Tuesday, 27 Feb 2024

Written Answers Nos. 51-69

Forbairt na Gaeilge

Questions (51)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

51. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den an Taoisigh cé líon na gcainteoirí laethúla Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht ar cainteoirí iad atá idir 3 bliana agus 4 bliana d’aois de réir Daonáireamh 2022. [9043/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

I nDaonáireamh 2022, cuireadh na roghanna seo a leanas ar fáil do fhreagróirí a thug le fios i gCeist 13 gur labhair siad Gaeilge le chomh minic is a labhair siad Gaeilge a chur in iúl.

1	Go laethúil, taobh istigh den chóras oideachais
2	Go laethúil, taobh amuigh den chóras oideachais
3	Go seachtainiúil
4	Ní chomh minic sin
5	Ní labhraím riamh í

Ba cheart a thabhairt ar aird go bhfuil seans ann freisin gur labhair daoine i gcatagóirí 2 go 5 Gaeilge laistigh den chóras oideachais.

Léirítear sa tábla thíos daoine atá 3 nó 4 bliana d’aois i gCeantair Ghaeltachta a chuir in iúl go raibh siad in ann Gaeilge a labhairt tráth an daonáirimh.

-	Daoine atá 3 nó 4 bliana d’aois i gceantair Ghaeltachta de réir chomh minic is a labhraítear Gaeilge (uimhir), 2022
An líon daoine ar fad a chuir in iúl gur labhair siad Gaeilge	1,052
An líon daoine a labhraíonn Gaeilge taobh istigh den chóras oideachais amháin	513
An líon daoine a labhraíonn Gaeilge go laethúil	387
An líon daoine a labhraíonn Gaeilge go seachtainiúil	72
An líon daoine nach labhraíonn Gaeilge chomh minic sin	52
An líon daoine nach labhraíonn Gaeilge riamh taobh amuigh den chóras oideachais amháin	1
Níl luaite	27

Information and Communications Technology

Questions (52)

Michael Collins

Question:

52. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Taoiseach if the electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB) website uses a third-party assistive technology software tool (details supplied), and when an issue will be rectified. [8436/24]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Office of the Attorney General has identified a need to significantly improve accessibility of the eISB to meet current international standards. In that context, the tool to which the Deputy refers has been removed as part of an overall redesign of the website, currently under way, to bring it up to the highest international standards of accessibility and which is expected to be completed in phases over the course of this year.

Data Centres

Questions (53)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

53. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Taoiseach the location of the data centre or centres used by his Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from his Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under his Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9384/24]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

In common with other Government Departments, the Department of the Taoiseach has in place comprehensive arrangements to support Data security. Data is stored predominantly on Government Networks.

The Department of the Taoiseach receives regular advice on these matters from the relevant authorities, including the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the National Cyber Security Centre. It is not the practice, for sound operational and security reasons, to disclose the detail of these arrangements.

The Department of the Taoiseach continues to leverage technologies available from cloud service providers in line with the stated advice of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer.

The same approach applies to the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.

The Department of the Taoiseach has a Business Continuity Plan, which is kept under review, and storage facilities based in other Government Departments are used for this purpose.

Neither this Department nor NESDO currently provide digital services directly to the public and therefore are less reliant on data centres. See: www.whatever.ie

Foreign Policy

Questions (54, 57, 59)

Chris Andrews

Question:

54. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if officials from his Department met with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) in February 2024 to discuss the ongoing political situation for the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara; if so, the content of these discussions; and if his Department remains committed to continuing to engage constructively with the organisation. [8689/24]

Patrick Costello

Question:

57. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what actions Irish diplomatic representatives in Morocco have taken to support the United Nations process and support efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement with regard to Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/24]

Patrick Costello

Question:

59. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will upgrade the diplomatic status of Western Sahara and, if he will establish an Irish diplomatic presence in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8927/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 57 and 59 together.

On 14 February, officials from my Department met with visiting representatives of the Polisario Front to discuss the ongoing political situation in Western Sahara. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues including the return to armed conflict in the region, engagement with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the peace process, and human rights issues, including within Sahrawi refugee camps. The delegation raised the ongoing case at the European Court of Justice on the EU-Morocco Fisheries agreement.

Ireland’s longstanding position on Western Sahara is one of full support for MINURSO, the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. Including through our Embassy in Rabat, Ireland pursues constructive engagement and supports initiatives by the UN, such as the visit of UN Special Advisor Staffan de Mistura to the region in September 2023. The Embassy is also accredited to Tunisia and Mauritania, which allows engagement with both countries in relation to the issue. Mauritania is one of the four parties named in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on Western Sahara, including most recently Resolution 2703 adopted on 30 October 2023. 

As I have previously stated, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. Our long-standing policy is to support the UN Security Council Resolutions on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. 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.

Military Aircraft

Questions (55)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

55. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken to ensure that neither of two US military aircraft (details supplied) were on intelligence gathering missions, in contravention of Irish Government prohibitions, on 11, 12 and 15 February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8768/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the state is subject to strict conditions, under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952.

This includes stipulations 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 the United States and other international partners, and is conducted in compliance with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.

The flights in question were deemed to be in accordance with these stringent conditions that my Department demands and I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military landings were followed in full.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (56)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

56. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to applications for foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on said applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8804/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the FBR applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport office requested further supporting documents for one of the applicants on 23 January 2024. Further documents were subsequently received on 09 February 2024 and are currently being processed.  As all 3 applications are linked, they cannot proceed to approval until all required supporting documents have been received and processed by the Passport Service.

Question No. 57 answered with Question No. 54.

Middle East

Questions (58, 63, 64, 65)

Paul Murphy

Question:

58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of an offer by a group (details supplied) which has a team of over 20 highly qualified specialist doctors, licensed and experienced in various medical fields in Dublin, ready to volunteer their services in Gaza; if he has considered this offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8926/24]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Irish medical volunteers might be able to offer their services in Gaza, or to communities of individuals displaced from Gaza, for example in Rafah, Egypt, in light of the worsening humanitarian and health crisis unfolding in Gaza; the steps his Department will take to assist individuals or groups who contact them expressing an intention to do so; what contact points in the Department are suitable for such individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9268/24]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position regarding the provision of emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza and the surrounding region (details supplied); if this includes the potential for direct deployment of Irish medical professionals; if this further includes the potential for deploying a humanitarian response that is not initiated through the DG ECHO platform; if this includes assisting and facilitating Irish medical professionals seeking to volunteer in Gaza or the surrounding region; his views on how the HSE Global Health Programme might support the amelioration of the humanitarian and health crisis in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9269/24]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the person or body that can make a formal request for assistance on the DG ECHO platform; how they would go about it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9270/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 63 to 65, inclusive, together.

Ireland has provided a total of €56 million in support for the Palestinian people since the beginning of 2023. Of this, €40 million has been provided in humanitarian assistance in response to the suffering caused by the conflict in Gaza since last October. This includes €20 million which we are providing in immediate core funding for 2024 for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is mandated to provide life-saving essential services for 5.7 million Palestine refugees. Last year, we provided €18 million to UNRWA.

Other partners we have been supporting include the UN OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Fund, the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Each of these agencies plays a critical role in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza in extraordinarily difficult circumstances.

Since the start of the conflict, a number of organisations and individuals have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs to request information or offer assistance in relation to humanitarian assistance in Gaza. The Department currently advises against all travel to the occupied Palestinian territory, with the exception of East Jerusalem, where we advise against all but essential travel. Ireland does not currently maintain military or civilian Emergency Medical Teams for international deployment.

Movement of supplies, equipment and personnel into Gaza continues to be severely constrained. The WHO has established a coordination cell in Cairo for emergency medical teams, which operate, where possible, in Gaza, in extremely dangerous conditions.

The HSE Global Health Programme works internationally with low and middle income countries to strengthen health systems, improve the health of populations and improve health inequalities. Irish Aid funds the Programme to work in partnership with the Governments of Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia. However, it is not designed or structured to respond to sudden onset health or humanitarian crises.

The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is the single co-ordination hub under the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), facilitating a coherent European response during emergencies. In relation to in-kind humanitarian assistance, the ERCC assumes a supporting role, coordinating voluntary contributions from countries participating in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). All EU Member States contribute to the UCPM, and it is used for Government to Government donations of assistance.

Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 54.

Diplomatic Representation

Questions (60)

Patrick Costello

Question:

60. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will establish an embassy in Algeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8928/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I refer the Deputy to the reply to PQ896/24. The situation remains as outlined in that PQ.

Northern Ireland

Questions (61)

Michael Ring

Question:

61. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the projects that will receive funding in Northern Ireland over the next six years (details supplied); the departments or agencies in Northern Ireland with which these projects have been discussed, negotiated and agreed; the level of matching funding that will be paid and by whom; the Departments that will have their allocations deducted to meet these payments; and if he will make a detailed statement on this important expenditure of taxpayers' money. [9171/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I was pleased to announce last week new Government funding commitments of over €800 million for projects which will have a major impact across the island.  This is the largest ever package of Government funding for cross-border investments, and is in addition to the near €250 million already allocated from the Shared Island Fund for more than 15 major projects and programmes since 2020.

The Government committed €600 million to the long-awaited upgrading of the A5 North-West transport corridor, and is advancing work on linked road projects including the N2 Clontibret and Donegal TEN-T upgrades in 2024.

The Government also agreed to channel funding through the Shared Island Fund to a host of other projects, including:

• to build the landmark Narrow Water Bridge connecting the Cooley Peninsula in Louth to the Mourne Mountains in Down, and complete the scenic Carlingford Greenway, boosting tourism and transport links in the east border region;

• €50 million to a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast, creating a high-quality sports stadium which can also host matches as part of the Euro 2028 tournament;

• €12.5 million for a new hourly-frequency rail service between Belfast and Dublin;

• Investing €10 million in a renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site to reflect its unique historic significance to communities North and South;

• Working with the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland on how the heritage and tourism value of its three sites at Dunsink, Armagh, and Birr can be harnessed;

• Developing pilot cooperation schemes by enterprise agencies (up to €30 million) and on education (up to €24 million).

These investment priorities and commitments will be delivered in cooperation with the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government partners in 2024 and subsequent years.

Government allocations from the Shared Island Fund are already moving forward on a range of projects and programmes that deliver on Shared Island commitments and objectives in the Programme for Government and the revised National Development Plan.

The Government’s Shared Island Fund was established in Budget 2021 and provides additional ring-fenced capital resourcing for delivery of all-island investment commitments and objectives set out in the Programme for Government and the revised National Development Plan 2021-30 (NDP). Funding will be disbursed to Departments and Agencies in line with the Programme for Government priorities and on the basis of collaborative North/South projects. As projects progress towards delivery, disbursement from the Fund will proceed in accordance with established Public Financial Management procedures.

When I established the Shared Island Initiative in 2020, I was clear that it needed to be a whole-of-Government priority. Every Department across Government will be supported in continuing to drive forward new and innovative Shared Island projects, including those set out in last week’s announcement.

Passport Services

Questions (62)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

62. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated cost of reducing the passport fee to €60 for applicants aged over 80 years, based on 2023 figures. [9251/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

In 2023 the Passport Service received 11,272 applications from applicants aged 80 years or older. Of these, 10,062 were online applications and 1,210 were Post Passport paper applications, with an approximate total revenue of €851,000. Based on 2023 figures, a reduction in fees would lead to a reduction in revenue of approximately €175,000.

Passport fees were last updated in June 2019 and set out in Statutory Instrument No. 259/2019 - Diplomatic and Consular Fees. At that time the fee for adult passports applied for through the Passport Online service were reduced from €80 to €75. Passports applied for through postal service providers remained at €80. 

A reduced fee is also applied on applications for passports for minors in recognition of the fact that a minor’s passport is valid for only five years. Most adult passports will be issued for a period of ten years.

I am satisfied that, at a cost of €75 for an online application, which breaks down to €7.50 per year, the Irish passport fee compares favourably with the services offered elsewhere.

Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 58.

Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 58.

Question No. 65 answered with Question No. 58.

Northern Ireland

Questions (66)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

66. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what interim measures and-or injunctions are available through the European Court of Human Rights to stop the British Government halting the inquests or investigations into legacy issues in the North of Ireland; and if he sought to use any interim measures or injunctions to do so. [9293/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

On 17 January 2024 the Government initiated an inter-state case against the Government of the United Kingdom, under Article 33 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

In its application to the Court the Government has sought a declaration that the relevant provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Convention.

Interim measures may be granted by the European Court of Human Rights under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court. Interim measures are granted on an exceptional basis, in a limited number of areas, where there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm to the applicant.

Generally, requests for interim measures are made by applicants who claim that their extradition or removal would expose them to a real risk of serious and irreversible harm, in violation of Article 2 (right to life) and/or Article 3 (prohibition of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Government has not requested that the Court indicate interim measures in this case at this time. While it is open to the Court to grant interim measures in an inter-state case, such measures have previously been ordered in cases involving active armed conflicts, generally with a view to protecting civilians.

Following careful consideration of advice received from the Attorney General, the Government considers that a declaration that the United Kingdom has violated the Convention is the appropriate remedy in this inter-state case, in order to secure effective, independent, and timely investigations into deaths or serious injuries which occurred during the Troubles.

Northern Ireland

Questions (67)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

67. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of the submission the Government has submitted to the European Court of Human Rights in its case against the British Government over the legacy Act. [9294/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

On 17 January 2024 the Government initiated an inter-state case against the Government of the United Kingdom, under Article 33 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Government’s application, like all documents deposited by the parties with the Registry of the Court, is accessible to the public in accordance with arrangements determined by the Registrar, unless the President decides otherwise (under Article 40(2) of the Convention, and the relevant Rules of Court).  In this light, and as the next steps belong for the Court,I have decided not to make copies of the application available from my office.  As I have said elsewhere, and as the issues concerned touch on the hurt of so many families, I do not wish to litigate this matter in public. 

I appreciate and welcome the Deputy's interest and the following is an outline of our key concerns. 

In its application, the Government submits that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Convention, including Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment), Article 6 (the right of access to a court), and Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination).

The Government contends, in particular, that the provisions of the Act concerning immunity from prosecution create an amnesty for Troubles-related offences, including intentional killing contrary to Article 2, and cruel and inhuman or degrading treatment contrary to Article 3 of the Convention.

The Government further considers that the prohibition of the continuation of current mechanisms for information recovery with respect to Troubles-related offences, and the replacement of those mechanisms with a review by the newly established Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, gives rise to violations of Article 2 (right to life), Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment), and Article 13 (right to an effective remedy) of the Convention.

Lastly, the Government submits that the prohibition of both the initiation of new Troubles-related civil actions before the courts and the continuation of civil actions not commenced before 17 May 2022, is contrary to Article 6 (right of access to a court), whether read alone or taken in conjunction with Article 14 of the Convention (prohibition of discrimination).

Data Centres

Questions (69)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

69. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the location of the data centre or centres used by his Department; the reason it was chosen; the distance it is from his Department’s offices; if he will identify the centres used by each agency under his Department’s aegis; and the distance these data centres are to their offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9385/24]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department uses a number of data centres. As the Deputy will appreciate, for national security reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose details. There are no agencies under my Department's aegis.