Thursday, 15 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 29-43

Ukraine War

Questions (29)

Matt Carthy

Question:

29. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the Ukrainian government. [28850/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I maintain regular contact with the Ukrainian Government, both through the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, and directly with my counterpart in Kyiv, Minister Kuleba.

In January of this year I had an introductory phone call with Minister Kuleba. We discussed a number of issues regarding Ireland’s support to Ukraine, including the prospects for a just and sustainable peace, accountability for Russian aggression, EU sanctions, and Ireland’s ongoing support to Ukraine. I also met with Minister Kuleba in person at the Munich Security Conference in February, where we continued these discussions. Minister Kuleba has also regularly attended the monthly meetings of EU Foreign Ministers and participated at the "Gymnich" informal meeting in Stockholm in May. His participation in these meetings has ensured that Ukraine remains at the very top of the EU’s agenda and we maintain consistent engagement with the Ukrainian Government on many vital issues.

I will be attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London next week, which the Ukrainian Government is co-hosting with the British Government. This conference will bring together senior representatives from the international community, International Financial Institutions, the private sector and civil society, to support Ukraine in its recovery and reconstruction efforts. It comes at a vital time, in the wake of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, and as Ukraine continues to withstand an immense scale of damage and losses resulting from continued Russian aggression. I will deliver Ireland’s national statement at the conference and will be engaging with the Ukrainian Government, our EU and international partners, as well as private sector partners, as we look to further support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.

I have also had the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador of Ukraine, Larysa Gerasko, on several occasions. In March, I spoke at the large-scale event in O'Connell Street in Dublin, organised by the Ukrainian Embassy and the Ukrainian community group, Ukrainian Action, to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion back in February. This event sent an important signal of Ireland’s continued solidarity and commitment.

My Department also has regular engagement with Ukraine through multiple channels. My officials are in regular contact with Ambassador Gerasko and the Ukrainian Embassy in Ireland on a range of bilateral issues. The Ambassador of Ireland to Ukraine, along with her dedicated team of colleagues Kyiv, are also working hard on the ground to strengthen bilateral ties and ensure that Ireland continues to play a role in ensuring that Ukraine has the necessary political and humanitarian support it requires.

Cross-Border Co-operation

Questions (30)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

30. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how his Department is contributing to the delivery of the Shared Island initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28138/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Shared Island Initiative is a whole of Government endeavour, co-ordinated by the Shared Island Unit in Department of the Taoiseach working closely with policy lead Departments and Agencies. The Department of Foreign Affairs works in partnership with the Department of the Taoiseach in playing an active role across Government in delivering on the objectives of the Shared Island Initiative.

I established the Shared Island Initiative in 2020 to work with all communities to build a vision for our shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. This includes a Shared Island Fund, with a commitment of at least €1 billion out to 2030 ring-fenced for all-island investment. To date, almost €200 million has been allocated from the Shared Island Fund to move forward on cross-border commitments, and also to support the delivery of new infrastructure projects. I expect further allocations from the Shared Island Fund to be announced next week. The Shared Island Initiative also involves a comprehensive research programme to inform inclusive dialogue on the future of our island and a Shared Island Dialogue series to bring all communities together on issues of common interest.

It was in response to need identified through the Shared Island Dialogues that earlier this year I launched the Shared Island Civic Society Fund. This will see at least €3 million invested North South over the coming period to promote practical civil society cooperation and engagement across a range of sectors and themes, consistent with the objectives and commitments of the Good Friday Agreement. I will shortly announce the full list of organisations which will receive funding as part the first tranche of Shared Island Civic Society Funding. A second call for proposals will issue in the Autumn.

I look forward to continuing to work with my Government colleagues and with our partners in Northern Ireland and the UK to further develop the Shared Island Initiative in the period ahead.

Irish Aid

Questions (31)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the proposed rebranding of Irish Aid to the Government of Ireland Development Programme Overseas as indicated last December; if an assessment of the potential impacts has been completed; the timeline for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28740/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Officials in my Department undertook a series of consultations around the use of the term “Irish Aid” towards the end of last year. As a result of these consultations it was decided to phase out the use of the term “Irish Aid” overseas, replacing it with “Government of Ireland International Development Programme”. Feedback from stakeholders was such that this change in name will have an overall positive impact for a number of reasons, including greater international recognition of the term “Ireland”, as well as strong perceptions the term “Aid” does not encapsulate the totality of the work carried out by Ireland’s ODA programme. This process is currently underway. In line with the outcome of the consultations, the name “Irish Aid” will remain in use in Ireland.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (32, 34)

Alan Dillon

Question:

32. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on long-term solutions to address the challenges faced by the undocumented Irish in the US and his work to continue to seek new immigration pathways for Irish citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28737/23]

Robert Troy

Question:

34. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any progress is being made with regards to the undocumented Irish in America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28783/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 34 together.

Addressing the status of undocumented Irish citizens in the United States remains a priority for the Government. Immigration matters are raised on a regular and ongoing basis with U.S. political representatives.

The Government actively supports the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. While comprehensive reform would be the optimal solution for undocumented Irish citizens, I do not underestimate the obstacles to achieving this given the political sensitivities of immigration issues in the United States, including in Congress.

Immigration matters feature consistently in high level political engagements with the United States. During my visit to Washington last February, I raised the question of access to visas with politicians on both sides of the aisle, while the issue has also been raised directly with President Biden in recent months.

In addition, in March I raised the issue of the undocumented with Congressman Richie Neal. Representative Neal is co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, and has been a steadfast advocate for the undocumented Irish over many years. During that visit, I also spent time with organisations in New York and Boston that are actively supporting the Irish diaspora. My Department provided over €4.2 million in Emigrant Support Programme Funding this year to organisations that provide ongoing, valuable assistance to our citizens, including the undocumented, in the United States.

Minister of State Fleming was in the United States last week, where he had the opportunity to hear directly from organisations in receipt of this Emigrant Support Funding, and to see first hand the very real and practical assistance that they provide to Irish immigrants, including the undocumented.

In addition to this support and to our engagement at the Federal level through our Embassy in DC, our eight Consulates General in the U.S. proactively seek opportunities to improve the day-to-day lives of the Irish undocumented., including by working with local state legislatures. An example of this is in Massachusetts, where new legislation will take effect in a number of weeks that will enable residents to apply for drivers' licences, irrespective of their immigration status. The Consulate General of Ireland in Boston led a sustained campaign in support of this reform for many years, and I strongly welcome the passage of this law, which will make a modest but appreciable difference in lives of undocumented Irish citizens in Massachusetts.

International Relations

Questions (33)

Barry Cowen

Question:

33. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he will take to develop our relationship with China and the principles that will inform this action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28098/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland's relationship with China is one that we value. We have built enduring links in education and people to people engagement and our economic relationship reached €34.5 billion in two-way trade in 2021.

Since China reopened to inward visits, the Government has enhanced our high-level engagement. My colleague Minister Eamon Ryan visited China to mark St. Patrick’s Day; his visit had a strong focus on climate. Minister of State Heydon visited in April to support Irish companies in China and Minister McConalogue carried out a trade mission to China in May. I met with Foreign Affairs Counsellor Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference in February.

Last month I spoke at the Royal Irish Academy about our relationship with China. I underlined that we need to be clear-eyed about China's strategic objectives, and what these might mean for Ireland and our EU partners. I emphasised that China's obligation to uphold the United Nations Charter is our starting point in analysing and assessing its global engagement.

The Government has been clear that de-risking in our relationship with China is not decoupling. There are many mutually beneficial ties that we can grow. We will continue to support our businesses that are engaged with China, and to work with the Chinese companies established in Ireland to create jobs and build prosperity.

Alongside this, we will work with EU partners to shore up economic security and advocate for a level playing field for global trade and investment. We will continue to call on China to use its considerable influence to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

In our engagements with China, we will continue to underline the responsibility of all Member States to uphold the UN Charter and the broader UN framework, and we will prioritise the preservation and promotion of human rights, a critical pillar of the multilateral system. The Government will also be clear that the maintenance of stability and the status quo in relation to Taiwan is critical and that any attempt to change the status quo by force would not be acceptable. This does not undermine the Government's continued adherence to the One China Policy.

The Government also remains committed to engagement with China and to working constructively together, and in the framework of EU membership, on climate change, sustainable development, human rights, and an open global trading and investment system.

Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 32.

Ukraine War

Questions (35, 37)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

35. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had communications with his EU counterparts on the Council of Ministers in relation to the Russian attack on the Nova Kakhovka dam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28851/23]

Richard Bruton

Question:

37. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the European Union plans initiatives in response to the destruction of the dam at Nova Kakhovka; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28797/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 37 together.

On 6 June, the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant Dam (Kakhovka Dam) across the Dnipro river was destroyed, unleashing a torrent of flood water across the conflict zone. The destruction of Kakhovka dam is a serious development, which poses a severe threat to human life and the environment, and will have far-reaching consequences.

This reckless act is yet another brutal consequence of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. Any intentional targeting of civilian objects, including critical infrastructure, is a war crime. The issue was addressed by the UN Security Council on June 6.

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society Emergency Response Teams and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been activated to support the affected population in Kherson and will assist with the provision of emergency shelter, clean drinking water and food, mobile health care and hygiene centres, among other urgent supports. In the immediate wake of the disaster last week, I announced €1 million of Irish Aid funding to support these organisations in their efforts.

I am particularly concerned by the serious risk of pollution, as well as the risk to human life as a result of the dislocation of mines and explosive ordnance over a much wider region. I understand also that Russian forces have been continuing to shell the region, creating a further obstacle to the relief operation. I utterly condemn this further brutal act of aggression.

Ireland has been active in coordinating our response with EU partners and we participated in a meeting of the EU’s Integrated Political Crisis Response group in Brussels earlier this week. We will continue this coordination as the situation develops and further specific needs emerge. I expect this will also be a focus of our discussions at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council later this month.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (36)

Gary Gannon

Question:

36. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the evacuation of Irish citizens from Sudan in the last month. [28868/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs assisted more than 280 Irish citizens and their dependents to evacuate from Sudan during the acute consular phase of the crisis there between 15 April and 25 May.

We have maintained close contact with registered citizens in Sudan throughout the crisis. Any citizens remaining in Sudan and seeking consular assistance should contact the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya if they have not already done so.

While large scale evacuation operations from Sudan have now ceased, commercial options are in place to allow citizens to leave the country, where they decide to do so, at their own risk. The Embassy of Ireland in Nairobi and other Embassies around the region are providing information and other supports to the limited number of citizens still remaining in Sudan and seeking to depart.

Along with our EU and international partners, Ireland will remain engaged in support of mediation efforts to end the conflict in Sudan and secure a peaceful and democratic future for its people.

Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 35.

EU Enlargement

Questions (38)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

38. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will offer assistance to Moldova to help them prepare for EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28616/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland welcomed the decision of the European Council last June to grant EU candidate status to Moldova and Ukraine, an outcome we had long advocated for. As I reiterated when I spoke to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu in January, and as the Taoiseach reaffirmed to President Sandu in Chisinau on 1 June, Ireland strongly supports Moldova's application for EU membership.

In Brussels, we have worked with a group of like-minded Member States to propose a range of political and practical steps through with the European Commission might advance Moldova’s European perspective, as well as that of Ukraine and Georgia. This has included targeted EU technical and expert support to develop national negotiating platforms, and comprehensive communication strategies to inform the public throughout the accession process.

Officials from my Department, including our Ambassador accredited to Moldova, also regularly discuss with Moldovan government officials other measures that Ireland might take to support to accelerate Moldova’s path to accession. For instance, at Moldova’s request, Minister of State Fleming recently hosted President’s Sandu’s Advisor on Diaspora Policy in Dublin for a series of meetings to share our experience of supporting and engaging with diaspora and attracting investment.

The EU has also provided significant financial assistance as part of the ongoing Macro-Financial Assistance operation. On 30 May, the General Affairs Council decided to nearly double the amount of macro-financial assistance to Moldova, meaning that a total of €295 million in loans and grants will be available to support Moldova's economic stabilisation and structural reform agenda.

The EU has also provided €87 million to Moldova in assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) since its establishment in March 2021. A civilian EU Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova) was launched on 22 May, to contribute to the strengthening of Moldova’s crisis management structures and its resilience to hybrid threats. On 28 April, at the request of Moldova, the EU adopted a new sanctions framework to target individuals responsible for undermining the sovereignty and independence of the country, as well as Moldova’s constitutional order. On 30 May, the General Affairs Council approved a list of five persons to be subject to sanctions under this framework.

Ireland has also been supporting Moldova bilaterally. In December 2022, the Government approved €5 million in assistance for Moldova via the World Bank Multi-donor Trust Fund, which will go towards supporting the provision of essential public services, and efforts to increase resilience in the energy sector. This funding is in addition to humanitarian aid provided earlier in 2022.

Passport Services

Questions (39, 55)

Alan Dillon

Question:

39. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for his assessment of issues with the current passport express process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28738/23]

Alan Farrell

Question:

55. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to comment on his Department’s efforts to increase efficiency with regard to passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28873/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 55 together.

The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports, and has issued over 510,000 passports to date in 2023. All turnaround times are at their target level, and over half of all online adult renewals issue within 2 working days. The Customer Service Hub is responding efficiently to an average of 15,000 queries per week.

These achievements are thanks to the operational and staffing plans my Department has put in place for 2023, as well as the efficiencies allowed for through Passport Online.

The Department has run 18 recruitment competitions since 2021 to address staffing needs in the Passport Service and another is currently underway. The Passport Service has scaled up the Customer Service Hub significantly over the past 18 months, and plans aim to ensure that excellent customer service is maintained during periods of peak demand.

We are currently in the busiest time of year for passports as we approach the summer holiday season. However, the Passport Service has already seen application numbers coming down in recent weeks. This suggests that most applications for the summer season have already been processed or submitted.

The high application numbers seen during the first half of the year came following an effective communications campaign run by the Department across winter/spring 2023. The campaign focused on the benefits of applying online, and encouraged citizens to check their passport in advance of booking travel.

The Passport Service continually works to enhance the service and provide further efficiencies for customers. A number of improvements were made to the Passport Online platform in April 2023. These include a customised list of the supporting documents required for first time applicants, an Eircode look-up tool to facilitate the input of postal addresses, and a new integration feature with the General Register Office. The GRO integration benefits a significant cohort of first-time child applicants, who are no longer required to submit a physical birth certificate. So far almost 16,000 birth certificates have been digitally received by the Passport Service from the GRO. These upgrades help to reduce the administrative burden for applicants. In addition, the customised list of documents aims to reduce the number of applications for which insufficient or incorrect supporting documents are submitted.

Passport Online is a multi award-winning online platform, and places the Irish Passport Service amongst the most innovative in the world. The Passport Service is pursuing a Digital First strategy and promoting Passport Online as the quickest, most convenient and least expensive channel for applicants. This has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing resulting in greater efficiencies for the Service and for customers.

I strongly encourage the Deputies to advise their constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is now used by over 90% of applicants worldwide.

Due to the nature of the paper application process, it will always be a slower service. The turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. As the Passport Service is meeting this target turnaround time successfully, there are no widespread issues which need to be addressed with the paper-based service. Given that less than 10% of applicants now use the paper service, it is not the priority service for the Passport Service in the context of strategy and resources. In recognition of this, the Passport Service and An Post rebranded the paper passport service from "Passport Express" to "Post Passport" in May of 2022.

I am confident that the planning and staffing measures implemented, along with other improvements, will continue to have a positive impact on passport processing times for 2023.

Human Rights

Questions (40)

Gino Kenny

Question:

40. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the recent acts of severe repression carried out by the army and state institutions in Pakistan against opposition politicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28775/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am aware of the issues that have arisen in Pakistan in recent weeks following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and subsequent protests, demonstrations and arrests. I am concerned in relation to reports of plans to try civilians in military courts.

My Department regularly engages with Pakistan, both bilaterally and multilaterally, on political and human rights issues in the country. Senior officials from the Department held bilateral and political consultations with the Pakistani Foreign Ministry in Islamabad on 18 May, during which the current domestic political situation and human rights issues were discussed in detail.

The promotion and protection of universal human rights is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, including the freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, freedom to participate in the political process. Human rights is an important part of the EU-Pakistan dialogue and human rights concerns will be raised by during the upcoming meeting of the EU-Pakistan Sub-Group on Democracy, Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights, and EU-Pakistan Joint Commission on 22 and 23 June 2023, respectively.

The Embassy of Ireland in Türkiye, which is accredited to Pakistan, continues to closely monitor the situation, in close consultation with the European Union Delegation in Islamabad and EU partners on the ground.

Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 20.

Human Rights

Questions (42)

Richard Bruton

Question:

42. 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. [28796/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I remain gravely concerned by the ongoing violence in Myanmar. The military coup in Myanmar has resulted in at more than 3,600 deaths. In recent days, brutal attacks on civilians in villages in Ye township, Mon State and in the Sagaing Region resulted in the maiming and killing of innocent people.

1.8 million people have been displaced, 400,000 of them in the last three months. 17.6 million people, or a third of Myanmar’s population, are in humanitarian need. Access to vital assistance has been severely impeded by ongoing fighting, the closure of IDP camps, and the suspension of travel authorisations for humanitarian organisations. In May, an ASEAN convoy delivering aid to displaced villagers came under fire in Myanmar’s eastern Shan state.

Looking ahead, I am concerned about further instability and violence if the military calls elections. 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, and our EU partners, fully supports ASEAN's five-point consensus towards a peaceful resolution. In May ASEAN leaders met and addressed the ongoing crisis. They reiterated ASEAN’s continued engagement with all stakeholders to find a peaceful and durable solution, that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led, to create a conducive environment for facilitating an inclusive national dialogue.

Ireland remains actively engaged on the crisis. Myanmar remains a priority on the EU agenda, including the imposition of sanctions. We have consistently raised the situation in Myanmar at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Ireland’s active engagement on Myanmar follows on from our efforts during our term on the United Nations Security Council, during which we pro-actively supported Resolution 2669.

Ireland has provided €500,000 to the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund this year with additional funding of €456,984 to Trócaire, particularly to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Mocha which hit Myanmar on 14 May, affecting 3.2 million people. Total funding from Ireland on Myanmar since the coup, including responding to the needs of Rohingya refugees, amounts to €7,146,132.

Question No. 43 answered with Question No. 28.