Written Answers Nos. 336-351
336. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turks’s latest annual report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14680/23]
View answerI welcome the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk’s annual report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland has commented on the report in the current session of the Human Rights Council. The report crucially notes the deterioration of the situation on the ground during the reporting period, in a persistent climate of impunity by all duty-bearers, as well as the failure to ensure accountability. Ireland expressed deep concern that the human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory has continued to deteriorate leading to a sharp increase in civilian casualties.
The Government shares the High Commissioner’s concern at the lack of accountability for alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by duty bearers in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the Gaza strip. We reiterate that Israel, as occupying power, is required to protect civilians and to act in a manner consistent with its obligations under international humanitarian law.
Ireland condemned Israel’s announcement of the further construction and expansion of settlements and the “legalisation” of settlement outposts during the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner. We repeated our call on Israel to cease all settlement activity, and to comply fully with Resolution 2334. Ireland also expressed alarm at the reduced space for civil society in the occupied Palestinian territory and supported the High Commissioner’s call on Israel to revoke the designations against Palestinian civil society organisations as terrorist entities.
Ireland will continue to highlight this issue at the UN Human Rights Council and to engage with the High Commissioner and his office.
337. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of all procurement competitions, if any, in which companies (details supplied) won contracts from his Department since 2016. [14724/23]
View answerSince 2016 to date, my Department has not entered into contracts with, or engaged, any of the companies identified in the Deputy's question..
338. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total costs of accommodation and travel expenses associated with his recent foreign trip, or foreign trips by Ministers for State at his Department, for St Patrick’s Day; and if a breakdown can be provided on travel costs, accommodation costs, country/state visited, number of departmental staff accompanying him, and the duration of the trip, in tabular form. [14742/23]
View answerEach of the three visits by the Ministers in my Department, in common with all visits for St Patrick’s Day, involved a programme of outreach to promote Ireland’s economic interests, connect with our Diaspora and engage with key interlocutors in the countries visited.
For my own part, I travelled to New York and Boston from 11-18 March. Minister of State Burke travelled to Milan, Bologna and Rome from 15-18 March. Minister of State Fleming travelled to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia from 11-17 March.
The total cost for all three visits came to €12,665. The breakdown of this total for each Minister associated with the St Patrick’s Day ministerial visits is set out in the table below.
|
- |
Ministerial Travel (flights to and from)€ |
Ministerial Internal travel(Rail, US and Italy; air, Brazil) |
Ministerial Accommodation€ |
Country/state visited |
No of accompanying staff |
Duration of the Visit |
|
Tánaiste |
3,702 |
209 |
1,794 |
US - New YorkUS - Massachusetts |
4*3** |
7 days |
|
Minister of State Burke |
465 |
113 |
778 |
ItalyThe Holy See |
2*** |
4 days |
|
Minister of State Fleming |
4,135 |
523 |
946 |
Brazil |
2**** |
6 days |
|
Totals |
8,302 |
845 |
3,518 |
* 2 DFA officials + 2 Special Advisers
** 1 DFA official + 2 Special Advisers
*** 1 DFA official + 1 Special Adviser
**** 2 DFA officials
339. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a passport application by a person (details supplied). [14907/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
340. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he spoke with the United States House of Representatives Minority Leader during his visit to New York for St. Patrick's Day events. [14986/23]
View answerOngoing, high-level political engagement with the United States on critical issues for Ireland is a priority for the Government. I have had several interactions with senior U.S. officials and members of Congress in recent months, including during my visit to New York and Massachusetts for St. Patrick’s Day. There were several other visits by Government representatives to the United States for St. Patrick's Day, many of which also allowed for engagement with members of the United States Congress, notably the Taoiseach's visit to Washington, which included meetings with both the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House of Representative.
During my St. Patrick's Day programme, I met with Congressman Richie Neal, Co-Chair of the Friends of Ireland caucus and had engagements with New York State Attorney General Letitia James, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
I also met with key contacts in the Biden administration and on Capitol Hill during my last visit to Washington, DC in early February. I met with the bipartisan Friends of Ireland caucus, and spoke at an event on Capitol Hill to launch an exhibition celebrating the role of women in the Northern Ireland peace process. The event was attended by a number of House Representatives, as well as Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs Joe Kennedy III. I also had separate meetings with Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Chris Murphy to discuss key political and foreign policy matters.
I did not have the opportunity on these occasions to meet with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, but look forward to meeting him in the future and working together on matters of shared importance.
341. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised concerns regarding the persecution of Christians to the relevant international forums (details supplied); and the steps his Department is taking to raise awareness for and combat Christian persecution in other countries. [15012/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. The promotion of freedom of religion or belief is a priority area for my Department, and Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We work closely with our partners in the European Union on this important question.
At a multilateral level, the right to freedom of religion or belief features prominently in Ireland’s engagement at the United Nations including in the General Assembly, at the Human Rights Council, and during our recent term on the Security Council. Ireland consistently co-sponsors resolutions on freedom of religion or belief at the UN General Assembly and at the Human Rights Council.
Last week, during the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland strongly condemned all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including the oppression of Christians, and highlighted our concerns at the rise in incidents of religious hatred, discrimination, and intolerance. Ireland called on States to ensure that religious communities can manifest their right to freedom of religion or belief and to contribute to society openly and on an equal footing.
Ireland also actively participates in intergovernmental alliances dedicated to religious freedom and the protection of religious minorities, including the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
342. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will formally express Ireland’s opposition along with EU partners, to new laws passed by the Ugandan Parliament that will criminalise members of the LGBT+ community in that country and will outlaw the activities of NGOs working with and advocating for the LGBT+ citizens (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15124/23]
View answerThe Government deeply regrets the passing of an “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” by Uganda’s parliament on 21 March. This Bill would introduce discriminatory measures against Ugandan citizens, violating their fundamental human rights.
Over recent years, through our Embassy in Kampala, Ireland has consistently raised concerns with the Ugandan government on the protection of the rights of LGBTI+ people. We will continue to engage actively with the government, stressing that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with dignity and respect and have their human rights promoted and protected. Ireland stands firmly in solidarity with marginalised groups and works closely with civil society on the promotion and protection of human rights.
The European Union has expressed its concerns at the passage of this Bill, and its criminalising of homosexuality, contrary to international law. The EU is also very concerned at the inclusion of severe punishments, including the death penalty. Ireland fully shares these concerns, and repudiates the death penalty in all its forms. We consistently call for its abolition worldwide.
The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI+ persons is a foreign policy priority for the Government. They continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systematic discrimination in many countries. With our EU and other partners in Uganda, Ireland will continue to be an advocate of LGBTI+ rights.
343. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15353/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service will contact the parent directly in relation to these applications.
344. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to parliamentary question No. 525 Question of 21 March 2023, the costs paid to the Irish Centre for Diversity for providing the benchmarking and certification process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15371/23]
View answerThe Department sought the services of the Irish Centre for Diversity to review the Department’s work to date on Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, to conduct a confidential and impartial staff survey and to assist with the development of an action plan and training programme for all staff. The total cost was €17,576.70.
345. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff based at either the Irish Embassy in Beijing and Irish Consulate General Office in Shanghai that are fluent in speaking and writing in Mandarin. [15475/23]
View answerDeveloping and maintaining foreign language proficiency in our Embassies is important in building key relationships and enabling officers to integrate more deeply.
A wide range of skills are required to carry out the functions of an Embassy and, to that end, the staffing profile of our Embassies include both posted staff and locally-hired staff.
A total of 45 office staff, including 19 posted and 26 locally-hired staff, are currently employed by Ireland’s Consulate General in Shanghai and our Embassy to China in Beijing, which includes a Visa Office.
A total of 26 office staff members are fluent in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. A further 4 office staff members have intermediate or advanced Mandarin Chinese language skills. Remaining office staff are at beginner or basic levels. Where fluency in Mandarin is necessary for any particular role, this is taken into account in the recruitment and appointment process.
346. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide details of all procurement competitions, if any, in which companies (details supplied) won contracts from his Department since 2016. [14719/23]
View answerI am advised that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department have contracts or engaged the services of named companies.
347. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether he will make a statement to Dáil Éireann confirming that the report of the Army Court of Inquiry that sat in Tralee on 7 April 1923 to investigate the death of eight prisoners at Ballyseedy Bridge and four prisoners at Countess Bridge on 7 and 8 March 1923, was a dishonest and grossly inaccurate account of what occurred, and that Dáil Éireann was misled on 17 April 1923 when the then Minister for Defence stated he was satisfied with the correctness and bona fides of the findings of that Court of Inquiry. [14843/23]
View answerAs I have already stated in the Dáil when the matter was raised earlier this month, I believe that the Dáil record as a historical narrative in itself should be left as it stands because it is part of an infamous attempt to cover up what happened at Ballyseedy.
I also spoke on the matter at a centenary commemoration of the Ballyseedy massacre earlier this month, where I acknowledged in my speech that there had been brutal attacks committed by both sides of the civil war. The blowing up of five soldiers in Knocknagoshel, which it is believed sparked the reprisal of the brutal massacre of eight prisoners at Ballyseedy Bridge and four prisoners at Countess Bridge in March 1923 marked one of the lowest points in Ireland’s national history.
I am aware that there was an attempt to cover up what happened. However I would caution against any rushed response to calls to correct the record of Dáil Éireann to reflect what happened 100 years ago.
There were many atrocities on both sides during the Civil War, but we should reflect on the best way to deal with this. Ballyseedy Bridge and Countess Bridge is a part of our history, which we must never forget but it cannot define us.
348. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his Department’s participation with the UN Disengagement Observer Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/23]
View answerAs of 1 March 2023, some 546 Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed overseas. The main overseas missions are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 344 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel.
In relation to UNDOF, Permanent Defence Force personnel have been deployed to this UN mission since 2013. Defence Forces personnel comprise an Infantry Group of approximately 130 personnel and 6 staff in UNDOF Headquarters Personnel are based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation. The role of the Irish Infantry Group includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby to assist with the on-going operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility. The Irish Infantry Group is also tasked with carrying out patrols and convoy escorts as necessary.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces jointly review the overseas deployment of Defence Forces personnel on an ongoing basis. Following the conclusion of an assessment of Defence Forces’ current commitments and on the basis of the military advice available to me, I have decided to withdraw the 130-strong Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF with effect from April 2024.
The decision to withdraw personnel from the UNDOF mission has been taken to allow the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions as well as to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity available to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025.
The United Nations Department of Peace Operations has been advised of our decision to withdraw Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF. Subject to the United Nation's agreement, my intention is that Ireland can continue to occupy a number of staff officer positions in UNDOF headquarters.
349. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is aware of the sense of injustice felt by families of persons who served in the armed forces for extended periods, but died shortly after retiring from active service, and whose pension died with them leaving a widow to struggle with young children, as in a case (details supplied); if the State would consider establishing a scholarship fund or some similar charitable memorial, which would acknowledge the harshness of the arrangements after such loyal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/23]
View answerI would like to acknowledge the excellent service provided by Defence Forces personnel, past and present, to the State.
On the matter of pensions, there are a number of different arrangements in place for spouses and children of former deceased Defence Forces personnel, depending on the rank of the deceased member and their start date with the Defence Forces.
From 1970 onwards, contributory spouses and children’s pension schemes were introduced for the various cohorts of DF personnel. In line with normal public service pension policy, when these Defence Forces' contributory spouses and children’s pension schemes were introduced, membership was compulsory for those who joined the Defence Forces after the relevant date. Personnel who were serving at the time the various schemes were introduced, were given an option to join.
In addition, at the time the various contributory pension schemes were introduced for Defence Forces enlisted personnel, an ex-gratia scheme was also introduced for the families of personnel who had retired or died prior to the introduction of the schemes, subject to meeting certain qualifying criteria. The ex-gratia scheme remains in place for those that meet the eligibility criteria.
350. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service ships that are currently in operation. [15479/23]
View answerThe Naval Service currently has a fleet of six vessels. One ship, LÉ Niamh, is in the process of a mid life refit which is expected to be complete in Quarter 3 2023, and a second ship LÉ Róisín, has been placed in operational reserve. There are four operational ships that remain available.
Two Inshore Patrol Vessels have been purchased from the New Zealand Government to replace the decommissioned LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. The ceremonial handover of the vessels took place in Auckland on 14 March 2023. Both vessels are expected to complete their acceptance testing and commence transportation to Ireland by the end of this month. With a transit time of at least a month, they are expected to arrive in Cork in May. On arrival, the vessels will undergo a comprehensive programme of works, including crew familiarisation and training, which will take place in the vicinity of Cork Harbour and the naval base at Haulbowline. It is expected that these vessels will be in a position to commence operational service in 2024.
Notwithstanding some challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.
351. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service personnel that were recruited in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [15480/23]
View answerThe military authorities advise that the strength of the Naval Service as at 28 February 2023 stood at 767 out of the agreed strength of 1,094. The following table details the number of Naval Service personnel that have been inducted in 2022 and in 2023, as of that date:
|
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Personnel Inducted |
28 |
*0 |
*The military authorities have advised that the first 2023 induction of Naval Service general service recruits is due to take place shortly.
The Government has previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service, and the Defence Forces in general and to counter this there are a number of recruitment and retention initiatives underway. In addition to ongoing General Service and Direct Entry recruitment, military management are introducing a planned specific recruitment campaign for the Naval Service, and a tender competition for a specialist recruitment body to target individuals with the skills and expertise required by the Naval Service.
My immediate focus is now on stabilising the staffing situation in the Naval Service, and the Defence Forces in general, and thereafter in bringing their strength to the numbers required to meet the agreed level of ambition arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
