Written Answers Nos. 85-102
85. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach 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 commercial public body under the aegis of his Department for 2022. [30396/23]
View answerThe National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only non-commercial public body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.
NESDO is the corporate body for the National Economy and Social Council (NESC) which advises me on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social, and environmental development in Ireland.
In 2022, NESDO had NIL expenditure on consultancy services.
86. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of staff employed by the Director Of Public Prosecutions, broken down by grade, for each of the past five years. [30307/23]
View answerThe below table details the number of staff employed in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, by grade, from 2019 to date.
|
Grade |
2023 June 21st |
2022 Y/end |
2021 Y/end |
2020 Y/end |
2019 Y/end |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
7 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
|
Principal Officer Higher* |
26 |
25 |
28 |
21 |
23 |
|
Principal Officer |
26 |
17 |
17 |
11 |
13 |
|
Assistant Principal Higher |
21 |
27 |
28 |
20 |
20 |
|
Assistant Principal |
10 |
9 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
|
Prosecutor |
66 |
67 |
50 |
63 |
58 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
14 |
13 |
13 |
12 |
11 |
|
Higher Legal Executives |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Administration Officer |
8 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
20 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
21 |
|
Staff Officer / Legal Executives |
4 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Clerical Officer |
49 |
44 |
50 |
47 |
46 |
|
Service Officer |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
256 |
244 |
235 |
229 |
223 |
* includes two Principal Officer Higher Directors.
87. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the process and timeline for the national selection procedure to shortlist three qualified candidates for submission to the Council of Europe as a candidate to be a judge of the European Court of Human Rights by the required date of 11 March 2024. [31042/23]
View answerThe European Court of Human Rights (‘the Court’) consists of a number of judges equal to the number of contracting parties to the European Convention on Human Rights (‘the Convention’).
The members of the Court are elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe with respect to each contracting party from a list of three candidates nominated by the state concerned. The criteria for appointment as a judge of the Court are prescribed by Article 21 of the Convention.
The procedure for the nomination and election of judges to the Court comprises two discrete stages: first, the selection and nomination by the Government of candidates for transmission to the Parliamentary Assembly, and secondly, the election of judges by the Parliamentary Assembly.
The Government must submit a list of three candidates to the Parliamentary Assembly by 11 March 2024. The term of office of the judge elected in respect of Ireland (and current President of the Court) Síofra O’Leary, is due to expire on 1 July 2024.
The national procedure for the selection of three candidates with a view to nomination for election as a judge of the Court will be carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
The procedure will be carried out in accordance with the Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the selection of candidates for the post of judge at the European Court of Human Rights.
It is currently intended that the process for the selection of candidates with a view to nomination by the Government for election as a judge of the Court will commence in autumn 2023. Arrangements for this process are still in the planning phase, but it is expected that a public call for applications from qualified candidates will issue as early as September 2023.
The list of three candidates nominated by the Government will be examined both by the Advisory Panel of Experts on candidates for election as a judge to the European Court of Human Rights (established by the Committee of Ministers), and by the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights (established by the Parliamentary Assembly).
The election of a judge in respect of Ireland is currently scheduled for the April 2024 part-session of the Parliamentary Assembly. The term of office of the judge elected in respect of Ireland will commence not later than three months from the date of his or her election.
88. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30544/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application has been approved. A certificate will issue to the applicant shortly.
89. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the definition of military neutrality as it appears on his Department's website (details supplied); who approved this definition; when it was approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30552/23]
View answer91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how the panellists and chairperson of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy were chosen; when the first invitations for panellists and chairpersons were issued; and when the final list of panellists and chairpersons was finalised. [30724/23]
View answer92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the process for choosing the Chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy; when a person (details supplied) was asked to be chair; and if anyone else was asked to be chair. [30725/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 91 and 92 together.
Louise Richardson, DBE was appointed by me as Chair of the Consultative Forum, having regard to the remit of the Forum and, consequently, to the competencies, skills and experience required to conduct same.
The Chair for the Consultative Forum was appointed in the same way as Chairs of Citizens Assemblies are appointed. My request to her to act as Chair was conveyed in late March 2023. No other individual was approached to serve as Chair to the Forum.
Invitations to panellists issued following the decision by the Tánaiste to convene the Forum. Panellists were identified by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence, based on their practical experience and areas of expertise.
The definition of Ireland's military neutrality on the DFA website states that Ireland’s policy of military neutrality has long been an important strand of our independent foreign policy and is characterised by non-membership of military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. This has been the policy position of successive Irish governments.
90. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total costs for the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy; if any panellists or chairs, or the forum chair, are receiving remuneration for their participation; and, if so, the amount. [30723/23]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 134 and 137 on 13 June 2023, which addresses the question of estimated costs for the Consultative Forum.
Participants will not receive a payment to participate at the Forum. Travel and subsistence for Forum participants will be paid in accordance with the applicable Civil Service Travel and Subsistence rates.
Expenditure related to the Forum will be in line with the Public Spending Code to ensure value-for-money.
An honorarium will be paid to the Chairperson of the Consultative Forum at a per diem rate sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as is the case with the Chairs of Citizens Assemblies.
93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
94. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent arrests by the Turkish Government of members of the HDP, Green Left Party and other opposition voices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30804/23]
View answerRespect for democratic processes and opposition voices is an important human rights concern which should be respected in all democratic countries, particularly ones such as Türkiye, which is a member of the Council of Europe and a candidate country for EU membership.
The appetite of the Turkish people for participatory democracy was clearly evidenced by the very high voter turnout in recent parliamentary and Presidential elections. While the OSCE/Council of Europe election observers found those elections to be competitive and largely free, offering voters a choice between genuine political alternatives, they also noted that intimidation and arrests of opposition figures and their supporters were an obstacle to electoral equality.
Ireland has been clear in raising our concerns about the overall democratic freedom and human rights situation in Türkiye. It is an issue which my predecessor raised with the former Turkish Foreign Minister on a number of occasions, and one which I will continue to raise with my counterpart wherever the opportunity arises. It is also an area in which Ireland engages extensively through our membership of the Council of Europe, where we have consistently called on Turkish authorities to fully implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
The EU has continually highlighted the importance of freedom of expression, association and assembly through public statements, Council Conclusions, and the Commission’s Annual Reports, and has raised these issues bilaterally with Türkiye. The lack of progress, and indeed backsliding, in fundamental freedoms has meant that Türkiye’s EU accession negotiations have now effectively stalled. EU-Turkish relations in general will continue to be determined by concrete progress on the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
Ireland, alongside our European counterparts, will continue to monitor all aspects of the EU-Türkiye relationship, with a particular focus on human rights. We will continue to voice our concerns bilaterally and multilaterally wherever possible, and hope to see progress in the near future.
95. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to change the system in relation to the witnessing of signatures on passport applications by a member of An Garda Síochána at local Garda stations; if he is aware that the process includes the recording of witnessing gardaí’s details in a log, which is then called upon by the Passport Office for verification; if he is also aware that it is not uncommon for an omission or a mistake to happen at this point, resulting in an often significant delay for the passport applicant through no fault of their own; if he will acknowledge the archaic and inconsistent nature of this step in the process; if he will provide details of the number of passport applications that are held up as a result of omissions or mistakes in witnessing signatures by members of An Garda Síochána; if he will outline any plans to update and/or streamline the signature witness process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30817/23]
View answerThere are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. The witnessing of these forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person submitting the passport application form. In the case of children's applications, it ensures that the consent of guardians is verified.
Garda stations maintain logs of these witnessed forms for verification purposes. For each application that requires a Garda witness, the Passport Service calls the relevant Garda station to confirm that the Garda witness recorded the witnessed form in the station logbook. Passport Service staff will call the relevant Garda station up to three times to verify the Garda's signature. Where the Passport Service cannot reach the Garda station, there is a system in place whereby the Passport Service contacts the relevant Superintendent’s Office to verify the details.
It is not possible to provide the numbers requested by the Deputy in relation to passport applications that were delayed due to issues verifying the witnessing of Garda signatures on identity and consent forms, as the Passport Service does not separately track this information. However, it is not the experience of the Passport Service that issues around contacting Garda stations to verify witnesses are widespread.
The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants, including the enhancement of digital services. My Department would welcome the digitisation of the records maintained by An Garda Síochána when witnessing applications.
In addition to this, the Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and regularly offers training and guidance to Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms.
The Passport Service published an informational advertisement in the May issue of An Garda Síochána’s magazine, the Garda Review, to assist Gardaí with the process of witnessing passport identity and consent forms. This advertisement included the information that the Passport Service will ring the Garda station to verify all first time passport applicants’ consent and identity form details. Informational leaflets will also be shared with An Garda Síochána with detailed guidance.
The 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 5th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries.
96. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30958/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application was received on 11 May 2023, and supporting documents were received on 31 May 2023. The application is within the current turnaround times and has not yet reached its issue by date.
97. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of the number of meetings held by his Department with international diplomats or agencies in relation to criminal and misdemeanour charges being brought against a person (details supplied) for search and rescue work they have conducted in Greece; the dates for any such meetings; if he will estimate the amount of working hours spent by his Department on the case since the case came to its attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31039/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not comment on the specific details of individuals. However, in respect of the individual in question, I can confirm the following details:
It is the understanding of my Department that the individual was arrested in Greece in 2018 and was charged in relation to a number of offences. In 2023, the case concerning the misdemeanour charges against the individual was annulled, while a separate felony case remains at the investigative stage.
As the individual is a not an Irish citizen, and was not travelling on an Irish passport, consular assistance continues to be provided by the relevant Embassy in Athens. This has been the case since the individual’s initial arrest and period of pre-trial detention in 2018.
Given the individual’s close connection with Ireland, Irish officials have been in contact with both the individual and the relevant Embassy in Athens in regard to the case. The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of Ireland in Athens, will continue to follow any developments as they arise.
Separate to this specific case, the protection of civil society space and the elimination of reprisals against human rights defenders and civil society activists are key foreign policy priorities for Ireland.
98. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he will ensure a passport is delivered to a person (details supplied) in time for travel on 4 July 2023. [31147/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 13 June 2023. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
99. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a refund will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31153/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service will contact the applicant directly to organise a refund over the coming days.
100. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s engagement with the Arctic Council's requests for formal recognition of the State’s interest in the work of the council, observer or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31241/23]
View answerIreland has been exploring ways in which to enhance its engagement with the Arctic region for a number of years. As an island nation at the edge of Europe in the North Atlantic, the fundamental changes in the Arctic region impact directly on Ireland, not least in terms of environmental issues and climate change, with rising sea levels of immediate concern. The Government’s Nordic Strategy sets out Ireland’s intention to deepen engagement in the region, including through considering an application for Observer status to the Arctic Council.
As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland previously applied for Observer status to the Arctic Council in December 2020, along with two other EU States. The admission of Observers is a matter decided by Ministers of the eight Arctic States (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, USA and Russia). While it was expected Ireland’s application would be considered at the biennial Ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Reykjavik May 2021, marking the end of Iceland’s two-year chair of the Council and handover to the Russian Federation chair, the three applications concerned were in the event not placed on the agenda.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the work of the Arctic Council has largely been in abeyance, given the suspension of cooperation with the Russian Federation. The other seven members have however stated their intention to resume limited scientific and research project work in the Arctic Council which had been previously approved by all members but without the participation of Russian stakeholders. On 11 May 2023, Norway assumed the chair of the Arctic Council from the Russian Federation and Ireland looks forward to working closely with the Norwegian chair, the other six Arctic States and the indigenous peoples' Permanent Participants over the next two years.
Ireland continues to engage with Arctic issues with a sustained interest to become an Observer of the Arctic Council, subject to Government approval and at the appropriate time.
101. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the work of his Department with its counterparts in Qatar relating to a political declaration on the social development goals to be jointly published in September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31253/23]
View answerIreland played a significant role in the development and adoption in 2015 of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have prioritised their implementation nationally and internationally. The SDGs 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 the 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.
102. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the case of an individual who has lost two passports in ten years, is there a way to appeal their inclusion on the restricted list of passports where it can be proven that it was a genuine loss of a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31354/23]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended (“the Act”). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices which are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.
Section 9 of the Act makes provision for the Minister to issue passports for different periods of validity.
Any adult citizen who loses one Irish passport can apply for and will be issued with a full 10 year passport. Where the person loses two or more passports and where these passports are still valid, a passport of restricted duration will be issued. On expiry of this restricted passport, the applicant can apply for and may then be issued with a full 10 year passport. The decision to restrict the validity of a passport is made following an examination of the applicant’s personal passport history.
This policy is in place to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and to mitigate against fraud. The 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. It is also currently ranked 5th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries.
It is the implementation of the policies and practices in place that helps to ensure the Passport Service maintains its high ranking on the Henley Global Passport Index.
