Written Answers Nos. 543-567
543. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on the application for a foreign birth registration by a person (details supplied) who applied in February 2020, and to date has had no correspondence on their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13520/23]
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 14 July 2020. The Passport Service emailed the applicant on 11 October 2022 to request further documents. This email was initially missed by the applicant as it went into their spam folder. The Passport Service contacted the applicant again on 14 March 2023 and resent the email.
544. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13546/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the relevant Irish Embassy will contact the applicant's mother to advise on what is required to progress the passport application.
545. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13560/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
546. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in the determination of a passport in the case of a person (details supplied) whose passport was due to issue on 10 March 2023; when the passport will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13562/23]
View answer547. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied), who is having ongoing difficulties obtaining same since their application for naturalisation was granted in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13565/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been unable to locate the applications using the details provided. The Passport Service will contact the Deputy's office directly to obtain further details.
548. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been imprisoned in Mashhad Central Prison in Iran since 3 October 2022; the communications he has had with Iranian officials; the attempts that have been made to have them released from prison; the supports his Department has made available to their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13622/23]
View answer582. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to secure the release of an Irish citizen imprisoned in another jurisdiction (details supplied). [14004/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 582 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.
549. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will further elaborate on his comments, reported in the media regarding Irish neutrality, that neutrality is a policy issue that can change at any time, subject to the Houses of the Oireachtas or the Government of the day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13382/23]
View answerA number of States, including Ireland, pursue a policy of military neutrality. In practical terms, Ireland’s policy of military neutrality, as pursued by successive Governments, is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements. There are no plans to alter this policy at this time.
At the same time, neutrality has never stopped Ireland from participating in world events nor, self-evidently, from being affected by them. Nor does it mean that we are inactive in situations where we see flagrant breaches of the UN Charter and clear violations of international law, including international humanitarian law. As the Government has repeatedly emphasised in relation to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, being militarily neutral does not mean we are politically or morally neutral.
Ireland’s policy of military neutrality is not set out in, or required, by Bunreacht na hÉireann. At the same time, the Constitution contains a number of provisions in respect of core principles underlying Ireland's foreign policy approach, including those which affirm Ireland’s “devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly cooperation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality” and Ireland’s “adherence to the principle of the pacific settlement of international disputes”. More specifically in respect of security and defence policy, the Constitution includes a provision that the “State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union where that common defence would include the State.” Article 28.3.1 of the Constitution states that " war shall not be declared and the State shall not participate.
Finally, the Constitution stipulates that the conduct of foreign policy is a matter for the Government, under certain conditions laid down by law.
550. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed with his counterparts in Finland and Sweden their decision to join NATO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13384/23]
View answerIreland maintains regular high level political contact with interlocutors in both Finland and Sweden.
For my part, I meet on a regular basis with the Foreign Ministers of all EU Member States, including the Foreign Ministers of Finland and Sweden, including at monthly meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). Both countries applied for NATO membership in 2022 and they have regularly briefed EU counterparts developments regarding their membership process.
Since then there have been a number of opportunities for wider political engagement on these issues between Ireland and Sweden, including earlier this month when members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence visited Stockholm for engagements with the Swedish parliament.
Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs are also in ongoing contact with their Swedish and Finnish counterparts on a wide range of issues, including developments in security and defence policies. Our Embassies in Helsinki and Stockholm report regularly and in detail on their engagement with political, diplomatic and academic interlocutors on progress in Sweden and Finland's NATO applications.
Ireland has always maintained close relations with both Finland and Sweden and will continue to engage with both countries on a range of issues, including their NATO membership process.
551. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with the British Government on the very negative impact of the UK Nationality and Borders Bill for tourism on the island of Ireland, and the serious concerns of the tourism industry in Ireland particularly, the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13694/23]
View answerThe UK Nationality and Borders Act 2022 creates a requirement for visitors to the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travel. This requirement does not apply to Irish citizens. The scheme will enter into force on a phased basis from October this year.
Since 2021, the Government has raised its serious concerns about the ETA proposals with the UK Government. In interactions with British Ministers, including at a number of meetings of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, the risks the scheme presents to the fluid nature of movement on the island and to the effectiveness of North-South cooperation under Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement were highlighted.
On 9 March last, the UK government introduced secondary legislation required to put in place the ETA scheme.
Significantly, and on foot of the extensive discussions with the UK, the rules laid on 9 March establish an exemption from the ETA requirement for legal residents of Ireland who do not need a visa to visit the UK. The fact that this exemption is to apply CTA-wide – i.e. to cover travel from South to North and from West to East - is significant. While this is welcome progress, I remain very concerned about the potential impact of the ETA scheme on the all-island tourism economy. Over 70% of international visitors to Northern Ireland arrive via this jurisdiction. Tourism stakeholders, including the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, have clearly articulated their disappointment that a short-term exemption for overseas visitors from South to North has not been possible to achieve at this time, and I have communicated this to British interlocutors. I will continue to engage with UK Government and Northern Ireland stakeholders, including the Assembly parties – and, when restored, the Executive – on the matter.
552. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with other world leaders to provide support for Türkiye and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquake on 6 February 2023. [8484/23]
View answer555. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and the Government have considered the situation in Türkiye and Syria with a view to offering assistance. [6894/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 555 together.
The devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria in February have left over 50,000 dead and millions homeless. The UN estimates that the earthquakes have affected 26 million people across both countries, including people in Northwest Syria who are already extremely vulnerable after over a decade of armed conflict.
On 10 February, the Tánaiste spoke by phone with Türkiye’s Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavusoglu. He expressed sympathy and condolences with the people of Türkiye, and outlined the immediate humanitarian assistance from Ireland. He wrote jointly with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, to the Governor of Hatay Province, one of the areas worst affected. I met with the Turkish Ambassador in Dublin and signed the book of condolence on 9 February.
The Government has provided €10 million in emergency assistance for victims of the earthquakes. This has been channelled through Ireland’s partners already active on the ground and equipped to respond immediately, providing critical lifesaving support in the first week, and further assistance for those most in need since then. These humanitarian partners include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), United Nations agencies and Irish NGOs active in the region.
Ireland has also provided over 235 tonnes of emergency supplies of tents, thermal blankets, solar lamps, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and water jerry cans, worth €1.4 million. Two members of Ireland’s Rapid Response roster have been deployed with UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination teams in Türkiye to assist with aid efforts.
As well as direct assistance, Ireland is responding to the emergency though our prepositioned contributions to multilateral humanitarian agencies, such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which responds to crises globally as they happen. The CERF has allocated a total of $50 million to provide urgent life-saving assistance to those affected by the disaster.
WE are also contributing through the EU, which has so far allocated over €15 million in humanitarian assistance to the earthquake response across both countries. At the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels yesterday, Ireland provided an update on our humanitarian response and emphasised the importance of collective EU action.
The delivery of humanitarian aid into the Northwest of Syria is dependent on cross-border deliveries from Türkiye under a UN resolution renewed following Ireland's leadership on the UN Security Council. A UN-brokered deal with the Syrian Government since the earthquake has allowed for the use of an additional two border gates for a three-month period. Ireland has been supporting the UN to deliver aid in convoy through these routes. The Tánaiste raised the need for full humanitarian access to those affected in his discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, when they met at the Munich Security Conference on 18 February.
553. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will detail the efforts he and his Department are making to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. [12640/23]
View answerThe full and effective operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, including the power-sharing institutions provided for under Strand One, is a priority for this Government. The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive, in full fulfilment of the mandate they gave in the May 2022 elections. The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on affects on the operation of the Strand Two institutions of the Agreement, in particular the North South Ministerial Council, whose work should continue as soon as possible.
While the Assembly parties will naturally require some time to study the Windsor Framework, this should not not be an obstacle to the full functioning of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement across all three Strands.
I remain in regular contact with political representatives in Northern Ireland to encourage the return to a functioning Assembly and Executive, and also with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris-Heaton Harris to discuss how best to achieve this shared goal.
557. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the ongoing contact by him and his office with the Northern Ireland authorities in the context of recent deliberations on the Northern Ireland Protocol. [9877/23]
View answer558. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to indicate the extent to which it is expected to engage in a positive way with all parties in Northern Ireland with the objective of encouraging and promoting all positive developments in the context of the Windsor Framework Agreement. [11300/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.
I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Assembly parties, and my officials continue to engage with the Executive Office, including on the Windsor Framework.
The Windsor Framework was agreed by the EU and UK in response to the practical real life issues raised by stakeholders, providing the stability and certainty into the future that people in Northern Ireland articulated in the close engagement I, and other Government colleagues, maintained over the past two years with the Assembly parties, civic society and business on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
While it is understandable that the Assembly parties will need time to consider the details of the Windsor Framework, it remains my view that this should take place in parallel to the restoration of the institutions.
The business community in Northern Ireland has welcomed the Windsor Framework and in my engagements with stakeholders I have heard first-hand that it presents positive and genuine economic opportunities to communities in Northern Ireland. It will allow businesses in Northern Ireland to continue to access the EU Single Market along with the UK’s internal market. This is a unique opportunity.
559. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will release all his Departmental files to the National Archives regarding the High Court, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights cases in relation to proposals for gay law reform which resulted in a landmark judgement and decriminalisation thirty years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/23]
View answerDepartmental records which are more than 30 years old are transferred to the National Archives to be made available for inspection by the public, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the National Archives Act 1986. Under the terms of the Act, records may be withheld from public inspection only on a limited number of grounds, namely where their release: would be contrary to the public interest; would or might constitute a breach of statutory duty, or a breach of good faith on the ground that they contain information supplied in confidence; or would or might cause distress or danger to living persons on the ground that they contain information about individuals, or would or might be likely to lead to an action for damages for defamation. Any records that are withheld must be reviewed every five years. If the original reason for withholding the record is no longer valid the record must be transferred to the National Archives to be released to the public.
To date, my Department has released a significant number of records pertaining to the matters referred to by the Deputy, in accordance with its obligations under the 1986 Act, and will continue to release any additional records that become eligible for release in accordance with the 30 year rule and the provisions of the Act.
560. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the role his Department is playing in reintroducing the Occupied Territories Bill 2018; if this will be reintroduced given the escalation of violence against Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13898/23]
View answerThe Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward.
We have however ,supported legal avenues to differentiate between settlements and Israel, for example by joining a case before the European Courts in 2019 on labelling of certain goods produced in settlements.
Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed illegal settlements, and this Government will continue to do so.
561. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps his Department is taking in response to the attempts by the Israeli Government to expand into the Occupied Territories in Palestine; the sanctions that can be placed on the State of Israeli if this continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13899/23]
View answerIt is Ireland’s longstanding position that policies and practices of successive Israeli governments relating to illegal settlements and their expansion, as well as expulsions, forced transfers and demolitions, undermine prospects for a two-State solution, and are a major obstacle to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace.
The continued establishment and expansion of settlements is a violation of international law and is unacceptable. It is deeply concerning that the stated intentions of the Israeli Government continue to show disregard for the clear international consensus around this issue. It is important that the international community supports the Palestinian Authority in its recourse to legal and political responses to the occupation.
In this regard, I welcome that the UN Security Council adopted, by consensus on 20 February, a formal Presidential Statement expressing its opposition to “all unilateral measures that impede peace, including, inter alia, Israeli construction and expansion of settlements, confiscation of Palestinians’ land, and the ‘legalization’ of settlement outposts, demolition of Palestinians’ homes and displacement of Palestinian civilians”.
Earlier this month, the 27 Member States of the EU issued a joint statement, which made clear that Israel must stop settlement expansion, prevent settler violence, and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable. Ireland raised this issue at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels in March, and urged all EU colleagues to keep the issue high on the agenda.
Ireland remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting two-State solution, with the Jerusalem as the capital of both States, on the basis of international law and agreed international parameters. In respect of sanctions, Ireland does not have any unilateral sanctions regimes and the Government has no plans to introduce any. Ireland implements UN sanctions, and EU sanctions adopted as part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. There is currently no consensus at EU level in respect of potential sanctions on Israel.
562. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the financial contribution of Ireland to the European Peace Facility, EPC, each year since its establishment in March 2021; if there are differing funds operated by the EPC for contributors for the purchase of military equipment designed to deliver lethal force and those whose contributions are specified to be limited to the purchase and supply of non-lethal equipment; if there is a commitment to increase Ireland's financial contribution in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13900/23]
View answerContributions under the European Peace Facility (EPF) are shared between the Department of Foreign Affairs (Vote 28) and the Departments of Defence (Vote 36). The Department of Foreign Affairs covers costs in respect of Assistance Measures and the Department of Defence covers costs in respect of the European Union’s Military CSDP Missions and Operations.
In 2021, Ireland contributed approximately €4.2 million in respect of Assistance Measures and €1.9 million in respect of Missions and Operations. In 2022, Ireland contributed approximately €17.8 million in respect of Assistance Measures and €3.02 million in respect of Missions and Operations. Payments made in respect of Assistance Measures, include payments in respect of Ukraine, as well as payments in respect of other Assistance Measures providing support to other areas of the globe, as unanimously agreed by EU Member States over the course of 2021 and 2022.
Since the Russian invasion, the EU has agreed approximately €5.5 billion in support to Ukraine under the EPF, with the latest package of support agreed by the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 March. This consists of €5.12 billion for lethal equipment and approximately €380 million for non-lethal equipment, inclusive of a new Assistance Measure allowing for the procurement of lethal equipment for Ukraine.
In line with the Programme for Government, Ireland has constructively abstained on the lethal equipment elements of the package and will not contribute financially to this aspect, and will instead provide a corresponding contribution to the non-lethal Assistance Measure. Our total expected contribution currently stands at approximately €121 million exclusively for non-lethal support. Ireland’s contribution in respect of non-lethal support is non-fungible.
As is the case for all EU Member States, Ireland’s payments to the EPF are calculated on the basis of a GNI key and spread across the life cycle of the EPF, which runs up to 2027 in line with the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021 – 2027. Of the €121 million committed so far by Ireland to Ukraine under the EPF thus far, approximately €9.9 million had been contributed to Ukraine by the end of 2022.
563. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish overseas development aid continues to meet the needs of those most seriously affected by deprivation and starvation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13905/23]
View answer568. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which his Department through the UN continues to influence matters in the various war-torn regions across the globe, with particular reference to the alleviation of hardship and hunger in the most obviously affected regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13910/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 568 together.
Ireland has been a long-standing champion of international efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition. During our term on the UN Security Council, Ireland consistently highlighted the links between conflict and hunger. We were a vocal and consistent advocate for action on the growing global hunger crisis. Last September Ireland called a UN Security Council meeting to discuss rising hunger in Yemen, South Sudan, Northern Ethiopia and North-East Nigeria.
In 2023 Ireland is continuing to highlight the plight of vulnerable populations affected by hunger and conflict, most notably women, children, the elderly and people living with disabilities. We have taken on the important role of co-chair of the Group of Friends on Conflict and Hunger at the UN. This provides Ireland with a platform to inform and influence global action on hunger.
Through our international development programme, we have increased our humanitarian assistance worldwide, and strengthened our work to alleviate hunger and suffering in crises across the globe. In 2021 Ireland’s total humanitarian assistance reached €232 million. Last year, our swift humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis and to the impending famine in the Horn of Africa brought final figures for total humanitarian assistance in 2022 to over €275 million.
Ireland’s development aid targets countries affected by high levels of food insecurity, malnutrition and famine. In 2022 Ireland’s humanitarian assistance was firmly focused on areas where hunger was most severe, in Ethiopia, Somalia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen. Ireland’s support to the World Food Programme amounts to €25 million each year, providing life-saving food aid to the most vulnerable populations.
We have also maintained a strong focus on preventing hunger and developing sustainable food systems. At the December 2021 Nutrition for Growth Summit, Ireland pledged to provide a total of €800 million over five years on nutrition and food security. At the UN last September, Ireland pledged an additional €50 million over three years to address the scandal of acute malnutrition among children.
564. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which Irish overseas aid agencies continue to provide essential services such as safe running water on tap; the locations currently benefit such services through Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13906/23]
View answerOur international development policy A Better World sets out Ireland’s overarching goal as reaching the furthest behind first- those in the world’s poorest or most climate-exposed countries or those living in conflict settings, with a particular emphasis on protecting women and girls and a particular focus on sub- Saharan Africa.
Ireland recognises the fundamental importance of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for the advancement of the health and well-being of all. We support Irish NGOs to work in partnership with local organisations to expand access to clean water globally. In Palestine, for instance, Ireland is supporting the construction of a solar power plant that provides clean and sustainable energy to increase the availability and quality of clean water in Gaza. Ireland has a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme since 2014 to support national and regional institutions to build their capacity for freshwater quality monitoring. The provision of water, sanitation and hygiene is consistently a top priority need in crises and emergencies. As a result, the agencies and organisations funded by Irish Aid allocate a significant amount or Ireland’s funding to such programming.
Through our mission network and global partners, Ireland takes a system-strengthening approach to expand the provision of essential government services, including health and education. Our support to education systems builds infrastructure and trains teachers to ensure that all children have access to their right to 12 years of inclusive and high-quality education, including in crisis or conflict-affected settings. Our support to health systems focuses on strengthening and addressing inequitable access to quality health services.
Children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those from marginalised communities face specific challenges in accessing essential services, particularly in emergencies, conflict and protracted crises. Ireland’s development cooperation takes a rights-based and universal approach to social protection, aiming to deepen coverage and extend the provision of inclusive social protection programmes.
565. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department through the EU continue to foster good relations between the communities in the western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13907/23]
View answer566. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in regard to European enlargement, with particular reference to the western Balkans; when the negotiations will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13908/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 565 and 566 together.
The Western Balkans lies in the heart of Europe. Its future is unquestionably within the European Union. Given that, Ireland has a clear strategic interest in fostering good relations between the communities in the Western Balkans, and between the EU and the region.
We do this in numerous ways. First, by facilitating intra-regional dialogue, such as the EU-chaired Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. Across all our engagements with the Governments of Kosovo and Serbia, Ireland emphasises the need for concrete progress on the Dialogue, as a key step towards EU.
We are also active participatants in the annual EU-Western Balkans summit, which I attended in Tirana last December. Alongside valuable high-level political engagement, these summits deliver concrete outputs. In Tirana, for example, we concluded an agreement to lower roaming charges between the EU and the Western Balkans from October 2023. We also saw the inclusion of Western Balkans universities in the European Universities initiative under Erasmus+ on an equal footing with EU Member States. These steps have real impact in fostering good relations between the communities in the Western Balkans themselves, and with the European Union.
The EU accession process requires all Western Balkans states to demonstrate their ability to cooperate with their neighbours. For example, the Western Balkans Common Regional Market was established as a catalyst for deeper regional economic integration and as a stepping stone towards EU Single Market membership.
Ireland also participates in the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), which is the EU’s primary support tool to assist states in the implementation of reforms. Regional cooperation, good neighbourly relations and reconciliation efforts to overcome open bilateral issues and the legacy of the past are priority objectives for the instrument which, for the period 2021-2027, has a budgetary envelope of over €14 billion.
Currently, in the Western Balkans, there are five recognised candidates for membership of the European Union: Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kosovo is recognised as a ‘potential candidate’ by the EU.
In December 2022, candidate status was granted to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis that reforms are undertaken in a number of key areas, while in July 2022 the EU officially launched accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. These developments sent an important signal to the Western Balkans that the EU is serious about enlargement. Elsewhere, the EU is continuing to support reform efforts in Serbia and Montenegro.
Kosovo submitted an application for EU membership on 15 December 2022. Sweden, as current EU Presidency, has begun consultations with EU Member States to decide how best to progress Kosovo’s application.
The timeline for accession negotiations depends on the ability of the candidate countries to implement reforms required for EU membership. Ireland supports a swift accession process for the countries of the Western Balkans, provided that the meet all the necessary criteria. We will continue to offer our full support to candidate and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans as they advance on the path to EU membership.
567. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the EU continues to have positive discussions with the Ukraine with a view to some form of membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13909/23]
View answerIreland welcomed the decision of the European Council last June to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine. As I have made clear since the outbreak of the war, including in my own visit to Kyiv, Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU membership. In Brussels, we have worked with a group of likeminded Member States to propose a range of political and practical steps through which the European Commission might advance Ukraine's European perspective, as well as that of Moldova and Georgia. This has included advocating for targeted EU technical and expert support to develop national negotiating platforms and comprehensive communication strategies to inform the public throughout the accession process. At the same time, we continue to support programs across other multilateral forums, including the Council of Europe, to reinforce Ukraine's commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. As we await the publication of the Commission's report on Ukraine's reform process, we will continue to contribute actively to discussions in Brussels and elsewhere on how we can best support Ukraine's accession process.
