Tuesday, 25 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 50-64

Ukraine War

Questions (50)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

50. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a breakdown of the assistance Ireland provided to Ukraine in 2022 and to date in 2023; the expected outturn for 2023; whether this assistance was provided through the EU or directly; to describe what the programme was; the purpose of the aid or financial assistance; if the full outturn for 2022 has been confirmed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36435/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland has been providing support to Ukraine both bilaterally and through the EU budget. Funding by the Department of Foreign Affairs for Ukraine since February 2022 includes:

Type of support	Amount
Humanitarian Support	€26 million
Office of the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court, to support ongoing investigations, including with regard to Ukraine. (This is part of an overall €3 million commitment by Ireland to the ICC over a number of years.)	€1 million
NGOs and Regional Organisations working in Ukraine	€0.52 Million
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) programmes in Ukraine	€0.71 million
Voluntary Contributions to organisations including UNFPA, UNOHCHR and the UN Peacebuilding Fund	€3.3 million
World Bank Group for the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Co-financing of the Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) in Ukraine	€20 million
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Small Business Impact Fund	€4 million
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Ukraine Solidarity Fund	€1 million
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ukraine Country Programme	€0.5 million

This makes a total of some €57+ million to date from Foreign Affairs (Votes 27 and 28) and forms part of a wider Government effort in support of Ukraine.

Other Government Departments have made contributions including in-kind and monetary supports to Ukraine, to the value of approximately €11.5 million.

Ireland has also committed approximately €122 million to Ukraine under the EPF in 2022 and 2023, with approximately €10 million having been disbursed to date, in line with the reimbursement schedule agreed by Member States in Brussels.

This brings the estimated total value of bilateral assistance (separate to EU contributions) for Ukraine committed by Ireland to €190.5 million, consisting of €68.5 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support and approximately €122 million of non-lethal military assistance via the European Peace Facility.

In 2023, Ireland has committed to provide €32 million in support to Ukraine and neighbouring countries. This will include humanitarian support, as well as funding as needed through the UN and other multilateral and IFI partners that are providing support for peacebuilding, recovery and reconstruction for Ukraine and the neighbourhood.

Alongside this, Ireland has committed an additional €43 million to addressing the wider consequences of the war globally, including food insecurity increasing fragility, and acute child malnutrition. In total, Ireland will provide over €75 million in support to Ukraine, its neighbours and to address the wider consequences of the war in 2023.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (51)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

51. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of the membership fees, subscriptions or other contributions paid to international bodies by his Department in 2022 and to date in 2023 on behalf of his Department, other Departments or agencies, or the State itself, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36436/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Payments to international organisations of which Ireland is a member, and their related agencies, are made by a number of different Government Department, as well as from the Central Fund. Payments made by the Department of Foreign Affairs from Votes 27 and 28 in 2022 and to date in 2023 are provided in the table below. The table includes mandatory payments arising from Ireland's membership, often known as assessed contributions, as well as additional contributions linked to Ireland's support for particular organisations, programmes or projects.

ORGANISATION	2022 (€)	2023 to date (€)
African Development Bank (AfDB)	2,150,002
African Union (AU)	300,000
Arms Trade Treaty Secretariat	20,000	20,000
Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF)	104,476	99,625
Asian Development Bank (ADB)		3,000,000
Caribbean Community (CARICOM)	50,000
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO)	991,186
Council of Europe (COE)	6,700,050	5,172,294
EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen)	149,779	182,913
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)	4,000,000
European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management	20,000	20,000
European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats		60,000
European Commission (EC)	25,883,692	13,939,564
European Investment Bank (EIB)	2,820,180	1,880,120
European Union (EU)	17,928,153	843,592
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)	33,047
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)	162,569	160,000
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)	25,000,000
International Committee of The Red Cross (ICRC)	19,500,000	14,500,000
International Criminal Court (ICC)	4,272,180	1,426,750
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)	3,400,000	5,400,000
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)	5,167,000	4,217,000
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)	37,000
International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)	22,770	22,770
International Labour Organization (ILO)	1,500,000
International Organization for Migration (IOM)	2,850,886	1,000,000
International Seabed Authority (ISA)	34,849	45,027
International Trade Centre (ITC)	1,000,000
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)	66,069
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)	170,000
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV And AIDS (UNAIDS)	2,500,000	2,498,691
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)	4,162,000	4,150,000
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation & Development (OECD)	5,346,401	926,874
Organisation for The Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)	456,371
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)	11,661
Organization for Security And Co-Operation In Europe (OSCE)	2,022,085	1,056,002
Organization of American States - Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (OAS IACHR)	50,000
Permanent Court Of Arbitration (PCA)	4,002	4,884
Regional Co-Operation Council (RCC)	50,000
Un Development Programme (UNDP)	119,275
UN WOMEN	5,152,800	2,750,000
Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)		25,000
United Nations (UN)	48,455,461	18,406,309
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)	34,137,626	16,300,000
United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD)	300,000	200,000
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)	48,346,760	26,350,000
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)	1,050,000	500,000
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)	150,000
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)	25,000,000	20,000,000
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)	380,099
United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)	200,000
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)	750,000
United Nations Office for The Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)	49,556,000	36,750,000
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)	9,915,708	7,600,000
United Nations Relief and Works Agency For Palestine Refugees In The Near East (UNRWA)	8,000,000	8,000,000
Wassenaar Arrangement	10,795	13,149
World Bank (WB)	27,660,613	14,491,300
World Food Programme (WFP)	7,829,000	2,100,000
World Health Organization (WHO)	7,558,001	5,500,000
World Trade Organization (WTO)	400,000

Diplomatic Representation

Questions (52)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

52. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of his plans for new embassies or consulates over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36437/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

In 2018, the Government adopted the Global Ireland Strategy which aims to double Ireland’s global footprint and influence in the period 2018 to 2025. A review of the strategy was published on 16 July 2023. It notes, among the strategy’s many achievements, that Ireland’s diplomatic presence has expanded significantly since its launch.

Ireland has opened or announced twenty-two of the twenty-six missions planned for under the strategy; that is, eleven bilateral embassies and eleven consulates general; decisions on the further four planned missions will be made before end 2025.

Where feasible, the focus and nature of our missions is the Ireland House model, where diplomatic and State agency colleagues work together as a single team, under one roof, winning investments, exports and jobs for Ireland. At present, there are 20 of these, and flagship Ireland Houses are being developed in Tokyo, London and New York.

Our expanded international presence is helping Ireland to expand our economic interest and promote our values in a changing and uncertain international landscape. It has also assisted Ireland in building stronger bridges to our diaspora and promoting Ireland as a reliable principled international partner, and a good country to visit, trade with, invest in, and study.

Diaspora Issues

Questions (53)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

53. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide the details of the various programmes for supporting the diaspora; the funding committed to each in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36438/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

Global Ireland: Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025 outlines the Government’s vision for engaging with our diaspora communities.

At the Strategy’s heart is a commitment to support the welfare of the Irish abroad. The Strategy also commits the Government to deepening and strengthening our ties through cultural, arts, sporting, educational, economic and other channels. The Emigrant Support Programme is the key driver of these commitments.

Another core element of the Strategy is the Diaspora Affairs fund, which supports projects which promote engagement between the Diaspora and Irish communities, as well as programmes which support the implementation of national Diaspora strategic objectives. An example of a successful Diaspora Affairs Programme is the Back for Business Initiative which provides peer support to returning Irish entrepreneurs.

The funding allocated to each of the programmes for 2023 is detailed below

Diaspora Programme	Budget Allocation 2023
Emigrant Support Programme Budget	€14,893,000
Diaspora Affairs Budget	€1,000,000

Question No. 54 answered with Question No. 41.

Passport Services

Questions (55)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

55. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be issued to a person (details supplied). [36450/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 12 July. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (56)

Michael Lowry

Question:

56. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 21 March 2023, when a decision will be reached regarding the application to the foreign birth register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36510/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Foreign 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, a member of the FBR team has contacted the applicant directly to update them on the progress of their application. Further supporting documentation has been requested and on receipt the application will be prioritised for processing.

Official Engagements

Questions (57)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he met his South African counterpart during his recent visit to South Africa. [36521/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I visited South Africa on 17 and 18 July, and held extensive and warm discussions with the Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, and also with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

I was invited by Minister Pandor to join her for Mandela Day, 18 July, an important annual day of commemoration when South Africa marks Nelson Mandela’s enduring legacy. We attended celebrations at the Bophelong Community Centre in Mamelodi, before holding wide-ranging discussions covering bilateral relations, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, human rights, regional issues, multilateral engagement, including on women, peace and security, and the Middle East, in particular the situation of the Palestinian people.

We noted that the warmth of relations between our two countries is the result of important shared moments in our histories. These include the Irish people's strong support for the fight to end apartheid in South Africa and South Africa's valuable assistance to the Northern Ireland peace process.

We shared perspectives on the consequences of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. I outlined Ireland’s clear position on the illegal invasion, in contravention of the UN Charter, and our support for Ukraine and its people. I set out the strong response of the EU to Russia’s attempts to redraw its borders through force. Minister Pandor reiterated South Africa’s belief that the UN Charter must be respected and that no country should occupy another. She briefed me on South Africa's participation in the recent African leader’s peace initiative, and the visits to Ukraine and Russia, which I welcomed. We also discussed Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and I expressed Ireland’s deep concern for the potential impact on global food insecurity. We discussed in some detail the difficult food security situation across Africa, and Ireland's response through our development programme and in our work at the United Nations, including as co-facilitator of negotiations for the political declaration to be adopted by the SDG Summit in September.

My meeting with Minister Pandor was a very welcome opportunity to celebrate the enduring friendship between our two countries and 30 years of diplomatic relations. Next year, Ireland will host the Ireland - South Africa Joint Commission on Cooperation in Dublin, with meetings to take stock of our bilateral cooperation and review how we can further strengthen our bilateral relations.

Departmental Communications

Questions (58)

Brendan Smith

Question:

58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36696/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department provides telephone contact details on the dfa.ie website to facilitate contact from members of the public relating to citizens services including the Passport Service and Consular Assistance. The Passport Service Customer Service Hub assists thousands of customers every week who are applying for their Passport or for Foreign Birth Registration. Applicants who have a query about their application can contact the Passport Service Customer Service Hub via phone or webchat.

Headed paper issued by my Department includes either the main contact number for the Department (01 408 2000) or a direct contact number.

There are no State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Human Rights

Questions (59)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

59. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with Afghan women's groups in respect of human rights in that country since August 2021. [37068/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland has taken a clear stand in support of Afghan women and girls, including during our recent term on the United Nations Security Council when we consulted with Afghan women leaders and drew on their insights in the Council's consideration of the Afghanistan file.

In March 2023, the Foreign Affairs Council agreed Conclusions on Afghanistan which commit the EU and its Member States to amplify the voices of Afghan women's groups, such as the Afghan Women Leaders’ Forum. These Conclusions help ensure the international community to take the perspective of Afghan women into account when considering policy approaches towards Afghanistan.

Through my Department, Ireland funds The Women's Forum on Afghanistan, a prominent advocacy and networking platform comprised of Afghan and global women leaders. The Forum was created in the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, to amplify the voices of Afghan women on the world stage. Members of this group work with global policymakers to ensure a focus on women's rights in Afghanistan, to initiate and support projects which empower women in the areas of health, education and human rights.

In March 2023, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr. Roderic O'Gorman T.D. met with members of the Women's Forum, in the context of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Ireland will continue to support partners who are working to help Afghan women and girls, including those who have fled Afghanistan. Since January 2021, Ireland has provided over €9 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees through our Irish Aid programme. A dedicated portion of this funding went to education programming as well as to UNICEF Afghanistan, where it was partly used for maternal and neonatal programming.

Human Rights

Questions (60)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

60. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with Iranian women's groups in respect of human rights in that country. [37069/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs, both at HQ and through our Missions in Geneva, New York and Brussels, regularly engage with a variety of groups advocating for human rights and human rights defenders in Iran, including those with a particular focus on women and girls.

We have repeatedly raised our concerns about human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls, directly with the Iranian government, including with the Foreign Minister, who I spoke with most recently in May 2023. Senior officials from my Department raised human rights, and specifically the status of women, during political consultations in Tehran also in May 2023 and our Ambassador to Iran (based in Ankara) and our Chargé d'Affaires in Tehran discuss human rights issues on a regular basis with the Iranian authorities.

In 2022, Ireland again co-sponsored the annual Canadian-led resolution on Iran at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which addresses a broad range of human rights issues.

Ireland also co-sponsored the convening of a special session of the Human Rights Council on 24 November 2022, which voted to create a fact-finding mission to investigate and report on the human rights situation in Iran, especially with respect to women and children.

We consistently call on the Iranian authorities to cooperate fully with the mandates of the fact-finding mission and the UN Special Rapporteur, including allowing them to visit Iran and conduct relevant meetings, most recently on 5 July in our national statement to the Human Rights Council.

We have consistently called on Iran to immediately impose a moratorium on the death penalty, consider alternative sentencing, and revoke death sentences imposed on protestors.

Ireland has supported the addition of a number of individuals and entities linked to human rights violations to the EU’s Iran human rights sanctions regime. Restrictive measures now apply to over 223 individuals and more than 37 entities in Iran. These include asset freezes, EU travel bans, and a ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression.

I commend the courage of the Iranian women and men who continue to exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Questions (61)

Brendan Smith

Question:

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been any recent discussions with the United States authorities in relation to immigration reform, with particular reference to the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish. [37118/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Addressing the difficult situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US continues to be a key 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.

During my visit to Washington last February, I raised the question of access to visas with politicians on both sides of the aisle, and the Government has also raised this issue directly with President Biden in recent months.

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 Seán Fleming also met with organisations in receipt of Emigrant Support Funding during his visit to the United States last month, where he was able 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 legislation enabling residents to apply for drivers' licences, irrespective of their immigration status, came into effect earlier this month. 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. I discussed this legislation with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey during her recent visit to Dublin at the end of June.

Northern Ireland

Questions (62)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

62. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the plans he and the Government have in relation to engagement with the British government to re-establish the Stormont Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37128/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The return of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland, and the North South Ministerial Council, continues to be of utmost importance to the Government.

It is clear that the ongoing absence of an Executive and Assembly is having a detrimental effect on people and business in Northern Ireland. People in Northern Ireland deserve to be represented by the politicians that they elected in May 2022.

I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who I met most recently at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) in London on 19 June 2023, which was also attended by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. I also met the Secretary of State at the British Irish Council (BIC) on 16 June 2023. Both the BIIGC and the BIC are Strand 3 institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. Furthermore, I also held a lengthy bilateral engagement with the Secretary of State on 16 May 2023 in Dublin. On all occasions, we spoke about the urgent need to restore the Northern Ireland political institutions.

I continue to engage with the Northern Ireland political parties and met with them most recently in June, where I urged members of all parties to take their seats so that the issues facing Northern Ireland can be addressed. I intend to continue to engage with the Northern Irish parties over the summer to support the process of restoring the Executive and Assembly.

The absence of a functioning Executive also has knock-on affects 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.

The Government will continue to work closely on a North-South and an East-West basis in support of the devolved power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland and the full implementation of all of the Strands of the Good Friday Agreement and as well as subsequent agreements.

Northern Ireland

Questions (63)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

63. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the plans he has to respond to the British government’s Legacy Bill, particularly when it is enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37129/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Since the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill was introduced at Westminster in May 2022, the Government has been consistent in its view that the UK Bill is not fit for purpose. I believe that its provisions granting immunity from prosecution for crimes including unlawful killing are incompatible with the ECHR. I am also deeply concerned that this unilateral process sees the shutting down of existing avenues to truth and justice for historic cases, including inquests, police investigations, ombudsman investigations as well as civil actions - avenues which however imperfect are delivering results today. The amendments to the Bill introduced by the British government at the start of June do not change this assessment.

This flawed legislation was drafted without consultation with this Government or the political parties in Northern Ireland. It is a unilateral departure from the Stormont House Agreement, which outlined a way forward on legacy based on agreed human rights standards. If this legislation is enacted, it is my strong view that it could damage reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland.

I have repeatedly raised these concerns with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, most recently at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference and the British Irish Council in June. On both occasions I made clear my strong view that this Bill, if implemented as it stands, would not be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and urged him to pause the progress of the Bill and to instead focus on an approach which puts victims at its centre and is compliant with international human rights standards. This continues to be my view.

International observers continue to express their opposition to the UK Legacy Bill as it has progressed through the British Parliament. Most recently, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, the US Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement, and the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers have all reiterated their strong concerns around the Bill's compliance with international human rights legislation. This demonstrates the extent to which the British government is acting alone. In contrast to the Stormont House Agreement, this Bill does not have the support of parties in Northern Ireland, or victims and families.

The Bill is now going to a process of conciliation between the Houses of Commons and Lords in the British parliament. This provides a further opportunity to pause the Bill and engage with stakeholders in Northern Ireland and elsewhere to come up with a better approach which would in fact address the real needs of victims, survivors and their families, as well one which would contribute to needed reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 14.