Written Answers Nos. 518-542
518. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek the details on the total number of vacant properties owned by each local authority nationwide which have been vacant for over six months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14042/23]
View answerLocal authorities will always have a level of vacancy in their housing stock. This will fluctuate over time, as tenancy surrender and re-letting of stock is an ongoing process. Therefore, ongoing data in relation to vacant local authority owned homes is not collated by my Department.
However, statistics in relation to social housing stock, at a point in time, are published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) in their Annual Reports on Performance Indicators in Local Authorities. These reports provide a range of information in relation to social housing stock, including levels of vacancy in local authority owned properties. The most recent report, relating to 2021, as published in November 2022, is available on the NOAC website at the following link:
noac.ie/noac_publications/report-50-noac-performance-indicator-report-2021/.
519. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within his Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which he approved of such transfers, since he took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform was consulted prior to the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12269/23]
View answerWith the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, allocations to Departmental Votes may be transferred between subheads by a process known as ‘virement’. Savings on one or more subheads may be used to meet excess expenditure on another subhead or subheads in the same Vote. In line with Public Financial Procedures, the process involves a request to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform for provisional sanction, once it becomes clear that there will be excess expenditure on a subhead which can be met from savings on another subhead. Definitive sanction is sought when the Appropriation Accounts have been prepared and the actual amounts involved are known.
Since I took office on 17 December 2022, there have been no requests for virement. Prior to that, my Department sought provisional sanction for virement from four subheads to four different subheads, as follows:
In Vote 27, provisional sanction was sought for a transfer of €750,000 from Subhead A.4 (Payments to International Funds for the Benefit of Developing Countries) to meet additional expenditure on Subhead A.3 (Bilateral Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance).
In Vote 28, provisional sanction was sought for a transfer of €3.3 million from Subhead E.2 (Administration Non-Pay) to Subhead A.2 (Administration Non-Pay); for a transfer of €300,000 from Subhead D.3 (Promoting Ireland) to Subhead D.4 (Contributions to National and International Organisations); and for a transfer of €400,00 from Subhead E.3 (Information Services) to Subhead B.4 (EU Engagement).
Provisional sanction for the transfers was granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in December 2022. In line with Public Financial Procedures, final virement sanction will be sought from the Department in the context of the finalisation of the Appropriation Accounts for 2022.
520. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct officials in his Department to engage with the family of a person (details supplied) deceased in Spain who are awaiting repatriation. [12437/23]
View answerI am aware of this case and wish to acknowledge that this has been a very difficult time for the family concerned.
I can assure the Deputy that the Consular Assistance Unit in my Department is in ongoing contact with the family, and that the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid continues to engage with the Spanish authorities on the matter.
As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the specific details of the case.
521. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will intervene in relation to a passport application for a child (details supplied). [12448/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
522. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure the timely processing of an application for Irish citizenship (details supplied). [12464/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has approved this application and issued a Foreign Birth Registration certificate to the applicant.
523. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application by a person (details supplied); when a passport will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12491/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
524. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in respect of an application by a person (details supplied) for a foreign birth registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12503/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
In recent months the number of FBR applications processed each week has been over 200% of the number of FBR applications received each week. As a result there is currently no backlog of FBR applications.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 24 November 2022. This application is within the current turnaround time.
525. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 7 March 2023, the groups or organisations his Department consulted with or that provided an input into the drafting of his Department's gender, equality, diversity and inclusion action plan launched in mid-2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12539/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to ensuring that our staff and our workplace are representative and reflective of the people and society that we serve.
The Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Action Plan was developed through wide-scale consultations within the Department, both in Ireland and across our Mission network overseas.
In 2021, we worked with the Irish Centre for Diversity on a benchmarking and certification process. Following the award of bronze certification for equality and diversity by the Irish Centre for Diversity in March 2022, we developed targets, outcomes, and actions in consultation with key stakeholders across the Department, including the Department's Sub-Committee on Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and members of the Management Board. This was in addition to the continued contribution and support of voluntary staff Working Groups on: Gender, LGBT+, Social Inclusion, Disability, Multicultural, and Parents & Carers.
This process of consultation across the Department resulted in the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Action Plan being adopted in June 2022. Work is now underway on its implementation.
526. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any projects under his remit are on hold due to capital funding pressures; if he will indicate the projects, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12627/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs was allocated €25 million for Capital Expenditure in the 2023 Revised Estimates for Votes 27 and 28, in line with the National Development Plan. An additional sum of €2.25 million was carried over from 2022. The Department’s capital allocation is used primarily for the purchase and construction of properties overseas to support Ireland’s global interests and partnerships, for the ongoing development of the Department’s global ICT infrastructure, for the enhancement of Passport Service systems and for the purchase of official vehicles.
There are no capital projects on hold due to capital funding pressures.
527. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [12659/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 7 March 2023. The Passport Service operates a general policy of processing applications in order of receipt.
528. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to address the backlog of applications to the foreign birth registry system. [12787/23]
View answer533. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that will be implemented to eliminate delays in the processing of foreign birth register applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13121/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 533 together.
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
In recent months the number of FBR applications processed each week has been over 200% of the number of FBR applications received each week. As a result there is currently no backlog of FBR applications.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
529. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address the delays in an individual's application to the foreign birth registry system (details supplied). [12788/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been unable to locate the application using the details provided by the Deputy. The Passport Service is in direct contact with the Deputy's office to obtain an application number.
530. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made by his Department in respect of targets and goals set out in sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; and if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines. [12903/23]
View answerThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is a comprehensive and ambitious framework for global development. Its implementation requires a whole-of-Government approach.
Ireland’s Second National Implementation Plan for the SDGs, 2022 – 2024, was published in October 2022. It was developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in collaboration with all Government Departments, key stakeholders, and based on input from two public consultation processes. A key objective is to achieve greater policy coherence for sustainable development in order to accelerate the achievement of the Goals at all levels of Government.
The Plan is supplemented by two supporting documents: an SDG policy map which identifies the lead Departments and relevant national policies for each of the 169 SDG targets; and a Policy Update for each of the SDG targets. These documents are available at www.gov.ie/sdgs.
The Department of Foreign Affairs leads Ireland's international efforts toward the SDGs. The Government's international development policy fully integrates the SDGs, with headline priorities to reduce humanitarian need, support climate action, promote gender equality and strengthen governance, and the overarching ambition to reach the furthest behind first.
Through the international development programme, we provide official development assistance (ODA) to support the most vulnerable people in more than 130 countries. Ireland’s ODA budget has grown from €792 million in 2018 to €1.233 billion in 2023, a 56% increase. The OECD Development Assistance Committee concluded in 2020 that “Ireland is a strong voice for sustainable development, leading and supporting policy dialogue at both international and local levels."
The Central Statistics Office, in collaboration with all Government Departments, has prepared a series of statistical publications which monitor and report on how Ireland is progressing towards meeting its targets under the 17 SDGs. Reports are available for SDGs 1 – 16 and can be found at www.cso.ie/en/statistics/unsustainabledevelopmentgoals/. Work is underway in relation to Goal 17 reporting, including from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Ireland will present a report on progress during our second Voluntary National Review at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York in July. The Review report will include a high-level data section and a more detailed appendix reporting on progress towards achieving the individual goals and targets.
In September, world leaders will meet at the SDG Summit at the UN in New York to review progress on the Goals. Ireland and Qatar will co-facilitate the negotiations for the Political Declaration to be adopted at the Summit. This will be an important opportunity to rebuild momentum for the achievement of the SDGs by 2030.
531. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of his Department’s policy regarding each of the four recommendations from the ‘Put Children First: End Orphanage Care’ campaign (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13002/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to the promotion of best practice in international volunteering and actively participates in the implementation of the National Volunteering Strategy. The promotion of ethical and skills based international volunteering is one of the five high-level objectives of this strategy and the Department chairs the relevant implementation sub-group.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has a longstanding strategic partnership with Comhlámh, the Irish association of development workers and volunteers. A key feature of this partnership is the promotion of ethical and skills-based international volunteering, through the Comhlámh Code of Good Practice . Comhlámh also actively participates in the relevant National Volunteering Strategy implementation sub-group.
The End Orphanage Care Campaign was established by Comhlámh and a number of signatories to the Comhlámh Code of Good Practice . The aim is to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of international volunteering in orphanages. The Campaign proposes four recommendations, three of which are addressed to the Department of Foreign Affairs. These are: (i) the introduction of a dedicated funding stream for care reform strategies, including family and community-based support programmes; (ii) the development of foreign travel advice warning of the harm caused by orphanage volunteering and (iii) the introduction of grant eligibility criteria to exclude programmes involving the sending of volunteers to orphanages. The fourth recommendation is addressed to both the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and is for the development of child-safe guidelines for trips overseas, including guidance not to visit or volunteer in orphanages.
Department of Foreign Affairs officials are engaging with Comhlámh on the recommendations and attended the campaign briefing in Leinster House on 25 January 2023. Officials will also take forward the discussions with relevant stakeholders in the National Volunteering Strategy implementation sub-group.
532. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated funding that will be allocated to the UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13011/23]
View answerThe United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is an important partner for Ireland's. international development programme. We will provide €4.5 million in unearmarked core funding to UNFPA in 2023, an increase of €500,000 on last year's core funding.
Ireland also provides bilateral funding to UNFPA through our Embassies and their development programmes on the ground. In 2022, Embassies funded and worked with UNFPA's programmes in Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.
In 2022, we also increased our humanitarian engagement with UNFPA, in response to growing needs. We provided €1.5 million to UNFPA’s Appeal for Ukraine and €2 million for its work in response to the drought in the Horn of Africa. In recent weeks, we have announced provision of a further €1 million in humanitarian support for UNFPA for its response to the earthquake in Türkiye.
We are also planning to provide €2 million to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Trust Fund in 2023. The UNFPA Supplies Partnership carries out vital work as one of the world’s largest providers of donated contraceptives. This engagement is in line with our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and our international development priorities, as set out in the Government's international development policy A Better World.
534. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the reports of Aleppo Airport being out of service due to an air raid (details supplied); if he will publicly condemn this attack as a human rights abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13131/23]
View answerThe people of Syria have endured unimaginable levels of hardship and suffering for 12 years and the earthquakes in February have added to their misery. I am aware of reports of airstrikes in northern Syria, which led to the closure of Aleppo airport.
Ireland does not have independent sources of information on these attacks and so I cannot comment on the accuracy of those reports. I do however condemn any deliberate targeting of infrastructure that would have the effect of affecting the delivery of vital humanitarian aid into northern Syria and endangering the lives of civilians. I was pleased to see that Aleppo airport resumed operations on 10 March.
Even before the February earthquakes, vulnerable Syrians depended heavily on humanitarian aid, particularly in the North West of the country. During our tenure on the Security Council, Ireland worked closely with Norway to secure an extension for the UN mandate for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Northern Syria. Ireland continues to be guided by the principle that aid must reach all those in need in Syria. I am pleased that since the earthquake, more corridors have been opened to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
Ireland remains strongly committed to addressing the enormous humanitarian needs in Syria. In 2022, we provided €24 million in humanitarian assistance for the victims of the crisis in Syria. This brings the total provided since 2012 to almost €220 million, Ireland’s largest ever response to a single crisis. In response to the recent earthquakes, we allocated €10 million in emergency assistance for the people of the region. The earthquake response to Syria and Türkiye includes the largest ever deployment of emergency stocks under our Rapid Response Initiative, consisting of blankets, tents, solar lamps, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and emergency shelter kits.
I call again for all parties to the conflict in Syria to exercise restraint and avoid any further action that could worsen the suffering of the Syrian people.
535. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an electoral identity card, issued by the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland, will be accepted as photographic proof of identity for Irish citizens residing in the six counties, who do not have a driving licence or passport from another country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13179/23]
View answerThe Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 6th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 188 countries. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants.
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. Under Section 7 of the Act, the Passport Service may require the applicant to produce such documents as are considered necessary for the purposes of issuing a passport.
Government issued photographic identification is required for all first time adult passport applications, in order for the Passport Service to establish the identity of the applicant. This can be a Public Services Card, an original passport from another country or a certified copy of a driver’s licence (certified by a solicitor or notary public). The Passport Service does not accept Electoral Identity Cards issued by the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland as these are not government issued photographic identification.
The Passport Service understands that a very small number of applicants will not hold any of the specified types of government issued photographic identification. These applicants may contact the Passport Service for further information on how their identity may be verified.
536. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps Ireland is taking to seek the release of a person (details supplied) from prison in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13188/23]
View answer538. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken with the Iranian authorities regarding the case of a person (details supplied) imprisoned in Iran, and the measures he has the Minister taken to ensure their well being. [13340/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 538 together.
I remain extremely concerned about the continued detention of this Irish citizen, especially given his ill health. I can assure the Deputy that the citizen's release remains a strong priority for me and my Department.
To that end, there continues to be extensive engagement by the Government with the authorities in Iran on the case, including through my own discussions with the Foreign Minister of Iran.
In our engagement we are stressing the urgent importance of the citizen being released from prison on humanitarian grounds, in light of his deteriorating medical condition.
My Department is providing ongoing consular support and assistance to the citizen, and to his family - with whom I have been in direct contact. We are liaising with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the matter.
As with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to discuss the specific details of the case.
537. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application for foreign birth registration will be processed (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13221/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
During 2022, my Department implemented a number of measures to address the volume of FBR applications on hand, with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these applications. These measures, which include increased staffing directed towards the processing of FBR applications, have been successful in reducing the waiting time for applicants. FBR applications are now being processed within the normal turnaround times of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents, down from over 2 years in September 2022.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was registered on 30 May 2022. The Passport Service requested further documentation from the applicant on 1 March 2023. The application cannot proceed without the required supporting documents.
539. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has plans to visit Malaysia during 2023. [13346/23]
View answerBilateral relations between Ireland and Malaysia are positive and warm, supported by resident embassies in each other's countries.
Ireland has longstanding people-to-people links with Malaysia. There is a strong Irish community network and many Malaysians come to Ireland each year to study. Trade and economic links are also increasing and there are now over 100 Irish companies based in, or engaging with, Malaysia.
I have no immediate plans to visit Malaysia, but I am delighted that the Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with responsibility for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins T.D., represented the Government in Malaysia as part of this year's St. Patrick's Day Programme. His visit included meetings at political level, including with the Minister of Higher Education, and participation in a range of Irish community, culture and trade engagements. It is hoped that the visit will bring a renewed emphasis to our long-standing partnership with Malaysia in the area of higher education and help to reinforce our trade and economic links.
540. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will discuss the safety and protection of Irish citizens and students living or visiting the United States in relation to anti-LGBT legislation that has been proposed in the US when he meets US counterparts [13363/23]
View answerPromoting respect for human rights is one of the core principles of Ireland’s foreign policy. This includes respect for the human rights of those who identify as LGBTI+. Ireland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the human rights of the LGBTI+ community, including across the United States. I am deeply concerned by the alarming and accelerating global pushback on LGBTI+ rights.
The Governments of Ireland and the United States are both vocal supporters of initiatives in international fora which promote and protect the rights of LGBTI+ persons, and which condemn violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Ireland is an active member of the UN LGBTI Core Group at the UN in New York and the Group of Friends of the Mandate of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at the UN in New York.
Ireland's Embassy and Consulates-General provide consular support to Irish citizens visiting and living in the United States and, in this regard, closely monitor the legislative landscape at the state and federal levels for potential impact on Irish people resident or visiting.
That certain state legislatures have recently introduced bills which would if enacted undermine the rights of LGBTI+ people. My Department is actively monitoring developments, and will provide assistance and support to Irish citizens who need it.
541. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to raise with the British Government the demands of the family of a person (details supplied) for an inquest into their killing in 1973 by the RUC. [13403/23]
View answerOn Friday 24 February 2023, I met with the family of the person in question, who were accompanied by Councillor Michael Naughton. Officials in my Department also met with the family in November 2021.
Following my meeting with the family, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, bringing the case to his attention. At my request, Irish officials at the British Irish Joint Secretariat in Belfast have also raised the issue with the the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
It is essential that all families have access to an Article 2 compliant investigation into their loved one's death.
The family's campaign for a further investigation into this killing is one example among many of the cases could be negatively impacted if the British Government’s Legacy Bill is enacted. The prospect of no full hearing of the evidence in this case, including the effective cross examination of the facts, such as whether the determination in the original 1973 inquest was correct, is deeply upsetting to the family, as is the possibility that no Police Ombudsman investigation would take place.
On many occasions I have raised my concerns with British Ministers that this unilateral Legacy Bill is not fit for purpose, and undermines the approach agreed in Stormont House by both governments and most Assembly parties. If the proposed Bill enters into force, the legislation would have far-reaching and negative impacts for victims, their families and communities in Northern Ireland and beyond. Enactment would, in my view, damage the process of reconciliation.The British Government’s Legacy Bill has also come under intense criticism from a range of international interlocutors, including from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and members of the US House of Representatives. The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has raised its concerns on a number of occasions, including most recently on 7 March when it stated its "serious concerns about the Bill and its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights" .
I continue to urge the UK to pause their Legacy legislation and return to a collective approach which is human rights compliant and delivers for victims.
542. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given the applicant's date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13496/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service was in direct contact with the applicant's mother on 13 March 2023. The Passport Service advised the mother of the possibility of booking an Urgent Appointment for passport renewal at the Passport Office in Mount Street, Dublin.
