Seán Sherlock
Question:92. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Taoiseach the amount of exports to Israel in the months of February and March 2024, by value and type of export, in tabular form. [17299/24]
View answerTrade Data
Questions (92)
Written answers
The data requested by the Deputy for March 2024 is not yet available. The data for January and February 2024 is set out in the table below.
Table A : Goods exports to Israel January 2024 to February 2024
|
Exports |
Jan 2024 |
Feb 2024 |
|
Product Group |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
|
Food and live animals |
5,198 |
2,874 |
|
Beverages and tobacco |
350 |
612 |
|
Crude materials, inedible, except fuels |
60 |
9 |
|
Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials |
222 |
229 |
|
Chemicals and related products |
31,245 |
20,164 |
|
Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material |
496 |
570 |
|
Machinery and transport equipment |
24,231 |
38,503 |
|
Miscellaneous manufactured articles |
1,948 |
14,289 |
|
Commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere |
0 |
|
|
Total |
63,750 |
77,251 |
Trade Data
Questions (93)
Seán Sherlock
Question:93. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Taoiseach the amount of imports from Israel in 2023 and to date in 2024, by value and type of export, in tabular form. [17300/24]
View answerWritten answers
The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
Table A : Goods imports from Israel January - December 2023 and January - February 2024
|
Imports |
Jan-Dec 2023 |
Jan-Feb 2024 |
|
Product Group |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
|
Food and live animals |
10,509 |
1,805 |
|
Beverages and tobacco |
2 |
0 |
|
Crude materials, inedible, except fuels |
265 |
61 |
|
Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials |
10 |
6 |
|
Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes |
28 |
5 |
|
Chemicals and related products |
59,195 |
9,374 |
|
Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material |
9,325 |
1,243 |
|
Machinery and transport equipment |
3,466,077 |
593,066 |
|
Miscellaneous manufactured articles |
64,493 |
3,416 |
|
Commodities and transactions not classified elsewhere |
1 |
|
|
Total |
3,609,904 |
608,976 |
Ministerial Appointments
Questions (94)
Carol Nolan
Question:94. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the reasons for his decision to appoint two joint chiefs of staff to his office; the reason one chief of staff was not sufficient; and how decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis. [17234/24]
View answerWritten answers
In appointing my Team, I take a number of issues into consideration, including the key priorities to be delivered on in terms of the Programme for Government; engagement with coalition colleagues; the significant workload associated with the Office of the Taoiseach; the range of skills and advisory supports available to me to assist me in my role as Taoiseach; and the importance of promoting gender balance and strong female leadership.
In opting to have two joint Chiefs of Staff (as opposed to having a Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff), I am ensuring that my senior leadership team are able to engage substantively and with authority on priority issues, and I believe that this will lead to effective and timely decisions being made in support of the implementation of the Programme for Government.
The joint Chiefs of Staff arrangement also results in a lower salary cost to the Department of the Taoiseach.
Office of Director of Public Prosecutions
Questions (95)
Pa Daly
Question:95. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Taoiseach the increases that have been made to funding to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for the years 2020 to 2024. [17250/24]
View answerWritten answers
From 2020 to 2024, there has been an increase of 39% in Voted allocation for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The below table details the net Annual Funding provided for Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions 2020–2024.
|
Year |
Estimate Provision €’000s |
|
2020 |
43,968 |
|
2021 |
44,704 |
|
2022 |
51,277* |
|
2023 |
59,818** |
|
2024 |
61,279 |
* The figure for 2022 includes a Supplementary Estimate of €3.445m
** The figure for 2023 includes a Supplementary Estimate of €4.5m.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (96)
Ivana Bacik
Question:96. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach his views on the new Cabinet committee on disability; and if the Minister for Health will sit on the new committee. [17897/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability will oversee the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education, with a specific focus on child poverty and well-being, and tackling local area disadvantage.
It will also oversee the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the area of disability, with a particular focus on the forthcoming new National Disability Strategy.
Its membership shall comprise the:
Taoiseach;
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence;
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and for Transport;
Minister for Health;
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth;
Minister for Education;
Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform;
Minister for Finance;
Minister for Social Protection and for Rural and Community Development;
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and,
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Minister of State with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, and the Minister of State for Disability will be invited to participate in all of the Cabinet Committee meetings.
Other Ministers or Ministers of State will be invited to participate as required.
The first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability took place on Monday, 22nd April.
Passport Services
Questions (97)
James Lawless
Question:97. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17436/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 15 April. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
In the event of bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, the applicant should contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. Priority is given to these applications by the Passport Service.
The Customer Service Hub is available to answer applicants’ questions by phone or webchat, Monday to Friday from 9am – 4.30pm. Agents can be contacted at 01 671 1633 or via the WebChat service.
Passport Services
Questions (98)
Niamh Smyth
Question:98. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied). [17467/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
Passport Services
Questions (99)
Robert Troy
Question:99. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that a recently naturalised applicant’s birth certificate (details supplied) cannot be accepted by his Department as part of their passport application when it was accepted by the Department of Justice as part of their approved naturalisation application. [17488/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Passport Service requires the submission of a long-form birth certificate as a key supporting document in all first-time passport applications. The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 3rd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to over 190 countries.
The documentary requirements for a first-time passport application for a naturalised Irish citizen are outlined below.
• Identity verification form.
• Original Naturalisation Certificate
• Full original civil birth certificate (version that includes the name(s) of the parent(s)).
• Original Civil marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (if applying for a passport in married name).
• Proof of address such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners.
• Proof of name such as Government correspondence such as a letter from the Department of Social Protection or the Revenue Commissioners.
• Photographic identification such as PSC Card, driver's licence or passport from another country.
With regard to the application about which the Deputy has enquired, the birth cert submitted by the applicant did not include the name(s) of the parent(s) as required. The applicant has requested that her application be cancelled. The applicant is welcome to re-apply for a passport once she has the required supporting documents.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (100)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:100. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite an application for foreign birth registration from a parent who is an Irish citizen (details supplied); and provide a reason as to the delay in processing the registration. [17698/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application was registered on 22 October 2023. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (101)
Matt Carthy
Question:101. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the embassies and missions within north Africa; the ambassadors accredited to north African states whereby no mission is present in a state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17770/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is represented in North Africa by two resident Embassies, in Egypt and Morocco. The Embassy in Egypt is also accredited to Lebanon and is responsible for Syria. Ireland’s Embassy in Morocco, which opened in 2021, is also accredited to Tunisia and Mauritania.
Ireland’s Embassy in Bern, Switzerland is responsible for relations with Algeria. The Embassy of Ireland in Rome, Italy has responsibility for Libya.
There are no current plans to open additional embassies in North Africa. Any decision on the opening of a new embassy is considered by reference to Ireland’s national, political and economic priorities. Against these and other factors, the Government keeps the matter of opening further missions under active review.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (102)
Matt Carthy
Question:102. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Algeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17771/24]
View answerWritten answers
Algeria is an important partner for Ireland and the Government maintains regular communications at official level, through our respective accredited embassies, as well as via the European Union.
Ireland and Algeria are both active members of international organisations, including the United Nations. Algeria is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and is an important political actor in the region and in multilateral organisations, including the UN, African Union and Union for the Mediterranean. The relationship between the EU and Algeria falls under the EU-Algerian Association Agreement, which entered into force in 2005.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (103)
Matt Carthy
Question:103. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered opening an embassy in Algeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17772/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland and Algeria have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1 January 1974. Since 2003, Algeria has been accredited to Ireland from our Embassy in Berne, Switzerland. A resident Algerian Embassy opened in Dublin in 2020 and H.E. Mr Mohammed Belaoura presenting credentials to President Higgins on 28 October 2020.
Algeria is an important partner for Ireland. It is our third biggest market for food in Africa, after Nigeria and South Africa. Algeria is an important political actor in the region and in multilateral organisations, including the UN, African Union and Union for the Mediterranean. Algeria is currently non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The relationship between the EU and Algeria falls under the EU-Algerian Association Agreement, which entered into force in 2005.
There are no current plans to open additional embassies in North Africa. Any decision on the opening of a new embassy is considered by reference to Ireland’s national, political and economic priorities. Against these and other factors, the Government keeps the matter of opening further missions under active review.
Humanitarian Aid
Questions (104)
Matt Carthy
Question:104. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian assistance Ireland has provided to Algeria to support and assist refugees from Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17773/24]
View answerWritten answers
In recent years Ireland has not provided direct funding to Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria. However, we provide very significant core, unearmarked funding to United Nations humanitarian agencies operating in the camps including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP). This core funding gives the agencies the flexibility to plan and target funding in the most strategic, efficient and effective manner.
The Government is providing €12.5 million in core funding for 2024 to UNHCR under a multi-annual agreement. It aims to ensure predictable financing to aid UNHCR in its longer term planning. UNHCR in Algeria works with the most vulnerable refugees in Algeria.
Ireland’s engagement with the WFP is led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which has provided €25 million was provided in core funding to WFP this year. WFP has provided uninterrupted assistance to the camps for over 30 years to address persistently high levels of food insecurity.
Ireland also responds to needs of refugees in Algeria through the EU which is one of the leading donors to this crisis. In 2023, the EU committed €9 million in humanitarian funding to tackle the most pressing needs, such as malnutrition among Sahrawi refugee children and women.
In accordance with the UN position, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory. Our long-standing policy is one of support for United Nations Security Council Resolutions on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. We do not have a view on the outcome of a decision on the future of the territory, as long as it is decided peacefully and in a genuine exercise of self-determination. During our term on the United Nations Security Council, Ireland consistently reiterated this position.
Departmental Budgets
Questions (105)
Paul Donnelly
Question:105. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget allocation for the Emigrant Support Programme in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [17808/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government's Emigrant Support Programme provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects that support Irish communities overseas. It is an integral part of the Government's approach to diaspora engagement, as outlined in Global Ireland: Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025.
While the initial focus of the programme was on organisations providing welfare services to Irish communities, that focus has broadened over the years to include wider community, cultural, heritage, sporting, business, academic and other activities.
The table below shows the initial budget allocation for 2022, 2023 and 2024 and, for 2022 and 2023, the total year-end spend, additional funds having been made available in the course of each year following mid-term budget reviews and a supplementary budget requests.
The initial budget allocation to the 2024 Emigrant Support Programme is €15,493,000, the highest yet.
|
Year |
Original Budget |
Year End Spend |
|
2022 |
€12,593,000 |
€14,093,000 |
|
2023 |
€13,893,000 |
€17,093,000 |
|
2024 |
€15,493,000 |
|
Passport Services
Questions (106)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17813/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the application and progressed as appropriate.
Passport Services
Questions (107)
James Lawless
Question:107. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17959/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 5 April. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
Passport Services
Questions (108)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:108. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) can be examined as the applicant did not receive the email despite the notification on the tracker for application. [17968/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further documents for the application on 16th April 2024. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.
The Passport Service has reviewed the application and contacted the applicant directly.
Military Aircraft
Questions (109)
Catherine Connolly
Question:109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 16 April 2024, to clarify the steps taken to ensure that US Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft number 08-8021 was not carrying weapons or munitions when it travelled through Shannon Airport on 10 April 2024 and landed in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 11 April 2024, and was further tracked flying over Israel, Jordan and Egypt on 13 and 15 April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is only provided where the strict conditions set out by my Department are fully met, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is done in full compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
As I confirmed to the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question No 132 of 16 April 2024, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedure for foreign military landings with respect to the aircraft in question, was followed in full.
Permission for this aircraft to land in Shannon was sought and granted for the purpose of transporting a senior official delegation travelling from the US to the Middle East.
As I have stated previously, no airport in Ireland, or Irish sovereign airspace, is being used to transport weapons to the conflict in the Middle East, or any other war.
European Court of Human Rights
Questions (110)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:110. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will include the murder of a person (details supplied) in the current case being taken against the British government in the European Court of Human Rights. [17994/24]
View answerWritten answers
On 17 January 2024 the Government filed an inter-State case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights. In its application, the Government argues 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(1) (the right of access to a court), Article 13 (right to an effective remedy), and Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination).
The Government considers that the relevant provisions of the Legacy Act give rise to violations of the Convention that are sufficiently clear and precise to permit a challenge to the Convention compliance of the impugned provisions in abstracto. As such, the Government’s application is distinguishable from those inter-state cases in which the applicant state complains of violations of the rights of one or more clearly identified or identifiable individuals by another contracting party to the Convention.
Inter-state cases brought on behalf of individuals are subject to different procedural rules, including the requirement to exhaust domestic remedies. This requirement does not apply to the Government’s application.
However the application does make clear the Government's strong concern that victims and family members who have spent decades fighting for an effective investigation into their case will have all existing avenues to truth and justice shut down, and will be left with no option but to engage with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery without sufficient procedural safeguards to ensure that the “reviews” carried out by the Commission will be capable of ensuring an effective investigation of violations of Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention.
The Government’s application also highlights the strong opposition to the Legacy Act within Northern Ireland, including by almost all groups representing victims, survivors, and their families since it was first introduced.
EU Membership
Questions (111)
Michael Moynihan
Question:111. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his position on Türkiye becoming a member of the European Union; his views on the human rights situation in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18045/24]
View answerWritten answers
Türkiye is an EU neighbour, an important regional partner, and an influential middle power. It is crucial that Ireland and the EU has a productive relationship with Türkiye, on the full range of our shared priorities. Ireland supports Türkiye’s EU perspective, on the basis of clear compliance with the accession criteria. We regret that Türkiye’s accession process has stalled in recent years, due to backsliding in the areas of rule of law and fundamental rights. We believe that increased cooperation on areas of joint interest can serve as a stepping-stone towards re-starting Türkiye’s accession negotiations.
Human rights are a fundamental aspect of EU membership and Ireland is fully supportive of the EU’s engagement with Türkiye around this. As a candidate country for EU membership and long-standing member of the Council of Europe, it is important that the Turkish authorities follow up on the recommendations of the European Commission and the Council of Europe. In particular, Ireland has consistently called on Turkish authorities to fully implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. Bilaterally, Ireland also makes clear on an ongoing basis its concerns about the overall human rights situation in Türkiye. It is an issue which I will continue to raise wherever the opportunity arises.
Türkiye needs to demonstrate concrete progress on the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. Continued engagement with and by the EU will be vital for the sake of human rights and rule of law in Türkiye. Ireland, alongside our European counterparts, will continue to monitor all aspects of the EU-Türkiye relationship, with a particular focus on human rights. We will continue to voice our concerns bilaterally and multilaterally wherever possible, and hope to see progress in the near future.