Written Answers Nos. 115-128
115. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to list all meetings or telephone calls he has had with the foreign ministers or ambassadors of Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from 7 October to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53318/23]
View answerSince 7th October, I have had valuable contact with many of my counterparts in the Middle East region regarding the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. My conversations focused on efforts to secure a durable humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages including Emily Hand, and the safe exit of Irish citizens from Gaza.
During my recent visit to the region, I met in person with the Palestinian Foreign Minister and the Foreign Ministers of Israel and Egypt. I also met the Foreign Ministers of Lebanon and Saudi Arabia at the Union for the Mediterranean Summit in Barcelona on 27th November.
In recent weeks, I have spoken by telephone with the Foreign Ministers of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with the Lebanese Defence Minister.
In the ordinary course of my work, I have meetings with many resident Ambassadors. In recent weeks I met collectively with the resident Arab Ambassadors, a group that included the Palestinian Ambassador-Head of Mission, the Ambassadors of Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Iraq. I have also met with the Israeli Ambassador. Lebanon, Jordan and Qatar do not have resident Embassies in Ireland and I have not met with their Ambassadors since 7th October.
In line with the EU’s Strategy for Syria, which the Government continues to support, I have not engaged with any members or representatives of the Syrian Government.
116. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the passport service utilises facial recognition technology; the safeguards that are in place to prevent abuse of this technology; the costs paid to providers for the operation and maintenance of this technology since it was first utilised by the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53332/23]
View answerThe Passport Service introduced facial recognition technology in 2016. This facilitated the introduction of the Passport Online service, which has been transformative for Irish citizens and has resulted in considerable efficiencies for the Passport Service.
Facial recognition technology is an anti-fraud measure and adds significantly to the integrity of the Irish passport. The use of facial recognition technology combats identity theft and fraud and helps to maintain the international reputation of the Irish passport. Our passport is currently ranked 4th in the world in the Henley International Passport Index as it offers our citizens visa-free access to 190 countries.
The Facial recognition technology used by the Passport Service is contained in a closed, highly protected software system. It is used by highly trained and experienced staff and appropriate restrictions in place at various levels to designated officers.
The Department has paid €3.4 million to the providers of the facial recognition technology used by the Passport Service since 2015.
118. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue to siblings from County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53364/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
119. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the intention of the Government to reopen our representative office in Taipei, which closed in 2012 because of austerity measures, in order to encourage greater trade and cultural links to the region. [53388/23]
View answerIreland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant multilateral fora.
The European Union is represented in Taiwan by the European Economic and Trade Office, which seeks to strengthen economic and trade relations with Taiwan. There has been a Taipei Representative Office in Dublin since 1988.
IDA Ireland, the agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland, actively manages the Taiwanese market from its Singapore office. In response to continuing trends identifying Singapore as the primary source of outbound FDI destined for Europe, IDA Ireland considers it prudent to maintain its market presence in Singapore. Enterprise Ireland services Taiwan from its office in Hong Kong. There are no plans by Government agencies to open a representative office in Taiwan.
With regard to people to people connections, Taiwanese residents are eligible to apply to participate in Ireland's Working Holiday Programme. Each year, this programme gives 400 young people from Taiwan the opportunity to come live and work in Ireland. Young Irish people can avail of a similar programme in Taiwan.
120. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to the Department’s correspondence to the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts on 16 July 2021 (details supplied), the total compensation sought by the West Bank Protection Consortium from Israel to date; the amount received; if payment was not received, if the Irish Government sought to ensure that payment was received in advance of Foreign Ministers of the European Union agreeing to renew the EU-Israel Association Council in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53453/23]
View answer121. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland sought for the European Union to make renewal of the EU-Israel Association Agreement contingent upon Israeli payment of compensation sought to the West Bank Protection Consortium; if such a payment was sought and if so, the amount received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53454/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
Ireland is among a number of donor countries working together to pursue compensation through the West Bank Protection Consortium. The Consortium has sought, but not received, compensation of close to €1.3 million in respect of confiscated or demolished assets since 2015. We will continue to work together with our Consortium partners to bring pressure to bear on Israel on this issue.
I would also emphasise that there are several important strands to the work of the WBPC, including supporting vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from individual and mass forcible transfer through the provision of material and humanitarian assistance and legal aid.
Ireland strongly supports these efforts. We provided €300,000 in funding in 2022, and will provide €400,000 in 2023.
Regarding the EU-Israel Association in October 2022, as I made clear to this House at the time, Ireland’s position was that such a meeting would only go ahead once an EU position was finalised. This approach was important as it enabled the EU to speak with one voice on key issues of concern, notably in relation to human rights and international law, and to convey this position to Israel at a senior political level. This included reiterating the EU’s strong opposition to Israel's settlement policies, including evictions and demolitions.
122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian assistance Ireland has provided to the people of Gaza during the temporary ceasefire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53460/23]
View answer123. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian assistance that Ireland has provided to the people of Gaza in coordination with the European Union during the temporary ceasefire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53461/23]
View answer124. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland or the European Union have provided field hospitals to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53462/23]
View answer125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland or the European Union have provided humanitarian assistance in the form of Civil Defence equipment to the people of Gaza to assist rescuing the estimated 6,000 Palestinians trapped under rubble; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53463/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123, 124 and 125 together.
Since the appalling Hamas violence on 7 October and the start of the Israeli military operation, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has continued to deteriorate.
In response, on 18 October, the Government announced immediate Irish humanitarian assistance of €13 million for Gaza, through the United Nations - €10 million in additional core funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and €3 million to the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Fund. This additional funding brings Ireland’s support to the Palestinian people to over €29 million so far this year. We expect to announce additional humanitarian assistance shortly.
Ireland also provides prepositioned funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) which has released $15 million in funding for medical response in Gaza, and for readiness in the region.
We are continuing to call for a durable humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The civilian population of Gaza urgently need fuel, food, water, and medical supplies, on a sustained basis and at scale.
Ireland has been clear that continued development and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people is essential. We will continue to clearly make that case internationally and at EU level. On 27 November, the Tánaiste met with EU and regional partners at the Union for the Mediterranean meeting in Barcelona. He had bilateral meetings with the Lebanese, Saudi, Turkish, Belgian, and Luxembourg Foreign Ministers. The focus was on developing a credible pathway to peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Movement of supplies, equipment and personnel into Gaza continues to be severely constrained. Hospitals are overflowing, with an urgent need for supplies and infrastructure. The WHO is working closely with partners on the ground including the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and UNRWA and is working to deliver vital supplies.
Emergency Medical Team is the term now used by the WHO to classify various types of ‘field hospital’. An Emergency Medical Team (EMT) coordination cell has been established in Cairo by the WHO and will soon be operational inside Gaza. This coordination cell will support the existing health system in Gaza though the deployment of EMTs across all levels of health care.
Ireland does not currently maintain military or civilian EMTs for international deployment. The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently leading an interdepartmental review assessing Ireland’s deployable capabilities for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Both the Egyptian health authorities and the World Health Organisation have made requests through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) for healthcare related assistance. Ireland has attended frequent coordination meetings hosted by the ERCC on the crisis since the outbreak of hostilities
In addition to increased humanitarian funding, the EU is providing transport solutions to humanitarian partners and EU Member States, through an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge to Egypt. Between 16 October and 26 November, 20 flights to Al-Arish carried about 890 tonnes of cargo including significant quantities of medicines and medical supplies. Ten more flights are being prepared.
126. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of statements from Israel’s Heritage Minister that the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Gaza was ‘one of the possibilities’ with regard to Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, whether or not it is the position of the Irish Government that the state of Israel possesses nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53464/23]
View answerAs I stated at the time of Minister Eliyahu’s remarks, comments of this nature are deeply concerning and unhelpful. I note that they have been dismissed by the Israeli Government.
Achieving a world free from nuclear weapons is a long-standing priority for Ireland. Israel has consistently refused either to confirm or to deny that it possesses nuclear weapons.
Ireland takes full opportunity at the multilateral and bilateral levels to call on Israel and all outstanding countries to accede to relevant treaties including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Ireland believes that all states have a legitimate stake and interest in the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and we discuss this with all states on that basis. Ireland and Israel are among over 40 participating states in the Creating an Environment for Nuclear Disarmament (CEND) initiative. Ireland also continues to strongly support UN efforts towards the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.
127. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the reprimand of the Irish ambassador to Israel in response to a social media post by An Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53477/23]
View answer128. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in light of an announced rebuke of the Irish ambassador, if his Government has reconsidered the actions of the Deputy Head of Mission of the Israeli mission in Ireland, who levelled accusations against the Irish Government of funding Hamas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53478/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together.
The Government was surprised by the Israeli reaction. This was made clear by our Ambassador in Tel Aviv during her meeting with the Israeli Foreign Ministry on 27 November.
Ambassador McGuinness presented the Foreign Ministry with the full statements issued by the Taoiseach and I, following the release of Emily Hand. These referenced the traumatic experience endured by Emily and her family, reiterated thanks to international partners who had facilitated the release and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
The meeting also afforded Ambassador McGuinness an opportunity to convey Ireland’s position on a range of issues, including the importance of fully respecting International Humanitarian Law and getting desperately-needed humanitarian supplies to civilians in Gaza; that the truce which was in place should become a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire; and that the international community must focus on a pathway to deliver a two-state solution which can allow the people of Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security.
In relation to the comments made by an Israeli Embassy official on social media, I understand that they were deleted and a clarification was issued by the Embassy noting that the comments did not represent the position of the Embassy or the Government of Israel.
It is essential that we maintain open channels of communication through Embassies and Ambassadors during times of conflict.
