Written Answers Nos. 201-220
202. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the attention of his Department has been drawn to a case (details supplied); the steps that the Department has taken to assist the family in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50003/23]
View answerI want to thank the Deputy for raising this case and to express to the family concerned my appreciation of the deeply difficult circumstances they are confronting with such resilience and steadfastness.
As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot comment on the details of specific cases, but I do want to assure you that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the family on this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance.
The Embassy of Ireland, including the Ambassador, has also engaged extensively with the competent authorities of the jurisdiction in question to seek updates and clarity on the progress of the investigation, to relay the concerns of the family, and to facilitate communication between the family and the investigation team.
The competent authorities in Ireland are also in contact with their counterparts in the jurisdiction to assist with the investigation where possible. I welcome this and hope that it will help deliver answers for the family in a timely manner.
Please be assured Deputy, that my Department will continue to provide appropriate consular assistance to the family.
203. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of US military aircraft that have refuelled in Shannon Airport to date in 2023; and the following destination for each aircraft. [50254/23]
View answer206. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he believes that the change of government in Slovakia could undermine European Union cohesion in relation to the war on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50117/23]
View answerEU unity in the face of Russia’s unprovoked, immoral and illegal aggression against Ukraine remains steadfast.
I understand that Slovakia’s recently appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, Juraj Blanár, has met with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovakia to reaffirm Slovakia’s solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. I also understand that the new Government has said that Slovakia will no longer provide bilateral military assistance to Ukraine, and will instead focus on providing humanitarian and development aid. This is a decision which they are fully entitled to make.
I look forward to working with Minister Blanár on Ukraine, and the many other global challenges we are confronted with as members of the EU.
207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a report on his Department’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50270/23]
View answerI was pleased to launch the Shared Island Civic Society Fund earlier this year, in response to a need identified in the Shared Island dialogues for targeted support for civic society across the island to work more effectively together on issues of common interest.
The Fund is aimed at civic society and community organisations. It supports them in the development of practical North South cooperation and engagement, including new cross-border links. It allows existing partnerships to be strengthened. It supports the broadening of cross-border connectivity on issues of relevance for the island of Ireland.
Applications to the first round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund were accepted between 16 January and 27 February 2023. There was an extremely high level of interest in the first round of the fund, which clearly illustrates a real appetite among civic society groups, North and South, for increased cross-border cooperation. In this initial round, a total of €500,000 was provided to twenty cross-border projects , with details of the successful projects published on my Department's website.
In September, I announced the opening of a new round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund for new applications in September, doubling the level of support available to €1 million. The closing date for this round was 23 October. The applications received are currently being assessed by my officials.
When I established the Shared Island Initiative as Taoiseach three years ago, I was very clear that the Initiative was a whole-of-government priority. The Shared Island Civic Society Fund is one part of the Department of Foreign Affairs response, and I look forward to further developing the Department’s Shared Island programme in the period ahead.
208. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to open a new consulate in Australia. [52838/23]
View answerIreland is represented by two diplomatic missions in Australia, with an Embassy in Canberra and a Consulate General in Sydney. The Embassy and the Consulate work to promote and protect Irish interests in Australia, to strengthen political and economic relationships, to support the Irish community, to promote cultural ties and the Irish arts. In addition, our Honorary Consul in Perth provides consular services and assistance to Irish citizens, supports local Irish community efforts and assists in developing trade and economic relations with Western Australia. Our missions work closely with Irish State Agencies, to promote trade, tourism and inward investment.
Our network of diplomatic missions in the Asia Pacific Region is kept under close review, in the context of the Programme for Government, the Global Ireland Strategy: Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025 and Global Ireland: Renewing our Commitment to Delivering in the Asia Pacific Region to 2025.
209. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the outcome of the International Donors' Conference on humanitarian demining in Ukraine held in Zagreb on 11 and 12 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49692/23]
View answer217. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what measures are being taken to support Ukraine's repair, recovery and reconstruction, in coordination with international partners, and specifically in relation to the demining process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49938/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 217 together.
The first international donor conference dedicated to the humanitarian demining of Ukraine was co-organised by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of Ukraine in Zagreb on 11 - 12 October 2023. Ireland was represented by our Ambassador to Croatia.
I welcome that participants sent a clear message that Ukraine can count on our broad support as it defends itself against Russia’s ongoing aggression, including with regard to post-war humanitarian demining, which is an indispensable requirement for the reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure, the return of the displaced Ukrainian population, and the resumption of normal economic and agricultural activity.
The conference highlighted the grave situation facing Ukraine in terms of reconstruction and recovery. Ukraine is currently one of the most mined and weapons contaminated countries in the world. It is estimated that approximately 174,000 km of Ukrainian territory is covered in mines. Humanitarian demining will be a complex, demanding, long-term problem, with estimated costs currently in excess of $37 billion.
Ireland, through funding to the International Committee of the Red Cross, is supporting Explosive Ordnance Risk Education programmes in Ukraine. The primary role of these programmes is to ensure that the affected population are safer in the face of the enormous risks posed by unexploded weapons and landmines. The ICRC is also engaged in capacity building with the State Emergency Services and Police bomb disposal and mine clearance teams.
As part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission Ukraine, and together with partners, the Defence Forces have to date delivered two Demining & Clearance training modules to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Cyprus.
Unfortunately, demining is just one of the many aspects of the extensive reconstruction work that will be necessary in the coming years. Estimates by the World Bank indicate at least US$411 billion will be needed, however the expected costs will continue to rise, in the context of ongoing Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, the continued widespread use of mines and the immense ecological damage caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.
While the current focus of funding is on meeting immediate financing and short-term recovery needs, a series of International Conferences have also focused on putting in place the necessary structures and mechanisms for a successful longer-term reconstruction effort, including most recently the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023, which I attended in London last June.
It will be important to engage not only Governments and International Organisations, but also civil society and the private sector in the reconstruction effort. Ireland is supportive of these efforts, and has consistently underlined that investments aligned with the EU reform agenda will be key to supporting Ukraine's future EU accession.
At the EU level, Ireland is engaged in negotiations to agree on a new €50 billion Ukraine Facility. The Ukraine Facility aims to assist Ukraine over a four-year period from 2024-27 to continue paying wages and pensions, maintain essential public services, ensure macroeconomic stability, but also to restore critical infrastructure destroyed by Russia.
In September, I was pleased to announce a further €23 million in humanitarian and institutional support for Ukraine and Moldova. As part of this announcement, €1.5 million was allocated to UNHCR to support their “core homes” project. This project consists of the construction of pre-fabricated core homes for families whose properties were entirely destroyed due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The homes are installed on the private land of the family concerned, allowing them to remain on their own property and maintain links to their communities, services, and employment. Ireland’s contribution will allow for an additional 75 homes to be installed for families in the Kyiv region.
Ireland will continue to engage at bilateral, EU and multilateral levels to work towards the effective long-term reconstruction of Ukraine.
210. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his engagement to date with his Westminster counterparts to finding a solution to the collapse of Stormont and the power sharing Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50214/23]
View answerI engage regularly with all relevant stakeholders, including the British Government and representatives of the main Northern Ireland parties, to encourage the timely restoration of the Northern Ireland power-sharing institutions.
In my recent meetings with the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland earlier this week at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference and last week at the British Irish Council, I raised the challenges of Executive Formation. I have been clear that the current situation cannot continue indefinitely and encouraged open, constructive dialogue between all parties.
It is clear from my contacts across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland that there is deep frustration at this continued impasse. The vast majority of elected representatives – national, unionist and neither – want to get back to work.
In the Good Friday Agreement, the participants including the two Governments 'committed to partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between these islands.' It is my firm view that progress towards a better, more reconciled, Northern Ireland is best delivered through partnership between the two Governments, on the basis of that commitment we made in 1998. Such partnership requires cooperation, coordination and trust. Unilateral departures from this approach - such as the UK's Legacy Act - are not in keeping with our shared responsibilities as guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement.
An improved spirit of partnership is needed the Agreement's potential if to be fulfilled and genuine reconciliation is to be achieved. This is a point I have made in the clearest terms to my British counterparts.
This Government is committed to strengthening our relationship with our British counterparts, in particular through the framework of the Good Friday Agreement, which explicitly recognises the importance of East-West relationships in Strand Three.
211. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department’s current preparatory plan for the UN Summit of the Future in 2024 in anticipation of the outcome document Pact for the Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49759/23]
View answerOur Common Agenda (OCA) is the UN Secretary-General's vision for the future of global cooperation. It calls for inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism, and for turbocharging action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to better respond to and deliver for people and planet. It outlines possible solutions to address the gaps and risks that have emerged since 2015, calling for a Summit of the Future to be held in 2024, where a Pact for the Future will be the outcome.
Ireland has strongly supported the UN Secretary General’s work, including through reflecting OCA elements in the recently adopted SDG Summit political declaration, which Ireland co-facilitated, and engaging in the Summit’s preparatory Ministerial meeting in September of this year, during which we called on countries to be brave in our ambition.
The Pact for the Future and its related components – including the New Agenda for Peace, the Global Digital Compact, and cross-cutting issues such as human rights and gender equality – is about much more than even the SDGs. It aims to address areas of concern Ireland has highlighted for many years and sought to address through consistent and considered engagement with the multilateral system.
We have worked with partners for decades to strengthen international law, to press the need for disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. We continue to contribute many Irish peacekeepers to UN Missions across the globe. We have grasped how global challenges must have global solutions, and have engaged deeply in the UNFCCC processes, playing a leadership role to deliver progress last year on the creation of a new Climate Loss and Damage Fund.
These goals are key to the work of my Department, and Ireland continues to emphasise them in EU and international fora, while also specifically encouraging our partners to seize the opportunity the Summit of the Future presents.
212. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent visit to Israel/Palestine; if he made a request to visit Gaza; if any such request was granted or refused; the reasons given for any refusal; the reason he did not visit Gaza on this trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52856/23]
View answerI travelled to the region from 14-16 November as part of the Government’s continuing and intensive engagement on the current crisis in Israel and Gaza. A key focus was the situation of Irish citizens in Gaza and the case of an Irish citizen who is believed to be held hostage in Gaza.
My engagements during the visit also provided an opportunity to repeat my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to underline the need for urgent and meaningful humanitarian access to Gaza, and to stress the urgency of de-escalation.
I had a substantive discussion in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry. I expressed our appreciation for Egypt’s help with the exit of our citizens from Gaza. We spoke about the ongoing crisis, and the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and rapid, unimpeded humanitarian supplies of water, food, fuel, and medical supplies. While in Cairo I also met with League of Arab States Secretary General Aboul Gheit.
I travelled to Ramallah in the occupied Palestinian territory and expressed my sympathy to the Palestinian people over civilian deaths in Gaza and the West Bank to Prime Minister Shtayyeh. We discussed the role the international community must play in the path to peace and Ireland’s support for the two State solution. I also met with Palestinian Foreign Minister Malki in Ramallah.
I also visited southern Israel and witnessed the devastation caused by the 7th of October attack in Sderot and Kibbutz Be’eri, where Emily Hand was taken hostage. I met Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen and expressed my grave concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. I also met President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, during which I stressed the urgent need to dramatically increase the supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Visits by international leaders within the territory of Gaza Strip have been extremely limited since the outbreak of the ongoing crisis and I did not seek to visit Gaza on this occasion. I have spoken with the Commissioner General of UNRWA, one of the key mandate holders to visit Gaza, who briefed me on the situation on the ground.
213. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland condemns the Israeli response in the Gaza Strip to 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50232/23]
View answerI have been clear from the start that any response by Israel to the brutal attacks of 7 October must comply fully with international law, including International Humanitarian Law and with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
I have repeatedly expressed my deep concern at the situation in Gaza and underlining the need for respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) and have condemned all breaches of IHL by any party on this conflict. International law is not optional and applies equally to all actors, state and non-state alike. Any potential breaches should be investigated thoroughly and the perpetrators brought to account. In this context, I welcome the confirmation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court that he is actively investigating the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.
I also welcome the temporary ceasefire in recent days, which has allowed the release of some hostages and the delivery of increased humanitarian assistance so desperately needed by the civilian population of Gaza. However, we urgently need a durable humanitarian ceasefire and the significant scaling up of humanitarian access. Ireland will continue to advocate for this in all our discussions and engagements in relation to this conflict.
214. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements he has had with his European counterparts in relation to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. [52834/23]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the severe humanitarian and human rights crisis in Sudan caused by the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since the conflict began in April, over 6.2 million people have fled their homes and nearly 25 million people - half of the population - are in need of humanitarian aid and protection assistance.
Ireland continues to offer practical support to the people of Sudan, and to engage with diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict.
Ireland has provided over €7 million in humanitarian and development aid to Sudan so far this year, together with further assistance for Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries. Together, the EU and its Member States have pledged over €500 million to the Sudan humanitarian response as well as organising two Humanitarian Air Bridge operations to Chad and Sudan.
Ireland has consistently emphasised the need for maintenance of humanitarian access, a cessation of hostilities, and a clear role for civil society in Sudan's political future. At meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in May and June, the Tánaiste highlighted the heavy toll which the conflict was taking on civilians and called for consideration of additional sanctions to increase pressure on the parties. In October, the EU agreed on a new autonomous sanctions framework which targets those impeding peace, in particular those who attack civilians and obstruct humanitarian access.
A ceasefire is urgently needed. On 14 November, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide warned that that the risk of genocide was high, in particular in Darfur. We will continue to work with partners to help facilitate a democratic and peaceful future for Sudan and its people.
218. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking in relation to diplomatic outreach efforts and cooperation with Ukraine and other countries to ensure the widest possible international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace on the basis of the key principles and objectives of Ukraine's Peace Formula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49937/23]
View answerIreland, along with our EU partners, supports President Zelenskyy’s 10-Point Peace Plan and is committed to engaging in diplomatic outreach and multilateral cooperation to ensure a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
At EU level, there has been substantial work on coordinating global outreach on Ukraine to third countries. In September, our engagement at the UN General Assembly provided an opportunity to deliver common EU messages countering Russian narratives regarding the invasion, and its wider consequences, including global food security.
In Malta, in October, Ireland joined the third round of discussions on implementing the Peace Plan. With 66 countries participating, the meeting confirmed that there is broad international support for Ukraine's Peace Formula.
Ireland is engaged in a number of the Working Groups tasked with taking forward work on key element of the Peace Formula.
In terms of Restoration of Justice, Ireland is supporting efforts aimed at ensuring accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine, including at the International Criminal Court, the European Court of Justice, and the European Court of Human Rights. Ireland is one of 37 States that are members of the “Core Group” which aims to resolve the legal and practical issues in establishing a Special Tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression and is a founding participant of the Register of Damage, which will serve as a record of evidence and information on claims of damage, loss or injury caused by Russia’s action against Ukraine.
Ireland's humanitarian response to the Russian invasion has included support for efforts to alleviate global food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by Russian actions. Most recently, Ireland provided €2 million in funding towards the Grain from Ukraine initiative, which will support efforts to deliver Ukrainian grain to those that need it most.
Work on individual elements of the Peace Formula aim to prepare the ground for an eventual Global Peace Summit, which would ensure broad international support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
220. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on future plans for Global Ireland, Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019 – 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50197/23]
View answerIn November 2022, the Government welcomed the progress made across Government on the implementation of Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025 and agreed on the priorities and objectives of the strategy for the remaining three years up to 2025. The Strategy was launched in 2019, part of the Global Ireland programme to double Ireland’s impact and influence in the world by 2025.
The Strategy is intended to strengthen Ireland's unique relationships with the United States and Canada, building upon our existing deep ties based on ancestral links, embedded trading relationships and ongoing people-to-people links.
The Strategy has seen a 50% increase of Ireland’s diplomatic footprint in North America, with new Consulates in Vancouver, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Miami bringing Ireland’s overall mission network in the United States and Canada, from eight to twelve.
In many of these locations, our diplomatic missions are co-located with Team Ireland partners. The appointment of cultural officers in Toronto, Los Angeles and New York further adds to our impact.
Our engagement has an emphasis on cultivating strong and lasting political relationships, most centrally in support of peace and reconciliation in Ireland. The strength of engagement of bipartisan Congressional and Parliamentary friendship groups in the US and Canada, and the appointment by successive US administrations of Special Envoys is a testament to the impact of our diplomatic efforts.
My Department marked the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement with a series of events reflecting on the crucial, long-standing support from the US and Canada for peace in Ireland, and updated political leaders in both countries on current challenges.
High-level political visits continue to play a significant role in our countries’ relationship, culminating in the historic visit of President Biden to Ireland in April of this year. In all, there will be over 45 high-level visits to the US and Canada, both inward and outward, this year. Among these were several trade and investment missions to both countries, highlighting that our economic relationship is mutually beneficial and highly integrated.
Under the Strategy, a key element is support to our citizens and diaspora including through my Department’s Emigrant Support Programme. This support reached almost €4.7m in 2023 alone, including for groups in the areas of immigration support, cultural engagement and sporting outreach. The depth of our mission network in the US and Canada was also vital in ensuring this support of our citizens and diaspora could continue during the pandemic. This work complements the continuing engagement at political level and through the mission network to seek new immigration pathways while also pursuing remedies for citizens with undocumented immigration status.
