Written Answers Nos. 139-153
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if consular assistance can be given to the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22496/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has provided consular assistance and support in this case and stands ready to provide further assistance if required. The relevant Embassy of Ireland has made contact again with the affected family.
I appreciate the anguish and upset of the family members after their sad loss, and know that this has been a very difficult time for those concerned. We can of course continue to engage and support, in the hope that a way forward can be found for the family.
As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the specific details of any individual case.
140. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a foreign birth register application by a person (details supplied). [22512/23]
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.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of between 6 and 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
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 FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 23 June 2022. This email went into the applicant's spam folder. The Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant and resent the email on 11 May 2023 regarding what is required to progress the application.
141. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will consider adding persons with a disability to the roster of persons who act as election observers in other jurisdictions, as has been recommended by an Oireachtas Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22517/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions, organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). While the Department nominates observers, the EU or OSCE take the selection decisions.
The current Election Observation Roster was established for a period of five years. It took effect on 1 January 2019 and is scheduled to run until 31 December 2023. The Department is currently accepting expressions of interest for the next election observation roster. Information on this is available on the Department’s website at: Election observation - Department of Foreign Affairs (irishaid.ie)
The Department is committed fully to equality of opportunity in all of its practices, in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. In this spirit, the Department is committed to ensuring that Ireland’s Election Observation Roster provides for the participation of people with disabilities, and is engaging with the EU and OSCE in this regard. The Department will ensure that any requests received for reasonable accommodation at application stage from people with disabilities are given all due consideration.
142. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22534/23]
View answer144. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport renewal of a person (details supplied) as the applicant's target issue date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/23]
View answer145. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of a passport renewal of a person (details supplied) as the applicant's target issue date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22649/23]
View answer152. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22798/23]
View answer153. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22799/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 144, 145, 152 and 153 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
143. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applicants’ documents received by the Passport Office that were subsequently lost, forcing applicants to resend documents; the number of applicants whose documents are recovered; the number of applicants whose documents that were not recovered in 2021, 2022, to date in 2023, in tabular form, by county of applicant. [22562/23]
View answerMy Department takes its responsibilities in relation to documentation it receives in support of passport applications and its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and relevant legislation very seriously. The Department has a Data Protection Policy and a number of other internal policies and procedures in place that apply to processing documentation it receives.
The Passport Service has been unable to compile the figures in the format requested within the time allowed for the Parliamentary Question response. The Passport Service will follow up directly with the Deputy to share the figures when they are ready.
146. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the protocols, if any, that are in place to counter hybrid threats to State security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22632/23]
View answerThe Government recognises the risk of hybrid threats to Ireland and is implementing several measures to identify, mitigate and counter hybrid campaigns.
Ireland has actively supported the measures to deal with hybrid threats which are set out in the EU Strategic Compass. This includes the development of a new EU Hybrid Toolbox, which was finalised last year, on-going negotiations on establishing Hybrid Rapid Response Teams, and developing a new Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Toolbox.
The Government is also implementing a range of relevant measures at national level including increased investment in the National Cyber Security Centre, a Third Country Investment Screening Bill and legislation on relevant vendors in the Communications Regulations and Digital Hub Agency Act. We have also taken measures to safeguard the electoral system and to address disinformation through the Electoral Reform Act and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act respectively.
The Department of Foreign Affairs coordinates Ireland’s international engagement on hybrid issues at the EU and with the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, working in close cooperation with relevant Government Departments and Agencies, which have authority for hybrid threats within their own areas of responsibility.
147. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to facilitate the evacuation of Irish residents from Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22743/23]
View answerThe conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on civilians. Hundreds have been killed, and thousands injured. Residents in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan are facing shortages of food, water, medicine and other necessities. It is vital that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.
It is also vital to have a durable ceasefire. Ireland fully supports mediation efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States, along with those of the African Union, the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and regional leaders. The European Union is also actively working for an end to the conflict and a return to the democratic transition in Sudan.
Since the outbreak of conflict on 15 April, the Department of Foreign Affairs, our Embassy in Nairobi, which is accredited to Sudan, and other Irish Embassies have assisted in the evacuation from Sudan of over 250 Irish citizens and family members, in cooperation with our international partners. For now, all evacuation flights from Sudan have ended.
We are aware of some Sudanese citizens who have Irish residence permits who are currently in Sudan. Our Embassy in Nairobi is maintaining contact with as many of them as possible, to provide information and advice.
148. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the progress made implementing the EU Strategic Compass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22789/23]
View answerThe Strategic Compass, approved by the Foreign Affairs Council and endorsed by the European Council in March of last year, outlines the way forward for the European Union in the field of security and defence. The document sets out the reality of the current European security environment, notably in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and then proposes a series of actions and deliverables in areas such as crisis management, resilience, capability development and partnerships with key international actors. Each of these actions lists a set of clear policy objectives, with timelines for implementation.
Implementation began immediately after adoption, and is progressing rapidly. The EU has succeeded, amongst other things, in bolstering its capacity to counter hybrid threats, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) and strengthening resilience through the development of an EU Hybrid Toolbox, a new FIMI Toolbox and the establishment of EU Hybrid Rapid Response Teams, while an EU wide approach to strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure has also been agreed.
In addition, there has been progress toward securing access to strategic domains, including through an update to the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, the proposed Cyber Resilience Act, the first ever EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence and an updated Maritime Security Strategy.
The EU has also increased the effectiveness of its civilian and military crisis management tools and demonstrated speed and flexibility in this regard, including through the deployment of an EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, an EU Civilian Mission in Armenia and an EU Civilian Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova. The foundation has also been laid for the adoption of a new Civilian CSDP Compact in May 2023.
Ireland fully supports the implementation of the Strategic Compass, and has engaged constructively across all areas of activity.
149. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the progress made developing an EU Hybrid Toolbox; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22790/23]
View answerHybrid threats can be characterized as a mixture of coercive and subversive activity and conventional and unconventional methods which are used by state or non-state actors to achieve specific objectives, while remaining below the threshold of formally declared or actual warfare. Typical methods employed by such actors range across the diplomatic, military, economic, technological, cyber and disinformation domains, often in a coordinated manner.
In recognition of the deteriorating security landscape in Europe following the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, the EU has stepped up its work to tackle hybrid threats.
In this regard, the EU’s Strategic Compass, adopted in March 2022, includes a specific focus on hybrid threats, including a commitment to develop an EU Hybrid Toolbox. This will comprise of a range of preventive, cooperative, stability-building, restrictive and support measures, focused on identifying complex and multifaceted hybrid campaigns, and coordinating tailor-made and cross-sectoral responses to them. In addition, a new and complementary Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Toolbox is also being examined by Member States.
Ireland actively supports the development of these measures at EU level. We are also implementing a range of relevant measures at national level, including increased investment in the National Cyber Security Centre, a Third Country Investment Screening Bill and legislation on relevant vendors in the Communications Regulations and Digital Hub Agency Act. We have also taken measures to safeguard the electoral system and to address disinformation through the Electoral Reform Act and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act respectively.
150. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has contacted the Israeli government in response to the demolition of the EU-funded school in Jubbet Adh Dhib in the occupied Palestinian territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22792/23]
View answer151. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request the EU to demand compensation from the Israeli government in response to the demolition of the EU-funded school in Jubbet Adh Dhib in the occupied Palestinian territory by the IDF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22793/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
I have been consistently forthright in voicing my opposition to Israeli settlement activity, including demolitions of Palestinian property, in the occupied West Bank. These actions are a clear violation of international law and stand in the way of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
As I noted in my statement on 9 May, I am disturbed by the demolition on 7 May by Israeli authorities of an EU funded school in Jubbet Adh Dhib, in the occupied West Bank. Such acts negatively impact essential education for Palestinian children. I urge Israel not to proceed with further demolitions and to cease all settlement activities.
Ireland has been proactive in ensuring that these issues are highlighted both locally and in international fora.
Ireland’s Embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises these matters in its contacts with the Israeli authorities.
Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah has made a number of visits along with EU colleagues to sites of concern in the West Bank, including a recent visit to the school in Jubbet Adh Dhib. Ireland is pursuing compensation for demolished humanitarian structures with a group of EU Member States through the West Bank Protection Consortium.
The Consortium has sought compensation of approximately €1.3 million in respect of confiscated or demolished assets since 2015. Ireland provided €300,000 in funding to the Consortium in 2022, underling our commitment to reducing the vulnerability of Palestinian communities living in Area C of the West Bank.
