Written Answers Nos. 203 - 222
203. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on Ireland's role in negotiations in the post-2015 development agenda; the key areas Ireland will focus on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15258/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is co-facilitating intergovernmental negotiations at the United Nations to agree a framework for global development to succeed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015. The new sustainable development agenda should be adopted in New York in September. It will involve a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will complete the work of the MDGs on the eradication of extreme poverty and will also put sustainable development at the core. The SDGs will be universal in nature and address development challenges through social, environmental and economic actions in low, middle and high-income countries alike. They will address a wide range of areas including MDG priorities such as food and nutrition, but also broader challenges, including on climate, sustainable production and consumption, trade and global governance structures, and peace and governance.
Ireland’s key priorities for the post-2015 Development Agenda have been the fight to end hunger and under nutrition, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and good governance and rule of law. These priorities are drawn from Ireland’s Policy for International Development ‘One World, One Future’ and the priorities set out following the Foreign Policy Review, in ‘The Global Island’. Ireland’s positions in the UN negotiations and in the relevant EU coordination are agreed through a whole-of-Government coordination process involving all relevant Government Departments. We have advocated for strong goals and targets in each of these key areas, and we have emphasised the need to incorporate human rights in the new development framework, reduce global inequality and protect the role of civil society.
The fourth session of the intergovernmental negotiations will take place in New York from 20 to 24 April.
204. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any discussions with European Union counterparts on human rights and workers' rights issues in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15279/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation in Colombia, including human rights, workers’ rights, the ongoing peace process and the European Union's relations with Colombia, have been discussed regularly at EU level. The Foreign Affairs Council meeting that took place in Luxembourg yesterday addressed the subject of Colombia with particular emphasis on how the EU might assist.
Human rights in Colombia are a major concern for the EU and for Ireland and are addressed in detail in the context of the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue. Through this mechanism, which addresses the subject directly with the Colombian authorities at official level, the Union engages in a structured manner across the full range of human rights issues, including as regards human rights defenders and trade unionists, land restitution, environmental and economic crimes, and the slow pace in the decrease of impunity. I believe that this policy of engagement, dialogue and scrutiny, which is ongoing, regular and structured, is the best way to promote human rights and the interests of labour in Colombia.
The promotion and protection of human rights is a core principle of Ireland's foreign policy and we have prioritised the protection of trade unionists, human rights defenders, and others who are in immediate danger. I agree with the view of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that an end to the longstanding armed conflict - now under negotiation between the government and the guerrillas - has the potential to transform Colombia in terms of its level of respect for and enjoyment of human rights. Ireland and the EU will continue to engage with Colombia to assist in securing a lasting peace in the country.
Our Embassy in Mexico City, which is accredited to Bogota on a non-residential basis, is in regular contact on human rights issues with the Colombian authorities, with civil society, and with the EU delegation there. Ireland will continue, together with our EU Partners, to engage with the Colombian government and civil society, to promote and protect human rights.
205. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that Ireland is represented at the highest level at the financing for development conference in July 2015; and his views that there is a role for parliamentarians at that conference and further upcoming conferences on post-2015 sustainable development goals and climate change. [15184/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am planning to attend the major international conference on Financing for Development which will take place in Addis Ababa from 13-16 July, to discuss financing for the ambitious post-2015 framework for global development currently being negotiated at the UN in New York. This conference, the third of its kind, will also assess progress made in the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus of 2002 and the Doha Declaration of 2008.
The financing for development conference is one of a series of interlinked global negotiations which should reach agreement in the course of 2015 and which will have significant international and domestic implications. In September, world leaders will meet in New York to adopt a new development framework around a set of Sustainable Development Goals to follow on from the Millennium Development Goals, adopted in 2000. It is expected that the new goals will be universal in nature and address challenges in a wide range of areas as diverse as agriculture, education, gender equality, health, justice, employment and environmental degradation. Ireland, together with Kenya, is co-facilitating the inter-governmental negotiations on the SDGs at the UN.
In addition, a new climate agreement is being negotiated under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with a view to the 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris in December.
Together, these processes should define a new sustainable development framework, which will aim to transform the concept of global development. I believe it is essential that Ireland’s delegations to the Conferences involved should reflect the political importance of the agenda and should include the most appropriate representation, including by parliamentarians and civil society.
206. Deputy Michael Conaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is in a position to provide five-year passports for senior citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15187/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA reduced term of validity for children’s passports is necessary as children’s appearances change significantly within a short period of years, which can lead to uncertainty regarding the identity of the passport holder. This is not generally the case for adults of any age and it is the norm internationally to provide standard validity passports to all adults. Introducing an arrangement whereby adults of any age would be eligible to apply for a passport for a period of less than 10 years would increase the total demand for passports on an ongoing basis and would require the recruitment of additional staff in the Passport Offices to cope with increased demand. For these reasons, there are no plans to introduce a passport of less than 10 year validity for adult applicants, regardless of age.
207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has conducted an assessment of the impact of a possible exit by the United Kingdom from the European Union; if his Department will take an active role in the debate on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15261/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is little doubt that the UK’s continued membership of the European Union is hugely important for Ireland. There are a number of well-documented reasons for this, not least the key role the EU and the common market play in sustaining the strong British-Irish trading relationship. Our joint presence within the Union is also especially beneficial to the people of Northern Ireland and cross-border cooperation. Our focus is therefore on keeping the UK within the EU and we have made this very clear to our British and our European partners, both in public and in private.
I outlined the Government’s position clearly in a speech to the European Council on Foreign Relations in London last November and I had the opportunity to discuss our views in further detail with my British counterpart, Philip Hammond, at a meeting in Dublin the following month. This Government acknowledges that the UK has some legitimate concerns about the future direction of the EU and we will be open and sympathetic to considering British proposals, if and when they are presented, on improving the functioning of the Union.
It is clear that a British departure from the European Union could have serious and potentially adverse consequences for Ireland. That is why the Government is monitoring developments extremely carefully. The Department of the Taoiseach is leading our work in this area and is coordinating ongoing efforts across Government to ensure that Ireland is best prepared for any scenario that could arise. The Department of Finance is also examining relevant issues and has commissioned a report to improve our understanding of the macro-economic links between the UK and Ireland in the context of our EU membership.
My own Department, given its responsibility for Foreign Affairs and Trade, is naturally closely involved in this process. My officials cooperate closely with other Departments and of course, our Embassy in London also plays a vital role as do many of our other diplomatic missions across the EU and further afield. There are clearly potential consequences across many areas of my Department’s work which require careful consideration.
I should stress, however, that the matter concerned is one for the whole of Government, rather than any one specific Department. This is because British membership of the European Union impacts on Ireland on a large array of levels. This broad interest can be seen, for example, in the Taoiseach’s recent address to the CBI in Belfast, and in my colleague Minister Fitzgerald’s speech in February to the British Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin. We will continue to work closely together within Government to help keep the UK within the EU and to protect our country’s interests.
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to monitor the situation and engage with the authorities in Egypt, in respect of the continued detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied); if he continues to invoke the support of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Federica Mogherini, in this regard; if he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to assist this person and his family in the course of these difficult times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15266/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur objectives in this case are clear. Firstly to see this individual released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by me and my officials in this case has been to further these objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests.
It is important to bear in mind the role of the Irish Government where citizens are imprisoned abroad. Irrespective of any views regarding the fairness or appropriateness of any arrest abroad, the reality is that where an Irish citizen is charged with an offence under the law of a foreign country, it is the foreign law that applies and it is the relevant foreign court which decides matters such as bail and release. The decision to release this individual either on bail or on any other basis, will be a decision that is made solely by the Egyptian authorities.
Since this citizen was originally detained in August 2013, I, and officials in my Department including our Embassy in Cairo, have raised this case with the Egyptian authorities regularly and consistently. In addition, he has received consular visits from Embassy officials on 37 Occasions.
I can confirm that the Irish Government has formally supported both the application by this citizen’s lawyers for his release and return to Ireland under the November Presidential decree, and the more recent application for his release on bail. Our official support for this citizen’s release has been duly communicated to the Egyptian authorities in formal diplomatic notes that have been included in the documentation submitted to the court and the authorities by his lawyer.
I can confirm that I am in ongoing contact with HRVP Mogherini in relation to this case. I have discussed it with her on numerous occasions, as recently as last week, and she continues to assure me of the support of the EU for our position.
I have also spoken to my Egyptian counterpart on numerous occasions, both in person and on the telephone. On 4 March I met with Assistant Foreign Minister Hisham Badr and discussed the case with him in some detail. On 2 April I spoke again with my Egyptian counterpart, Minister Shoukry to underline the Government’s support for the formal applications that have been made for this individual’s release – both for the formal application for bail, and for the application that has been made for release under the Presidential decree on foreign prisoners. I also took the opportunity to highlight key humanitarian concerns – including this individual’s youth, his absence from his studies and the length of time in detention without conviction.
The individual’s trial has started, with the next hearing scheduled for 26 April. All of the information we have received indicates that it is highly unlikely that there will be any decision as regards his release until the court makes its decisions. We continue to review our approach and actions in this case, but we are guided at all times by the two key objectives set out above. Given that the trial has now commenced and a formal petition for his release on bail is currently being considered by the Egyptian courts, my Department must exercise restraint in its public comment. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases, in line with our clear objectives in this case and what we firmly believe to be in this citizen’s best interests and to be most likely to contribute to a positive outcome for him.
We remain in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and will continue to offer full consular support.
209. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to ensure the implementation of the truth recovery elements of the Stormont House Agreement, and services for victims and survivors. [15178/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government believes that addressing the legacy of the past is essential to further progress towards reconciliation in Northern Ireland. For this reason, the Stormont House Agreement provides for the establishment of a number of important new mechanisms, including an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval, an Oral History Archive and an Implementation and Reconciliation Group to oversee themes, archives and information recovery across the framework for dealing with the legacy of the past.
In addition, the Agreement provides for a an independent Historical Investigations Unit, which will take forward investigations into outstanding Troubles-related deaths from the former PSNI Historical Enquiries Team process and the legacy work of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. It provides further for the Northern Ireland Executive to take appropriate steps to improve the way the legacy inquests function is conducted in Northern Ireland to comply with European Convention on Human Rights Article 2 requirements. The Agreement sets out that processes dealing with the past should be victim-centred and emphasises the importance of providing services and support to victims and survivors.
The efficient and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement in its totality is a key focus for the Government. On 27 March I participated in a second implementation and review meeting of the Agreement in Belfast with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive Parties. It was a useful opportunity to take stock of progress, including in relation to our ongoing work in relation to the establishment of the mechanisms for dealing with the past. Regular meetings are also taking place at official level to bring forward this complex work and good progress is being made.
The next review of the Stormont House Agreement meeting is scheduled to take place in June. A six-monthly update on progress on implementation of the Agreement is due to be published at that time, in accordance with the review and monitoring provisions of the Agreement.
The Government remains committed to playing its part in ensuring the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement.
210. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the decision of the Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly not to seek re-election, his plans to contribute to the debate on the possible restructuring of the organisation. [15186/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government wishes to acknowledge the dedicated work undertaken by Spencer Oliver in developing the parliamentary dimension of the OSCE during his tenure as Secretary General of the OSCE Parliament Assembly (PA). While supportive of many aspects of the work of the OSCE, the Parliamentary Assembly is independent of the key decision making bodies of the organisation. State governments are represented in these decision-making bodies, whereas the Parliamentary Assembly facilitates inter-parliamentary dialogue outside of the intergovernmental process. As such, the Assembly has its own rules and procedures, and any new restructuring initiatives are for the members of the Parliamentary Assembly to decide. However, the Parliamentary Assembly does play an active part in the ‘Helsinki +40’ reform process launched by my predecessor, the then Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE in 2012. ‘Helsinki +40’ is a three year reform effort that provides an opportunity to critically examine the OSCE’s roles, structures, tools and instruments with a view to making them better suited to the peace and security challenges of the 21st Century in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region. The results of extensive consultations under the auspices of the Parliamentary Assembly will be considered at the Assembly’s annual meeting in July of this year.
The Government welcomes the active engagement of the Parliamentary Assembly in the ‘Helsinki +40’ process. Our Permanent Representative in Vienna is special co-ordinator for 'effectiveness and efficiency' issues under the ‘Helsinki +40’ process. In that capacity, our Representative regularly engages with the Assembly on proposals aimed at strengthening its role and influence in the service of OSCE objectives.
211. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, the countries in receipt of overseas development aid from the Irish Government; if he will indicate, in each case, whether the funding goes to a Government or State or to a non-governmental organisation or to both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15284/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast year, the Government provided a total of €607 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA). €474 million of this was managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 – International Cooperation. The remaining €133 million was accounted for by ODA-eligible contributions made through other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget.
Ireland provides development assistance to over eighty of the world’s least developed countries. However we focus in particular on nine key partner countries, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa. These are Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Sierra Leone and Vietnam. Our engagement with our key partner countries is at a strategic level, and we provide support for their long-term development, especially in the areas of health, nutrition, education, gender equality and governance.
The Government’s aid programme is delivered through a wide range of partners and channels, including through government systems, Irish and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and missionary organisations, and UN and other multilateral agencies and organisations. Approximately one quarter of Ireland’s total ODA is delivered through NGOs. In 2013, a total of some €88 million was delivered through partner country systems.
My Department publishes detailed analysis of expenditure under Ireland’s aid programme in the statistical annexes to the Irish Aid Annual Report, including an analysis of support to all recipient countries in excess of €1 million across various funding mechanisms. The Department is currently finalising the details of 2014 expenditure, which will be published in the Irish Aid Annual Report in mid-year and will be available at www.irishaid.ie. The expenditure details for the years 2007 to 2013 are already available on the website.
212. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason no voting proposals for Irish citizens abroad were contained in the global Irish Diaspora policy document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15263/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraActive representation in Irish civic life is of significant importance to Irish citizens overseas as evidenced by the submissions to the public consultation process undertaken to inform the Diaspora Policy. The issue of voting rights for citizens overseas was raised in a number of submissions received during this process.
At the time of finalising the Diaspora Policy, two important parallel processes were underway with regard to extending the voting franchise. Firstly, a working group on Seanad Reform was exploring ways of reforming Seanad Éireann within existing constitutional parameters. Their report was due after the policy was to be published. They have since reported to Government and their recommendations propose some significant changes to Seanad voting arrangements which would impact on citizens overseas. There now needs to be public and political discussion and consultation on the overall content of that report.
In addition, meeting in September 2013, the members of the Constitutional Convention voted in favour of citizens resident outside the State, including those in Northern Ireland, having the right to vote in Presidential elections. This recommendation requires consideration of a number of issues that would arise were it to be implemented including policy, legal and practical issues. The Government has asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, in cooperation with myself and the Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs, to analyse the issues arising and to report back to Government.
The Diaspora Policy notes the ongoing whole of government focus on this issue. It is not a simple matter and both of the current processes deserve full consideration before any recommendation is made.
213. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the recent election of Mr. Maithripala Sirisena in the Sri Lankan presidential election, his views on the situation in that country; if he supports the call for an international investigation into alleged war crimes, including genocide, carried out against the Tamil population at the end of the civil war in 2009; his views on the protection of the rights of Tamil-speakers and other minorities in Sri Lanka; if he will report on any meetings his Department has had with the Sri Lankan Government, or if the situation in Sri Lanka has been raised at an European Union or United Nations level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been a change in Government in Sri Lanka following the presidential election in January 2015, and I welcome the stated commitment of the new President, Maithripala Sirisena, to freedom, good governance and respect for human rights. At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels on 9 February 2015, which I attended, the Council agreed a number of conclusions on EU priorities at UN Human Rights Fora in 2015. With regard to Sri Lanka, the Council welcomed the commitments by the new Sri Lankan government on rule of law and reconciliation, while encouraging the new Sri Lankan Government to work with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Council to address ongoing human rights concerns and make credible domestic progress on reconciliation. Our Ambassador to Sri Lanka (who is based in New Delhi) maintains regular contact with the Sri Lankan authorities and regularly visits Sri Lanka for discussions there. Our Embassy in New Delhi monitors the situation in Sri Lanka on an ongoing basis. Under Irish Aid’s funding to NGOs, just over €300,000 in funding has been allocated to NGOs working in Sri Lanka in 2012 and 2013.
At the UN Human Rights Council session in March 2014 Ireland voted in favour of a resolution promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. One aspect of that resolution was a request for an investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka. A report of that investigation is due to be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2015.
On the issue of the protection of the rights of Tamil speakers and other minorities, I would note that the Tamil population is widely distributed in Sri Lanka and is not solely confined to the North of the country. More than one third of the population of Colombo is Tamil, and Tamil is the most widely spoken language in the city. According to the 2012 census, nearly three quarters of the city’s population spoke Tamil as their first language. It is understood that the new Government have already made some positive steps to deal with resettlement issues, including returning some military land (used for commercial purposes), nomination of a civilian governor in the Northern Province, cancelling the foreign travel restrictions in the North and welcoming Tamil refugees from India.
A meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 2 April 2015. The Joint Commission, which oversees the EU-Sri Lanka Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (in place for 20 years) deals with a broad range of bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest. At this most recent meeting, it was agreed in principle to establish a new Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights, to allow for a dialogue on these issues.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Sri Lanka closely over the coming period.
214. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update regarding Irish Aid's spend for 2014; the checks and controls in place to ensure there is no fraud, and that value for money is always achieved for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15268/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast year, the Government provided a total of €607 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA). Of this, €474 million was managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 – International Cooperation. The remaining €133 million was accounted for by ODA-eligible contributions made through other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget. My Department is currently finalising the detailed expenditure analysis for 2014 for Ireland’s aid programme which will shortly be published in the statistical annexes to the 2014 Irish Aid Annual Report and available at www.irishaid.ie.
Ireland’s aid programme is implemented in challenging, complex and often inherently risky environments. My Department has implemented a comprehensive system of internal controls to mitigate against these risks, ensure the efficient and effective use of resources and deliver value for money. It operates rigorous systems for planning, monitoring, evaluating and auditing all funding provided for under the aid programme. Programmes are closely monitored at mission and headquarters level to ensure they deliver on the intended results, and are meeting our overall objective of contributing to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries and communities in the world.
All expenditure is subject to audit by the Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit which reports directly to the Secretary General of the Department. The work of the Evaluation and Audit Unit is overseen by the Department’s independent Audit Committee. All expenditure is also audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
While no system can safeguard completely against the incidence of fraud, I am satisfied that the Department has in place a comprehensive system of controls which ensures all expenditure provides value for money, and that funding provided under the aid programme is used to the greatest possible effect for the purposes intended.
215. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the ongoing punishment beatings in Northern Ireland with the Secretary of State; his views on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15195/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe practice of vigilantism in certain parts of Northern Ireland continues, notwithstanding the transformed political, social and security environment since the Good Friday Agreement. A recent RTÉ documentary ‘Above The Law’, broadcast on 23 March, and corresponding work published by investigative website The Detail, on the issue of punishment beatings, were a reminder of the damage which this abhorrent practice causes, to individuals, their families and communities. Successive Governments have condemned all acts of violence, including punishment beatings, acts of intimidation and threats, as well as sectarian and racist attacks. I reiterate that all such attacks are unacceptable.
It is clear that those involved in such activities are unrepresentative criminals, who have no positive contribution to make to building the reconciled island to which we all aspire.
The criminal justice system in Northern Ireland provides the appropriate means to provide redress in respect of all crime. I wish to endorse the comments of Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin of the PSNI, who has said that community support is key to prosecuting those responsible for punishment beatings.
Since the devolution of Policing and Justice in 2010, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland takes the lead on criminal justice issues. My officials liaise with the Minister of Justice, the Department of Justice, senior PSNI officers, members of the Policing Board and NIO officials, as well as with community representatives on an ongoing basis on the range of issues regarding policing in the community, including on the most effective responses to punishment beatings.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through its Reconciliation Fund, has provided over €100,000 in the past year to community groups and projects in Northern Ireland that aim to build trust in community policing.
216. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he sought at the European Council meeting in December 2014 that the issue of the detention of a person (details supplied) be raised with the Egyptian authorities. [15212/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s objectives in this case are clear. Firstly to see this individual released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by me and my officials in this case has been to further these key objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests.
While individual consular matters would not generally be on the agenda at the European Council, I am in ongoing contact with European colleagues in relation to this case. I have discussed it with HRVP Mogherini on numerous occasions, most recently last week, and she continues to assure me of the support of the EU for our position.
I, and my Department, remain in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and will continue to offer full consular support.
217. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he requested the European Council at its meeting in December 2014 to make representations to the Egyptian Government for the release of an Irish citizen (details supplied) who has been designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. [15231/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a repeat of the reply I gave to Question No. 216. The Government’s objectives in this case are clear. Firstly to see this individual released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by me and my officials in this case has been to further these key objectives, and most importantly to avoid any action that could be counterproductive or detrimental to his best interests.
While individual consular matters would not generally be on the agenda at the European Council, I am in ongoing contact with European colleagues in relation to this case. I have discussed it with HRVP Mogherini on numerous occasions, most recently last week, and she continues to assure me of the support of the EU for our position.
I, and my Department, remain in ongoing contact with this individual and his family, and will continue to offer full consular support.
218. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach if he will provide the latest data on the number of employees in the State on the national minimum wage; the percentage out of the total workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13739/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Earnings, Hours and Employment Costs Survey (EHECS) collects information from enterprises on the number of employees paid at or below the national minimum wage. The results from this survey for Quarter 3 2014, the latest period for which data is available, show that there are an estimated 71,500 employees in receipt of the national minimum wage of €8.65 per hour or less. This equates to 4.5 % of all employees in enterprises with three or more employees in the State.
219. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the median hourly wage in 2013 and 2014; the number of persons who are on 25%, 50% and 75% of the average hourly median wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13740/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for the years 2013 and 2014 is not yet available. The most recent National Employment Survey (NES) collected by the CSO was in respect of 2009 and the annual collection of NES data was discontinued for budgetary reasons after that year. The CSO is currently completing a project to compile NES statistics from administrative data sources, without the need for survey collection from enterprises. It aims to publish initial results for 2011 by the end of June and to follow this with publication of 2012 data in September, 2013 data by the end of this year, and 2014 data in the first quarter of 2016.
220. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of employees who were earning less than two thirds of the hourly median wage in 2013 and 2014; the percentage of the workforce this corresponds to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13741/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for the years 2013 and 2014 is not yet available. The most recent National Employment Survey (NES) collected by the CSO was in respect of 2009 and the annual collection of NES data was discontinued for budgetary reasons after that year. The CSO is currently completing a project to compile NES statistics from administrative data sources, without the need for survey collection from enterprises. It aims to publish initial results for 2011 by the end of June and to follow this with publication of 2012 data in September, 2013 data by the end of this year, and 2014 data in the first quarter of 2016.
221. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of persons under 21 years of age on the national minimum wage in 2013 and 2014; the number of persons in the age categories 16 to 17 and 18 to 20 earning less than two thirds of the hourly median wage in 2013 and 2014; the percentage of the workforce this corresponds to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13742/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for the years 2013 and 2014 is not yet available. The most recent National Employment Survey (NES) collected by the CSO was in respect of 2009 and the annual collection of NES data was discontinued for budgetary reasons after that year. The CSO is currently completing a project to compile NES statistics from administrative data sources, without the need for survey collection from enterprises. It aims to publish initial results for 2011 by the end of June and to follow this with publication of 2012 data in September, 2013 data by the end of this year, and 2014 data in the first quarter of 2016.
222. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach the steps being taken to promote the use of Irish in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14179/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn keeping with the spirit of the Official Languages Act, my Department is committed to developing and maintaining a culture that encourages the use of Irish both within the Department and with our customers. To that end, Irish language courses are readily available to all staff through the Department's Training Unit.
The primary focus of my Department's work involves interaction with other Government Departments and Agencies. As a result, it does not experience a significant level of demand from the public for services in Irish.
A number of staff members in my Department have indicated that they have proficiency in Irish and are competent to provide a variety of services in Irish to varying degrees.
Of these, two officers with a high level of proficiency have been designated to provide services to the public in Irish, and this number is sufficient to meet the existing demand.
My Department recognises the importance of having a number of staff fluent in and capable of providing services in Irish. In accordance with Government policy, future language schemes of my Department under the Official Languages Act will specify the posts that have an Irish language competency requirement.
The use of the Irish language is also a feature of my Department's Customer Charter, which states that customers who wish to conduct their business through Irish will be accommodated.
