Written Answers Nos. 141-160
141. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department, and public bodies and agencies under his remit, have an anti-racism policy which can be accessed by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27674/23]
View answerI am committed to developing inclusivity, building diversity and ensuring equal respect and opportunity for every member of staff, at home and abroad. In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs has zero tolerance for any instances of discrimination that could arise on the basis of race.
My Department’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy recognises the importance of achieving a diverse and inclusive work environment that protects the rights of all staff in the Department. The policy includes commitments to promote equity and diversity and to apply principles of respect and inclusion in how we deliver services to members of the public. Our Customer Service Charter makes a firm commitment to treat everyone fairly and impartially.
The Department recognises the need to proactively remove barriers and combat discrimination to ensure a more equitable outcome for staff and the citizens we serve. The Action Plan associated with this Policy provides an opportunity to review our compliance with key equality and human rights obligations with the ultimate goal of delivering better services for government and citizens.
Our Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 commits us to further embed a culture of dignity and respect in the workplace.
The Department’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and associated GEDI Action Plan 2023 -2025 can be accessed by the public via the DFA website.
142. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27704/23]
View answerFBR 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, further supporting documents for the application were requested from the applicant on 7 June 2023. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
143. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 30 May 2023, if the passport application can be expedited to rectify a series of clerical errors that will be detailed on the application file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27764/23]
View answer146. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied) as the applicant's travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27813/23]
View answer165. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the passport application for a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28211/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 146 and 165 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
144. 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. [27770/23]
View answer147. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details provided) as the applicant's travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27814/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 147 together.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputies have enquired, supporting documentation for this application was most recently received on 31 May 2023. Turnaround time for applications for which further supporting documents have been submitted is 15 working days. This application is within the current turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
145. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a report on the implementation of his Department's Climate Action Roadmap. [27772/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for asking this question about the very important work that the Department is undertaking to mitigate climate change.
The Management Board of the Department published the Climate Action Roadmap on 21st March 2023. The Deputy can view the document here: Climate-Action-Roadmap-DFA-2023.pdf.
The headline targets in this Roadmap commit the Department to reducing Green House Gases by 51% before 2030 and increasing energy efficiency by 50% in the same time period. To support this effort, the Department has identified 22 actions which fall under i.a. Corporate Services Division; ICT; Strategy Governance and Change Unit; HR; and Finance and Procurement Unit.
The Director General of Corporate Services is the Department’s Climate and Sustainability Champion, reporting to the Deputy Secretary General/Chief Operating Officer. It is the responsibility of the Director General to monitor and report on the Climate Roadmap Action Plan. The latest progress report showed that work is underway to deliver on all of the actions, within the timeframes set out. The Department will continue to report annually to Government on implementation, in line with the Climate Action Plan 2022. The next iteration of the Roadmap will be delivered in Q3 of 2023.
Internationally, Ireland has taken a leading role in promoting climate action and sustainability. In October 2020, the Department of Foreign Affairs set up a dedicated Climate Unit to shape, support and coordinate Ireland’s increasing climate ambition abroad. The Climate Unit engages with staff across the Department, both at home and in missions, to promote and coordinate Ireland’s positions and actions on climate. It also coordinates the Department’s international reporting obligations on climate finance, and works to share climate learning and resources.
148. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27837/23]
View answerForeign Birth Registration (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, supporting documents were received for the application on 24 October 2022. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant's parent in relation to the application.
149. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on a foreign birth register application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27944/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) application about which the Deputy has enquired, an online application was made on 29 April 2023. The Passport Service currently has no record to show that documentation, which is required to support the application, has been submitted for the application. In the absence of this documentation, this application cannot be processed further.
The applicant may wish to refer to information on the required documentation on my Department’s website: www.dfa.ie/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/.
150. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total spend on consulting services and on ‘business-as-usual’ outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of ‘Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016’ for each non-commercial public body under the aegis of his Department for the year 2022. [27963/23]
View answerThere are no State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
151. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an EONI electoral identity card can be accepted as a form of photo identification through the passport application process; if this message is clearly communicated to Northern citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27974/23]
View answerThe Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 6th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 188 countries. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants.
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. Under Section 7 of the Act, the Passport Service may require the applicant to produce such documents as are considered necessary for the purposes of issuing a passport.
Government issued photographic identification is required for all first time adult passport applications, in order for the Passport Service to establish the identity of the applicant. This can be a Public Services Card, an original passport from another country or a certified copy of a driver’s licence (certified by a solicitor or notary public). The Passport Service does not accept Electoral Identity Cards issued by the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland as these are not government issued photographic identification.
The Passport Service website outlines the documentary requirements for first time applicants residing in Northern Ireland: www.dfa.ie/passports/documentary-requirements/anadult/firsttimeapplicantbornontheislandofireland/.
The Passport Service understands that a very small number of applicants will not hold any of the specified types of government issued photographic identification. These applicants may contact the Passport Service for further information on how their identity may be verified.
152. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there has been any consideration given to increasing the number of queries Deputies can make weekly using the Oireachtas urgent query line given their proximity to the Border (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27975/23]
View answer153. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are any plans to establish a designated helpline for Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament to query passport applications on behalf of Irish citizens in the North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27976/23]
View answer154. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any briefings with Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament and their staff will be provided ahead of the summer months to assist constituency offices in the North to provide up-to-date information on the passport process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27977/23]
View answer155. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications queried through the Members of the Legislative Assembly Passport Portal; the current waiting time for a query response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27978/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 to 155, inclusive, together.
We are currently in the busy season for passports, as citizens prepare for their upcoming summer travel plans. Demand forecasts indicate that the Passport Service will issue just under 1.1 million passports this year.
Thanks to operational and staffing plans implemented by my Department, the Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand, and all turnaround times are at their target level. The Passport Service has issued over 510,000 passports to date in 2023, and the Customer Service Hub is responding to an average of 15,000 queries per week.
Passport applicants can track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on this website - www.dfa.ie/passporttracking/. The information available on the tracker is an excellent guide as to where an application is in the system. I encourage all applicants who have a query about their application to contact the Passport Service Customer Service Hub, where they can speak to a Passport Service agent via phone or web chat. The Passport Service significantly scaled up the Hub over the past 18 months in response to the increased demand for passports and the Hub continues to be a priority area for staffing in the context of ongoing recruitment.
In October 2021, the Passport Service established a phone line to respond to Oireachtas Members' queries on urgent passport cases. The phone line was established during a time of extraordinary demand for the Passport Service as a result of pent up demand following the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting interruptions to the service. It is important to note that this channel does not function as a means of expediting passport applications. In each case raised by an Oireachtas Member, the Passport Service reviews the application in question and provides a status update to the Oireachtas Member. Where the estimated issue-by date has been exceeded the Passport Service will follow up on this internally. Where an applicant requires their passport for a genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad, such applications are expedited through the Travel Emergency service.
While public representatives often hear of the most complex and pressing cases, the overwhelming majority of passport applicants have their passport processed without any recourse to their local representative.
Members of the Oireachtas are currently allocated up to 20 queries per week. The service is utilised by approximately 60% of Oireachtas members, out of which only a small percentage use their maximum query allocation, with approximately half using less than 5 queries. Based on the level of usage, the current allocation seems sufficient. Further future consideration can be given to this allocation, if this is deemed necessary.
I have fully supported the provision of an online portal for passport queries from Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Northern Ireland, which was launched in April 2023. The portal operates on a similar basis to the Oireachtas phone line. Since its launch on 17 April until 02 June, the Members of Legislative Assembly Passport Portal has handled 280 queries. The current standard waiting time for a query response is two working days.
All elected representatives of Irish citizens, including those from Northern Ireland, can also make formal representations to me in relation to passport applications by submitting inquiries directly to my office.
I strongly encourage all elected representatives to advise their constituents of the benefits of using Passport Online, and to check their passport before booking travel. The Passport Service website contains a comprehensive guide for applicants, covering everything from documentary requirements to guidelines for taking a passport photo. I would like to remind citizens and elected representatives that the most appropriate channel for passport queries is the Passport Service Customer Service Hub.
Given the resources available to applicants which have been outlined above, there are no current plans to provide briefing to MLAs or Members of Parliament in relation to the passport application process. This is something that my Department can keep under review for potential future needs.
156. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports are now being printed in the Cork Passport office; if so, if the rapid urgent appointment service can also be provided in this office, which has previously been called for by this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27979/23]
View answerThe introduction of Passport Online in 2017 has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing, resulting in greater efficiencies for the Passport Service and our citizens. Passport Online is the quickest and easiest channel for passport applicants, and is now used by over 90% of applicants across the world.
Thanks to operational and staffing plans implemented by the Department, the Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand, and all turnaround times are at their target level. The Passport Service has issued over 510,000 passports to date in 2023.
The Passport Office in Cork operates a four-day turnaround Urgent Appointment service for passport renewals. However, since over half of all simple adult renewals issue within two working days, for many, the Passport Online service is even faster than the 4 day urgent appointment service offered at our public counters.
The Cork office can also facilitate the immediate issuance of emergency travel documents in situations of genuine urgency such as a medical emergency or a bereavement abroad.
The Passport Service operates three passport book printing machines, two of which are located in the main production facility at the Balbriggan campus and the third in the Passport Office in Dublin 2. Each passport printer has a printing capacity of 250 passports per hour.
I am satisfied overall that the current production capacity meets the needs of passport applicants. The purchase of any additional printer would require the assessment of the considerable financial implications involved. While there are no current plans to install a printing machine in the Cork office, the Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service.
157. 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); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28059/23]
View answerForeign Birth Registration (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, further supporting documents for the application were received on 19 May 2023 following a request by the Passport Service. These documents are currently being processed, and a member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in due course.
158. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department’s view on Jammu and Kashmir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28071/23]
View answerIreland’s view, and that of the European Union, on the dispute between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir has not changed. Ireland and EU partners favour direct dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the situation in the disputed region peacefully. This should happen with due consideration to the interests of the Kashmiri people on both sides of the Line of Control. Indeed, the 1972 Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan makes it clear that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means.
I am fully aware of the difficulties in this dispute and retain the sincere hope that India and Pakistan will work together to resolve the situation in a peaceful manner, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.
I welcome the fact that the ceasefire along the Line of Control has held since February 2021, following a joint statement issued by India and Pakistan, and that this ceasefire is observed by the United Nations Military Observer Group.
The August 2019 statement by the Secretary General of the United Nations concerning Jammu and Kashmir called for restraint and referred to relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This remains fully relevant today.
The Embassies of Ireland in India and Türkiye, the latter of which is accredited to Pakistan, continue to actively monitor developments in relation to Jammu and Kashmir, in close consultation with our EU partners.
159. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will detail the progress made on reaching SDGs and on international aid; what the target is; and where we are at specifically in relation to, a Voluntary National Review on the SDGs, reaching 0.7% ODA/GNI with high-quality, poverty-focused overseas aid and climate financing; if the Government will address Irish civil society's five key recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28114/23]
View answerThe Government's international development policy, A Better World, is framed by our commitment to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It sets out four broad policy priorities: gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening governance. It commits us to reaching ‘the furthest behind first' in the implementation of our programme and policies.
Ireland has adopted a whole-of-government approach to the implementation of the SDGs. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for promoting the SDGs, and for overseeing their coherent implementation across Government. At the UN, Ireland is currently co-facilitating negotiations on the Political Declaration to be adopted at the SDGs Summit in New York in September. Ireland will also present our second Voluntary National Review of progress towards the SDGs at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York in July.
The Central Statistics Office, in collaboration with all Government Departments, has prepared a series of statistical publications which monitor and report on how Ireland is progressing towards meeting its targets under the 17 SDGs. Reports are available at UN Sustainable Development Goals - CSO - Central Statistics Office.
In the implementation of our development policy and in preparation for the SDG summit, the Department engages closely with Irish civil society.
The commitment to providing 0.7% of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance by 2030 is an important element of our support for the achievement of the SDGs. For 2023, the Government has provided a gross allocation to ODA of over €1.233 billion. 2023 is the ninth consecutive year in which the allocation for ODA has increased, and the second consecutive year in which the allocation has reached over €1 billion. Our overall ODA figures have been affected by the provision of services for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. Preliminary calculations for 2022, including ODA-eligible first year refugee costs, show total ODA at €2.33 billion, or 0.64% of GNI. None of the costs associated with the reception of Ukrainian refugees were sourced from the original ODA allocation for 2022, and this will also be the situation in 2023.
The Government is strongly committed to supporting international climate action, in the context of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In July 2022, we published Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap, which represents Ireland’s plan to fulfil our international climate finance commitments and our support to the achievement of SDG 13 on Climate Action. We are committed to providing at least €225 million annually in international climate finance by 2025.
160. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite the passport applications of two persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28141/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these applications are within their turnaround time. The Passport Service has advised the applicants' parent of the option of booking Urgent Appointments for passport renewal.
