Written Answers Nos. 170-177
170. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the conflict in eastern Ukraine; his position regarding military assistance from other States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7476/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conflict in eastern Ukraine has escalated rapidly in recent weeks. The upsurge in violence and the increasing number of casualties, in particular innocent civilians caught up in the fighting, has been deeply troubling.
I welcome the agreement reached in Minsk on 12 February, following all-night talks involving Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, President Poroshenko and President Putin. The package of measures signed by the parties to the conflict offers hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, which has claimed over 5,400 lives and forced almost a million people to flee their homes. The agreement provides for a ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weapons in eastern Ukraine. It also provides a timetable for the implementation of key parts of the September Minsk Agreements, including those relating to elections, border control and prisoner exchange.
The true test of last week's accord will be in its full implementation. The ceasefire came into effect at midnight on Saturday, and the OSCE has reported that it is largely holding, except in the Debaltseve area where attacks continue. It is crucial that the parties abide by their commitments to end the fighting as the next step involves the withdrawal of heavy weapons and it is important that this process begins without delay.
A comprehensive and lasting ceasefire remains central to a de-escalation of the conflict. I support the calls on Russia to exercise its influence on the separatists to fully implement the commitments they entered into in Minsk.
At the informal European Council held on 12 February, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande briefed EU leaders on the outcome of the Minsk talks. President Poroshenko also addressed the meeting and provided a realistic assessment of what was agreed. Leaders assured President Poroshenko of the EU's full backing for his efforts to restore peace in Ukraine and to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also considered practical ways of supporting implementation of the agreement, including through further humanitarian assistance and strengthening of the OSCE Mission.
Unity and consistency has characterised the EU's actions in response of the Ukrainian crisis to date. It is crucial that this unity is maintained as it is key to our influence and our effectiveness.
We have consistently stated that there can be no military solution to the crisis in Ukraine. The initiative undertaken by Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande was aimed at reviving the September Minsk Agreements and bringing an end to the current spiral of violence. The focus must now be on implementing the commitments in last week's accord, including the withdrawal of heavy weapons. Providing lethal military equipment would risk undermining these diplomatic efforts to find a political resolution to the crisis.
171. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the coming to power of the Houthi group in Yemen; if there are any Irish citizens in Yemen; if consular assistance has been provided to these Irish citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7477/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the Foreign Affairs Council on 9 February, I and my EU colleagues expressed our grave concern at recent developments in Yemen, including the seizure of control in Sana'a by Houthi militia and the consequent collapse of the transitional national government. The Council called for the release from house arrest of the former President and Ministers, who have all resigned. Yemen urgently needs an end to political violence and the restoration of a central government which can command wide support and attempt to rule on behalf of all Yemenis. The Council expressed EU support for UN efforts to resume an inclusive dialogue among the various political forces.
My Department's travel advice for Yemen, accessible on www.dfa.ie , advises Irish citizens against travel to Yemen. Through our on-line citizens' registration facility we are aware of a very small number of Irish citizens there, working with international aid agencies, who we can keep in contact with as needs be. However, the Consular Assistance Section in my Department is not currently dealing with any requests for consular assistance from Irish citizens in Yemen. Any Irish citizen who wishes to request consular assistance can contact the Consular Assistance Section of my Department at 01 408 2000.
172. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the matter of the Massacre at Wounded Knee with his counterparts in the United States of America (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7532/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe history of the US government's relationship with Native Americans presents a complex and challenging legacy. This legacy has become a matter of much debate in the United States and I am aware, in particular, of the campaign surrounding the awarding of Congressional Medals of Honor to members of the US Army's Seventh Cavalry who were involved in the tragic event referred to by the Deputy.
However, as the granting of Congressional Medals of Honor is a matter solely within the remit of the United States Government, it would not be appropriate for the Irish Government to intervene in this matter. Ultimately it is for the people of the United States to determine how best to address this sad legacy in their history.
173. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the income details of a person's parent are being requested by Student Universal Support Ireland, when that person is a mature student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7420/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
174. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Kerry will be entitled to island status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7450/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the school referred to by the Deputy is accessible by road, it does not qualify therefore to be categorised as an "island" school.
175. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of sports facilities in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7451/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Department has already provided significant P.E. facilities at the newly constructed primary and post-primary schools at the educational campus of the school referred to in County Meath. Two General Purpose rooms, three external Ball courts and two Junior Play areas were provided at the new primary school. In addition, a P.E. hall and six External Hard Play areas were provided at the post primary school. Similar facilities will also be provided at the remaining primary school due to be constructed in the area.
I understand that the former VEC has also previously developed a one acre pitch on the campus.
In the circumstances and taking also into account the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the funding available for the provision of essential classroom accommodation, it is not possible to provide an indicative timeframe for the provision of further sports facilities at the school in question at this time.
176. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the qualifications of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5, that are recognised under the recognition of prior learning programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7452/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the individual in question has been in direct contact with my Department and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) about this issue. A letter of reply providing advice and information on the options available to the individual in relation to the recognition of prior learning was sent on 16th February 2015.
177. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an exemption from the three-year residency clause, applied to the Free Fees Scheme, will be provided to siblings of returning Irish emigrants, from countries outside of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7462/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Exchequer funds tuition fees costs in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study under my Department's Free Fees Initiative. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
Where full-time undergraduate students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee as determined by their third level institution. Third level institutions are autonomous bodies and it is therefore a matter for the institution to determine the rate of fee payable by students (EU or non-EU).
However, in the case of students who do not meet the residency clause, higher education institutions have been requested to charge the more moderate EU fee to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have completed at least five academic years of study (Primary or Post-Primary level) in the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
