Written Answers Nos. 3-24
3. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis, and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €200,000 and above in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will provide the amount of same, body, name and year. [11023/24]
View answerAll lump sum payments to civil servants retiring from the Department of the Taoiseach are paid from Vote 12 Superannuation and Retired Allowances overseen by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform subject to normal eligibility requirements.
No discretionary exit payments have been made to staff in the Department or the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), which is the only body under the aegis of the Department. In 2019, an ex-gratia payment of €50,000 was made to a former employee of that body under a legal settlement which was sanctioned by the Department of Finance and disclosed in the 2019 Financial Statement of NESDO which is published on NESC.ie as part of their Annual Report.
Ministerial personal staff employed on temporary contracts are entitled to severance/ex-gratia payments, including statutory redundancy, when such contracts are terminated, which is mainly following a change of Government. The severance terms are set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and are based on salary, aligned to civil service pay scales, and years’ service. All such severance/ex-gratia payments under these terms are calculated and paid out by the National Shared Services Office and set out each year in the Department’s Appropriation Account and published by the Comptroller and Auditor General - details set out in the table below. Details for the 2023 appropriation account are currently being finalised.
|
Year |
Total amount |
No. of people |
|
2016 |
€76,522 |
3 |
|
2017 |
€445,188 |
10 |
|
2018 |
€230,674 |
2 |
|
2019 |
€29,829 |
1 |
|
2020 |
€322,991 |
11 |
|
2021 |
€195,378 |
3 |
|
2022 |
€29,829 |
1 |
4. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach to list all staff/management exit packages for staff/management in their Departments that they sanctioned since 2016 (details supplied). [11168/24]
View answerAll lump sum payments to civil servants retiring from the Department of the Taoiseach are paid from Vote 12 Superannuation and Retired Allowances overseen by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform subject to normal eligibility requirements. No discretionary exit payments have been made to staff in the Department.
Ministerial personal staff employed on temporary contracts are entitled to severance/ex-gratia payments, including statutory redundancy, when such contracts are terminated, which is mainly following a change of Government. The severance terms are set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and are based on salary, aligned to civil service pay scales, and years’ service. All such severance/ex-gratia payments under these terms are calculated and paid out by the National Shared Services Office and set out each year in the Department’s Appropriation Account and published by the Comptroller and Auditor General - details set out in the table below. Details for the 2023 Appropriation Account are currently being finalised.
|
Year |
Total amount |
No. of people |
|
2016 |
€76,522 |
3 |
|
2017 |
€445,188 |
10 |
|
2018 |
€230,674 |
2 |
|
2019 |
€29,829 |
1 |
|
2020 |
€322,991 |
11 |
|
2021 |
€195,378 |
3 |
|
2022 |
€29,829 |
1 |
5. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will consider cooperating with other states in conducting air drops of food and other aid into Gaza. [10839/24]
View answerThe Government is extremely concerned about the appalling suffering of the people of Gaza. We continue to focus diplomatic engagement on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and a sustained scale up in humanitarian access.
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 supported 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.
Through Ireland’s Rapid Response Initiative we have provided 50 tonnes of relief supplies, including 500 family tents and 3000 tarpaulins from Irish Aid emergency stocks for distribution in Gaza. These were distributed to 1,500 families in Gaza, in partnership with Trócaire and Catholic Relief Services. In addition, Ireland has provided three pallets of medical blood bags through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) in response to a request from the Egyptian health authorities,
Ireland is open to considering the option of airdrops of humanitarian assistance and this is among several issues that have been raised in recent contacts at political and official level between Ireland and Jordan.
However, such initiatives must not distract from the urgent need to dramatically scale up the level of humanitarian assistance entering Gaza by land. This is the priority of humanitarian actors on the ground and must remain our primary focus.
6. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the joint Irish-Spanish diplomatic initiative demanding a review of how Israel is fulfilling its human-rights obligations in its conduct in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10920/24]
View answer7. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he and his Government are satisfied that Israel is fulfilling its obligations in the matter of respect for human rights and democratic principles enshrined in Article Two of the EU-Israel Trade agreement; if it is not, what actions it is taking and demanding at the highest executive level of the EU in such regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10921/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission on 15 February calling for an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
As set out in the letter, the Government is deeply concerned at the deteriorating situation in Gaza. We expect the review to be carried out in an expedited manner and proposals to be presented to the Council rapidly. I raised the matter at the February meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, and asked that this review be carried out as a matter of urgency. It should result in a credible and robust assessment of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations.
Without prejudging the outcome, if Israel is not in compliance, concrete measures should be proposed by the EU institutions to Council, for consideration and decision.
8. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what actions he intends to take at the EU and other relevant international fora, on the so-called Flour Massacre where the IDF fired on starving Palestinians, killing 104 and wounding 760 (at time of questioning) such actions in clear breach of the ICJ directive to ‘not kill members of the group’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/24]
View answerI am appalled by the horrible deaths of Palestinians queueing for aid in Gaza city last week.
I join the calls by High Representative Borrell and Secretary General Antonio Guterres, among others, for a credible and impartial investigation to establish the facts. Those responsible must to be held to account.
International humanitarian law is unambiguous on this point; Israel must protect civilians and ensure basic services.The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is man-made and is completely unacceptable. Civilians in Gaza urgently need the fighting to stop and a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid. There is a high risk of imminent conflict-induced famine.
The International Criminal Court is actively investigating the situation in Palestine, including possible war crimes or crimes against humanity carried out by any of the parties to the conflict on the territory of Palestine. Ireland fully supports this investigation and has committed additional voluntary funding to the ICC of €3 million to assist its work across all situations, including in relation to Palestine.
We continue to focus diplomatic engagement on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and a sustained scale up in humanitarian assistance.
9. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he and his Department are satisfied that Israel qualifies as suitable and appropriate as a trading partner for Ireland and the EU given its actions in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank; if he does not, what actions he is currently taking and/or intends to take to address that situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10923/24]
View answerIsrael’s action in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are of serious concern for Ireland. Ireland has repeatedly called for an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and respect for international law, including international humanitarian law.
The Taoiseach and Spanish Prime Minister have written to Commission President von der Leyen expressing deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Gaza, and calling for an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
If it believes Israel is in breach, we have requested that the Commission propose measures that the Council might adopt. Human rights obligations are essential elements of agreements such as the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We are looking forward to the Commission’s response, and my officials are actively pursuing the matter in Brussels. We expect an update on progress by, or before, the European Council in March.
10. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether Ireland will impose economic sanctions on Israel; if it will not, to outline why not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10924/24]
View answerIreland had advocated strongly at EU level agreement at EU level on sanctions against violent settlers in the West Bank who are attacking and displacing Palestinian communities. This is a matter that I have raised with my European counterparts at successive meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council.
During the Council’s meeting in February, 26 Member States indicated that they are ready to move ahead with sanctions on this issue. The United States has adopted sanctions, as have the United Kingdom and France. Ireland's view is that the European Union must also act against those who attack and displace Palestinian communities.
While Ireland continues to press to agree sanctions at EU level, officials are also examining options to work in concert with a group of EU Member States to implement certain measures at a national level, specifically travel bans. However, comprehensive sanctions, including for instance freezing the assets of individuals and entities, requires a unanimous decision by all 27 Member States and Ireland will continue to advocate for unanimity in moving forward on this.
11. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the attendance of the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10941/24]
View answerThe Minister of State for European Affairs delivered Ireland’s national address to the High-Level Segment of the annual Conference on Disarmament, chaired by Indonesia, in Geneva on 27 February.
Ireland will continue to champion progress on disarmament, including our priorities of accountability, gender and humanitarian consequences, through the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s review process concluding in 2026. In his address to the Conference, Minister Burke called on all States Parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty to honour their obligations and commitments. Minister Burke also set out Ireland’s position that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is fully consistent with and complementary to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
In Minister Burke’s address, Ireland also unequivocally condemned Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, increased reliance on nuclear threats and rhetoric, and de-ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Ireland called on Russia to resume full implementation of New START and adhere to its international obligations. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency to address nuclear safety and security risks arising from Russia’s illegal seizure and occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Minister Burke also set out Ireland’s position on the situation in Gaza.
Ireland regrets the deepening political stalemate at the Conference that has led to its work being increasingly procedural. Ireland is committed to the mandate of the Conference as a forum to make substantive progress on our collective commitment to disarmament and achieving a safer and more secure world, including during Ireland’s Presidency in June – August 2024.
12. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of reports regarding European states considering the direct deployment of personnel to Ukraine; if this has been discussed at a European level and his response to such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10962/24]
View answerPresident Macron recently hosted a number of European leaders, including the Taoiseach, and a number of international partners at an informal meeting in Paris to consider the current situation in Ukraine. I understand that a broad range of ideas were discussed, including possible additional military support to Ukraine to assist the country in its efforts to defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion.
Ahead of this month’s meeting of EU foreign ministers, the EU’s focus in respect of military support to Ukraine is centred on agreeing the modalities for the proposed Ukraine Assistance Fund, within the wider framework of the European Peace Facility (EPF). Once agreed, it is envisaged that this new Fund will help to ensure sustainable and predictable military support for Ukraine for the period ahead.
Ireland's assistance, as provided through the Ukraine Assistance Fund and the EPF, will continue to consist of non-lethal military support, in line with the commitments in the Programme for Government. Support through the Ukraine Assistance Fund does not involve the deployment of EU military personnel to Ukraine and there have been no proposals made, or discussions at EU level, to do so.
A further pillar of the EU’s existing support is the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, EUMAM Ukraine, which was established in October 2022. The Mission provides specialist training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and coordinates existing Member State training activities. All such training is delivered within the European Union and not on Ukrainian territory.
In Ireland’s case, the Defence Forces have already delivered a number of training modules, including in demining and combat casualty care, together with EU Member State partners. There are no plans to deploy members of the Defence Forces to Ukraine, in any capacity.
13. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 which would extend voting rights in presidential elections to Irish citizens not resident in the State. [10963/24]
View answerIn accordance with this commitment, in July 2020, the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill 2019 was reintroduced to the Order Paper of the 33rd Dáil, having lapsed with the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil. The Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
The date for the holding of the referendum can be decided once the legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas, with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage then making an order setting the day upon which a referendum will take place.
Once the legislation has been approved by the Dáil and Seanad, the timetable for the referendum would begin and the referendum would have to take place between 30 and 90 days after the passage of the legislation.
14. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 3 of 25 January 2024, if he accepts that it is permissible for a State to seek permission to intervene prior to an applicant having filed their memorial, per paragraph 63 of the order of the International Court of Justice of June 2023 in the case of Ukraine v Russian Federation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10964/24]
View answerAs noted by the Deputy in his question, in its Order of 5 June 2023 in the case Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) the International Court of Justice commented on the right of intervention by states at the different stages of Court proceedings. Specifically, the Court explained that states may intervene ‘at the preliminary objections stage of the proceedings in respect of provisions that have a bearing on the question of the jurisdiction of the Court.’
These comments clarify that intervention by states need not be limited to the merits stage of a case, but could also be concerned with questions of jurisdiction and admissibility which are dealt with in the preliminary objections stage. In the Ukraine v. Russia case, the declarations of intervention made by Ireland and thirty-two other states were filed after Ukraine, as the applicant state, had submitted its memorial. The declarations of intervention principally concerned the interpretation of Article IX of the Genocide Convention, which confers jurisdiction on the Court, a matter dealt with by the Court in the preliminary objections stage of proceedings.
As I stated in response to the Deputy in January, normally if a third state wishes to intervene in a contentious case before the International Court of Justice it does so only once the applicant state has filed its memorial.
The reason for awaiting the filing of the applicant state's memorial is to enable third states to make informed decisions on whether to intervene, based on as complete as possible an understanding of the matters in question before the Court. This allows a state considering intervention the time to undertake detailed and rigorous analysis of those matters in advance of intervention. In turn, this means that any intervention is more likely to be permitted by the Court, or be deemed admissible by it (depending on the intervention’s legal basis). It also means that interventions are more likely to be relevant, comprehensive and helpful to the Court in its consideration of the legal issues before it.
While the Court’s own Rules are silent on the question of how soon a state may seek to intervene in a case before it, no state has ever successfully sought to intervene in a case before the applicant state has filed its memorial.
15. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 12 December 2023, if his Department assists other Departments, State agencies or private individuals with regard to similar campaigns to secure appointment or election to international bodies; the detail in relation to any thereof in the years 2013 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10965/24]
View answerIreland's active participation in various international bodies and organisations involves the appointment from time to time of Irish officials to their ranks. These appointments serve to enhance Ireland’s profile and standing on the global stage.
In the ten years since December 2013, officials of my Department have assisted in the campaigns of other Government Departments or on occasion of individuals seeking the appointment or election of nominees to international organisations or bodies. These campaigns are set out in the table below.
|
Departments, State agencies or private individuals assisted by DFA |
International organisation |
Position |
Name |
Year |
|
Michael O’Flaherty |
Council of Europe |
Commissioner for Human Rights |
Michael O’Flaherty |
2023-2024 |
|
Department of Education |
European Schools |
Secretary General |
Brian Goggins |
2021 |
|
Department of Health |
European Medicines Agency |
Executive Director |
Emer Cooke |
2020 |
16. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department played any role in the failed bid to have the EU anti-money laundering authority located in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10966/24]
View answerOn 22 February the Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached an agreement to locate the seat of the future authority for anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing (AMLA) in Frankfurt.
Since the Government’s declaration of our bid, led by my colleague the Minister for Finance, Mr Michael McGrath, TD, to host AMLA, officials in my Department have worked intensively to promote Ireland as the location of choice for AMLA.
Officials in my Department collaborated with their colleagues in the Department of Finance to co-ordinate Ireland’s offers to host AMLA. During the process of building support for our AMLA bid, we engaged with all Member States and the European Parliament. This included a number of Ministerial visits to capitals, including by Minister of State Carroll MacNeill, which were supported by our Embassy network, which also provided extensively reporting and analysis on the progress of the AMLA campaign. I, along with other Ministers and officials, also met with counterparts on the margins of EU meetings, to promote Ireland’s bid.
Minister for Finance, Mr Michael McGrath TD and Minister of State, Ms Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD represented Ireland at the joint hearings, between the European Parliament and Council, which took place in Brussels on 30 January supported by Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the EU and other senior officials.
Ireland’s bid to host AMLA was regarded by other Member States, the EU Commission and the European Parliament as strong. This was a highly competitive process. We were disappointed. However, our strong performance in the process and our engagement has enhanced Ireland’s reputation in the EU and it has helped strengthen our ties and relationships across a range of Member States
17. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has sought or assisted other departments or State agencies regarding competing or tendering for the locating of offices of international bodies or agencies in Ireland in the years 2013 to date; the detail thereof, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10967/24]
View answerIreland has a long and positive history of active participation in various international bodies and organisations.
Decisions on the location of the offices of such bodies and organisations are a matter for the governing structures of such organisations.
Campaigns to encourage international bodies to locate their offices in Ireland have taken place when it has been considered appropriate to do so. Details on such campaigns since 2013, together with the Department, State Agency or Government Body that officials of my Department assisted, are set out below.
|
Lead Department |
International body or Agency |
Year |
|
Department of Finance |
EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) |
2024 |
|
Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government |
European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting |
2020 |
|
Department of Finance |
European Banking Authority |
2017 |
|
Department of Health |
European Medicines Agency |
2017 |
18. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his efforts to secure an interim agreement approaching the level of comprehensive trade agreement between the European Union and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10974/24]
View answerDuring a Foreign Affairs Council in January 2023, the EU made a commitment to set up annual high-level dialogue between the EU and the Palestinian Authority. This announcement followed a lunchtime exchange with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, and Palestinian Foreign Minister, Dr Riad Malki.
The overriding goal of such a dialogue would be to deepen bilateral relations between the EU and the Palestinian Authority, which are guided by a number of frameworks, including the EU-Palestine Action Plan under the European Neighborhood Policy. The dialogue would provide a high-level forum for political exchange and will also lend greater visibility to the role of the EU as the lead development and humanitarian partner, working to improve the lives of all Palestinians and promoting shared human values.
Ireland wishes to see the launch of negotiations on a full Association Agreement between the EU and the Palestinians, which would formally be concluded upon Palestinian statehood. However, our over arching priority in the immediate term is to advocate for a more robust EU position on an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for a massive and sustained increase in humanitarian aid and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, as well as a support for a comprehensive political track towards Palestinian statehood.
19. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 25 January 2024, if his Department has advised against or expressed reservations in relation to the granting of dual use export licence in relation to exports to Israel in the period 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10975/24]
View answerThe Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for exports of dual-use goods, and administers these controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.
The Department of Foreign Affairs does not advise the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regards to the licence application outcome. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs reviews all dual-use export license applications received from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment , against the eight assessment criteria set out in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP – criteria two of which is “Respect for human rights in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law”.
Accordingly, the Department of Foreign Affairs raises relevant human rights considerations and any other reservations in respect of all export license applications received from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, including those concerning dual-use exports to Israel. This process is applicable and inclusive of the time period cited in the PQ: "the period 2020 to date".
20. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to clarify the number of redundancies, or so called ‘exit-packages’, that have been paid to staff or personnel at any level of seniority in his Department, or in any agency or body under the aegis of his Department, from 2018 to date; the value of each and the total value, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10986/24]
View answerAttached below, in tabular form, is the information requested in respect of employees of my Department. A second table is provided in respect of staff employed locally in our overseas mission network. The payments set out below were all reported in the relevant annual appropriation accounts, as is required.
There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.
Table 1:
The following staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs received severance/redundancy packages in the period in question, which were authorised in line with the relevant DPENDR guidelines. To note that there were no relevant payments in 2021, 2023 and to date in 2024.
|
Role/Grade |
Amount Paid |
Year Paid |
Reason |
|
Civilian Driver |
€25,945.22 |
2018 |
Severance awarded to civilian driver when Minister appointed as Tánaiste, and Garda drivers put in place |
|
Civilian Driver |
€25,945.22 |
2018 |
Severance awarded to civilian driver when Minister appointed as Tánaiste, and Garda drivers put in place |
|
Special Adviser |
€66,311.00 |
2019 |
Severance awarded to Special Adviser to Tánaiste. |
|
Civilian Driver |
€12,592.17 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS Diaspora & Development |
|
Civilian Driver |
€10,549.99 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS Diaspora & Development |
|
Civilian Driver |
€17,029.29 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS for Europe |
|
Special Adviser |
€19,498.99 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS for Europe |
|
Civilian Driver |
€6,723.31 |
2022 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS for Europe |
|
TOTAL |
€184,595.19 |
Table 2:
This table includes information on severance and redundancy payments made to staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs recruited locally at overseas missions. Payments were made in line with local legislation, and are divided between the Vote 27 and Vote 28 of the Department.
|
- |
Vote 27: International Cooperation |
Vote 28: Foreign Affairs |
|
2018 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
|
2019 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €28,870 paid to two locally employed staff at Embassies abroad. |
|
2020 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €28,838 paid to one locally employed staff at an Embassy abroad. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
|
2021 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
|
2022 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €4,267 paid to one locally employed staff at an Embassy abroad. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
|
2023 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil. |
|
2024 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil to date. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to Nil to date. |
|
TOTAL |
€33,105 |
€28,870 |
21. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis, and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €200,000 and above in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will provide the amount of same, body, name and year. [11015/24]
View answerNo payments of that value or above have been made by my Department in the period in question.
22. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his engagement with the current ongoing talks to ensure a ceasefire, and that unhindered humanitarian assistance is provided for the people of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11110/24]
View answerThe ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory is gravely concerning – after almost five months of relentless violence and displacement, civilians in Gaza are living in conditions that no human being should have to endure.
Ireland has called for a humanitarian ceasefire since autumn of 2023. I will continue to focus my engagements on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, as well as on the unconditional release of hostages and a sustained scale up in humanitarian assistance. I remain hopeful that ongoing intensive talks between Israel, US, Qatar and Egypt will lead to a ceasefire in the near future.
Ireland has engaged in several concrete initiatives regarding the conflict over recent weeks, which have been underpinned by our clear and principled position.
We welcomed the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, to Dublin in February. UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and in recent weeks I have consistently advocated for all partners to immediately disburse funding to UNRWA, in addition to committing Ireland to a further €20 million in core funding for the Agency.
The Taoiseach and Spanish Prime Minister last month wrote to EU Commission President von der Leyen calling for an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. We are looking forward to the Commission’s response. We are actively pursuing the matter in Brussels and we expect an update on progress by the European Council later this month.
Ultimately we need an urgent and comprehensive political track to end this brutal conflict. I am continuing intensive discussions with EU and regional partners on this issue and on how Ireland can play a useful role in this process.
23. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to list all staff/management exit packages for staff/management in their Departments that they sanctioned since 2016 (details supplied). [11160/24]
View answerSet out below, in tabular form, is the information requested in respect of civil servants employed in my Department. A second table is provided in respect of staff employed locally in our overseas mission network.
The payments set out below were all reported in the relevant annual appropriation accounts, as is required.
There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.
Table 1:
The following staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs received redundancy/severance packages in the period in question, which were authorised in line with the relevant DPENDR guidelines.
|
Role/Grade |
Amount Paid |
Year Paid |
Reason |
|
Civilian Driver |
€25,945.22 |
2018 |
Severance awarded to civilian driver when Minister appointed Tánaiste, and Garda drivers put in place |
|
Civilian Driver |
€25,945.22 |
2018 |
Severance awarded to civilian driver when Minister appointed Tánaiste, and Garda drivers put in place |
|
Special Adviser |
€66,311.00 |
2019 |
Severance awarded to Special Adviser to Tánaiste. |
|
Civilian Driver |
€12,592.17 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS Diaspora & Development |
|
Civilian Driver |
€10,549.99 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS Diaspora & Development |
|
Civilian Driver |
€17,029.29 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS for Europe |
|
Special Adviser |
€19,498.99 |
2020 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS for Europe |
|
Civilian Driver |
€6,723.31 |
2022 |
Severance awarded with change of MoS for Europe |
My Department’s records confirm that with regard to Ministerial Staff, in 2016 a total of €125,233.00 was paid to 6 people and in 2017 a total of €45,436.00 was paid to 4 people.
There were no relevant payments in 2021, 2023 and to date in 2024.
Table 2:
This table includes information on severance and redundancy payments made to staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs recruited locally at overseas missions. Payments were made in line with local legislation, and are divided between the Vote 27 and Vote 28 of the Department.
|
- |
Vote 27: International Cooperation |
Vote 28: Foreign Affairs |
|
2016 |
Nil. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €26,143 was paid to one locally employed staff at an Embassy abroad. |
|
2017 |
Nil. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €50,668 was paid to two locally employed staff at Embassies abroad. |
|
2018 |
Nil. |
Nil. |
|
2019 |
Nil. |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €28,870 was paid to two locally employed staff at Embassies abroad. |
|
2020 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €28,838 was paid to one locally employed staff at an Embassy abroad. |
Nil. |
|
2021 |
Nil. |
Nil. |
|
2022 |
Redundancy and Severance payments amounting to €4,267 was paid to one locally employed staff at an Embassy abroad. |
Nil. |
|
2023 |
Nil. |
Nil. |
|
2024 |
Nil to date. |
Nil to date. |
24. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a person (details supplied) will process on time for the travel date of 14 March; if a document used for their naturalisation application can be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11172/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service initially requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 23 January 2024. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
The Passport Service does not have access to documents submitted to the Department of Justice during the course of a naturalisation application.
I encourage the Deputy to advise 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.
