Parliamentary questions

National Security Committee

Mick Wallace

1. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the national security committee took place; the current members of the committee; the number of times the committee meets each year; and the role of the committee. [23329/17]

National Security Committee

Gerry Adams

2. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the role of the national security committee. [24641/17]

National Security Committee

Brendan Howlin

3. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the role and functions of the national security committee. [25619/17]

National Security Committee

Eamon Ryan

4. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach when the last meeting of the national security committee took place; and the primary role and responsibilities of the committee. [25652/17]

National Security Committee

Micheál Martin

5. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the details of the meeting he held on 25 May 2017 on national security. [25942/17]

National Security Committee

Joan Burton

6. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach when the national security committee last met. [25977/17]

Seanad Reform

Joan Burton

7. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the group being formed to reform Seanad Éireann. [24017/17]

Seanad Reform

Gerry Adams

8. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the status of the implementation group on Seanad reform. [24639/17]

Seanad Reform

Brendan Howlin

9. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the establishment of an implementation group on Seanad reform. [25620/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Joan Burton

10. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Mr. Michel Barnier on 11 May 2017. [24018/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gerry Adams

11. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagement with European chief negotiator, Mr. Michel Barnier, on 11 May 2017. [24271/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Howlin

12. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Mr. Michel Barnier. [24370/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Stephen Donnelly

13. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings that have taken place between his Department and sherpas of other member states since the triggering of Article 50; and the issues discussed in these meetings. [24372/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Seán Haughey

14. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the commitment in his own Department's strategy statement regarding focus on cross-divisional and cross-departmental working; the way this applies to Brexit and the way his own Department officials interact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the fact it has responsibility for diplomatic exchanges with diplomats of Ireland's EU partners. [24719/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with Mr. Michel Barnier when he was in Dublin. [25676/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gerry Adams

16. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if his Department’s officials have held meetings with national government representatives in Brussels since the triggering of Article 50 on 29 April 2017; and, if so, the issues discussed at these meetings and the number of meetings held. [25890/17]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Eamon Ryan

17. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meetings with Mr. Michel Barnier. [25981/17]

Brexit Issues

Stephen Donnelly

24. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach the rationale for not seeking a veto on any aspect of either the separation or future relationship talks with regard to Brexit on any aspect, including Anglo-Irish relations and Northern Ireland with regard to Brexit negotiations. [24371/17]

Brexit Documents

Stephen Donnelly

28. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the publication of a document outlining the Government's approach to mitigating the impact of Brexit on the economy, trade and jobs; and the expected publication date of this document. [24373/17]

Passport Applications Data

Darragh O'Brien

46. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new and renewal passport applications respectively in the system; the target turnaround time for each category of applicant; the actual turnaround time for each category of applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25613/17]

Northern Ireland

Seán Crowe

47. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to comments made by various members of the British House of Commons regarding ongoing legal cases involving the prosecution of British soldiers over alleged criminal actions in Northern Ireland; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the Speaker has agreed that MPs should not make reference in debates to cases which are active in the British courts; and his views on British MPs abusing parliamentary privilege in comments regarding active cases in the British courts involving the deaths of Irish citizens without commenting on the details of these cases due to ongoing legal proceedings. [25702/17]

Brexit Issues

Darragh O'Brien

48. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland's status of neutrality or corporate tax rate was discussed at any of the meetings he has attended at EU level to discuss and agree the Brexit negotiation guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25701/17]

Prisoner Welfare

Ruth Coppinger

49. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the hunger strike currently taking place among Palestinian prisoners; if he has raised this matter with the Israeli authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25703/17]

Military Aircraft Landings

Catherine Connolly

50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedures in place to ensure that US military aircraft landing at Shannon Airport comply with conditions related to permission to land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25948/17]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and at European Union level in relation to ensuring that there will be no return to the Border of the past following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25601/17]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Ruth Coppinger

52. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a person (details supplied) currently detained in Egypt awaiting a trial. [25656/17]

EU Meetings

Joan Burton

53. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with his EU counterparts to agree a detailed mandate for the opening of negotiations with the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25643/17]

EU Agreements

Seán Crowe

54. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the European Commission's efforts to renegotiate a new protocol with Morocco; and the safeguards that the Government will require from the European Commission to ensure the negotiations are in full conformity with the European Court of Justice ruling of 21 December 2016 in Polisario v. Council, notably in terms of consent in order to avoid a costly and lengthy legal proceedings that the Polisario Front would undoubtedly relaunch. [25633/17]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Eamon Ryan

55. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the correspondence he has had with Greek and other European Governments in regard to EU monitoring of the case of a person (details supplied) within the Egyptian court system. [25609/17]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Thomas Pringle

56. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the State's humanitarian response to the unfolding famine in east Africa and the measures being taken to help prevent its escalation with millions more persons at threat of starvation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25640/17]

Middle East Peace Process

Ruth Coppinger

57. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the way in which the occupation can be ended and the steps he is taking in this regard, in view of the 50-year anniversary of the occupation of the West Bank, Golan Heights and Gaza. [25660/17]

Passport Services

Eamon Scanlon

58. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will undertake an information campaign to ensure that passport applications are submitted allowing for extra time for processing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being advised nationally that the passport express service is a 15-day turnaround as opposed to a 15-working-day turnaround; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25364/17]

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to address the denial of human rights to Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike; if diplomatic services in Tel Aviv and Ramallah have had discussions with the relevant authorities; and the engagement that there has been at European level regarding same. [25449/17]

Brexit Issues

Brendan Smith

60. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had to date with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and at European Union level in relation to ensuring that cross-Border travel is fully maintained following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25602/17]

Passport Controls

Darragh O'Brien

61. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of the requirement for all first-time passport applicants aged 18 years of age and over to have a public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25614/17]

Consular Services Staff

Darragh O'Brien

62. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of additional staff that have been deployed to embassies and consulates since 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25615/17]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Darragh O'Brien

63. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent actions taken to address the situation of the undocumented Irish in the USA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25617/17]

Legal Proceedings

Clare Daly

64. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised or plans to raise at EU level or otherwise, the issue of potential safe passage for a person (details supplied) from the UK to Ecuador in view of recent legal developments in their case. [25453/17]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Bernard Durkan

65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to press upon his EU and UN colleagues the urgency of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa; the extent to which plans are in hand to deal specifically with the issues arising, including the need to provide interim arrangements such as safe havens and a specific and comprehensive plan to provide drinking water throughout the regions; the extent to which adequate protection exists to ensure the safety of NGOs and volunteers and an assurance aid is directed to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25606/17]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Charlie McConalogue

66. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions with US officials regarding immigration reform and, in particular, the plight of undocumented Irish citizens in the USA; his plans to meet US officials in the near future to discuss this further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25604/17]

EU Meetings

Bernard Durkan

67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his colleagues have impressed upon all the authorities at EU level, those directly involved in negotiations and otherwise, the absolute necessity to ensure that Ireland's position as a committed member of the European Union does not become in any way diluted by idle speculation which could undermine the strength of Ireland's position in the context of the Brexit negotiations; if the objective of an all-island customs market remains central to the negotiations; his views that, far from being in a weakened position in the context of ongoing talks, Ireland's position as a committed member of the European Union will continue to prevail to ensure that Ireland's access to EU and UK markets is not in any way diminished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25605/17]

Arms Trade

Maureen O'Sullivan

68. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise concerns regarding the recently announced arms deal between the United States of America and Saudi Arabia at a European level; his views on the way in which the arms deal might impact on lives and further destabilise the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25448/17]

Foreign Conflicts

Joan Burton

69. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement his Department has had with India and Pakistan regarding the status and humanitarian situation in Kashmir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25645/17]

Middle East Issues

Seán Crowe

70. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that more than 1,500 Palestinians are on hunger strike in Israeli jails; his views on whether Israel’s mass detention of Palestinians and its treatment of Palestinian prisoners and their families is inhumane and vindictive and that Israel should abide by international and human rights law; and his further views on whether the Israeli authorities should agree to the reasonable and humane reforms that the hunger strikers are demanding. [25632/17]

Military Aircraft

Mick Wallace

71. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to an agreement between the RAF and the State concerning Irish airspace defence, if the Defence Forces including the Air Corps, are party to this agreement; if specific training has taken place regarding this agreement; if so, the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25611/17]

Northern Ireland

Clare Daly

72. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will initiate discussions with the Northern Irish and British authorities with regard to the need for a Patten-style commission regarding the prison service in Northern Ireland. [25454/17]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Catherine Connolly

73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify the indications he has received from President el-Sisi of Egypt that he will exercise his presidential powers to return a person (details supplied) to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25607/17]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Fiona O'Loughlin

74. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the aid that is being allocated to the Syrian crisis; his plans for escalation of this aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25499/17]

Foreign Policy

Maureen O'Sullivan

75. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the unrest in Venezuela and anti-government protests there; the way in which Ireland can support the democratically elected Administration, which is being destabilised by commercial interests and foreign regimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25451/17]

Brexit Issues

Joan Burton

76. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for Ireland in respect of Brexit negotiations. [19864/17]