Written Answers Nos. 1-20
1. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for each year since 2018; to provide a breakdown of the country of origin of these visitors and the estimated revenue generated by each category of visitor, in tabular form. [4940/24]
View answerUp to 2020, the CSO employed two survey instruments at airports and seaports to compile statistics on overseas visitors to Ireland. These were the Country of Residence Survey (CRS) and Passenger Card Inquiry (PCI). The former differentiated air and sea passengers into outbound Irish residents and inbound foreign residents. The latter collected additional details from passengers, including the purpose of their visit and their estimated expenditure.
The number of overseas visitors in 2018 and 2019, broken down by area of residence, is presented in table 1 below. For example, table 1 shows that there were 10.6 million overseas visitors in 2018 and 10.8 million overseas visitors in 2019. More visitors came from Great Britain (3.8 million in both years) than from any other area of residence.
The estimated revenue generated by the overseas visitors in 2018 and 2019 is presented in table 2 below. The revenue is estimated by first excluding fares (air and sea) from the visitors declared trip expenditures (item (1) in the table below). The fare receipts of Irish carriers (airlines and ferry operators) are then added to the revenue (item (2) in the table below). This creates an estimate of the total tourism and travel earnings (items (1) and (2)). The total tourism and travel earnings estimated for each of the years 2018 and 2019 were €6.9 billion. Visitors from the USA & Canada contributed most to these earnings, contributing €1.7 billion each year (excluding fares).
In March 2020, survey operations at airports and seaports were suspended due to the public health restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, no data were collected on the residencies or expenditure of overseas visitors to Ireland for that period.
In 2023 the CSO resumed full-scale survey operations at airports and seaports again with a new survey methodology for collecting data on overseas visitors. Monthly data for the period June to December 2023 is available on the CSO’s website. Annual results for 2023 will be published in March 2024.
2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to provide details on Ireland’s annual drowning rate; the way this compares with other countries in Europe; and to provide a breakdown of drowning rates by county. [5178/24]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) produces statistics relating to deaths which are compiled from administrative data supplied to the organisation from the General Register Office (GRO). The narrative contained within these death certificates are analysed and utilising methodological guidelines as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), each death is assigned an underlying cause of death which is coded to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10).
The CSO publishes detailed statistics relating to the underlying cause of death (UCOD) and disseminates them through their website. The most recent annual report data is available for 2021 and is based off year of death. Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the various underlying cause of death codes which reference drowning.
|
Year |
Underlying Cause of Death |
Count |
|
2021 |
V90 Accident to watercraft causing drowning and submersion |
1 |
|
2021 |
V92 Water-transport-related drowning and submersion without accident to watercraft |
|
|
2021 |
V93 Accident on board watercraft without accident to watercraft, not causing drowning and submersion |
|
|
2021 |
W16 Diving or jumping into water causing injury other than drowning or submersion |
|
|
2021 |
W65 Drowning and submersion while in bath-tub |
|
|
2021 |
W66 Drowning and submersion following fall into bath-tub |
|
|
2021 |
W67 Drowning and submersion while in swimming-pool |
|
|
2021 |
W68 Drowning and submersion following fall into swimming-pool |
|
|
2021 |
W69 Drowning and submersion while in natural water |
5 |
|
2021 |
W70 Drowning and submersion following fall into natural water |
1 |
|
2021 |
W73 Other specified drowning and submersion |
1 |
|
2021 |
W74 Unspecified drowning and submersion |
50 |
|
2021 |
X71 Intentional self-harm by drowning and submersion |
43 |
|
2021 |
X92 Assault by drowning and submersion |
|
|
2021 |
Y21 Drowning and submersion, undetermined intent |
1 |
|
2021 |
Total |
102 |
While the CSO publishes certain underlying cause of death figures at different geographical levels, given the low number of deaths for certain manner of deaths, the figures in the Table 1 above been grouped together for confidentiality reasons so to provide a county level breakdown as shown in Table 2.
|
County |
Count |
|
Ireland |
102 |
|
Dublin |
18 |
|
Cork |
18 |
|
Galway |
8 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
|
Waterford |
7 |
|
Donegal |
6 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Louth |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
|
Clare |
3 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
Finally, Eurostat is the European statistical office who collate and centrally disseminate data at a European level. Data for 2021 is available through their website and statistics are available for deaths relating to Accidental Drowning and submersion (ICD-10 groupings W65 to W74), of which there were a total of 57 in Ireland in 2021. Table 3 below provides the actual number of deaths for these ICD-10 groupings and is amalgamated with population data to provide crude deaths of accidental drowning and submersion per 100,000 of population where data is available.
|
Region |
Count of Deaths |
Crude Rate per 100,000 |
|
European Union - 27 countries (from 2020) |
: |
|
|
European Union - 28 countries (2013-2020) |
: |
|
|
Belgium |
: |
|
|
Bulgaria |
109 |
1.6 |
|
Czechia |
138 |
1.3 |
|
Denmark |
37 |
0.6 |
|
Germany |
400 |
0.5 |
|
Estonia |
49 |
3.7 |
|
Ireland |
57 |
1.1 |
|
Greece |
355 |
3.3 |
|
Spain |
510 |
1.1 |
|
France |
673 |
1.0 |
|
Metropolitan France |
: |
|
|
Croatia |
99 |
2.5 |
|
Italy |
285 |
0.5 |
|
Cyprus |
18 |
2.0 |
|
Latvia |
117 |
6.2 |
|
Lithuania |
145 |
5.2 |
|
Luxembourg |
1 |
0.2 |
|
Hungary |
110 |
1.1 |
|
Malta |
6 |
1.2 |
|
Netherlands |
99 |
0.6 |
|
Austria |
40 |
0.4 |
|
Poland |
454 |
1.2 |
|
Portugal |
82 |
0.8 |
|
Romania |
: |
|
|
Slovenia |
29 |
1.4 |
|
Slovakia |
108 |
2.0 |
|
Finland |
115 |
2.1 |
|
Sweden |
97 |
0.9 |
|
Iceland |
: |
|
|
Liechtenstein |
0 |
0.0 |
|
Norway |
66 |
1.2 |
|
Switzerland |
45 |
0.5 |
|
United Kingdom |
: |
|
|
Serbia |
63 |
0.9 |
|
Türkiye |
: |
|
|
Note - : indicates data not available |
3. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [5250/24]
View answerAs Taoiseach, I regularly travel to participate in formal and informal meetings of the European Council, in Brussels and elsewhere. In keeping with the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy, I also place a high importance on engaging actively with fellow Heads of State and Government, both within the EU and more widely. I also use international visits to promote Ireland’s trade, culture, investment and enterprise interests, as well as to engage with Irish communities and to hear at first hand their experiences and concerns. On my visits I am usually accompanied by a small delegation, comprising senior officials/advisers and private office staff, according to the particular requirements of the programme.
Detailed information on my foreign travel, including the destination and costs, for advisers and senior officials who travel with me, are published on a monthly basis on the website of the Department of the Taoiseach under the heading Foreign Travel Reports at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/8991b0-corporate-reports/. Details of expenditure for trips is published once invoices are received and processed for payment. All necessary expenditure on official travel is in line with the Department's Travel Policy which is based on guidelines laid down by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The Department seeks at all times to ensure best value for money is sought in respect of each official trip undertaken, consistent with the requirements of official business.
I also use the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) for European travel. The MATS provides the Government and the President with an independent, flexible and effective air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. It is operated by the Department of Defence. Information on this service can be accessed: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/e8132-routinely-published-information/.
4. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5357/24]
View answerThe historical information requested by the Deputy has been set out in previous replies, the most recent of which was provided to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question 37918/22 on 12 July 2022.
Advertising expenditure in 2022 was €1,791,238 with €4,808 in 2023 and €490 to end of January 2024. The bulk of this expenditure relates to the dissemination of information related to COVID-19.
5. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5375/24]
View answerThe historical information requested by the Deputy has been set out in previous replies, the most recent of which was provided to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question 39981/22 on 26 July 2022. The Department of the Taoiseach has no expenditure on Ministerial or Departmental public relations.
The Citizens’ Assemblies, which are staffed by the Department of the Taoiseach, have engaged Q4 Public Relations since 2017, following public procurement processes, to provide media liaison and communication services. Its remit includes raising public awareness of the Assemblies' work and supporting communication and media outreach. Q4 also provide a press office service to engage with the media to respond to queries on the work of the Assemblies. €63,354.84 was incurred in 2022 while €95,765.90 was incurred in 2023. Some of the expenditure recorded in early 2023 relates to the Assemblies' work in 2022. There has been no expenditure to date in 2024.
In 2023 and January 2024, the Department paid a total of €18,765.50 to Q4 for support and advice in the development of effective public communication and community engagement strategies as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to people fleeing the war in Ukraine and people seeking international protection in Ireland.
6. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5393/24]
View answerThe historical information requested by the Deputy has been set out in previous replies, the most recent of which was provided to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question 40017/22 on 26 July 2022. There has been no further legal costs or expenditure on legal services since that time.
Separately, legal costs and services relating to independent Commissions, Tribunals and inquiries established by Government are also paid from the Department of the Taoiseach Voted expenditure. These include the Commission of Investigation into the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the NAMA Commission of Investigation, and the Moriarty Tribunal of Inquiry.
7. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5411/24]
View answerThe historical information requested by the Deputy has been set out in previous replies, the most recent of which was provided to the Deputy in reply to Parliamentary Question 40035/22 of 26 July, 2022. The Department of the Taoiseach purchases office furniture and general office equipment such as computers and IT accessories as required. Expenditure on these items was €242,064.02 in 2022, €34,617.17 in 2023 and €2,832.33 to date in 2024. The increased expenditure in 2022 was due to the purchase of IT Network infrastructure equipment.
The Department of the Taoiseach does not rent, lease or hire any office space. The properties occupied by the Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office are provided and managed by the Office of Public Works. The National Economic and Social Development Office pays a contribution to the Office of Public Works of €322,329 per annum for its office space.
From August 2020 to May 2023, the Office of Public Works managed the rental of office space for the Moriarty Tribunal and the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Commission of Investigation. Costs of €158,236.33 in 2020, €361,087.48 in 2021, €310,743.42 in 2022 and €111,156.06 in 2023 were incurred by the Office of Public Works which were recouped from the Department of the Taoiseach. There was no expenditure after June 2023.
8. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice on 26 January 2024. [4958/24]
View answer12. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made on the detailed assessment of whether there is a risk that genocide is being committed in the context of the war in Gaza as a first step towards fulfilling Ireland's duty to prevent genocide under the Genocide Convention of 1948; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5079/24]
View answer22. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has met with or received any correspondence from representatives of South Africa in regards to their case against Israel in the International Court of Justice; and if so, if he would provide details of the correspondence. [5589/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 12 and 22 together.
I welcome the decision by the International Court of Justice to order provisional measures in the South Africa v Israel case.
In particular, the Court’s order to Israel to ensure its military does not commit actions prohibited under the Genocide Convention - and takes immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza - are very significant.
The Court’s Order is legally binding. As I set out in my statement on the case, Israel must urgently implement all provisional measures set out in the Order, and the Government will be closely monitoring their implementation by Israel.
Ireland has called for humanitarian access and the protection of civilians since the very beginning of the conflict. We continue to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire; the unconditional release of all hostages; and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
I have asked my Department to conduct a detailed and rigorous legal analysis of the Genocide Convention and the provisional measures ordered by the Court, and to consult with partners – including South Africa – with a view to deciding whether Ireland should seek to intervene in this case.
I last spoke to my South African counterpart, Foreign Minister Pandor, on 19 December. While Minister Pandor did not refer to South Africa’s intention to initiate proceedings under the Genocide Convention, she expressed her strong appreciation for our principled position in relation to the conflict in Gaza. Officials in my Department have already engaged with South African Officials following the Court's Order and I expect that engagement to continue over the coming months.
Interventions by states in cases such as this one do not result in the intervening state joining one side of the dispute or the other. Rather, interventions aim to assert a legal interpretation of the issue at hand, or to protect an interest of a legal nature that may be affected by the Court’s decision.
States usually seek the Court’s permission to intervene only once the applicant, in this case South Africa, has filed its memorial, which is likely to take some months. This is what occurred in the other recent cases in respect of the Genocide Convention, including Ukraine v Russia and The Gambia v Myanmar.
In the meantime, Ireland is participating in an ongoing advisory opinion case at the ICJ related to Israeli practices and policies in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Attorney General will represent Ireland in oral hearings in this case this month.
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is also continuing to investigate serious allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in and from Gaza, in the context of a wider investigation into the situation in Palestine since 2014.
9. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the EU-Israel Association Agreement is due to be renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5050/24]
View answer13. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in working with the European Commission to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement given that Israel is in flagrant breach of its obligations under the agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5080/24]
View answer25. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when next the EU-Israel Association Agreement is due to be renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5737/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 13 and 25 together.
The legal basis for the EU’s trade relations with Israel is the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which entered into force in June 2000. Article 82 of the Agreement provides that it is concluded for an unlimited period, and therefore it does not require any renewal.
I advocate consistently for the European Union to more effectively use its leverage with Israel to positively influence the situation on the ground. I raised the EU-Israel Association Agreement expressly at the EU Foreign Affairs Council last December, and the Taoiseach also raised it at the European Council last week. However, it would seem that any move to suspend the Agreement would be unlikely to achieve the necessary consensus.
I understand and support calls for a more ambitious and consistent EU position. There are widely differing positions among EU Member States. Notwithstanding this reality, advocacy and leadership from Ireland does pay dividends. At the United Nations last December a clear majority of EU Member States voted in favour of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Only two voted against.
The EU’s unwavering commitment to the perspective of a Palestinian state on the basis of the two-State solution was made comprehensively clear to the Israeli Foreign Minister at the most recent Foreign Affairs Council of the EU.
Further, the EU’s clear position on the illegality of Israel’s settlement policy provides a robust basis for the consideration of EU sanctions against extreme Israeli settlers. Discussions are already ongoing at a working level on proposals, based on strong evidence, that enjoy very broad support. This is an area where EU leverage can be used effectively.
I will continue to advocate for policies and initiatives at EU level that are both ambitious and achievable.
10. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his efforts to ensure that international funding to UNWRA is protected and increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5051/24]
View answerIreland is a long-standing and consistent supporter of the work of UNRWA, which is vital for the welfare of over 2 million people in Gaza. The work of the Agency in providing basic services to the population has never been more important than in the current appalling circumstances.
The allegations that 12 members of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in Gaza may have been involved in the horrific attacks of 7 October must be taken seriously and accountability upheld. The UNRWA Commissioner General and the UN Secretary General have taken immediate action, terminating the contracts of a number of staff and instituting an investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services.
Ireland was one of the first States to express clear support for UNRWA's actions in response to these allegations. We have also stated that Ireland has no plans to suspend funding to UNRWA. Ireland restated this position at a special meeting of major donors in New York on 30 January, where the UN Secretary General expressed his gratitude for the public statements made by Ireland in support of UNRWA. We are encouraging other partners to maintain their support for the Agency at this critical moment.
In recent years, Ireland's annual funding for UNRWA has been in the region of €6 million. During 2023, we increased this to €8 million and, in response to the catastrophic humanitarian situation following the outbreak of conflict in October, we provided a further €10 million in core funding. We therefore provided a total of €18 million in core funding to UNRWA in 2023, our highest level ever. Our total humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian people amounted to €36 million.
The international donors which have announced suspensions of funding constitute some 70% of UNRWA’s total funding for its work with Palestinian refugees across the Occupied Palestinian Territories and in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. We are committed to continuing Ireland's support and will review our planned support for 2024 in light of developments on the ground.
11. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5064/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application raised by the Deputy, the Department has made direct contact with the applicant's representative.
14. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form [5242/24]
View answerThe Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has undertaken 31 visits overseas on official business since taking up his current role, some involving multiple destinations. The table below outlines the dates and destinations of each visit and the associated flight and hotel costs. In some cases, there are no commercial flight costs, as the Government jet was used, while in other cases there are no accommodation costs or reduced costs, because the Tánaiste was hosted by the relevant authorities.
|
Dates |
Destination(s) |
Hotel Cost |
Flight Cost |
|
09/01/2023 - 10/01/2023 |
Brussels |
€214 |
Air Corps |
|
22/01/2023 - 23/01/2023 |
Brussels |
€214 |
Air Corps |
|
07/02/2023 - 10/02/2023 |
Washington DC |
€449 |
€3,907 |
|
17/02/2023 - 20/02/2023 |
Munich and Brussels |
€784 |
Air Corps |
|
26/02/2023 - 27/02/2023 |
Geneva |
€169 |
Air Corps |
|
13/03/2023 - 20/03/2023 |
New York and Boston |
€2,809 |
€3,702 |
|
23/04/2023 - 24/04/2023 |
Luxembourg |
€230 |
€394 |
|
11/05/2023 - 13/05/2023 |
Stockholm |
€0 |
Air Corps |
|
21/05/2023 - 23/05/2023 |
Brussels |
€214 |
Air Corps |
|
15/06/2023 - 16/06/2023 |
Jersey |
€226 |
€236 |
|
18/06/2023 - 19/06/2023 |
London |
€323 |
Air Corps |
|
25/06/2023 - 26/06/2023 |
Luxembourg |
€210 |
Air Corps |
|
28/06/2023 - 29/06/2024 |
Brussels |
€399 |
€292 |
|
16/07/2023 - 21/07/2023 |
South Africa and Mozambique |
€1,061 |
€4,074 |
|
29/08/2023 - 31/08/2023 |
Toledo |
€0 |
Air Corps |
|
31/08/2023 - 03/09/2023 |
Oxford |
€287 |
Air Corps |
|
04/09/2023 - 08/09/2023 |
Israel, the oPt and Jordan |
€0 |
Air Corps |
|
16/09/2023 - 20/09/2023 |
New York |
€2,077 |
€5,479 |
|
01/10/2023 - 03/10/2023 |
Kyiv |
€182 |
Air Corps |
|
19/10/2023 - 20/10/2023 |
Cardiff |
€244 |
Air Corps |
|
22/10/2023 - 23/10/2023 |
Luxembourg |
€240 |
Air Corps |
|
05/11/2023 - 09/11/2023 |
China |
€412 |
€6,902 |
|
12/11/2023 - 14/11/2023 |
Brussels |
€214 |
€101 |
|
14/11/2023 - 16/11/2023 |
Egypt, Israel and the oPt |
€171 |
Air Corps |
|
26/11/2023 - 27/11/2023 |
Barcelona |
€0 |
Air Corps |
|
05/12/2023 - 08/12/2023 |
Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
€954 |
€4,798 |
|
10/12/2023 - 11/12/2023 |
Brussels |
€214 |
Air Corps |
|
13/12/2023 - 13/12/2023 |
London |
€0 |
Air Corps |
|
07/01/2024 - 12/01/2024 |
Mexico City and Bogotá |
€974 |
€6,474 |
|
17/01/2024 - 19/01/2024 |
Berlin |
€0 |
€168 |
|
21/01/2024 - 22/01/2024 |
Brussels |
€224 |
Air Corps |
15. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5349/24]
View answerMy Department uses traditional and online advertising primarily to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad, including passport and consular services. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of campaigns. The Department also uses traditional and online advertising to communicate to international audiences with the aim of projecting Ireland’s visibility and values abroad.
My Department uses a range of media to reach audiences including digital, print media, radio, outdoor and TV.
The amounts spent on advertising, both traditional and online, by the Department in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2024, is presented in tabular form below.
|
Year |
Total |
|
Year |
Total |
|
2013 |
43,699 |
|
2014 |
24,469 |
|
2015 |
43,121 |
|
2016 |
27,989 |
|
2017 |
213,182 |
|
2018 |
63,653 |
|
2019 |
2,511,718 |
|
2020 |
582,077 |
|
2021 |
1,464,673 |
|
2022 |
725,747 |
|
2023 |
586,308.41 |
|
2024 (to date) |
25,286.59 |
|
Total |
6,311,923 |
16. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations ; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5367/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not employ third parties to deal with public relations.
17. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5385/24]
View answerExternal legal services can be required by the Department of Foreign Affairs - at headquarters and at any of our 100 overseas Missions - for a variety of reasons, principally for advice on employment contracts and other human resources issues that can arise and for advice on rental contracts and other property-related legal issues.
The amount spent by the Department of Foreign Affairs on legal costs/ legal services in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2024, is provided below in tabular form.
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
|
2014 |
217,703 |
|
2015 |
178,033 |
|
2016 |
172,361 |
|
2017 |
188,258 |
|
2018 |
207,484 |
|
2019 |
515,067 |
|
2020 |
194,078 |
|
2021 |
343,474 |
|
2022 |
305,316 |
|
2023 |
575,307 |
|
2024 to date |
50,282 |
18. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5403/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table that follows. On office space, the Office of Public Works provides furnished office accommodation for the Department within the state. Outside of the State, my Department is responsible for the cost of leasing office premises for our diplomatic and consular offices. The cost of furniture for these premises also falls to the Department. The amounts set out below in relation to furniture include the cost of furniture for HQ, as well as for official residential accommodation and office space overseas.
|
Year |
ICT Equipment |
Office Space |
Furniture |
|
2014 |
€3,645,384 |
€11,015,829 |
€396,187 |
|
2015 |
€1,259,536 |
€11,382,898 |
€648,975 |
|
2016 |
€2,036,095 |
€12,369,272 |
€298,745 |
|
2017 |
€1,545,343 |
€12,482,478 |
€302,103 |
|
2018 |
€2,357,281 |
€12,741,898 |
€463,538 |
|
2019 |
€2,516,714 |
€14,310,119 |
€478,754 |
|
2020 |
€2,450,432 |
€14,283,134 |
€451,930 |
|
2021 |
€2,952,892 |
€15,866,643 |
€441,771 |
|
2022 |
€2,618,745 |
€16,552,791 |
€117,969 |
|
2023 |
€3,452,893 |
€16,848,080 |
€364,406 |
|
2024 (to date) |
€118,251 |
€1,157,119 |
€4,948 |
19. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to expedite a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5503/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
20. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to seek another round of tough sanctions to be applied to Iran at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. [5536/24]
View answerAt present the EU has extensive sanctions on Iran in relation to aspects of the nuclear and military sectors, and on specific persons and entities in relation to human rights violations.
There are many concerns about Iran at present, including human rights issues, the repression of dissent, Iran's nuclear activities, and Iran's association with groups which are engaged in conflict and destabilisation around the Middle East region.
Ireland, and our EU colleagues, continue to engage Iran in dialogue on these issues, I will continue to engage with my EU colleagues on how best to address these concerns. Further sanctions are not currently under consideration but Ireland and EU keeps these options under ongoing review.
