Written Answers Nos. 61-80
62. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on his latest engagement with the Russian ambassador in view of the recent presence of Russian commercial vessels in international waters off Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19748/23]
View answerI have not met the Russian Ambassador to Ireland since taking up the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs.
However, officials in my Department have met with the Ambassador on a number of occasions – most recently in March 2023 - to make clear our utter condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and to discuss a range of operational issues related to our Embassy in Moscow and issues related to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR). This is the international agreement on arrangements for diplomats and diplomatic missions to which both Ireland and the Russian Federation are party.
With regard to the civilian Russian vessels recently observed inside the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), I can confirm that the vessels in question were monitored by the Irish Naval Service and by Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft as they transited through the EEZ.
Any vessels transiting Irish waters must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the Naval Service and Air Corps.
63. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Ireland is helping Moldova cope with the impact of the war on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19712/23]
View answerIreland has been a strong advocate for the provision of greater assistance to Moldova, a country that continues to be disproportionately impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In December 2022, the Government approved €5 million in support to Moldova, to be channelled via the World Bank Multi-donor Trust Fund. This funding is in addition to humanitarian aid provided earlier in 2022. The funds are focused on mitigating the disproportionate impact of the war in Ukraine on refugees and households in Moldova, supporting the provision of essential public services, and efforts to increase resilience in the energy sector.
The EU has also provided Moldova with significant financial support. On 5 April, the European Commission announced that it will pay €50 million in financial support to the Republic of Moldova as part of the ongoing Macro-Financial Assistance operation, under which a total of €150 million will be provided in loans and grants. This contribution demonstrates the significant support that the EU is providing to Moldova, one of the countries most directly and heavily impacted by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Ireland is, and will continue to be, steadfast in our support for Moldova, not least in the context of their EU candidate status. We will continue to actively support efforts at EU level to assist Moldova, which is even more critical in the context of increasing evidence of destabilising activities by Russia.
The Foreign Affairs Council agreed on 24 April to the establishment of an EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova). The objective of this civilian mission will be to enhance the resilience of the security sector in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference.
Work is also ongoing at EU level on a European Peace Facility (EPF) Assistance Measure, which will provide non-lethal support to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova, and is expected to be formally agreed in the coming weeks.
Ireland supports the proposal to establish a new autonomous restrictive measures regime to counter actions aimed at destabilising the Republic of Moldova and its constitutional order. This was also discussed by the EU Foreign Ministers at their meeting on 24 April.
65. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is tracking the emerging situation in Myanmar; and if he will indicate what leverage the international community can exercise to ensure citizen rights are respected. [19320/23]
View answerI remain gravely concerned by the situation in Myanmar. I am appalled by the violence since the military's illegitimate coup in 2021. The coup has resulted in over 3,000 deaths. 16,000 people remain in arbitrary detention. Two years on from the coup, it is clear that the Myanmar Armed Forces are deaf to international condemnation and calls for restraint.
I am following closely recent developments, including the attack by the armed forces on 11 April in Sagaing Region which resulted in numerous deaths, including women and children. The campaign of violence against the civilian population must end.
The prospect of elections being held this year is also concerning. It is inconceivable that fair, free and legitimate elections could be held, particularly in the context of the ongoing detention of political figures and the introduction by the military of the Myanmar Political Parties Registration Law.
Ireland remains actively engaged on the crisis. We maintained a strong focus during our United Nations Security Council term, including supporting Resolution 2669. During the current 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland's Statement highlighted the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and other efforts to ensure accountability. Ireland also supports the International Court of Justice: we have made a €1 million contribution to the Office of the Prosecutor to help him meet the increased demands, including with regard to Myanmar.
Over 17 million people in Myanmar are in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland has provided nearly €6m in humanitarian aid and civil society support including towards the Rohingya crisis response since 2021.
On 20 February, the EU agreed a sixth round of sanctions. This package includes companies supplying fuel, arms and funds to the military. Ireland supports further measures that would be effective in working to restore the democratic path in Myanmar, without exacerbating the humanitarian situation.
66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ClimateFinance Report prepared by Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19852/23]
View answerEach year, the Department of Foreign Affairs produces a report which illustrates quantitatively and qualitatively the levels, sources and channels of Ireland’s international climate and environmental finance. This finance is spent by Departments of Foreign Affairs; Environment, Climate and Communications; Finance; and Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Report is an important tool to track Ireland’s progress in fulfilling its international climate finance objectives, particularly those under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. It also tracks Ireland’s international funding that supports the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification.
The 2021 Report, published in March, describes expenditure of €99.6 million. This is an increase of almost 13% on the figure for 2020 and stands as Ireland’s highest ever expenditure of climate finance. Ireland’s overall climate finance has increased 40% since 2016.
This clearly demonstrates that Ireland is continuing to scale up its international climate financing. This is in line with the Programme for Government commitment and with the commitment made at COP26 to provide at least €225 million per year in climate finance by 2025.
The 2021 Report also illustrates Ireland’s consistent approach to supporting climate adaptation and resilience in some of the most climate vulnerable countries around the world. Approximately 96% of Ireland’s finance contributed to initiatives that specifically support climate adaptation, or that contribute to both mitigating the causes of climate change and adapting to its impacts.
In line with Ireland’s international development policy to reach the furthest behind first, 84% of the bilateral funding, delivered via civil society partners and our Embassies, specifically targeted Least Developed Countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas. A further €7.2 million was provided to Ireland’s Trust Fund at the Asian Development Bank to support Small Island Developing States such as Timor-Leste and Vanuatu.
69. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he would consider reissuing a copy of the Good Friday Agreement to all households on its 25th anniversary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19893/23]
View answerThe twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement is an important time to reflect on our shared peace and to celebrate what was a transformative moment for everyone on this island, bringing peace and resetting relationships.
As we celebrate all that the Good Friday Agreement achieved, and consider how best we can fulfil its vision, increasing awareness and understanding of the Agreement among the public is a key priority. The text of the Good Friday Agreement is available on a dedicated 25 Years of the Good Friday Agreement section of the Ireland.ie website and my Department's website, along with detailed information on the institutions it created, and the work done since 1998 to consolidate peace. This is an environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient way of making the text of the Agreement widely accessible to the public, while also providing additional information and context. My Department is also working with the Department of Education to make available appropriate material for students on the Agreement.
As we mark this important anniversary, it is important that we include a broad and representative range of voices from across communities, particularly those of civil society and young people. The Government's cultural celebration at the Abbey Theatre on 2 April, entitled Sharing Peace, Sharing Futures, reflected this objective, celebrating a diverse set of voices and perspectives, and was streamed live to the public on RTE.
It is also important that the international dimension of support for peace is acknowledged, including that of the US and EU. In recognition of this, Ireland’s diplomatic network is playing a central role in marking the anniversary. The Department of Foreign Affairs is holding a number of events at Ireland’s embassies and consulates around the world to celebrate the vital and ongoing support of the international community to the process of peace and reconciliation.
Questions Nos. 70 to 74, inclusive, answered orally.
75. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of a windfall tax on energy companies and how the additional revenue generated will help households with the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11383/23]
View answerCouncil Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices came into force in October 2022. This Regulation seeks to address windfall gains in the energy sector through a temporary solidarity contribution based on taxable profits in the fossil fuel production and refining sector and a cap on market revenues of specific generation technologies in the electricity sector.
A General Scheme of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023, which will implement the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues, was approved by Government and published on 21 March.
The cap on market revenues in the electricity sector will apply for the period December 2022 to June 2023. The Council Regulation does not provide scope to extend the cap on market revenues prior to this period. The temporary solidarity contribution will apply for 2022 and 2023.
It is estimated that the two measures will result in proceeds of between €280 million and €600 million being collected. It will be a matter for Government, as part of the annual Budget process and in line with the Council Regulation, to determine how the proceeds collected from the windfall measures temporary solidarity contribution will be distributed. The proceeds from the Temporary Solidarity Contribution and the Cap on Market Revenues may be used to provide financial supports to households and companies heavily affected by soaring energy prices. It may also be used to help support investment in areas such as renewable energy.
76. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the National Youth Assembly on Climate. [19740/23]
View answerThe first National Youth Assembly on Climate (NYAC) took place online on 2 March 2022, hosted by my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
The NYAC consisted of a diverse group of 30 to 40 young people, aged 12 – 24 years from across Ireland.
In November 2022, the Report of the National Youth Assembly on Climate 2022 was published. This provided a record of the discussions, the views of young people and their concerns in relation to climate issues, and included Calls to Action across many policy areas. The recommendations from this report are now clearly reflected in the Climate Action Plan 2023.
The second NYAC took place in person on 10 March 2023, and was again opened by Minister O’Gorman. The topics the young delegates chose as priority areas this year included the Circular Economy, Communications and Engagement, and Sustainable Transport.
The outputs from the day are now being summarised and in the next few weeks I will be attending an online feedback webinar where I, along with my Department colleagues, will be able to hear the Calls to Action presented to me by the delegates and discuss how we can take their ideas forward.
The NYAC offers me as Minister and my Department the opportunity to engage in a really meaningful way with young people and make sure their voices are reflected in national climate policies.
Questions Nos. 77 and 78 answered orally.
79. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has been notified of An Post’s decision to sell its share in the National Lottery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18000/23]
View answerPremier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) holds the license to operate the National Lottery until 2034 having been awarded a 20 year licence by the State in November 2014.
PLI is an Irish incorporated designated activity company whose shareholders comprise An Post, An Post Pension Funds and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP). An Post holds 10.7% of the equity of PLI and the An Post Pension Scheme also holds 10.7%. The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) is the largest shareholder with 78.6%.
With Canadian $242.5 billion in net assets, OTPP is an independent organisation that invests the pension fund's assets and administers the defined benefit pensions of 331,000 active and retired teachers in Ontario. It has a successful track record in the lottery industry through its shareholdings in the Camelot Group, which includes UK National Lottery operator Camelot UK Lotteries Limited.
Officials were advised at a quarterly meeting with An Post on 27 March that there could be a transaction to sell the shares of PLI in the calendar year 2023 and that OTPP, the majority shareholder, were considering such an action. No further notification has been received from An Post, which as a minority shareholder would be obliged to follow OTTP under the terms of the shareholder agreement.
An Post has advised that any sale of the National Lottery remains speculative at this stage.
80. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the coastal waters off County Clare designated for off-shore wind energy are much smaller in area than County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19631/23]
View answerThe Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II (OREDP II) will be Ireland’s first national-level spatial strategy for our offshore renewable energy (ORE) future. When finalised, it will provide a high-level framework to support and guide the long-term, sustainable and planned development of Ireland’s significant offshore wind, wave and tidal resources, focusing on the optimal locations.
A draft OREDP II was published on 24 February 2023 for public consultation. A wide range of maritime stakeholders have been involved in contributing to the development of this draft OREDP II, including the fisheries sector, academia, the environmental sector, and the ORE industry.
The draft OREDP II identified potential Broad Areas of Interest for offshore energy, which are based on proposed criteria focused on economic and technical viability. These proposed criterial were themselves part of the public consultation process. It is important to note that no areas have been designated for future ORE development as yet.
The public consultation on the draft plan has run for eight weeks and recently closed on 20 April. During this time a range of online and in-person events were held around the coast, including Killybegs, Sligo, Westport, Ros a Mhíl, Kilrush, Foynes, Limerick, Cork city, Ballycotton, Castletownbere, Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay, Arklow, Dun Laoghaire, Balbriggan and Dundalk.
All feedback received as part of the public consultation is now being assessed and will inform the finalisation of the OREDP II in early summer 2023. The next stage of work will involve the identification of the Broad Areas of Interest, when the proposed identification criteria are finalised.
