Written Answers Nos. 68-89
68. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with Israeli officials in relation to the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45256/24]
View answerEngagement with third-country counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Such engagement routinely includes exchanges on issues relevant to the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the country concerned.
Since assuming the role of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in December 2022, the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 has not been the focus of any recent engagement with Israeli or other counterparts.
I most recently met with then Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on 16 November 2023, during my visit to the region. During this visit, I reiterated Ireland’s condemnation of the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October and underlined the need for the unconditional release of all hostages. I also underlined my concern over the catastrophic situation in Gaza and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, an issue on which Ireland demonstrated early and clear leadership at EU and international level.
Current Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, engaged with EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council in January of this year, enabling a further full and frank exchange on the situation in Gaza, during which I underlined Ireland’s concern at potential breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza, notably with regard to the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
69. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44025/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for processing applications for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Once a person is entered on the Foreign Births Register, they are deemed an Irish citizen and are entitled to apply for an Irish passport. By its nature, Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) is a detailed and complex process; it can involve official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. To protect the integrity of the citizenship process, these applications require careful processing to validate the identity of the applicant, the documents they have submitted and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Accordingly, all applications undergo rigorous and detailed checking by experienced officers at the passport service.
Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, it takes approximately nine months to process a fully competed FBR application that requires no further submissions. The processing time begins when the application form and supporting documents are received by the FBR Unit. When the application’s position in the queue is reached, an Entitlement Officer will be in contact with the applicant should any further clarification be required.
With regard to the application to which the Deputy is referring, the physical application form and supporting documents were received in the FBR Unit on 11/09/2024. Therefore, this application is still within the turnaround time for processing.
70. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff vacancies, by grade, in his Department at the end of August 2023 and August 2024; and the number of staff, by grade, on a career break of more than five years and more than six years, at the end of August 2023 and August 2024. [44126/24]
View answerOver the past five years, the Department of Foreign Affairs has grown as Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded and as our Passport Service continues to successfully meet high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target.
As of end-September 2024, the Department employs 2,181 civil servants, which is 539 more than at the end of 2019. In that context, we currently have a small number of vacancies to be filled from panels established in recent or planned competitions.
The table below outlines the vacancies in the Department at the end of August 2023 and the end of August 202.
|
- |
Vacancies on 31 August 2023 |
Vacancies on 31 August 2024 |
|
PO, Counsellor and equivalent |
0 |
1 |
|
AP, First Secretary, Development Specialist and equivalent |
7 |
11 |
|
Higher Executive Officer and equivalent |
9 |
3 |
|
Administrative Officer, Third Secretary, Development Specialist Officer and equivalent |
11 |
9 |
|
Executive Officer |
10 |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
35 |
12 |
The Department of Foreign Affairs does not extend career breaks beyond five years. In exceptional circumstances an officer may be granted an additional career break without the required period of service between career breaks, in line with the procedures outlined in Circular 4/2013: Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service.
71. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the status of his negotiations with the British Government on an agreement that would resolve the long-standing jurisdictional dispute over Lough Foyle and allow for the licensing and regulation of those operators who have overseen the proliferation of oyster trestles on the western shore of the lough. [44174/24]
View answerFollowing discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to address and resolve the jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough.
Since that time, a series of meetings have taken place at official level between the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland and the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
My Department has also consulted with other relevant Departments on specific issues and concerns relating to Lough Foyle. This includes the licensing of aquaculture in the Lough.
The issues involved in these discussions are complex and involve a range of different stakeholders and actors in both the UK and Ireland. Nevertheless, the Government remains committed to resolving the jurisdictional issues related to the Lough.
72. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the status of his negotiations with the British Government on an agreement that would reinstate access for Irish fishermen to their traditional fishing grounds at Rockall. [44175/24]
View answerReaching an agreement on issues relating to Rockall continues to be a priority for the government. I continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in this regard.
I discussed issues related to Rockall during my meeting in September with my Scottish counterpart, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson. I also raised the matter with the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, during his visit to Dublin in October.
Through this engagement, we are agreed on the importance of prioritising the matter. I would hope that, in this way, we can reach a resolution that is in all of our mutual interests. We remain in ongoing contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities to this end.
73. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of civil servants, by grade, in his Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; the number of those who in 2023 and 2024 were on a career break of five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44303/24]
View answerThe number of civil servants on career break from the Department of Foreign Affairs at comparable dates in 2023 and 2024 is provided below.
None of the career breaks were for longer than five years. In exceptional circumstances an officer may be granted an additional career break without the required period of service between career breaks, in line with the procedures outlined in Circular 4/2013: Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service.
|
- |
31 October 2023 |
31 October 2024 |
|
Civil servants on career break |
45 |
46 |
74. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by his Department; if he is satisfied that civil servants whose career breaks are coming to an end are being notified of appropriate vacancies; if he is concerned by instances where civil servants are having their career breaks extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44376/24]
View answerI am fully satisfied that the provisions of Circular 4/2013 (Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service) are being properly implemented by my Department.
Civil servants on career break are required to comply with the provisions of the circular and once a notification of a return from career break is received by my Department, the officer’s assignment is then confirmed.
I am not aware of any recent case where an officer has had a career break extended unnecessarily. When civil servants notify the Department of their intention to return from career break, an offer of a position at their respective grade is made by the Department within the guidelines set out in Circular 4/2013. In exceptional circumstances an officer may be granted an additional career break without the required period of service between career breaks, in line with the procedures outlined in the circular.
75. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a very tragic case (details supplied); if his Department is in direct contact with the family to offer support in order to get the person back to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44413/24]
View answerI appreciate that this is a very difficult situation for the citizen and their family.
I can confirm that officials in my Department are aware of this case and are providing consular assistance.
As with all consular cases, a case officer has been assigned to the family and are in regular contact. The case officer has provided advice and guidance to the family.
Please be assured that my Department will continue to provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen and their family at this very difficult time.
76. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine an issue regarding the issuing of an Irish passport (details supplied) under a name legally changed by deed poll, and where evidence of usage does not meet the criteria set out in sections 10(3) and 10(4) of the Passports Act 2008 (and amendments), but where the applicant is relying on section 10(5) of the Act, which deals with the factual assumption of a person not having such evidence, and is requesting that the Minister exercises his power under section 10(5) and issues the applicant’s Irish passport under their new name with an observation noting their former birth name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44480/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and procedures that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.
Section 10 of the Act provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on a person's birth certificate or naturalisation certificate. However, a name change for a passport from that which appears on a person's birth certificate is permitted under the Act in situations such as marriage, civil partnership etc., where civil or legal documents are available to verify this change.
In cases where a name change arises, other than by marriage or civil partnership etc., the Passport Service requires evidence in respect of the constant and sustained use of the new name and identity over a two year period. Evidence of this, for at least two years, through documentation such as photo ID, bills, bank statements, or official correspondence in the new name is required.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the application and contacted the applicant directly.
77. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if permission was granted for flight RCH700 to operate within Irish sovereign airspace on 16 and 17 October 2024, specifically following its departure from Portsmouth International Airport in the USA on 16 October and its entry into Irish airspace off the coast of Kerry-Cork shortly after midnight on 17 October; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44482/24]
View answerUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, 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.
The policy of diplomatic clearance is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
It is also expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign airspace, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. The system of exemptions is operated by the Department of Transport under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989.
It is important to draw a distinction between Irish sovereign airspace and Irish controlled airspace. The provisions of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders are only applicable within Irish sovereign airspace. This is not the case with regard to Irish controlled airspace, which is a larger area of airspace where Ireland’s role is limited to providing certain air traffic control services.
The Department has reviewed its records, and can confirm that no diplomatic clearance records are held by the Department in relation to the flight referenced by the Deputy.
78. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports for persons (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44535/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these are paper applications which were received on 01 October 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. The applications are within the standard turnaround time and have not yet reached their issue by date.
79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is monitoring the increased crackdown on freedom of assembly and expression in Bahrain in response to pro-Palestine protests since October 2023; if he will raise concerns about the arrests of hundreds of individuals, including minors, clerics, and protesters since late September, who have expressed solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon across Bahrain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44588/24]
View answer80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the conditions in Bahrain’s Jau Prison, where political prisoners have been on strike since March 2024 following the death of a political prisoner (details supplied); if he will raise concerns about reports of recent escalatory measures taken against political prisoners held in Building 6, who have been held incommunicado after telephone calls were cut off three weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44589/24]
View answer81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raised the cases of award-winning human rights defenders (details supplied) in Bahrain who have been arbitrarily imprisoned since 2011; if he is concerned about their health deterioration due to the denial of medical care; if he will make representations with his counterparts to secure their immediate and unconditional release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44590/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 to 81, inclusive, together.
I am aware of the reports of concerns about the Bahraini prison system and the continued imprisonment of human rights defenders. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Human Rights Committee expressed concerns about reports of prison conditions and facilities, particularly in Jau prison.
Ireland continues to express concerns over the human rights issues of the prison facilities and the continued detention of human rights defenders in multilateral fora, and through the EU-Bahrain Human Rights dialogue. The next session of this dialogue is expected to be held in December, and will provide an opportunity to further pursue these issues. Ireland also conveys its concerns directly with Bahraini authorities through our Ambassador in Saudi Arabia who is accredited to Bahrain, and with the Bahraini Embassy in London, who have always been ready to discuss these matters.
Freedom of expression is an essential principle of human rights, which we state in all our discussions on human rights with countries in the region. I would note that Bahrain has permitted demonstrations in support of Palestine, both recently and historically. However, it has halted demonstrations that specifically supported Hezbollah, which Bahrain considers a terrorist group and a direct threat to its own security. Bahrain has faced direct threats from groups affiliated to the IRGC, as is Hezbollah.
I note that Bahrain released two large groups of prisoners under royal pardon in April and September this year, totalling over 2,000 persons. It is disappointing that the two persons mentioned have not yet been included in this process. Another EU partner has been leading on this case, and we are in touch with them on the matter.
82. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government has taken to ensure that EU dialogue with the Gulf states and the Gulf Co-operation Council included respect for and accountability to international human rights law; the reason these matters were not reflected in the joint statement of the EU-GCC dialogue, and in particular, if the supply of weapons to warring parties in Sudan and the UN Security Council arms embargo on Darfur was raised during the dialogue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44613/24]
View answerThe recent first EU-GCC Summit meeting was an important step in further developing the EU's relationship with an important group of countries in a volatile area in the EU's immediate neighbourhood. The joint statement was an agreed document between all participants, rather than a reflection of every view expressed.
A number of leaders, including the Taoiseach speaking on behalf of Ireland, underlined that human rights and respect for international law are fundamental values for the EU, and an essential feature of dialogue with the GCC countries. This has always been Ireland's position. These are issues which are usually discussed in bilateral dialogues with the individual states, since the GCC as an body has no competence in this area, and the issues differ from state to state. The EU has established formal regular human rights dialogues with a number of GCC partners, and hopes to further extend this practice.
Ireland is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Sudan. It was one of a number of regional conflicts and situations of concern addressed in interventions at the Summit.
83. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the average time it takes to process a passport application where the documentation provided is correct and complete for a person born abroad to Irish parents or grandparents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44756/24]
View answer84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the average time taken to process a first-time application for a passport from an Irish citizen or child whose paperwork is correctly lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44757/24]
View answer85. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of passport applications lodged online in the past year; the total number of applications received in the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44758/24]
View answer86. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the time taken to process a correctly lodged paper application for both a first-time passport application and a renewal; the reason for the delay with these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44759/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 83 to 86, inclusive, together.
To date this year, the Passport office has issued over 936,000 passports. 900,000 applications have been received in 2024. This year, 92% of passport applicants applied through the Passport Online channel. 6% of applicants have applied by post, while 2% of applicants have applied through the public counter of the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork.
The majority of adult online renewal applications are approved within 2 days. Virtually all passport applications are being issued at, or ahead of, their target level and there are no backlogs.
Passport estimated turnaround times are:
• 10 working days for simple adult online renewals
• 15 working days for complex or child online renewals
• 20 working days for first time online applications
• 8 weeks for Post Passport (paper) applications
It is important to note that processing times do not begin when the applicant applies online. Processing time is calculated once the Passport Service receives any supporting documents that are required to complete the application.
The estimated turnaround time for correct and complete first-time online applications received through Passport Online is 20 working days. This estimated turnaround time applies to first time applicants resident in Ireland and overseas regardless of whether they are adults or children. The turnaround time does not include postage time.
The turnaround time for Post Passport applications is 40 working days, if all documentation is in order. The turnaround time is the same for Post Passport first time and renewal applications.
If an application is rejected due to missing documentation or issues with the photo, it is Passport Service policy to process the application within 15 working days from when the missing documentation is received. In cases where further supporting documents are required from the applicant, every effort is made to let the applicant know as soon as possible.
I encourage everyone to apply through the Passport Online service, which offers citizens the ability to apply for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times over four times faster than paper-based passport adult renewal applications. The online service is now available to 99.9% of all applicants around the world, including babies, children and first time applicants.
The Department of Foreign Affairs 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 or Naturalisation. My Department processes applications for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Once a person is entered on the Foreign Births Register, they are deemed an Irish citizen and are entitled to apply for an Irish passport. By its nature, Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) is a detailed and complex process; it can involve official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. To protect the integrity of the citizenship process, these applications require careful processing to validate the identity of the applicant, the documents they have submitted, and their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Accordingly, all applications undergo rigorous and detailed checking by experienced officers at the passport service, which takes considerable time to validate.
Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, it takes approximately nine months to process a fully compete FBR application that requires no further submissions. The processing time begins when the application form and supporting documents are received by the FBR Unit.
87. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports issued in each of the past ten years at the absolute discretion of the Minister as provided in law to people who do not have an automatic entitlement to an Irish passport by birth, descent , naturalisation and so on; the reasons for using this provision in the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44760/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (“the Minister”) to issue a passport to that person.
The entitlement of a person to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which is under the responsibility of the Minister for Justice.
The Minister does not have a discretion to grant a passport if the applicant has not satisfied him as to their citizenship and therefore is not entitled to a passport as a matter of law. The absence of discretion is confirmed by section 12(1)(a) of the 2008 Act.
88. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to respond to an urgent query regarding the Irish passport required for a newborn child, born in the Netherlands to Irish citizens living in the Netherlands (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44770/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation.
For individuals born outside of Ireland, they may claim citizenship if they had at least one parent who was born on the island of Ireland and where that parent is an Irish citizen. An individual born on the island of Ireland before 1 January 2005 is automatically an Irish citizen.
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 normal 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, a member of the FBR team has been in touch with the applicant’s parent and explained the specific supporting documents required for their application. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted. Officials in the relevant Irish Embassy are in contact with the family and have provided information and guidance to assist them locally.
89. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44788/24]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
