Written Answers Nos. 241-251
241. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what the Irish position is in relation to the conflict between Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50918/23]
View answerI have been very clear on Ireland’s position on the conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deeply concerning. Ensuring a durable humanitarian ceasefire is a key focus of our international engagement, including in my discussions with EU partners and my counterparts in the region. We must also secure effective humanitarian access as the situation in Gaza deteriorates is a priority.
On 18 October, I announced €13 million in additional funding for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, including €10 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and €3 million to the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs’ occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund.
Ireland supports Israel’s right to defend itself from attack, but this must be done in a proportionate manner and in respect for International Humanitarian Law. We condemned the initial Hamas attack and continue to call for the immediate release of all hostages, without precondition. I am also deeply concerned by the situation in the West Bank, including the alarming increase in attacks by extremist settlers.
Ireland has supported the role of the International Criminal Court, which has been investigating the situation in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territory since May 2021. On 14 November, we committed an additional voluntary contribution of €3 million in support of the ICC, in addition to our assessed contribution for 2023 of €1.4 million.
I recently visited Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. During the visit I met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Secretary General of the League of Arab States Aboul Gheit, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. I have also had the opportunity in recent weeks to engage with a very wide range both EU and regional partners, including at the Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial meeting in Barcelona earlier this week. Throughout these engagement, my messaging has been consistent, and I have emphasised the need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire, de-escalation, and humanitarian access for Gaza.
242. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to formally recognise the state of Palestine, as per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50114/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.
In the light of the current crisis in Gaza, there are intensive discussions ongoing at EU level, and with regional partners, on how to develop a credible pathway to a two-state solution, allowing the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in the peace and security that they deserve. The Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum which I attended earlier this week in Barcelona, was an important element of this. The timing and context of any decision on recognition would need to take account of these discussions, as well as the situation on the ground.
As I have said previously, this is an issue that remains under review and that I discuss with EU partners. I would expect these discussions to intensify over the coming period.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his priorities for generating a better understanding by both sides in Northern Ireland of the other's position as affected by the Good Friday Agreement and other or subsequent agreements, with particular reference to the need to identify and isolate conflicting issues with a view to an amicable solution. [51142/23]
View answerFacilitating reconciliation and connection between communities is at the heart of Good Friday Agreement, which shapes and informs all of the Government's engagement in Northern Ireland. To this end, the Government engages across the community and with people from all political traditions in Northern Ireland.
Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs I have made numerous visits to Northern Ireland and have greatly appreciated the warm welcome and rich exchanges with diverse interlocutors. I have met with Northern Ireland’s party leaders, with community organisations supported by my Department, with victims and survivor groups, with PSNI leadership, with business representatives, cultural institutions, and academics. I am determined to engage openly and honestly with voices from across the community.
It was precisely to encourage efforts to build meaningful connections, cooperation and trust between different communities and traditions that, as Taoiseach, I launched the Shared Island Initiative. Through that Initiative, we have raised the level of ambition for what can be achieved through all-island partnerships. We are delivering cross-border investments, and helping address major challenges on this island north and south. Through the Shared Island research programme, and its all-island dialogues, the opportunities for, and challenges of, deepened cooperation are being scoped out. Among the outcomes has been the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, which I launched earlier this year with the aim of promoting practical north south cooperation at the community level.
It is essential too that the Government continues to invest in reconciliation in Northern Ireland. That is why I secured a 40% increase in the allocation to my Department's Reconciliation Fund for 2024, so that it can continue its work supporting organisations which promote better relations within and between the traditions in Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and between these islands.
The work of building connection and reconciliation would be easier if all the Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement were functioning. It is deeply disappointing that Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. As co-guarantor of the Agreement, the Government take seriously our responsibility to proactively engage with all partners to resolve this situation.
244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of Ireland's financial and in-kind assistance to Ukraine since February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52857/23]
View answerIreland has committed over €210 million in bilateral support to Ukraine since February 2022.
Funding by the Department of Foreign Affairs for Ukraine since February 2022 includes €20 million and €19 million in humanitarian support in 2022 and 2023 respectively; €20 million to the World Bank Group for the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Co-financing of the Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance (PEACE) in Ukraine; €6 million to the World Bank Group for the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) to fund critical infrastructure projects in health, transport and energy; €4 million to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Small Business Impact Fund; €1.8 million in Voluntary Contributions to organisations including UNFPA, UNOHCHR and the UN Peacebuilding Fund; €1.5 million to UNHCR to fund the construction of as many as 75 prefabricated homes, to support communities devastated by the war; €1 million disbursed to the 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); over €1 million in peace and stability funding to Ukraine across 2022 and 2023; €1 million to the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Ukraine Solidarity Fund agreed during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council; €0.52 million to NGOs and Regional Organisations working in Ukraine; €0.5 million to the OECD Ukraine Country programme to deliver improved quality of reforms; and €427,505 in relation to the OSCE programmes in Ukraine.
This makes a total of some €77 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, bringing the total value of Ireland’s humanitarian and stabilisation support (separate to EU contributions) to approximately € 90 million.
Ireland has also committed approximately €122 million of non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility 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.
Overall in 2023, Ireland has committed to provide €32 million in support to Ukraine and neighbouring countries. This includes 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.
245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline his response to the recent comments by a former Northern Ireland First Minister, with particular reference to the restoration of the Assembly. [52291/23]
View answerIt is greatly disappointing that almost 18 months on from the last Assembly elections, Northern Ireland's political institutions remain blocked. As a result, the North South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement.
It is clear from my contacts in Northern Ireland that there is deep frustration at this continued impasse. I share the view of the former First Minister that the current situation cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. His recent comments are further evidence of the degree to which discontent around the lack of progress is felt across the political spectrum. The vast majority of elected representatives – nationalist, unionist and neither – want to get back to work. It is past time that the democratically elected representatives of Northern Ireland are allowed to take up their responsibilities and deliver for their constituents on the range of pressing challenges facing them.
Northern Ireland is facing unprecedented and acute budgetary challenges. The Northern Ireland Civil Service have warned that Departments have reached the limit of what can be done to address budget pressures without an Executive in place. All of this points to the urgent need for the democratically elected representatives of Northern Ireland to assume their responsibilities and to demonstrate their commitment to showing that politics works.
I raised these issues at the British-Irish Council Summit on 23-24 November and at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 28 November both hosted by the Government in Dublin. I emphasised the shared responsibility of the British and Irish Governments as guarantors of the Agreement to develop a plan for how we will respond to the different potential outcomes of the current efforts to restore the institutions. It is important that in all discussions on outstanding issues that all voices are listened to in a spirit of cooperation and compromise.
246. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs about Ireland’s diplomatic relationship with the state of Qatar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52939/23]
View answerIreland enjoys good diplomatic relations with the state of Qatar. Ambassador Milton in Abu Dhabi is accredited to Qatar, and presented her credentials to the Emir in May 2023. Ambassador Al Attiyah, based in London, represents Qatar in Ireland, and presented his credentials to President Higgins in December 2022.
The Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs visited Dublin in February 2022 for political consultations with my Department. I have spoken twice in recent weeks to the Foreign Minister of Qatar in relation to Irish citizens trapped in Gaza by the current conflict. I would like to express my thanks to Qatar for their help on these issues.
247. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings and engagements that he and his Department have had with the state of Qatar in 2023; any proposals for further meetings or engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52940/23]
View answerI have spoken twice in recent weeks to the Prime and Foreign Minister of Qatar in relation to the current crisis in the Middle East, and in particular the position of Irish citizens in Gaza, as well as the hostages being held by Hamas. I am grateful for the help of Qatar in this respect, particularly in relation to the case of Emily Hand.
The Taoiseach also met with the Prime and Foreign Minister of Qatar at the UN General Assembly session in September and has spoken with him by phone in recent weeks in respect of the crisis in Gaza.
My Department maintains regular diplomatic contacts with Qatar, primarily though our Ambassador in Abu Dhabi, who presented her credentials to the Emir of Qatar in March 2023, and who travels there frequently for contacts with government, business and Irish community contacts. We also engage with Qatar through its Embassy to Ireland, based in London, and in UN fora.
248. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the titles of the White Papers published by his Department from 2008 to date; if he will provide online links to these papers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52980/23]
View answerThe mission of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to serve the Irish people, promote their values and advance their prosperity and interests abroad, and to provide the Government with the capabilities, analysis and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement.
My Department has published two White Papers from 2008 to date. These White Papers relate to the delivery of Ireland's programme of overseas development assistance and their titles as well as where they are publicly available is detailed in the table below
|
Title of White Paper |
Date |
Link to Papers |
|
A Better World |
2019 |
A-Better-World-Irelands-Policy-for-International-Development.pdf (irishaid.ie) |
|
One World One Future |
2013 |
one-world-one-future-irelands-new-policy.pdf (irishaid.ie) |
249. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has opened a new passport office in the North or the South of Ireland in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52998/23]
View answerThe Passport Service within my Department operates two public offices, one at Knockmaun House, Mount St Lower in Dublin 2 and the second at the South Mall in Cork City. There have been no additional offices opened over the past three years. There are currently no plans to open any further passport offices.
The Passport Online service which was introduced in 2017 offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Overall, Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
Over 90% of all passport applications are made through Passport Online which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applications. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service. Less than 1% of all applicants use the Urgent Appointment service in cases where they urgently need to renew their passport.
The overwhelming majority of passport applicants apply online and well over half of all adult online renewal applications are approved within 2 days. All passport turnaround times are at, or earlier than their target level and there are no backlogs.
Given the small number of applicants who use the Urgent Appointment service and taking into account the significant cost of locating and running an additional passport office, a business case cannot currently be made for establishing an additional passport office on the island of Ireland. I am satisfied overall that the current Passport Online service and production capacity meets the needs of passport applicants and the Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service.
250. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of consultancy reports commissioned or funded by his Department that have been categorised or designated as not for external publication from 2011 to date; the total costs incurred on commissioning or funding these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53001/23]
View answerMy Department commissioned a number of consultancies since 2011, the reports of which were not published externally and the details of which are currently being collated by officials of my Department.
Officials of my Department have informed me that the delivery of an accurate and complete response to this question necessitates more time and I wish to assure the Deputy that a comprehensive final answer detailing the number and cost of consultancy reports commissioned by my Department which were not published externally will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
In the interim I can inform the Deputy that a number of consultancy reports which were not published externally and were commissioned for the provision of technical expertise or data with a view to informing policy, or carrying out reviews of work or policies etc. commissioned from 2020 to date, have been identified.
The details of those identified to date reports are contained in the table below which lists the number of such consultancy reports per year and their associated costs.
|
Year |
Consultancy reports |
Cost |
|
2020 |
4 |
€29,544 |
|
2021 |
9 |
€145,847 |
|
2022 |
10 |
€155,172 |
|
2023 |
5 |
€54,177 |
|
Total |
28 |
€384,740 |
251. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views as to whether or not the deployment of troops by regional arrangements without the authorisation of the UN Security Council is within the parameters of the UN Charter (details supplied). [53027/23]
View answerCooperation with regional arrangements is integral to the work of the UN. This is reflected in Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, which recognises the role that regional arrangements and agencies may have in dealing with matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. Regional arrangements may be deployed for a wide range of activities, including crisis mediation, peace operations, and humanitarian assistance.
Article 53 of the Charter provides that the Security Council may utilise regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority. However, not all activities undertaken by regional arrangements necessarily require the authorisation of the Security Council. The Charter nonetheless requires regional arrangements or agencies to keep it fully informed of activities undertaken or in contemplation by them for the maintenance of international peace and security.
The UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs publishes regular reports detailing examples of practice of the Security Council cooperating with regional organizations in the maintenance of international peace and security, within the framework of Chapter VIII of the Charter.
