Gary Gannon
Question:59. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will formally recognise the state of Palestine; and if not; if he will make a statement as to why not. [28869/23]
View answerMiddle East
Questions (59)
Written answers
The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.
In the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful, and this is a matter which I discuss regularly with EU colleagues.
The timing and context of any such decision would affect whether the resulting loss of influence would be matched by a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process and a two-State solution. My judgement at present is that this is not the case.
Climate Change Policy
Questions (60)
Cormac Devlin
Question:60. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a report on the implementation of his Department's Climate Action Roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28093/23]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
Middle East
Questions (61)
Gary Gannon
Question:61. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department recognises Israel's oppression of Palestine as apartheid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28866/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am deeply saddened by the killing of two-year-old Mohammed Tamimi and extend my condolences to the family.
The death of Mohammed marked a further tragic milestone in a year that has witnessed a shocking increase in the number of civilian casualties. As the occupying power, Israel is required to protect civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Against the backdrop of this deteriorating security situation, Ireland’s focus is on seeking to find a way to change the reality on the ground and to encourage a peace process that can deliver a two-State solution, which is the Government's priority.
I have been consistently forthright in expressing concern regarding the unequal treatment of Palestinians. Irish officials actively engage with interlocutors in relation to such issues. For example, this week my officials met with the UN Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel.
My officials and I will continue to raise our concerns regarding discriminatory practices towards the Palestinian people on a regular basis directly with the Israeli authorities, including during visits to the region, as well as at EU and UN level.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (62)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:62. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what engagement he and his Department have had with their EU counterparts and Cabinet colleagues in the past 12 months in relation to the issue of cross-Border remote workers, with particular emphasis on the issues emerging whereby some of these workers are unable to avail of bank card facilities in the opposite jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28752/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that the widespread expansion of remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new context that was not previously present for many cross-border workers.
My Cabinet colleagues, particularly the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, are actively engaged on a range of issues relating to cross-border working on the island of Ireland and I will continue to work with them to address any further issues emerging.
The policy implications of the expansion of remote working for cross-border workers, for both employers and employees, particularly in relation to taxation, are also being considered at an EU and international level. The Government is participating in this process and will monitor and assess any developments very closely, taking into account the cross-border nature of many people’s lives on the island of Ireland, the need to continue to protect this way of life, and the significant role that cross-border working plays in the all-island economy.
The Government is actively seeking to obtain better data on the nature and extent of cross-border working, including by commissioning ESRI research on the issue. Revenue are currently looking at ways to minimise the administrative burden of cross-border working insofar as possible.
The Government will continue to actively engage in discussions with our EU counterparts and international partners on the policy implications of cross-border working, including in the context of remote working.
Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 6.
United Nations
Questions (64)
Patrick Costello
Question:64. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will commit to using the upcoming budget to ensure that UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) will receive adequate funding so their essential work can continue unabated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28214/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is a steadfast supporter of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It plays a crucial role in providing essential services to 5.7 million registered Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Through its work, UNRWA continues to act as a force for stability in the region.
In recent years, UNRWA has regularly experienced budgetary shortfalls due to insufficient donor funding and increased needs caused by recurring crises. The hostilities in May 2021, the impact of COVID-19, and knock-on effects from the war in Ukraine have placed additional strain on the agency, which already operates in a highly challenging context.
For this reason, Ireland signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with UNRWA in March 2021, pledging an annual base contribution of €6 million annually. In practice, Ireland’s total funding regularly exceed this figure. At the recent UNRWA pledging conference in New York, on 2 June, the Government announced an additional €2 million in support for UNRWA FOR 2023, bringing our total contribution this year to €8 million. With this additional payment, Ireland will have contributed a total of €63 million to the agency since 2015.
At the pledging conference, Ireland called on the international community to honour our collective responsibility to ensure UNRWA has the resources to fulfil its mandate. This means ensuring that political support for the agency translates into tangible financial support.
For our part, Ireland will continue to provide UNRWA with political, policy and financial support as part of our commitment to Palestine refugees.
International Relations
Questions (65)
Gary Gannon
Question:65. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department recognises Western Sahara as a sovereign state in the wake of reports that Israel will recognise the country as a Moroccan territory. [28867/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has a consistent policy on the status of Western Sahara, and its potential future constitutional arrangements.
As per the United Nations position, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. Our long-standing policy is to support the UN Security Council Resolutions on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. We do not have a view on the outcome of a decision on the future of the territory, as long as it is decided peacefully and in a genuine exercise of self-determination. During Ireland’s term on the UN Security Council, we reiterated this position consistently.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 20.
Sustainable Development Goals
Questions (67)
Cormac Devlin
Question:67. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how he will ensure that Ireland's international development programme makes a clear contribution to progress on the Sustainable Development Goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28094/23]
View answerWritten answers
Irelands international development programme is explicitly focused on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Ireland provides Official Development Assistance to support the most vulnerable people in more than 130 countries. To this end, we form partnerships with governments, international and multilateral organisations, local civil society groups and international non-governmental organisations.
A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, which was published in 2019, fully integrates the SDGs and sets out our contribution to their achievement. Its headline priorities are to reduce humanitarian need, support climate action, promote gender equality and strengthen governance, with the overarching ambition to reach the furthest behind first. These priorities closely align with the SDGs, individually and collectively, and the overall approach and spirit of the 2030 Agenda.
Our regional strategies also reflect Ireland’s commitment to the SDGs. The Government's Strategy for Africa to 2025, Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean and Strategy for Partnership with Small Island Developing States enshrine our commitment to deepening engagement with countries in these regions in their efforts to achieve the SDGs. They have a particular focus on reaching the furthest behind first and leaving no-one behind.
Ireland’s engagement with specific partners and sectors is also guided by the SDGs. We require our multilateral partners to contribute effectively to the global achievement of the SDGs, and focus our collaboration with civil society, including very significant funding support, on the achievement of the Goals. Similarly, the Government's International Climate Finance Roadmap, published in 2022, sets out the strategy for achieving our climate finance commitments, a central target under SDG 13.
Ireland also supports the achievement of the SDGs through our diplomatic work. We are a leading advocate for human rights, civic space and multilateralism, values which underpin and cut across all the SDGs. At the UN, Ireland is currently co-facilitating the negotiation of the political declaration to be adopted by the SDG Summit to be held in New York in September.
Sustainable Development Goals
Questions (68)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:68. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if preparations are under way ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit convening this September in New York and in particular for the role Ireland will play as co-facilitator of a negotiated political declaration as an output from the summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland played a significant role in the development and adoption of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. We have prioritised the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nationally and internationally. The provide the overall framework for the Government's international development policy, A Better World.
In September, world leaders will meet at the SDG Summit in New York to review progress on the SDGs. The Summit is an opportunity to rebuild momentum towards these Goals. The Permanent Representatives of Ireland and Qatar have been appointed to co-facilitate the negotiations on the Political Declaration to be adopted at the Summit. The role of co-facilitator is to ensure the Declaration reflects a broad consensus among Member States.
Preparations are well underway. Consultations began earlier this year, aiming to reach consensus on a final draft of the Declaration over the summer. The co-facilitators are working in a transparent and inclusive manner with UN member states, civil society and young people, academia and the private sector.
In our role as co-facilitator we are determined that the Political Declaration will give a clear statement of direction, galvanizing a shift from crisis response towards sustainable development. A strong outcome will also reaffirm the central role of multilateralism in finding solutions to the multiple challenges our world is facing.
Good Friday Agreement
Questions (69)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:69. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking to unlock the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28137/23]
View answerWritten answers
The full and effective implementation and operation of the Good Friday Agreement across all three Strands is a key priority for this Government. It is a matter of great regret that, twenty-five years on from the Agreement being signed, its institutions are not being allowed to deliver to their full capacity for the benefit of the people of this island.
The people of Northern Ireland are entitled to a functioning Assembly and Executive. In recent weeks we have seen cuts to services that will affect the most vulnerable. Local leadership is required to address these challenges. I spoke with political representatives in Northern Ireland last week and reiterated the urgent need for a restoration of the power-sharing institutions. This is also a matter that I discuss regularly with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris.
The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on effects on the operation of Strand Two of the Agreement. I am deeply concerned that the work of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has been severely disrupted in recent years and that adequate conversations on shared, all-island challenges are not taking place. However, the Government continues to promote all-island cooperation through the Shared Island Initiative, working with all communities to build a vision for our shared future. We are taking forward this ambitious agenda by progressing North South infrastructure projects, bringing all communities together through our Shared Island Dialogue series, and delivering a comprehensive research programme to inform inclusive dialogue on the future of our island.
The Government also continue to prioritise East-West cooperation and engagement through the Strand Three institutions. This week, I will attend the 39th Summit of the British-Irish Council in Jersey and, next week,the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London. These forums provide a unique platform to build relations across these islands and to address common challenges such as climate sustainability, building for the future, and protecting our unique cultures and individual languages. Members of this House also support Strand Three engagement through their work with the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
Despite the current challenges, the Government will continue to seek opportunities to work with all communities, and when restored, a new Executive, to fully realise the vision of the Good Friday Agreement, and to unlock its full potential.
Northern Ireland
Questions (70)
Brendan Smith
Question:70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning legacy issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28845/23]
View answerWritten answers
In Stormont House in 2014, the two Governments and most of Northern Ireland's parties agreed a way forward on legacy which would meet the needs of victims, uphold human rights and contribute to reconciliation. This approach endorsed was again in the Fresh Start and New Decade, New Approach agreements. However, in May 2022, with the publication of its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, the UK Government decided to move away from the Stormont House Agreement and take a unilateral approach to dealing with the past.
During all of my recent engagements with the Secretary of State, I made clear the Government's opposition to this Bill and outlined my specific and serious concerns about its provisions. At our meeting in Dublin on 16 May, I urged the Secretary of State to pause the progress of the current Bill, to allow a return to a collective approach, which will include victims and survivors.
The Secretary of State advised that he would soon be tabling significant amendments to the Bill. which would seek to address key concerns, including those raised by victims and survivors as well as the Council of Europe.
On 8 June, the UK Government published a list of proposed amendments to the Bill. It is my view that these new amendments fail to sufficiently alter the Bill to address our concerns about its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights and its impact on the fundamental work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Over the course of the next week I will be attending the British Irish Council and the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. I will continue to convey the view of the Government to the Secretary of State and continue to encourage the UK Government to pause this Bill and return to the partnership approach that has successfully produced a lasting peace for the people of these islands for 25 years.
Question No. 71 answered with Question No. 28.