Written Answers Nos. 149-156
149. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will amend its policy to include first degree relatives on the list of evacuees that is being used to ensure their safe passage out of Gaza. [2578/24]
View answerSince the start of this crisis my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and accompanying dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave.
The Government, through our Embassies in the region, has consistently sought clearance for all Irish citizens who wish to exit Gaza to do so. We continue to advocate with the authorities in relation to a small number of citizens who have not yet been permitted to leave and we stand ready to assist other Irish citizens and accompanying dependents wishing to exit Gaza.
The authorities have made clear that the focus for facilitated departures from Gaza is for foreign and dual nationals, and immediate dependents accompanying them.
To date, 57 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to exit Gaza. Dependents have included the spouses and minor children of Irish citizens, along with dependent parents accompanying an Irish citizen, where they met the visa eligibility requirements set by the Department of Justice. Let me assure you, Deputy, that we are giving very close consideration to these matters, given the gravity of the situation in Gaza.
In line with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter, the remit of my Department is to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad. This has been our focus since the crisis began.
The population of Gaza is 2.3 million people. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and many of those living in Gaza are seeking to leave. In recent weeks, my Department has received many enquiries regarding the situation of individuals, including people with ties to Ireland or already holding a visa for Ireland.
Any decision on clearance for these individuals to leave Gaza will be made by the relevant local authorities. The issuance of visas to non-nationals wishing to enter Ireland is a matter for the Department of Justice. Holders of valid Irish visas who receive clearance to exit Gaza from the local authorities may make arrangements to travel to Ireland.
150. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3544/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3545/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further documents for the application on 22 December. Documentation was received 9 January which was incomplete, the Passport Service has requested these documents again. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.
I encourage the Deputy to advise her constituents of the advantages of using the Passport Online service which is the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective way to apply for a passport.
152. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent visit to Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3572/24]
View answerI travelled to Berlin last week, where I met with German Federal Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, Minister of State for Europe and Climate, Dr Anna Lührmann, and the Chair and Members of the Bundestag Committee on EU Affairs. I also delivered a keynote address, ‘Navigating Europe: Ireland's Voice in Shaping the Future of the EU”, at the Jacques Delors Centre in the Hertie School of Governance.
My visit comes against a background where bilateral relations between Ireland and Germany have probably never been stronger. There were thirteen Irish Ministerial visits to Germany in 2023, reflecting the importance of the bilateral relationship and the strong economic, political and cultural ties which now exist. The German Minister for European Affairs, Anna Luhrmann, also visited Dublin on 11-12 January 2024 where she met with my colleague, the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Peter Burke.
The Ireland-Germany Joint Plan of Action launched in 2018 has been central in helping to promote the strengthened bilateral relationship. Work is ongoing on a third iteration of the JPOA that will further build on that success. I am delighted that we will further deepen our relations with the establishment of a Consulate General in Munich this summer.
While in Berlin, I had the pleasure to formally launch Zeitgeist Irland 24, a season of Irish arts and culture which will take place across Germany throughout 2024. Zeitgeist Irland is a partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Culture Ireland, is supported by Tourism Ireland, and represents a strategic joint investment of more than €2.5 million to deepen Ireland’s cultural engagement with Germany as a key partner in Europe. The opening concert on 18 January showcased some of the best modern Irish talent and was the first event of a year-long programme.
My meeting with Foreign Minister Baerbock provided a valuable opportunity to discuss both the excellent state of bilateral relations as well as important issues on the EU and international agenda such as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, relations with China, EU Enlargement and Climate Policy. I also updated the Foreign Minister on developments relating to EU-UK relations.
I did of course raise with Foreign Minister Baerbock our deep concern regarding the events we are witnessing in Gaza and discussed how we can best advance towards an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian access, as well as the protection of civilians. This meeting afforded a vital opportunity to raise Ireland’s priorities with Germany to build momentum in the international community to contribute to meaningful peace efforts. We also exchanged on the EU’s response and continued our discussions on this, together with all EU Member States, at the Foreign Affairs Council on 22 January.
153. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs why there is a difference in duration in the validity of a card passport and a book passport; why both cannot run for a full ten years, which would reduce the necessity of renewal applications and the workload of the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3593/24]
View answerThe passport card was launched in October 2015 and offers Irish citizens the convenience of travel to 31 countries including the EU/EEA member states, Great Britain and Switzerland, with a credit card sized travel document.
While passport books and cards are often applied for at the same time, they are in fact separate identification documents issued with different passport numbers. Passport cards are valid for a maximum of 5 years, compared to the usual 10-year validity period for an adult passport book. The industry standard to ensure durability and security of the card recommends that the validity should be set to no more than 5 years.
The Passport Card is fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations concerning requirements for passports in card format. Over 718,000 passport cards have been issued since 2015 and users have found it to be a highly convenient travel document.
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether serious efforts can be made to ensure that those encouraging the use of human rights abuses against vulnerable men, women and children can be challenged in the international courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3688/24]
View answer160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what efforts are being made at international level to challenge the activities of international abuses of human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3695/24]
View answer161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he, through the UN and the EU, can continue to highlight abuses of human rights at various locations throughout the globe, some in warzones and some not, where vulnerable people continue to be abused, trafficked and murdered; if any efforts have been made to bring the perpetrators to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3696/24]
View answer164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community is aware of large-scale human rights abuses across the globe; if steps are being taken or proposed for the UN to get involved in such situations at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3699/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 160, 161 and 164 together.
I thank the Deputy for his questions.
Respect for human rights and the promotion of human rights is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, and Ireland contributes strongly to United Nations and European Union efforts to prevent, monitor and eliminate human rights violations and abuses.
Last year saw the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark this important milestone in the promotion and protection of human rights, Ireland made a number of pledges, centred on the further mainstreaming of Human Rights throughout Ireland’s foreign policy work, including by utilising Ireland’s mission network abroad to promote and discuss Human Rights in their work.
Our international engagement on human rights discussions enables us to reaffirm our commitment to the universality, indivisibility and interrelatedness of all human rights, to ensure accountability for human rights violations and abuses, and to work for the protection of those who are most vulnerable and marginalised.
Ireland is committed to the promotion of international peace and security and is active across the full range of human rights concerns, including at the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly, and in our work at the European Union. In these international fora, Ireland strongly promotes the rule of law and the upholding of human rights, in particular international humanitarian law and international human rights law. This has included prioritising the protection of civilians in conflict, ensuring humanitarian access to those in need of assistance, and fighting against impunity. Furthermore, during our recent term on the UN Security Council, Ireland worked to actively to mainstream human rights across all areas of the Security Council agenda and to ensure greater coherence between the Human Rights Council in Geneva and the Security Council in New York.
Human rights violations are a root cause of conflict and insecurity, while a commitment to, and respect for, human rights is critical to ensuring peaceful, equitable and just societies.
Ensuring accountability for human rights violations is a priority for Ireland. A strong international criminal justice system is central to fighting impunity. While states bear the primary responsibility to investigate the most serious international crimes, Ireland regards the International Criminal Court as the cornerstone of such a system. We are a consistent and strong supporter of the Court.
At EU level, Ireland is an active participant and contributor to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which works globally to support the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security. Human Rights issues are frequently discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland strongly supports the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which strengthens the EU’s ability to take collective action against perpetrators of human rights violations.
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the activities of Boko Haram are being or can be curtailed or restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3689/24]
View answerWe have consistently condemned the continuing violence by Boko Haram against innocent civilians.
Ireland supports the work of the EU and the UN to reduce the influence of Boko Haram and to prevent its attacks. In the Lake Chad Basin, where Boko Haram is active, Ireland is playing its part in helping to tackle the consequences of armed conflict and forced displacement. Since 2015, we have provided over €37 million in bilateral assistance for the Lake Chad region, including North-East Nigeria. This includes funding to Concern Worldwide, Goal, and Plan International Ireland, as well as to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). As a Member State, Ireland also contributes to the significant European Union development and humanitarian response in countries affected by Boko Haram violence.
Ireland is also contributing directly to peace and security efforts. Through the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the UN is working to stabilise the Lake Chad region. During Ireland's term on the Security Council we were co-penholder with Niger and subsequently Ghana on the UNOWAS file. Ireland is also a member of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin, and has observer status at the Sahel Alliance Both are forums which enable donors to coordinate support in addressing the challenges in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the activities of Al Shabaab are being restricted, curtailed or challenged with particular reference to the need to protect their victims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3690/24]
View answerIreland strongly condemns the violence against civilians perpetrated by Al-Shabaab and supports international efforts to reduce its influence and assist affected populations.
During our 2021-22 term as an elected member of the UN Security Council, Ireland worked closely on the Al-Shabaab threat in Somalia, including chairing the Somalia Sanctions Committee. Ireland particularly influenced the creation of the mandate for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which has a critical role in directly combatting Al-Shabaab. Our work aimed to bolster Somalia’s security sector and help the authorities challenge Al-Shabaab’s control of large parts of the country.
We remain engaged on Somalia, both bilaterally and through the European Union, helping shape the EU’s support for ATMIS, the Somalia security sector, and the operation of relevant EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions. The EU is the main long-term partner of Somalia with significant assistance, amounting to over €4.3 billion since 2009, including €2.5 billion to support ATMIS and its predecessor Mission, and, more recently, the Somali National Army.
Since 2018, Ireland has provided over €40 million in direct humanitarian funding to Somalia, including over €6 million in 2023. This assistance is channelled primarily through UN partners and Irish non-governmental organisations on the ground. Ireland also supports development partners working to bolster community resilience and promote peace and stability, amounting to over €7.4 million since 2018. Over the next three years, Ireland has committed to provide €15 million to a new programme to address child wasting in the Horn of Africa, with a particular focus on the borderlands of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.
