireland as well.
Iran must adhere to its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Ireland opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and has consistently raised our concerns around the number of executions in Iran, including through the Universal Periodic Review process at the Human Rights Council. Ireland joined EU partners in condemning the execution of Iranian British National Alireza Akbari. I am horrified that Iran has started to execute people for their alleged involvement in the protests. I again urge Iran to declare a moratorium on executions, to revoke death sentences issued for involvement in protests and to consider alternative sentencing.
Ireland raises human rights concerns with Iran at every suitable opportunity. In 2022, Ireland again co-sponsored the annual Canadian-led resolution at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution addresses a broad range of human rights violations in Iran. Ireland also co-sponsored the convening of a special session of the Human Rights Council on 24 November 2022 which voted to create a fact-finding mission to investigate and report on the human rights situation in Iran.
Since 2017, there has been a significant increase in bilateral contacts between Ireland and Iran. Then-Minister Coveney visited Tehran in February 2021 and in February 2022. Former President Rouhani and former Foreign Minister Zarif visited Dublin in March 2021. Ministerial meetings were also held during the UN General Assembly high level week in September 2021 and September 2022.
Political consultations have taken place at official level, in February 2020 (Tehran), May 2021 (Dublin), and November 2021 (Dublin). Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and our Chargé d'Affaires engage frequently with Iranian officials in Dublin, in Tehran and at other international venues.
At this challenging time, it is critical that diplomatic channels remain open in order to directly communicate with the Iranian government. In 2021 the Government decided to re-establish an Irish diplomatic presence in Iran in two phases. In August 2021 we appointed a Chargé d’Affaires in Tehran, with the Irish Embassy in Ankara remaining accredited to Iran. Planning is underway to re-open the Embassy in 2023. As with all Embassy openings, plans are regularly reviewed in the light of political and security developments. There is strong EU engagement with Iran, and 22 Member States have a diplomatic presence in Tehran.
As is the case with all Ireland’s diplomatic contacts with other governments, the input and analysis from Irish diplomats and officials on the ground play an essential role in ensuring that our policy and political discussions, at all levels, are as informed and impactful as possible. An Irish Embassy in Tehran will also allow Ireland to deliver more effectively clear and firm messages on a wide range of issues including, the broad human rights situation in Iran, the disproportionate response of the Iranian security forces to the recent ongoing protests, as well as bilateral relations and regional issues, consular matters, nuclear non-proliferation and the supply of weapons to Russia.
Ireland’s diplomatic presence in Tehran since August 2021 was critical for engagement with Iran on a number of key regional issues that we worked on at the UN Security Council, including Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and the Iran nuclear deal. Those issues continue to be priorities for Ireland after our term on the Council. On these and other regional and global political, security, and economic issues, Iran is a country with significant influence.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has no record of lobby groups, representative bodies, trade organisations, voluntary groups or private companies which have sought the reopening of the Irish Embassy in Iran since 14 June 2017 to date.
Sanctions are an important foreign policy tool, used to deter States from pursuing actions which threaten international stability, or from harming citizens in their own country. Since 2011, the EU has applied sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations in Iran. Ireland works with our EU partners to ensure that all sanctions are targeted and contain clear exemptions for humanitarian actors.
At the 17 October 2022 meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Member States agreed to expand the Iran human rights sanctions regime to target eleven individuals and four entities in response to their involvement in the death of Mahsa Amini, and the government’s violent response to demonstrations. On 20 October 2022, additional sanctions against Iranian individuals and an entity involved in the development of drones and their delivery to Russia were adopted. On 14 November 2022, a further 29 individuals and three entities were sanctioned in relation to the protests. On 12 December 2022, 20 individuals and one entity were sanctioned under the Human Rights sanctions regime, as well as four individuals and four entities under the Ukraine Territorial Integrity sanctions regime.
Further restrictive measures will be considered in the coming weeks as the situation continues to develop.
Officials from my Department will continue to monitor developments in Iran, and to raise our concerns directly with the Iranian government. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners in the EU to ensure there is a joint, coordinated, and clear response to the actions of the Iranian authorities.
600. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if all sections of all Acts passed in the past ten years have been commenced; the number of sections that are outstanding; the number of Acts that have review periods; if the reviews have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63382/22]
View answerThe Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2021, The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 and The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019 have all been commenced in the last ten years. Not all sections of the Acts were commenced.
The Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2021 was commenced by order on 17 November 2021. The Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2021 (Commencement) Order 2021 fixed 22 November 2021 as the day on which all provisions of the Act except sections 32 and 33 came into operation. Sections 32 and 33 provide for amendment of two provisions of other enactments which themselves have yet to be commenced (s. 2 of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 and s. 6 of the Minerals Development Act 2017). Sections 32 and 33 of the 2021 Act may only be commenced once those provisions of the 2014 and 2017 Acts have themselves been commenced.
The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019 was enacted on 17 March 2019 as part of the Government’s preparations for a possible no deal Brexit in 2019. The Act consists of 15 Parts under the remits of nine Ministers. Parts 1, 14 and 15 were subsequently commenced while Part 3 was repealed and its provisions addressed in the Industrial Development (Amendment) Act 2019. The remaining Parts of the Act were not commenced as the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union was concluded and entered into force. Those Parts of the 2019 Act that are spent, cannot be commenced following the entry into force of the Withdrawal Agreement, or are superseded by provisions in other legislation were repealed in the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020.
The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 was enacted on 10 December 2020 to address the wide range of complex issues that could arise for citizens and businesses at the end of the Brexit transition period. The Act consists of 22 Parts under the remits of 10 Ministers. Parts 1, 2, 4 to 12 and 14 to 22 of the Act have been commenced. It has not been necessary to commence Parts 3 and 13 of the Act because of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached between the EU and the UK.
Pursuant to Dáil Standing Order 197 and Seanad Standing Order 168, a Post-Enactment Report including details of the operation of the Act and a preliminary assessment of the functioning of the Act was submitted in December 2021.
None of these Acts have review-periods.
601. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland has taken to address the violation of the health rights of political prisoners in Bahrain at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva; if he will demand the immediate and unconditional release of a person (details supplied) who is a prominent activist and leader of the opposition and whose health is deteriorating rapidly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63449/22]
View answerI note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels.
Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the Bahraini authorities, including the detention of political prisoners and conditions in prisons. Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain as a member of the European Union. At the most recent EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue on 27 October 2022, issues of concern raised by the EU included freedom of expression, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, and the death penalty. The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, has made representations to the Bahraini authorities on the detention of a number of individuals.
At the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 7 November 2022, Ireland urged Bahrain to uphold freedom of religion and belief for all persons including members of the Shia community; we regretted the reintroduction of the death penalty in 2017 following a moratorium of several years; and we urged Bahrain to carry out independent and prompt investigations into all allegations of torture or other forms of ill-treatment and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
We also recommended the immediate release of all individuals who have been arbitrarily arrested, and for the creation of a safe and enabling environment for civil society organisations and human rights defenders.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain and call on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights.
