Written Answers Nos. 40-59
40. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements he has had with his UK counterparts in relation to the proposed development of the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea; if he engaged with them on the affect such fossil fuel expansion would have on their legally binding commitment to net zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38180/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, states that climate change is the single greatest threat facing humanity. The Government has committed, in turn, to reacting comprehensively and imaginatively to this challenge, in a manner which ensures that we achieve a rapid reduction in, and reversal of, our impact on the climate. Climate change means the fossil fuel-based economic model is no longer fit for purpose and we must make the necessary structural changes to break the link between fossil fuels and economic progress.
Internationally, Ireland has been leading the transition away from global oil and gas production and towards renewable sources of energy in our role as a founding member of the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance (BOGA), which was launched at COP26 on 11 November 2021.
This first-of-its-kind alliance sees governments and stakeholders working together to facilitate the managed phase-out of oil and gas production. The Government will continue to strongly advocate this approach to all our partners, including the UK.
As a core member, Ireland has signed up to the BOGA Declaration, pledging to support a socially just and equitable global transition. This will be followed-up by relevant action in relation to the issuing of new oil and gas concessions, licensing or leasing rounds, and promoting dialogue on the need for a managed and just phase-out of oil and gas production.
41. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has beenmade since the signing of the Windsor Framework between the EU and the UK to facilitate the use by Irish exporters and importers, who chose it, of the land bridge across the UK for goods coming to and from Ireland to other parts of the EU; the details of the arrangements made to ease such trade thus saving significant amounts of money for the Irish economy and helping to reduce prices and costs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38185/23]
View answer42. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the changes brought about by the Windsor Framework to facilitate trade destined for Northern Ireland from the Island of Britain though this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38186/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.
The Windsor Framework is a significantly positive development. It comprehensively addresses the concerns raised by people and business in Northern Ireland. It ensures that Northern Ireland remains an integral part of the UK internal market while at the same time having continued access to the EU Single Market
In particular, the Framework provides solutions for the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It includes new customs and SPS facilitations which make it easier to move goods, especially retail food products, between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, while at the same time ensuring the necessary safeguards are in place to protect the EU’s single market.
The focus is now on the implementation of the agreed solutions.
The agreed trade facilitations apply in the first instance to goods moving directly between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Customs and SPS procedures applying to the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland via Ireland have not changed. As before, if an operator chooses to move goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland via Ireland, they may either do so under transit procedures or by declaring the goods on arrival for the purposes of customs and any relevant import controls after which they can then be freely moved from Ireland to Northern Ireland.
Arrangements for the movement of goods between Ireland and other EU member states across the UK land bridge remain unchanged by the Windsor Framework.
Maintaining the smooth flow of goods across the land bridge has been a key priority of the Government’s Brexit planning. This will continue to be the case as the UK moves to gradually introduce import controls, starting end January next year, as recently announced as part of the UK Border Target Operating Model.
43. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to open a new Irish Consulate General Office in Gothenburg, Sweden. [38248/23]
View answerThe Government does not have plans to open a Consulate General in Gothenburg.
My Department’s officials at the Embassy of Ireland in Stockholm actively engage with the Irish communities across Sweden and promote the deepening of Ireland’s political, economic and cultural relations there, as well as performing a range of consular services.
The Embassy is in ongoing contact with the vibrant and active Irish community in Gothenburg regarding their ambitions to further develop cultural and community activities. In the context of Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary, the Ambassador represented Ireland at the official ceremony this summer, and in partnership with Tourism Ireland, the Embassy has secured Irish participation at the Gothenburg Cultural Festival this month.
In 2021, the Government launched Global Ireland: A Strategy for the Nordic Region to 2025, the first-ever comprehensive strategy to deepen our engagement with Irish communities in the Nordic region and to advance Ireland’s political, economic and cultural relations with Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
Under this Nordic Strategy, the Honorary Consul Network in the region is under continued examination. Any recommendation by my Department regarding the opening of a new diplomatic mission is considered with reference to Ireland’s overall national, political and economic priorities and to supporting Irish citizens. Under the Global Ireland programme 2018-2025, the Government keeps the expansion of our diplomatic network under active review.
44. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of reports of the killing by Saudi Arabian border guards of migrants and asylum seekers largely of Ethiopian background of the Yemeni border; if he will raise these killings with the Saudi Arabian authorities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38260/23]
View answerMy Department has been monitoring reports about the killing the killing of migrants and asylum seekers on the Yemen-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia border.
Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns through the most appropriate and effective channels. In line with this approach, Ireland has discusses human rights both bilaterally with the Saudi authorities in Riyadh, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dublin, and in international fora.
Ireland works closely with other EU Member States to ensure that human rights issues in Saudi Arabia are addressed. The EU Delegation in Riyadh has raised human rights issues directly with the Saudi authorities on multiple occasions and at various levels, including in respect to the matter to which the Deputy has referred.
Ireland welcomed the second EU-Saudi Arabia Human Rights Dialogue, which was held in Riyadh last year and chaired by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamonn Gilmore. A wide range of issues were discussed at the Dialogue. The next Human Rights Dialogue with Saudi Arabia will take place in the coming months and will continue to provide a valuable additional forum to discuss human rights issues.
Ireland also raised human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia at the Human Rights Council, where we have co-signed Joint Statements and will continue to do so.
During the last Universal Periodic Review of Saudi Arabia at the Human Rights Council in November 2018, Ireland raised its concern about the imprisonment of human rights defenders and recommended that Saudi Arabia bring its laws into line with international standards for the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Saudi Arabia, and to raise our human rights concerns with the Saudi Government.
46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has plans to fill the Honorary Consul role in Malaga. [38428/23]
View answerIreland currently has over 85 Honorary Consuls operating in more than 50 countries across the globe. Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers key support to the Government across a range of priorities, including providing a means of meeting the needs of Irish citizens and the Government in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission. These appointments are honorary in nature - unsalaried and non-pensionable.
Ireland has a network of 10 Honorary Consuls in Spain, managed by our Embassy in Madrid. Mr José de la Torre y Morín was the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Málaga, and he sadly passed away in October 2022. Throughout his over 40 years of service, the Honorary Consul provided key support to the Embassy, particularly in the context of the provision of assistance to Irish citizens visiting or residing in the region.
The consular needs of Irish citizens in the Málaga region continue to be met through the Embassy and our wider diplomatic network in Spain, including through a new Temporary Consular Office in Marbella which opened to the public this August. The question of how best to provide consular services and assistance to Irish citizens in the Málaga region on a long-term basis is currently under active consideration.
48. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within his Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of A.I., and if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I. [38567/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs has not deployed computer applications based on generative artificial intelligence (A.I.). Therefore no cost has been incurred in this area.
The use of artificial intelligence for business purposes is under review. The Department has received advice from the National Cyber Security Centre and will follow other guidelines issued by Government.
49. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport service will initiate a review of the handling of a passport express application by a person (details supplied) that has taken over six months to process; if measures will be put in place to ensure delays in the processing of passport express applications will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38579/23]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports, and has issued over 755,000 passports to date in 2023 and all turnaround times are at their target level. There are no application backlogs, all applications are being processed in the normal way. Over half of all simple adult online renewals are processed within 2 working days.
The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels for citizens, including our paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service.
Paper applications, by nature, will always be a slower process. It is also not possible with paper applications to differentiate between simple adult renewals and the most complex of first time applications as applicants use the same form for all application types. Therefore, the turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. When further supporting documents are requested the turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is a further 15 working days.
With regard to the application about which the Deputy has enquired, this was a Post Passport paper application. The applicant's previous passport had issued more than 15 years ago, and so the applicant was required to submit further supporting documents. Following two requests for those documents the application was deemed complete on 13 July 2023 and the passport was issued 31 July.
I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service as it provides the applicant with a comprehensive bespoke list of the documentation required for their individual application. The online channel is now used by over 90% of applicants worldwide.
52. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the foreign birth registration of a person (details supplied) will be processed. [38740/23]
View answer60. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application for a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39066/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 60 together.
Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications that 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 applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the applicants have been requested to verify their address. Once this has been done, FBR Certificates will issue to the applicants.
54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of members of the current roster of election monitors, which is due to end in December 2023; the number of short-term observers monitoring requests sent by his Department to roster members since this roster came into effect; the number of first-time members of this roster; the number of first-time members of this roster who were accepted to serve as short-term observers on monitoring missions; the number of first-time roster members who have not been invited to serve as short-term observers, or other missions so far during this roster; the number of roster members who have served as short-term observers on two or more missions during this roster; the number of roster members who have quit the roster during its term; if he accepts that the length of this roster should have been extended by at least one year to allow for the impact of Covid-19; and his plans to amend, improve and reform the future operation of the Irish election monitoring panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions, organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The current international Election Observation Roster was established for a period of five years, from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023. When established, the Roster comprised 203 members, 107 of whom had not been members of the previous Roster. Nine members have left the Roster to date.
The Department has circulated 35 calls for participation in Election Observation Missions since January 2019. 104 of the 194 Roster members have participated as short term observers in this period. 16 of these participated in two missions. 45 of the participants were first time observers.
In addition, 41 new Roster members applied to participate as first time observers but 4 were not selected by the EU or OSCE following nomination and 37 have not yet been nominated by the Department.
In 2019, the Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit completed a review of the Election Observation Roster. The review report is available on the Department’s website at EOM-review-DCAD-FINAL-Report.pdf (dfa.ie) and contains eighteen recommendations. Of these, ten have been implemented and eight are in progress or under consideration.
I am satisfied with the decision to establish a new Roster, with effect from 1 January 2024, as originally planned. 265 applications were received to join the new Roster and are currently being appraised.
55. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he spoke formally with his Italian counterpart at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs council meeting. [38847/23]
View answerI was unable to attend the last meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 20 July as it coincided with my five-day visit to South Africa and Mozambique from the 17th to the 22nd of July. Ireland was represented at the Council by our recently retired Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Tom Hanney.
I look forward to having the opportunity to speak to my EU colleagues again during UN high level week on 18 September.
56. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Irish-United Arab Emirates relations. [38848/23]
View answerIreland and the United Arab Emirates enjoy positive diplomatic relations. In the very recent past we have worked well together as elected members of the UN Security Council. The UAE's role in its region is important and we value their insights on regional developments. As relations between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council develop, our engagement with the UAE on a wide range of issues will also increase.
Bilateral trade, currently worth around €750 million, continues to grow. Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Tourism Ireland are all represented in the UAE, from which other countries in the region are covered. More than 400 Irish enterprises have identified the UAE as a potential export market. The UAE is also an important source of investment n the Irish economy.
The UAE is home to a very large Irish migrant community which is engaged in all economic sectors, particularly education, and which makes a strong contribution to the business and social fabric of the country.
Engagement with the United Arab Emirates also includes a regular pattern of ministerial visits.
In January of this year, Minister of State Dara Calleary led the participation of Irish companies in the Arab Health expo in Dubai and had meetings with Minister of the Future Al Roumi, and Minister of Economy Al Marri. In March, Minister of State Josepha Madigan travelled to the UAE for St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The Garda Commissioner visited the UAE recently and Ireland will include bilateral engagements in the course of participation at COP 28 in December this year. We also expect to host a number of incoming visits from the UAE through to the end of 2023.
58. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if construction works have commenced on new Ireland Houses in Singapore, Chicago and Shanghai. [38956/23]
View answerConstruction work on Ireland House Shanghai concluded in July and Team Ireland partners have now moved into the new premises.
Construction work on Ireland Houses in Singapore and Chicago is currently scheduled to commence in Q1 2024 and Q2 2024 respectively.
