Written Answers Nos. 120-139
120. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue to siblings in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21001/24]
View answer125. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21087/24]
View answer126. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21088/24]
View answer127. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21089/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 125, 126 and 127 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
121. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a family (details supplied) can be escalated, as the applicants' travel date is imminent and the applications have passed the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21010/24]
View answer123. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21085/24]
View answer124. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21086/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 123 and 124 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications, taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
122. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures being undertaken by his Department to ensure there is sufficient staffing numbers in passport services, in order that the current processing times for passport applications are maintained, in view that a spike in volume of passport applications received by passport services often occurs in the lead up to, and during, the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21065/24]
View answerThe Passport Service has issued 450,000 passports to date this year and is on track to have issued half a million passports by the end of this month.
Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within advertised turnaround times.
The Passport Service is well-staffed and is in an excellent position to deliver the demand forecast for the rest of this year. Ensuring that we have enough staff to respond to demand is a priority for my Department and is kept under constant review.
The Passport Service assigned 40 Temporary Clerical Officers to its offices in Balbriggan and Dublin 2 in April and there are plans to assign an additional 6 Temporary Clerical Officers to its offices in Cork and Dublin 2 in May. In addition, processes are underway to fill 10 permanent roles. The current total number of staff with the Passport Service is 830.
The Passport Service continually reviews demand and offers overtime, on a voluntary basis, to staff when necessary to meet demand, avoid delays and prevent backlogs. Overtime is currently being offered to Passport Service staff as demand is high at the moment.
My Department recently ran a multimedia campaign reminding passport holders to apply for their passports on time and online. The successful campaign focused on the benefits of applying online and encouraged citizens to check their passports in advance of booking foreign travel in 2024. The campaign increased the number of applications received in the early part of this year, which will help enormously in easing demand during the busy summer period.
The Passport Service is successfully meeting the current high demand for passports and expects to issue half a million passports by the end of this month. This is a very high level of service delivery in the first five months of the year.
The Passport Service continues to review demand and implement additional mitigation measures such as overtime when necessary.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to have engagements with UK authorities in relation to immigration issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21121/24]
View answerI co-chaired the most recent meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference alongside the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris in London on 29 April.
Although issues relating to immigration were not items on the formal agenda of this meeting, I had the opportunity to discuss the matter with the Secretary of State. We also discussed the issue in a constructive call on 1 May.
The Secretary of State and I are in full agreement on the importance of our governments continuing to work together at political and official level on the many operational aspects that safeguard the Common Travel Area. We also agree on the vital importance of protecting the open border on the island of Ireland, which is essential in facilitating the cross-border aspects of lives as envisioned by the Good Friday Agreement.
In my discussions with the British government, as with other international partners, I am clear that the challenges presented by migration cannot be effectively addressed by any state acting alone. I have seen first-hand as Minister for Foreign Affairs how people are driven to migrate by a multitude of complex and interlocking factors such as food insecurity, climate crises, and conflict. We must therefore ensure that we work together to address the complicated root causes of migration, while maintaining fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedures, with full respect for fundamental human rights.
129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he remains satisfied that the UK authorities remain committed to the Brexit Agreement; whether other modifications are envisaged at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21122/24]
View answerAfter many years of significant difficulty, I am glad to report that the UK is now more fully meeting its commitments to the European Union.
In particular, the UK is actively implementing the terms of the Windsor Framework agreement last year, which has helped underpin political and economic stability in Northern Ireland. While there are a number of areas where the EU would like to see a greater level of implementation, in particular around checks on goods between Britain and Northern Ireland, overall the UK appears committed to taking forward the agreed arrangements.
It remains my position that it is vital that the Windsor Framework is implemented fully and in good faith.
The Framework represents a real opportunity for Northern Ireland, with dual access to both the UK internal market as well as the EU Single Market. I am determined to support Northern Ireland make the most of this opportunity, to the benefit of the economy of the island as a whole.
The UK is also actively meeting its commitments to the EU under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which ensures that we can continue to trade, do business and cooperate in a whole range of areas of real importance for Ireland.
While there are sometimes differences of approach between the EU and the UK to implementation of the agreed terms, these issues are generally settled through dialogue at official level.
At this stage, and in the short term, I do not believe that either side envisages significant modification of the Brexit Agreements.
However, I personally believe that there is a lot more the EU and the UK could do together, particularly in the foreign and security policy arena. I therefore remain optimistic that the EU-UK relationship can continue to strengthen and deepen in the years to come.
130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he continues to have discussions at European and UN level in regard to the Palestinian-Israeli situation with particular reference to the need to ensure strict adherence to a peace deal and recognition of the need to avert a repetition of the violence since 7 October 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21123/24]
View answerI have been engaging intensively with EU, regional and international partners, including the US, since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. During all of these engagements I have conveyed the same message: there is an urgent need for an immediate and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire; the unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza; and a significant scale-up of humanitarian access and supplies into Gaza. All of Ireland’s diplomatic efforts are focused on these core points.
It is also important that our efforts aimed at addressing the immediate crisis also lay the foundation for a pathway towards a sustainable peace in the long term. Ireland’s is seeking to find a way to change the reality on the ground and to protect and encourage a peace process that can deliver a two-State solution.
Some of my most recent actions include intensive discussions with Senior Members of the US Congress, EU counterparts, Arab partners and the core provider of aid in Gaza, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). I also visited the region on 23-24 April, including the Rafah crossing, Al Arish Humanitarian Hub and Al Arish Hospital, where I saw first-hand the dire need to increase access for humanitarian aid. I will continue to advocate at every level for an immediate sustainable ceasefire and the provision of safe, unimpeded and effective humanitarian assistance.
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent if any to which European enlargement is progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21124/24]
View answerIreland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability, peace and prosperity in candidate countries.
I am pleased to report that there continues to be positive momentum on EU enlargement. On 08 November 2023, the European Commission published its annual package of enlargement reports, which assess the progress made by candidate countries to date in readiness for EU membership. The reports indicated that Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia continue to be the countries most prepared for EU membership, although progress on reforms over the previous 12 months was greatest in Ukraine, Moldova and Albania. There was regrettable backsliding in some areas by Türkiye.
In December 2023, based on the Commission’s reports, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and to grant candidate status to Georgia, on the basis that all three countries complete some specified additional reforms. In March 2024, the European Council decided to take work forward on the adoption of negotiating frameworks with Ukraine and Moldova, and to open accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina, based on further evidence of reform progress in all three countries.
The EU accession process requires all candidate countries to demonstrate their ability to align with EU values, as well as with the EU acquis. The EU has developed a range of tools to support candidate countries in this regard. We welcomed the recent establishment of the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which involves a €6 billion investment to bring the countries of the Western Balkans closer to the EU, accelerate accession-related reforms, and boost the regional economy.
As Ireland, we are also taking bilateral steps to support and prepare for EU enlargement. In March, Government announced the opening of new Embassies in three candidate countries, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Moldova. These new Embassies will allow us to increase our engagement with partners in these future EU Member States, Under Budget 2024, we have also established a fund to offer practical assistance to candidate countries to better support them on their paths to EU membership.
Ireland will continue to strongly support the enlargement process and offer any practical assistance we can to candidate countries engaged in accession negotiations to the EU.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which European cohesion remains steadfast throughout European institutions with a view to ensuring universal acceptance of the principles of law and order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21125/24]
View answerAs indicated in the Commission’s ‘2023 Rule of Law Report, the rule of law situation in the European Union’, under the rule of law, all public powers always act within the constraints set out by law, in accordance with the values of democracy and fundamental rights, and under the control of independent and impartial courts. The rule of law includes principles such as legality, implying a transparent, accountable, democratic and pluralistic process for enacting laws; legal certainty; prohibiting the arbitrary exercise of executive power; effective judicial protection by independent and impartial courts, effective judicial review including respect for fundamental rights; separation of powers; and equality before the law.
These principles have been recognised by the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. In addition, the Council of Europe has developed standards and issued opinions and recommendations which provide well-established guidance for promoting and upholding the rule of law.
Ensuring respect for the rule of law is a primary responsibility of each Member State. However, deficiencies in one Member State have an impact on other Member States and on the EU as a whole. Therefore, the Union has a shared and a interest and a role to play in resolving rule of law issues wherever they arise.
Ireland has consistently supported the development of a robust range of instruments available to the European Commission to ensure that Member States adhere to rule of law obligations as enshrined in the EU treaties. These instruments include the Annual Rule of Law Reporting process, Article 7 proceedings and infringement proceedings.
Ireland will continue to engage comprehensively with the EU’s multifaceted response to internal rule of law challenges and will encourage continued dialogue and action on these issues among Member States to ensure adherence to common Rule of Law standards.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which progress continues throughout the European institutions with a view to ensuring continued security and peace in the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21127/24]
View answerLying at the heart of Europe, and surrounded by EU Member States, continued peace and security in the Western Balkans is of strategic importance to the European Union and its Member States, including Ireland. Given the wider geo-political situation, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, we can ill-afford any insecurity in the Western Balkans.
I am extremely proud of the contribution that members of the Irish Defence Forces have made, and continue to make, in the region’s two peacekeeping missions, the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation Althea). These missions are vital to ensuring peace and stability throughout the entire region.
The European Union and its institutions expend great effort to promote reconciliation, cooperation and integration across the Western Balkans. The EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue is the only vehicle through which to achieve normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It ensures regular dialogue between the two sides, to seek practical solutions to emerging issues. Both sides now need to take clear action to swiftly implement the provisions of the Brussels and Ohrid agreements.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the EU works closely with all stakeholders to advance the country’s EU perspective. In recognition of the efforts of the new government to advance EU reforms, the European Commission decided in March 2024 to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina. This was a historic decision, and a concrete demonstration of the EU’s commitment to Bosnia-Herzegovina’s future within the EU, which is the clear aspiration of the majority of Bosnians. The EU has been strongly critical of regressive steps on fundamental rights in the Republika Srpska entity, which risk jeopardising the progress being made at state level, and destabilising the country as a whole. The Council of the EU also adopted an assistance measure in December 2022 worth €10 million to the benefit of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH). This decision was part of the EU’s work to further strengthen its security engagement with its Western Balkan partners.
The EU and its institutions remain deeply committed to peace and stability across the Western Balkans. The future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he continues to have with the US authorities with a view to regularising the undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21129/24]
View answerAddressing the difficult situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US continues to be a key priority for the Government. Ireland continues to raise immigration issues at every appropriate engagement with the United States Government and Congress.The Government actively supports the efforts of President Biden’s administration to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. While comprehensive reform that identifies a clear pathway for undocumented Irish citizens to regularise their status would be the optimal solution, we should not underestimate the major obstacles to achieving this, given the political sensitivities of immigration issues in the United States, including in Congress.During my last visit to the United States, in February, I raised immigration issues on a number of occasions. In Washington, I discussed prospects for immigration reform with members of the United States Congress, including the Friends of Ireland caucus. In Chicago, I spent time with organisations that are actively supporting the Irish diaspora. One of the organisations I met, Irish Community Services, receives funding from my Department’s Emigrant Support Programme to provide immigration and community services to the Irish community in the region, including free consultations with immigration lawyers. During former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s meetings with President Biden in Washington in March, he stressed the difficulties faced by Irish people in the US who remain undocumented and expressed the Government’s wish to see a solution that helps to regularise their status. He also discussed our shared wish to see increased opportunities for young people to travel and gain experience between Ireland and the US.The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to provide significant funding through the Emigrant Support Programme to organisations providing ongoing, valuable assistance to our citizens, including the undocumented, in cities across the United States.In addition to this support and to our engagement at the Federal level through our Embassy in Washington DC, our eight Consulates General in the U.S. continue proactively to seek opportunities to improve the day-to-day lives of the Irish undocumented, including by working with local state governments.An example of this is in Massachusetts, where legislation enabling residents to apply for drivers' licences, irrespective of their immigration status, came into effect last year. The Consulate General of Ireland in Boston led a sustained campaign in support of this reform for many years, and I strongly welcomed the passage of this law, which makes a modest but appreciable difference in the lives of undocumented Irish citizens in Massachusetts. I discussed this legislation with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey during her visit to Dublin last summer.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department continue to use the Irish embassies and other installations abroad to further the trade interests of this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21130/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world.
Ireland's network of embassies and consulates is central to the Team Ireland approach, which sees Government Departments and State Agencies working closely with other Irish stakeholders to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development of trade, investment and tourism. Team Ireland works to build education, science, technology and innovation partnerships; and promote our culture and creative industries.
The Department is guided in this work by the Government's Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World and works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, other departments, and our State Agencies in implementing the Strategy's priority actions, at home and abroad.
Working together as Team Ireland overseas is also at the heart of the Government's Global Ireland Strategy. Ongoing implementation is facilitating market diversification and intensification, and deepening bilateral relations in support of our economic and political objectives. To date, 26 new missions have been opened or announced under the Global Ireland strategy, with their potential to diversify our markets and increase trade and investment with Ireland a key consideration in the selection of locations.
In addition to sustaining strong bilateral relationships and working to maintain and protect the rules based international order - both critical for the realisation of Ireland's trade and investment objectives - embassies and consulates support the State Agencies in their delivery of strategic objectives in overseas markets.
Officers within the mission network engage in economic and public diplomacy to advance Ireland’s prosperity, as part of overall duties to promote Ireland's interests and support our citizens. They also support Ministerial visits and trade missions, in partnership with Team Ireland colleagues. Missions also work more specifically on a range of trade-related issues, including market access, regulatory compliance, visas, phyto-sanitary issues, and double taxation agreements. The role of the network in promoting and protecting Irish trade interests is particularly important in markets with limited or no State Agency presence.
136. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ongoing conflict in Sudan; the impact of the civilian population and on neighbouring states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21158/24]
View answerJust over a year since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the principal military belligerents, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are no closer to working for a negotiated solution. The conflict continues to have devastating humanitarian, human rights, and regional security consequences.
Both parties are significantly impeding humanitarian access, in addition to destroying health and food infrastructure. They are also responsible for large-scale attacks on civilians, including sexual violence, and ethnically targeted killings.
The official death toll stands at over 13,000, but is likely to be much higher. Almost 8 million have been displaced from their homes, and 20 million people are facing acute food insecurity.
The war in Sudan is having an impact throughout the region. Not only is the Rapid Support Forces recruiting fighters from across Africa to fight in Sudan, but the support provided by states in the region and beyond, is adding to inter-regional tensions. On the ground, about 1.8 million people have crossed into neighbouring countries. This is placing strain on already fragile humanitarian situations.
In response to the crisis, Ireland has increased its humanitarian support to the people of Sudan, and stepped up diplomatic engagement.
Last month, at an international conference for Sudan in Paris, I announced that Ireland will contribute at least €12.3 million in direct humanitarian aid to Sudan and neighbouring countries this year. This is addition to Ireland’s funding to multilateral agencies which are also increasing their engagement in Sudan.
A ceasefire is desperately needed to end this man-made catastrophe. Ireland has advocated for the adoption of EU sanctions. We have also consistently emphasised within the EU and the UN that civilians and civil society will need to be heart of Sudan’s political future.
137. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the number of men, women and children who have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in 2023 and to date in 2024 while trying to reach Europe; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21159/24]
View answerI am aware of the very large numbers of men, women, and children who have tragically lost their lives in dangerous attempts to cross the Mediterranean, and that this number is increasing. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the number of migrant deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean has grown steadily over the past years: 2,048 in 2021, 2,411 in 2022 and 3,129 by the end of 2023. I am also aware that there are serious concerns that the numbers are much higher than officially reported. This is a deeply distressing situation on a number of levels.
Unmanaged migration represents a huge challenge for the European Union which requires a collective European response. It is essential that we devise a comprehensive approach which can address all the many facets of this situation. Following intensive negotiations late last year, political agreement was reached on 20 December 2023 in relation to the remaining measures of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact. Ireland fully supports the aims of the Pact to create a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure in ordinary times, as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations, which also complies with our international and legal obligations and is based on solidarity and responsibility amongst Member States.
It is also necessary for Ireland and the EU to forge closer partnerships with third countries on issues such as returns and readmission, border management, targeting people smugglers, regional protection solutions and dignified reception facilities, legal migration pathways and addressing the root causes of irregular and forced migration. Again, this must be done with full respect to international legal obligations and pursuing the same holistic approach necessary in order to address effectively this most challenging of issues.
138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address the concerns of a local residents’ group in County Kerry (details supplied). [20948/24]
View answerWhile I note the concerns of the residents on this issue, matters in relation to enforcement of licences or investigations in relation to specific air pollution concerns are not under the remit of my Department. It is not clear from the details supplied if this plant is operated under an EPA licence or one granted by the local authority.
Under the Air Pollution Act, 1987 the occupier of any premises shall not cause or permit an emission from such premises in such a quantity, or in such a manner, as to be a nuisance. Under sections 26 and 27 local authorities also have powers to serve a notice or take measures to prevent or limit air pollution.
The relevant enforcement agencies are the local authorities, which in this case is Kerry County Council. It is important to note that local authorities are independent statutory bodies that carry out their duties under a legislative framework covering all areas of local authority activities.
The Office of Environmental Enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency supervises the environmental protection activities of local authorities through auditing their performance, providing advice and guidance, and, in appropriate cases, giving binding directions. In this regard, the Office of Environmental Enforcement may also be able to assist in this matter.
139. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the timeline for publication of the revised national adaptation framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21114/24]
View answerThe statutory 2018 National Adaptation Framework (NAF) sets out Ireland's climate adaptation policy. Following my Department's review of the current NAF, completed in October 2022, I approved the development of a new NAF. As required under Climate Action Plan 2024 action AD/24/1, a draft NAF was completed in December 2023, following key sectoral and stakeholder engagement. Following a statutory public consultation held from 19 January to 19 February 2024, the NAF will be submitted to Government for approval shortly, with publication anticipated in Q2 2024.
The new NAF takes account of developments at international and EU levels and other adaptation policy developments since 2018, including work progressed at local authority level; in sectoral adaptation plans; and climate research. The NAF outlines a whole of government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland, taking a sectoral approach through relevant Departments to improve the enabling environment for mainstreaming adaptation action through key sectors and local government along with civil society, the private sector, and the research community. As required, the Climate Change Advisory Council was consulted during the development of the NAF.
