Tuesday, 3 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 1-75

Cabinet Committees

Questions (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

36. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with disability will next meet. [41209/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

37. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [41213/23]

Gino Kenny

Question:

38. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [41214/23]

Gino Kenny

Question:

39. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with disability will next meet. [41215/23]

Alan Dillon

Question:

40. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [41424/23]

Ivana Bacik

Question:

41. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [41533/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 together.

The Cabinet Committee on Health oversees Programme for Government commitments relating to health and receives detailed reports on identified policy areas. It considers the progress of health reforms including Sláintecare, the reform of disability services and the development of mental health services.

The Cabinet Committee on Health last met on the 25th September and is currently scheduled to next meet on the 23rd of October.

Questions Nos. 42 to 48, inclusive, resubmitted.

Cabinet Committees

Questions (49)

Alan Dillon

Question:

49. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Economy and Investment will meet next. [41423/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment was re-established in January 2023 and last met on 25 May. The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 16 November.

Questions Nos. 50 to 58, inclusive, resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (59)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

59. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the UN General Assembly. [41531/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I travelled to New York to attend the UN General Assembly’s high-level week from 17 until 22 September.

I delivered Ireland’s statement at the UN’s SDG Summit, which highlighted the need to get back on track with reaching the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Leaders also adopted the Summit’s Political Declaration which Ireland co-facilitated with Qatar.

I also gave Ireland’s National Statement to the General Assembly. In my address I highlighted four priorities:

· the need for the international community to continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and to hold Russia accountable for its brutal invasion;

· the vital importance of climate action ahead of COP28;

· the need to redouble our efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030; and

· the need for reform of the United Nations so that it better reflects today’s world.

While at the UN, I also participated in several events in the margins, including an event to mark 15 years of the UN LGBTI Core Group and a reception hosted by the German Chancellor to mark 50 years of German membership of the UN.

I also had various bilateral meetings, including with UN Secretary General António Guterres who thanked Ireland for its unswerving support for the UN. I took the opportunity to recall the case of Private Sean Rooney and the importance of his family knowing the full facts surrounding his tragic death.

I met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and re-assured her of Ireland’s continued backing for Moldova’s journey towards EU Membership. I also had bilateral engagements with the Prime Ministers of Qatar and Samoa.

I also attended a reception hosted by President Biden and the First Lady for Leaders attending the Assembly. I had the opportunity for a short conversation with President Biden in which I updated him on developments in Northern Ireland and on UK legislation on legacy, outlining our deep concerns on its implications. I thanked him for his continuing interest in the peace process, including his appointment of Joe Kennedy III as Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland. As always, I found him well informed and ready to be of assistance in whatever way he can.

While in New York I also had a bilateral programme that included a reception for Irish people in the tech industry and a visit to the Irish Arts Center during which I announced an additional €2million to help with its further development.

While in the US, I took the opportunity to travel briefly to Florida where I formally opened Ireland’s new Consulate General in Miami and met a number of local political leaders.

Questions Nos. 60 to 62, inclusive, resubmitted.

Cabinet Committees

Questions (63, 64, 65, 66)

Alan Dillon

Question:

63. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education will meet next. [41425/23]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education will next meet. [41217/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education will next meet. [41220/23]

Ivana Bacik

Question:

66. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education will next meet. [41532/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64, 65 and 66 together.

The Cabinet Committee on Children and Education oversees the implementation of commitments in the Programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education. Including further and higher education, with a specific focus on child poverty and well-being.

The Cabinet committee enables a greater focus on improving the lives of children in Ireland and giving them the best start possible, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

It will build on the Government’s achievements to date in fulfilling both education commitments and commitments relating to children in the Programme for Government.

The first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education took place on Thursday, 13th July 2023. The next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education is due to take place this month.

Questions Nos. 67 to 72, inclusive, resubmitted.

Questions Nos. 73 and 74 answered orally.

Defence Forces

Questions (75)

Emer Higgins

Question:

75. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of previous and active missions that the Army Ranger Wing has been involved in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42607/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) are the Special Operations Forces of the Defence Forces. The need for a high level of preparedness to deal with any requests for Special Forces operations is inherent in the unit’s mission, and members, as we have seen in recent days, are trained to the highest levels of motivation, physical fitness and skill at arms for their specialist role. The ARW is on standby 24/7 to be called upon to undertake duties in any part of the country and the unit can also be deployed overseas for a variety of taskings.

The unique skills of the ARW were demonstrated last week when a Joint Task Force operation comprising members of the Naval Service, Air Corps, Army Ranger Wing together with the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána implemented a co-ordinated operation at sea, which resulted in the detention of the cargo vessel MV MATTHEW, in the early hours of last Wednesday. A significant quantity of controlled drugs were located onboard and a number of arrests made. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the bravery and professionalism of the men and women of the Defence Forces who were involved in this challenging and dangerous operation.

The ARW is a valuable on-island asset and their expertise is used in support of protection and security operations in Ireland with some of the more prominent taskings in recent years including the provision of specialist security reports on the visits of the late Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama. The Unit has also been tasked with overseas taskings, most recently in the Sudan and Afghanistan.

The Deputy will appreciate that given the sensitive nature of Army Ranger Wing operations, it would not be appropriate for security and operational reasons to disclose the level of statistical detail sought by the Deputy.