Written Answers Nos. 86-104
86. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will look into a case (details supplied) whereby a birth certificate has not been accepted as part of the foreign birth registration process whereby the applicants' grandparents are Irish citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54584/23]
View answerDemand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
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.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of all required supporting documents. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
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.
87. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide assistance to persons (details supplied). [54593/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, United States immigration policy and the processing of US visas is wholly a matter for the appropriate US authorities. I encourage the applicant to continue to liaise with the United States Embassy in Dublin.
88. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 72 of 18 October and 102 of 7 November 2023, if he can arrange for a member of staff to examine the case of person (details supplied), in light of the financial hardship experienced by the individual; if a resolution can be found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54598/23]
View answerI understand that the Human Resources Division of my Department are in direct and ongoing contact with the member of staff in question. Officers in Human Resources have examined the case and have confirmed to the staff member that they are on their correct pay point. They will, however, continue to assist on other related issues which have been raised by the staff member.
89. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his role in the oversight in the stop-off of any military personnel or equipment at Irish ports or airports; if any such stop-off has included personnel or equipment on route to Israel or Palestine since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54617/23]
View answerUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by our international partners, and is implemented in compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
Furthermore, under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport.
In considering any application for such an exemption in respect of munitions of war, the Department of Transport consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice on applications to determine if there are foreign policy or security considerations to take into account.
When providing observations on applications, the Department of Foreign Affairs reviews records held by the Department of Transport. The process is robust and includes advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of international humanitarian law, Ireland’s international obligations and our wider arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation policy.
With regards to Irish ports, visits from foreign naval vessels are a long-standing and common practice in Ireland and worldwide. It is therefore normal and welcome for foreign naval vessels to visit Irish ports, whether that be to carry out joint training with the Irish Naval Service or simply to take crew rest. Port visits like those are also indicative of our desire for friendly relations with our neighbours and our desire for the Irish Naval Service to be equipped to communicate with other navies where necessary. The Irish Naval Service regularly visits foreign ports in the same manner.
Foreign naval vessels are only granted permission to visit Irish ports on condition that they meet the necessary policy stipulations. In particular, these require that naval vessels visiting Irish ports do not carry nuclear weapons and do not engage in military exercises. These are the standard stipulations for any naval vessel to visit an Irish port.
It is the long-standing policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs not to disclose details relating to the specifics of diplomatic clearance requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs does publish statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the Department’s website.
90. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54628/23]
View answerDemand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen in 2022.
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.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of all required supporting documents. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
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 5 December 2023. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
91. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of funding that has been awarded directly to the Irish Arts Centre, New York by his Department and its agencies in each year since 2005; the amount that has been granted to others for the purpose of performing at or attending the Irish Arts Centre, and in other indirect ways since 2005, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54665/23]
View answerThe Irish Arts Centre New York has over a number of years received direct funding from the Government's Emigrant Support Programme, which is administered by my Department, as outlined in the table below.
The Consulate of Ireland in New York regularly engages with the Irish Arts Centre, including by attending events and, occasionally, hosting events.
|
Grant year |
Grant amount (€) |
|
2008/09 |
13,227 |
|
2009/10 |
2,316,020 |
|
2014/15 |
1,001,362 |
|
2017/18 |
1,128,000 |
|
2020 |
10,953 |
|
2020/21 |
250,000 |
|
2021/22 |
440,025 |
|
Total |
5,159,587 |
Irish culture is a fundamental component of our identity and the common thread that binds together Ireland’s diaspora. 'Global Ireland: Ireland's Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025' recognises that supporting Irish culture internationally plays a key role in connecting Ireland with our diaspora.
92. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are any specific guidelines for companies or other entities engaged with trade and other economic activities in territories deemed to be illegally occupied under international law. [54673/23]
View answerIsraeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict impossible.
Government advice is available on the gov.ie website for the general public and, in particular for Irish companies. This advice makes it clear that we do not encourage or offer support in any way to such activity. It further notes that the European Commission adopted an Interpretative Notice on the indication of origin of goods from the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 on 11 November 2015. The Guidelines were published in the Official Journal on 12 November 2015.
93. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs while Ireland has a consistent policy on the status of Western Sahara and support for self-determination, if his Department has any concrete proposals for how a meaningful exercise of self-determination could happen; and could he explain how these proposals have been advanced with the broader international community. [54674/23]
View answerIreland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue.
Ireland has wholeheartedly supported the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2602 on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara and stands ready to support efforts and initiatives at the UN level to fully implement the mandate of Resolution 2602.
We do not have a view on the outcome of that decision so long as it is decided peacefully and in a genuine exercise of self-determination.
94. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs with regard to European Court of Justice cases on fisheries and free association agreements with Morocco, which included the occupied Western Sahara (Cases C-778/21 P, C-779/21 P, C-798/21 P), if he could request the European Commission for an indication on how they would intend to enforce the ruling in the case of the Court of Justice deeming the EU-Moroccan agreement to be in contravention of European Union law. [54675/23]
View answerThe EU-Morocco Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA), concluded in March 2019, allocates fishing opportunities for the EU in exchange for an overall financial contribution of €208 million. A substantial part of this contribution is used to promote the sustainable development of the fisheries economy in Morocco and the Western Sahara. When the process of negotiation began on the current FPA agreement, Ireland sought that any agreement should be more transparent and should include clear and specific reporting on the benefits of the Agreement in the Western Sahara.
Ireland has consistently emphasized that an agreement has to be consistent with the judgment of the Court of Justice handed down on 27 February 2018 in Case C-266/16. We take the content and form of the ‘Contribution of the Council Legal Service on the Draft amended Fisheries Agreement’ as evidence that the Council Legal Service considers entering into the presented agreement as fully consistent with the judgment of the Court of Justice handed down on 27 February 2018 in Case C-266/16. On the basis of this, Ireland supported the adoption of the Council decision on the amendment of the Fisheries Agreement and the Fisheries Protocol.
The question of the territorial applicability of certain EU-Morocco agreements is the subject of ongoing legal consideration at the European level. Ireland notes the October 2021 European Court of Justice ruling that annulled the EU’s previous approval of agriculture and fishing agreements that allowed Morocco to exports goods from Western Sahara. That decision is currently being appealed. A verdict is expected in the coming months.
Once the Court issues this verdict, Ireland will work together with our EU partners to carefully consider the decision and, depending on the outcome, how to fully enforce the court ruling to ensure compliance with European Union law.
95. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he, along with embassy officials in Rabat, could raise the issue of human rights abuses with their Moroccan counterparts, including the issue of political prisoners, in particular if he could highlight the issue of the Gdeim Izik prisoners from Western Sahara, given that as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2010, he expressed his deep concerns at the actions of Morocco which led to the imprisonment of the Gdeim Izik protesters (details supplied). [54676/23]
View answerSenior officials from my Department regularly meet with their Moroccan counterparts, both in Dublin and Rabat, to discuss a wide range of issues, with human rights a core element of those discussions.
The opening of an Irish Embassy in Rabat has allowed us to deepen our bilateral engagement and dialogue with Morocco. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to discuss human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels, including at a bilateral and EU level, and through the United Nations Universal Periodic Review mechanism.
During Morocco’s Universal Periodic Review in 2022, Ireland noted our concern that human rights defenders and journalists continue to be targeted for their work and face intimidation, harassment, death threats, criminalisation and physical and sexual assault, including in and in relation to Western Sahara. Ireland recommended that Morocco take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the human rights of all people in Western Sahara.
96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the international organisations or posts for which his Department are responsible for the Irish Government being a nominating body; when any such position is next due to be filled; when any were last filled, and by who, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54729/23]
View answerIreland actively participates in various international bodies and organisations. Some of these bodies or organisations have seen the appointment of Irish officials to their ranks and these appointments have served to enhance Ireland’s profile and standing on the global stage.
In the ten years since December 2013, officials of my Department have led Government campaigns seeking the nomination, appointment or election of a number of Irish people to international organisations or bodies following Government agreement that they should do so. Furthermore, my officials have led on Ireland's candidatures for election to international organisations following Government decisions in this regard and these are also set out below.
|
International organisation |
Position |
Name |
Successful |
Year |
|
The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) |
Member of the Governing Council for 2024-2028 period |
Karen Banks |
Election to take place on 14 December 2023 |
Current Campaign |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Mr Justice Peter Charleton |
Appointment |
2014 |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan |
Appointment |
2014 |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Mr Justice Gerard Hogan |
Appointment |
2014 |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Mr Justice Peter Kelly |
Appointment |
2014 |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy |
Appointment |
2014 |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Judge |
President Síofra O’Leary |
Yes |
2015 |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley |
Appointment |
2018 (appointment)2022 (renewal) |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Mr Justice John A Edwards |
Appointment |
2018 (appointment)2022 (renewal) |
|
European Court of Human Rights |
Ad hoc judge |
Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh |
Appointment |
2018 (appointment)2022 (renewal) |
|
EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, Panel of Arbitrators |
Ordinary Member, Panel of Arbitrators |
Mr Barry Doherty |
Yes |
2020 |
|
EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, Panel of Arbitrators |
Ordinary Member, Panel of Arbitrators |
Mr Christopher McCrudden |
No |
2020 |
|
UN Human Rights Council |
Member State |
Ireland |
Yes |
2013-2015 (elected in 2012) |
|
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) |
Committee Member |
Anastasia Crickley |
Yes |
2013 |
|
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) |
Board Member |
Desmond Corrigan |
No |
2013 |
|
UN Security Council |
Council Member |
Ireland |
Yes |
2020 |
|
UN Human Rights Council |
Member State |
Ireland |
N/A |
2027-2029 (election in 2026) |
97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the President of Israel stating during an RTÉ broadcast that Irish taxpayer monies had been misused in the construction of tunnels by Hamas, in light of a review of funding provided by the European Union to Palestine which found that safeguards work well and that 'no evidence has been found to date that money has been diverted for unintended purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54730/23]
View answerAs the Deputy notes, EU’s review of development aid has now been completed. I welcome, in particular the review’s conclusion -as we had expected- that the Commission’s existing controls and safeguards work well and that there is no evidence that funding has been diverted for unintended purposes.
Ireland also has robust safeguards in place to ensure that our overseas development aid is used for its intended purposes and that it is not misused. Comments suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.
The focus of the Government's development and humanitarian assistance has been, and will continue to be, on capacity building in key sectors and in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable Palestinian communities, including Palestinian refugees in neighbouring countries. Ireland's work in Palestine focuses on education, capacity-building of Palestinian institutions, reducing humanitarian need, promoting gender equality, and good governance and human rights.
We remain supportive of our trusted partners in their efforts to deliver needs-based humanitarian and development aid in the most difficult conditions, while we continue to press for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, and the protection of civilians, as a prerequisite for a credible political process.
I welcome the increase in EU humanitarian support to the Palestinian people to €100 million. Ireland has also committed an additional €22 million in humanitarian assistance since October for Palestine.
98. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with regard to the ongoing situation in Armenia and Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54732/23]
View answerThe protracted conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains high on the EU agenda, and has featured regularly on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council over the past year, particularly since the military escalation of 19-20 September, and subsequent exodus of over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians to Armenia.
The issue was most recently discussed at the November Foreign Affairs Council, and the October European Council, when the European Union agreed Council Conclusions which underline the EU’s continued support for advancing a sustainable and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty, the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity. Ireland also continues to engage on this issue at the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE.
The humanitarian welfare of civilians in the region remains the central focus of Ireland’s engagement, including in our interactions with Armenian and Azerbaijani interlocutors. I emphasised this point in my call with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on 11 August, as did the Taoiseach when he met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in October in the margins of the European Political Community Summit in Granada.
Together with our EU partners, we have been discussing how best to support Armenia in the context of the influx of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh to the country. From 27- 29th November, the European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS) undertook a joint fact-finding mission to Armenia to identify areas for deepening EU-Armenia cooperation and increasing EU support. The EU representatives met with the two Deputy Prime Ministers, the Foreign Minister and the Deputy Foreign Minister, along with several line Ministers, civil society actors, the EU Head of Mission and UN agencies.
My European colleagues and I also had an informal exchange with the Armenian Foreign Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan at the Foreign Affairs Council on 11 December. This was a timely opportunity to receive an update in light of recent events, including on the prospects for an overarching peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In this regard, I welcome the joint statement issued by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on 7 December announcing that a path forward to build confidence between the two countries has been set. I note the respective release of military prisoners and the agreement on other bilateral gestures of good will.
Ireland echoes the call of European Council President Michel for this opportunity to be seized and maintains its full support for the achievement of an overarching negotiated, sustainable peace agreement between the two countries.
99. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagements with the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; his engagements with regard to the ongoing civil strife and humanitarian situation in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54733/23]
View answerI remain gravely concerned by the situation in Myanmar and wish to reiterate my strong condemnation of the February 2021 coup and the resulting violence.
Neither I nor representatives of the Irish Government have held bilateral meetings or engagements with the military authorities. Coherent with a common EU position, neither I nor my Department undertake actions that would serve to confer the appearance of legitimacy onto the military junta. Ireland’s practice is to recognise states and not governments.
Ireland has repeatedly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and called for the restoration of legitimate, civilian government. Ireland remains actively engaged on the crisis. My Department has met with representatives of the National Unity Government at official level. Officials in my Department also regularly engage with civil society organisations.
Ireland also raises the crisis in multilateral fora. Most recently, Ireland made a statement at the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee, condemning the military, drawing attention to the dire human rights and humanitarian situations, and expressing support for relevant accountability mechanisms including the International Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. We have actively engaged in negotiations for the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.
In July 2023, the EU imposed a seventh round of sanctions against individuals and entities in Myanmar, a measure supported by Ireland. Ireland fully supports action against perpetrators of the coup as well as those who sustain them, and welcomes consideration of further measures that would be effective in working to restore the democratic path.
In 2023, Ireland's total humanitarian funding to Myanmar and to the Rohingya crisis was almost €2.4 million, including grants to civil society organisations and annual payments of €500,000 and €1 million respectively to the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund and the UN Refugee Agency to address the Rohingya crisis. Ireland's total pledge to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) reached €16 million in 2023. CERF is a major donor to Myanmar, with a further $7 million being pledged to Myanmar on 5 December 2023.
100. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the response of the Irish government to a series of referenda held in Venezuela on Sunday, 3 December 2023; if he will report on his recent engagements with the accredited ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Ireland; the Irish and Guyanese embassies with which diplomatic relations with the Co-operative Republic of Guyana are maintained, and if he will report on any recent engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54734/23]
View answerThe situation in Venezuela remains complex and deeply concerning.
On 3 December, a referendum in Venezuela asked five questions regarding the area of Essequibo, which is part of the territory of neighbouring Guyana. Although the referendum was passed, independent observers have suggested that turnout was very low.
Venezuela has a long-standing territorial claim on Essequibo. This claim is currently before the International Court of Justice, which is the appropriate forum within which a definitive resolution can be found to this issue. I encourage all sides to engage in good faith with the ICJ process.
I have not had any recent direct engagement with the Ambassador of Venezuela to Ireland, who is based in London. The Ambassador attended this year’s National Day of Commemoration events in Cork and Dublin in July and September 2023.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Guyana, H.E. Hugh Todd, wrote to me on 9 October to brief on Guyana’s position with regard to Essequibo. In my response to the Minister, I outlined my position that the ICJ process is the appropriate forum within which to address the matter.
My Department will continue to monitor developments in the period ahead, together with EU partners, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Brasília, which is accredited to Guyana, and other Irish missions in the region.
The Embassy of Guyana in London is accredited to Ireland. Ireland’s Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean has seen increased engagement with Guyana across political, economic and values-based objectives. Ireland also engages with Guyana as an Observer State of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which is based in Georgetown, Guyana, and through our partnership with Small Island Developing States.
101. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the topics he discussed with Israeli officials during his visit to Israel in September of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54735/23]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my responses to Questions 39712, 39711 and 39771 of 20 September and my response to Question 41428 of 28 September.
102. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the key policy achievements realised and new initiatives taken by his Department during 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54787/23]
View answerOver the past year, my Department has achieved much progress in a number of policy areas and undertaken a number of new initiatives, framed by our commitments under the Programme for Government, and the Departmental Statement of Strategy.
Delivery of services to Irish citizens remains central to our work. Irish citizens abroad continued to receive excellent consular support, including in the context of the crises mentioned above. The Passport Service is again on track to issue close to 1 million passports this year, in line with record numbers recorded last year. This significant achievement was made possible by meeting demand delayed by the pandemic with technological and organisational innovation, and above all the hard work of the staff in all our passport offices. The Passport Service has rolled out Passport Online for first time applicants to an additional 170 countries in 2023. This means that Passport Online can now be used by 99.9% of all passport applicants worldwide. In addition, a number of online enhancements such as a bespoke list of documents for first time applicants, digital access to birth certificates from the General Register Office (GRO), and an Eircode look up facility have all improved our service to our customers.
Progress in our foreign policy has been achieved against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable and complex geopolitical context, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the crisis in Sudan, and now the conflict in the Middle East, imposing significant demands on my Department and its staff in Ireland and around the world.
In this context, we have continued to stand with Ukraine, providing over €185 million in humanitarian and stabilisation support to Ukraine, consistently supporting the strongest sanctions against Russia, and engaging with international partners to ensure accountability for any crimes committed in Ukraine.
In more recent weeks the work of the Department has been dominated by the unfolding conflict in the Middle East and in particular efforts to ensure the safe exit from Gaza of all Irish citizens who wished to leave, and their accompanying dependants and working to secure the release of Emily Hand, who was held hostage by Hamas. In addition, throughout the crisis I have unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism. I have also made consistently clear that the protection of civilians must be paramount. The loss of life in the conflict in Gaza has been horrendous. Thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed. That is why I have consistently called for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire and reiterated the need to adhere to International Humanitarian Law. The conflict must end.
Peace and reconciliation on our island has been, and continues to be, a central priority for my Department. In this context, agreement of the Windsor Framework in February was a key milestone, and as a committed Member State of the European Union, Ireland is fully engaged with our EU partners as we work to make sure that the Framework is implemented fully and in good faith. This year also saw the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and we marked this significant milestone both at home and abroad.
Deepening our EU relationships and our influence at EU level has also been a central focus over the last twelve months, including in respect of communicating and promoting Europe to Irish citizens. The Programme for Government made a particular commitment to an initiative marking 50 years of Irish membership of the EU and I was delighted through 2022 and 2023 to lead on a “EU50” programme of national and international engagement marking this historic anniversary.
At UN level, my Department has built on the legacy of Ireland’s two-year term on the UN Security Council and continued to show leadership at UN level – notably Ireland served as co-facilitator of negotiations and secured agreement on the Political Declaration for the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September of this year. Moreover, in 2023, the Government allocated €716.5 million for the International Cooperation vote. This is the largest ever allocation of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and, coupled with ODA eligible contributions across a number of other government departments, provide a tangible of expression of our commitment and leadership in this sphere. €60 million additional funding provided for 2024 includes €30 million for international climate finance and €30 million for an ambitious and targeted response to humanitarian crises, prolonged acute food and nutrition insecurity and the impact of the war in Ukraine.
2023 saw a continued deepening of the global food security and energy crisis with 345 million people forecast to face acute food insecurity by year end. My department worked closely with Áras an Uachtaráin in support of President Higgins' important addresses to the Africa Food summit in January in Dakar and the World Food Forum in Rome in October. During the year my department worked in support of both humanitarian food assistance and longer term transformation of food systems through the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake meeting and other global initiatives. In 2023 my department will spend at least €284 million on food, agriculture and nutrition.
This year we also witnessed the adoption of the UN Agreement on Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), a historic global oceans treaty that has the potential to significantly enhance the protection of the marine environment. My Department played an active and constructive role in the negotiations leading to the Agreement.
In partnership with the Department of Defence, my Department played a key role convening the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy to start a discussion on Ireland’s foreign and security policy. The Forum focused on a wide range of issues, including Ireland’s efforts to protect the rules-based international order through peacekeeping and crisis management, disarmament and non-proliferation, international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding as well as allowing for a discussion on Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
My Department also hosted the Global Irish Civic Forum in 2023, a gathering of Irish community representatives from across the world. The forum discussed support for communities abroad, promotion of Irish cultural heritage and sport, network building, reaching the next generations of the diaspora, and much more, and highlighted the critical importance of continued Government support for Ireland’s diaspora and representative organisations. The Emigrant Support Programme was established in 2004 and by the end of 2023, will have disbursed over €17 million, bringing to €237 million the total provided to over 840 organisations supporting the Irish community abroad.
My Department has also continued to deliver on the Global Ireland initiative; deepening our international engagement is critical to making these achievements possible. Our mission network has expanded to 99, with plans to open new missions in Munich, Milan and Islamabad in the period ahead.
Finally, in June of this year, further to my appointment in December last year, I was pleased to launch a new Departmental Statement of Strategy. This Statement provides an essential framework to guide the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs in the period ahead. It recognises the changed and challenging global context in which we are now operating, and makes clear that strong coordination across Government at home, and with our key allies abroad, remains key to developing sustainable and lasting responses to the many and complex challenges that Ireland is facing.
103. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department approved the overflight of a US Air Force flight (details supplied); to explain how such an aircraft complied with Government prohibitions against the carrying of weapons, munitions, and so on, given that no such aircraft leaves the United States unless it is on a military operation or training exercise; and to outline what precautions are taken to ensure contraventions do not take place. [54888/23]
View answerUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, with full respect for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
The provision of diplomatic clearance to land in, or overfly, the State is subject to strict conditions, namely, that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
While the overflight in question was not originally scheduled to enter Irish airspace, it was required to do so mid-flight for reasons of air traffic safety.
With respect to this overflight, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military overflights were followed in full and that all the above conditions were fully met.
104. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of vacant and derelict properties and sites that are owned by his Department; his plans to bring each of these properties and sites into use; where no plans are in place, the reasons why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55046/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not own any properties in this jurisdiction.
