Michael Ring
Question:125. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48417/23]
View answerForeign Birth Registration
Questions (125)
Written answers
Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 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, further supporting documents for the application were requested from the applicant on 1 November 2023. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
Middle East
Questions (126)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:126. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on the plans and procedures in place to secure safe return home for Irish citizens currently trapped in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48455/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department continues to be in very regular contact with a number of Irish citizens registered with us in Gaza and I am acutely aware of their situation.
Staff in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, our Representative Office in Ramallah and Consular Officials in Dublin continue to monitor the situation and the welfare of citizens closely. My officials are in constant communication with the authorities in Egypt and Israel regarding those citizens who remain in Gaza and wish to leave.
We are working on this issue as an urgent priority, coordinating closely with the relevant authorities. We will advise citizens as soon as it is cleared to leave, putting in place arrangements to provide consular assistance once citizens cross into Egypt.
We will remain in constant communication with Irish citizens on the ground, including those with accompanying dependents, and will continue to give verified updates and support to them directly as soon as we have new information.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (127)
Seán Canney
Question:127. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on an application for foreign birth registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48478/23]
View answerWritten answers
Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 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 Foreign Birth Registration applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these applications have been approved. Certificates will issue to the applicants shortly.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 121.
Question No. 129 answered with Question No. 121.
Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 121.
Middle East
Questions (131)
Catherine Connolly
Question:131. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure the safe passage of Irish citizens from the occupied Palestinian territories, including those family members and dependants who do not hold Irish passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48778/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department continues to be in daily contact with a number of Irish citizens registered with us in Gaza and I am acutely aware of their situation.
Staff in our Embassies in Tel Aviv, Cairo, our Representative Office in Ramallah and Consular Officials in Dublin continue to monitor the situation and the welfare of citizens closely. My officials are in constant communication with the authorities in Egypt and Israel regarding those citizens who remain in Gaza and wish to leave.
We are working on this issue as an urgent priority, coordinating closely with the relevant authorities. We will advise citizens as soon as it is cleared to leave, putting in place arrangements to provide consular assistance once citizens cross into Egypt.
We will remain in constant communication with Irish citizens on the ground, including those with accompanying dependents, and will continue to give verified updates and support to them directly as soon as we have new information.
Middle East
Questions (132)
Catherine Connolly
Question:132. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his intentions for Ireland to act as a broker of resolution to the causes of the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48779/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has a long-standing commitment to supporting all efforts to achieve a just and lasting two-State solution. A two-State solution based on international law and internationally agreed parameters represents the only sustainable prospect that will enable Palestinians and Israelis to live in peace.
Since 7 October, I have been engaged with my European Union counterparts and regional actors on the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. This includes dialogue with both the Israeli and Palestinian Foreign Ministers. The Taoiseach has also discussed the conflict with EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council. Ireland's priority remains the protection of civilians and adherence to international law.
The Government has long afforded a high priority to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I visited to the region in September, which provided an important opportunity to engage with my political counterparts and civil society partners active on the ground. I was also pleased to participate in the ‘Peace Day Event’ during the UN General Assembly High Level Week in September which was convened by the EU, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the League of Arab States.
Now, more than ever, all efforts must be made to ensure a humanitarian ceasefire and restoration of a long-term political horizon to ensure peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Middle East
Questions (133)
Catherine Connolly
Question:133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the prospect of violence spreading into a regional conflict in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48780/23]
View answerWritten answers
Avoiding a wider escalation of this conflict is a key focus of the urgent engagement that I have been undertaking in the context of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
I strongly urge all relevant actors to step back from any further escalation and I have taken careful note of the statement made last Friday by the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in this regard.
Within the European Union, I discussed this with my counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council. The situation was also discussed at the European Council on 27 October. The conclusions of the meeting note the need to avoid regional escalation and to engage with partners in this respect including with the Palestinian Authority.
I have engaged at a bilateral level with several partners in the region. I have spoken with my Iranian counterpart and urged him in the strongest terms to bring his influence to bear in avoiding regional escalation and in insisting on the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. I have also spoken with the Defence Minister of Lebanon, Maurice Sleem. I underlined our concern about the current situation at the Lebanon-Israel border and Hezbollah’s role in the conflict. I also discussed the role of our troops in UNIFIL and emphasised the importance of their safety and security. I have also spoken with my Palestinian, Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi, Qatari and Emirati counterparts, and am in ongoing contact with other EU Foreign Ministers. I will also have the opportunity to discuss this issue with Foreign Minister Wang Yi during my visit to China from 6 - 9 November.
I welcome that other partners have also been engaged in diplomatic efforts to avoid a regional escalation. I note in particular the intensive efforts of the United States, including visits by Secretary State Anthony Blinken to the region to engage with regional partners.
It is important that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis also lay the foundation for the path towards a sustainable peace in the long term. I will continue to underline this point in my ongoing engagement with EU, regional and international partners.
Irish Aid
Questions (134)
Chris Andrews
Question:134. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount that has been given by Irish Aid to support Sahrawi refugee camps located in Tindouf, Algeria, over the past five years; if more than one singular payment has been made; the amount that has been given per year; if a list will be provided of other non-monetary donations that have been made, for example foodstuffs, medical equipment, building materials and educational materials; the number of official visits Irish Aid has made to the Sahrawi refugee camps over the past five years; and the years in which these visits have taken place, if any, in tabular form. [48806/23]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with the UN position, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory. Our long-standing policy is one of support for United Nations 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 our term on the United Nations Security Council, Ireland consistently reiterated this position.
Over the past five years, Irish Aid has not provided direct funding to Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria. Ireland does, however, provide core funding to international organisations operating in the camps including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP). This core funding gives the agencies the flexibility to plan and target funding in the most strategic, efficient and effective manner.
The Government has provided €11.5 million in core funding for 2023 to UNHCR under a multi-annual agreement. It aims to ensure predictable financing to aid UNHCR in its longer term planning. UNHCR in Algeria works with the 90,000 most vulnerable refugees in the five camps near Tindouf.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine leads on Ireland’s engagement with the UN’s World Food Programme. In 2023, €25 million was provided in core funding to WFP through the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. WFP has provided uninterrupted assistance to the camps for over 30 years to address persistently high levels of food insecurity.
Ireland also provides pre-positioned funds to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which reacts rapidly and at scale when disasters happen. In 2022, the CERF allocated just over $3m to WFP and UNHCR specifically for Sahrawi refugees. In both instances this funding was specifically for the provision of food assistance to Sahrawi refugees. In 2022, Ireland provided €16.5 to the CERF and was the 10th largest donor to the CERF in that year.
Environmental Schemes
Questions (135)
Colm Burke
Question:135. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to allocate dedicated funding within the warmer homes scheme towards the retrofitting of 1,000 homes for people with asthma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48599/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing technology.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.