Written Answers Nos. 289-304
289. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been issued with a unique health identifier since the Health Identifiers Act 2014 was passed, by local health office, in tabular form. [3880/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Identifiers Act 2014 provides for the establishment of systems of identifiers for clients and for healthcare providers, both professionals and organisations. The relevant provisions to establish the Individual Health Identifier Register were commenced in September 2015 to allow for Individual Health Identifiers to be assigned to individuals and to establish the related governance structure. Operational responsibility for the identifier system has been delegated to the HSE as provided for in the Act. The data to establish the register will leverage the work that is ongoing in supporting the Public Services Card initiative by the Department of Social Protection.
The HSE are about to launch a public consultation on the privacy impact of the proposed approach to assigning the identifiers. A Privacy Impact Assessment or PIA involves examining the privacy implications of a project to ensure that personal information is protected and that the project complies with all relevant legislation. It is envisaged that where the PIA identifies privacy risks it proposes safeguards that should reduce these risks without impacting on what the project is aiming to achieve. Late last year HSE successfully developed a technical proof of concept for the assigning of the individual health identifiers to its clients and building the register. The technical and operational environment for managing the identifier system is currently being finalised. Following the proof of concept it is envisaged that the system will migrate to a full production environment by the end of Q2 2016. When the system is fully operational it will allow the health services to positively identify patients and clients thus underpinning better patient safety.
It is important to point out that the roll out of a system of health identifiers for patients, professionals and organisations has no linkage with any eligibility for any type of health service or benefit. It is primarily a patient safety initiative and a fundamental building block for eHealth and ICT developments into the future.
290. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form and by public and voluntary hospital between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 the revenue raised from charges for private patients in public beds; the same details for 2014 and 2013; if he will provide in tabular form and by public and voluntary hospital the number of procedures from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 in each hospital that has treated private patients in public beds and the equivalent figures for 2014 and 2013; and the number of applications for payment by the insurer that were submitted by each hospital for such procedures carried out between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015, and the same figures for 2013 and 2014. [3881/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question regarding revenue raised from charges for private patients in public beds and the number of procedures has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
291. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff at national director level, assistant national director level, general manager level and grade VIII level in the Health Service Executive and in section 38 organisations funded by the executive on 1 January in each of the years from 2012 to 2016. [3882/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter with them.
292. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages provided and the number of persons benefiting from these by local health office in 2015 and the estimate for 2016, in tabular form. [3883/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
293. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding he allocated and the funding spent on capital projects and other initiatives in the constituencies of Louth and Meath-East, by project and initiative, by completion date and by cost, for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3562/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not spent any funding on capital projects and other initiatives in the constituencies of Louth and Meath-East in the last 5 years.
294. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade why persons of over 80 years of age pay the full €89 for a passport; and if he will reduce the cost for them. [3651/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the arrangement whereby persons over the age of 65 could avail of a reduced passport fee.
The annualised fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.60 for a French passport, €9.50 per year for a British passport, €10 per year for an American passport and €16.40 per year for an Australian passport.
Given that the shortfall in revenue would have to be met by the taxpayer I do not have any plans to reduce the fee charged to older applicants at this time.
295. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ask the Israeli authorities why approximately 350 acres of crops, all less than the regulation 40 cm in height and newly planted by Palestinian farmers in Gaza, have been destroyed by Israeli crop sprayers operating in the access-restricted areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3746/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of two recent reports of crop spraying in the restricted area on the Gaza side of the border fence. This practice is now said to have been going on for some years, but to have just come to wider attention.
The Israeli NGO Gisha, which is supported by Ireland, has put a series of questions to the Israeli authorities about the reasoning for the action and what chemicals have been used. The spraying of any kind of toxin onto crops intended for consumption is a matter of concern, and an issue on which people anywhere tend to be very sensitive. It is important therefore that Israel discloses fully what it has been doing, and I would urge them to do so. It would seem likely that any agent sprayed may also have drifted onto fields on the Israeli side of the fence.
The broader issue of the restrictions on Gaza, including the restricted zone along the fence, remain a significant concern at EU level, and were addressed in the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 January.
296. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he regards the Israeli confiscation of land and forced transfer of Palestinian Bedouins from the E1 area of the West Bank as contrary to international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3747/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has requested Israel to unequivocally clarify that it will not forcibly transfer Palestinian Bedouin from the El area of the West Bank or seize any land in this area for settlement expansion; if he discussed this during his December 2015 visit to Tel Aviv, Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3748/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to answer Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.
I have consistently made very clear my opposition to and condemnation of the whole process of settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the related policies of land seizures and forced transfer of population which are an inherent element of the settlement programme. These processes are clearly contrary to international law, and work directly contrary to efforts to secure a lasting peace in the area.
These views have been expressed in statements at national and EU level, in interventions at UN and other international fora, and directly to the Israeli authorities at all appropriate opportunities, at both political and diplomatic level. Both Ireland and the EU have asked Israel not to proceed with its planned forcible transfer of Bedouins from the E1 and other nearby areas.
The Foreign Affairs Council adopted Conclusions on the Middle East at its meeting on 15 January, including expressing the EU’s clear opposition to evictions and forced transfers of Bedouins, and the need for a fundamental change of policy by Israel in relation to Area C. Ireland was instrumental in the adoption of this language.
I did not visit Israel in December 2015.
298. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has an assessment of Israel’s treatment of minority groups, given the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision to allow the demolition of the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran inside Israel and the removal of its inhabitants against their will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3749/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland consistently expresses strong and forthright criticisms of Israeli policies in the occupied territory, and its treatment of Palestinians there.
There are also concerns about some issues relating to minorities in Israel, be they Bedouin or other Arab Israelis, which indeed have been the subject of considerable debate in Israel itself.
These concerns have been discussed at EU level. They have been expressed directly to the Israeli authorities in the same way that human rights concerns are raised with many other countries, commensurate with the issues at stake.
Tragically, there are religious, ethnic and other minorities in very many areas in the Middle East, and elsewhere, who are under much greater and more acute threats than in Israel.
299. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant associated with all external reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011. [3768/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).
My Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagements, these consultants/experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department.
In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed - and continues to inform - my Department’s policies, allowing for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
These services are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objective of the Department.
Separately, a low number of consultancies are occasionally engaged directly by our Missions abroad from time to time.
The following table sets out the requested details of external reports commissioned by the Department since March 2011.
|
Commission |
Experts/Consultants |
Report/Subject |
Cost (€) |
Date of publication |
|
2011 |
Kevin Moore |
Support to the Governments of Zambia and South Africa to develop Special Economic Zones for the promotion of inward investment and employment |
17,861 |
Not Applicable – see footnote* |
|
2011 |
Paul Sheane |
Support to the Governments of Zambia and South Africa to develop Special Economic Zones for the promotion of inward investment and employment |
9,965 |
* |
|
2011 |
Stefanie Meredith |
Review of Irish Aid Support for Product Development Partnerships in developing countries |
10,100 |
* |
|
2011 |
Samia Saad |
Review of Irish Aid Support for Product Development Partnerships in developing countries |
9,198 |
* |
|
Commission |
Experts/Consultants |
Report/Subject |
Cost (€) |
Date of publication |
|
2011 |
Paud Murphy |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
9,064 |
* |
|
2011 |
80:20 |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
9,870 |
* |
|
2011 |
Eilis Murray |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
6,068 |
* |
|
2011 |
ISOS |
Development Education Reviews - to examine the current funding support and engagement in each of the priority areas identified in the Development Education strategy (primary, post primary, third level, adult, community and youth work) |
42,247 |
* |
|
2011 |
Bernard McLoughlin |
Review of the Irish Aid Centre, Dublin |
6,143 |
* |
|
2011 |
Cathal Higgins |
Preparation of a report on the programme of education sector budget support towards school infrastructural development in Karamoja region and skills development in the oil sector (Uganda) |
5,000 |
* |
|
2011 |
Mike Williams |
Review of Humanitarian Programme Plan for Irish Aid |
18,742 |
* |
|
2011 |
Humanitarian Policy Ltd |
Review of Security Policy & Practice among Irish Aid Humanitarian Partners |
33,930 |
* |
|
2012 |
Mike Williams |
Evaluation of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation |
12,247 |
July 2013 |
|
2012 |
PA Consulting Group |
Evaluating the value of the economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland |
73,083 |
July 2013 |
|
2012 |
Cathy Roche |
Review of the Our World Awards 2005-2011 |
6,300 |
* |
|
2012 |
Everywhere Consulting |
Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Humanitarian Hub at Shannon Airport |
40,584 |
* |
|
2012 |
Fintan Farrelly |
Review of the Irish Aid Strategic Environmental Partnership Programme |
6,000 |
* |
|
2012 |
Mike Williams |
Review of Misean Cara |
15,099 |
* |
|
2012 |
Pham Quang Hoa |
Local consultancy contract 'Review of P135 infrastructure projects funded by Irish Aid' |
5,453 |
* |
|
2012 |
IOD Parc |
South Africa Country Strategy Programme 2008-2012 Final Report |
73,256 |
January 2013 |
|
2012 |
Itad |
Evaluation of the Irish Aid Ethiopia Country Strategy Programme 2008-2012 |
143,886 |
May 2013 |
|
2013 |
Peter McEvoy |
Evaluation of a number of Organisations funded by the Emigrant Support Programme(ESP) |
13,075 |
July 2013 |
|
2013 |
Wright Consultancy Ltd |
Gender Equality Audit |
14,000 |
* |
|
2013 |
Mary Jennings |
Review of HRD (Human Rights and Democratisation) Scheme Irish Aid Palestine |
15,500 |
* |
|
2013 |
Bronagh Hinds and Karen McMinn Consultants |
Report on the implementation of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security |
20,811 |
June 2013 |
|
2013 |
ASTEC Global Consultancy Ltd |
Review of Irish Aid Financial Policies and Procedures |
44,493 |
* |
|
Commission |
Experts/Consultants |
Report/Subject |
Cost (€) |
Date of publication |
|
2013 |
Gareth Williams |
Review of Financial and Programme of the Camara Education Programme |
20,000 |
* |
|
2013 |
John Geraghty |
Review of University College Cork’s Programme of Technical Support Internships for Food Security |
7,568 |
* |
|
2013 |
Natural Research Institute |
Review of Irish Aid Support to Fair and Ethical Trade Initiatives |
19,292 |
* |
|
2013 |
Pham Quang Hoa |
Review Programme 135 (for Ethnic Minorities) of Irish Aid funded infrastructure projects |
5,588 |
* |
|
2013 |
IOD Parc |
Evaluation of Irish Aid's Sierra Leone Strategy Paper, 2011-2013 |
77,907 |
August 2014 |
|
2013 |
Mokoro |
Evaluation of Ireland's Support to Timor Leste, 2001-2014 |
85,203 |
August 2014 |
|
2014 |
Tierney and Associates, Risk and Governance Consultants |
Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme |
19,934 |
* |
|
Commission |
Experts/Consultants |
Report/Subject |
Cost (€) |
Date of publication |
|
2014 |
Hogan Lovells, Washington |
Review of tax, social insurance and health obligations and other conditions of service in respect of locally-recruited staff members at our missions in the United States |
57,756 |
* |
|
2014 |
Gallup Korea (Korea Gallup Poll Co. LTD) |
Working Holiday Agreement Report |
7,217 |
March 2015 |
|
2014 |
Andy Pollak |
Review of Irish Aid support for Initial Teacher Education |
11,564 |
* |
|
2014 |
ADETEF |
OECD DAC EVALNET Study on Collaborative Partner- Donor Evaluation Work |
25,000 |
* |
|
2014 |
Tran Thi Ngoc Diep |
Local input into Review of Irish Aid scholarship programmes |
1,502 |
* |
|
2014 |
Tom Collins |
Feasibility Study - Celebrating and Sustaining Ireland’s relationship with Africa |
5,000 |
* |
|
2014 |
ITAD Limited |
Mid Term Review of the Civil Society Support Programme |
68,135 |
* |
|
2014 |
David Goodman Payne |
Review of Irish Aid Civil Society Facility in Vietnam |
8,589 |
On-going |
|
2014 |
Cathy Gaynor/Niamh O’Grady/Gill Roe |
Evaluability Assessment of the Programme of Strategic Cooperation |
43,200 |
* |
|
2014 |
Willis Risk Services (Ireland) Limited |
Consultancy for insurance policy report and tender documentation for the Rapid Response Corps |
5,000 |
* |
|
2014 |
Mekong Dev Research Institute |
Impact assessment of Irish Aid funded infrastructure projects under P135 in 2011 & 2012 |
43,912 |
* |
|
2014 |
Karen McMinn |
Report and final review on the implementation of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security |
9,750 |
2015 |
|
2014 |
Mokoro |
Evaluation of Irish Aid’s Uganda Country Strategy Paper 2010-2014 |
113,739 |
Not published yet |
|
ASM (B) Ltd |
Payroll System Audit |
11,636 |
* |
|
|
2015 |
ASM |
Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme |
€9,800 |
* |
|
2015 |
Peter McEvoy |
Professional Services for the appraisal of Irish Aid fellowship Training Programme |
16,560 |
* |
|
2015 |
Coffey International Development Ltd |
Review of the Irish Aid Programme Grant Mechanism |
23,588 |
* |
|
2015 |
Tran Thi Ngoc Diep |
Local input into scoping study to explore Ireland’s cooperation in the agriculture & agribusiness sector under the IDEAS programme |
4,442 |
* |
|
2015 |
Johnny O ‘Regan |
Organisational Assessment of Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice |
4,400 |
* |
|
2015 |
ASM |
e provision of audit services to examine grants awarded under the ESP |
14,356 |
* |
|
2015 |
Mazars |
ICT Audit |
27,552 |
* |
|
2015 |
Crowleys DFK |
Payment System Audit |
19,004 |
* |
*This report commissioned by the Department is an internal management report and not for publication.
300. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations for which he or his Department has been responsible, by name, by terms of reference, by cost, including the cost to date where an inquiry has not been concluded, and by date, including the projected date of conclusion where an inquiry has not been concluded from 1991 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3783/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations underway. The only investigation for which my Department had responsibility during the period in question was the investigation by Mr. Justice Peter Cory, a retired judge of the Canadian Supreme Court, of allegations of collusion in the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan, Patrick Finucane, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson, and Billy Wright.Judge Cory was appointed to undertake this investigation by the British and Irish Governments on 28 May 2002. The terms of reference of the investigation were to:
- review all the relevant papers in each case, including the records of earlier investigations;
- interview anyone Judge Cory thought could assist in his examination;
- establish the facts so far as practicable and subject to the law of the respective jurisdictions;
- keep, in reasonable manner, the relevant Governments informed of progress;
- submit reports as soon as practicable, including in circumstance where there was not sufficient basis to establish the facts in a particular case; the reports to include any recommendation(s) for further action, including, if considered necessary, the holding of a public inquiry.
Judge Cory was also requested to hear the views of the victims’ families and to keep them informed of progress, if that was their wish. Judge Cory submitted his final reports to the two Governments on 7 October 2003.
The costs of the Inquiry were shared between the two Governments. It was agreed that there would be a 50:50 split for the following items: salaries of the judge and assistants, travel and allowances. In addition, each Government directly covered the costs that arose in its jurisdiction such as legal advice, secretarial support, accommodation and travel. Some costs were also paid in respect of legal representation for the families. The total cost to the Irish exchequer of the investigation was €341,168.90.
301. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenses claimed, including the amount of mileage and the amount claimed, by him and Ministers of State of his Department, by calendar year, during the current Dáil Éireann, in tabular form. [3811/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraListed below are the details of expenses paid, including the amount of mileage and the amount claimed by the Minister of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and each of the Ministers of State at my Department over the period 2011-2015.
Tánaiste Gilmore was provided with a State car and Garda drivers.
|
Year |
IN OFFICE |
MILEAGE |
SUBSISTENCE |
HOTEL Costs |
OTHER EXPENSES |
|
2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore T.D. |
March to Dec |
Nil~ |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Lucinda Creighton T.D. - European Affairs |
March to Dec |
€4,834.02 |
Nil |
Nil |
89.40 |
|
MOS Jan O'Sullivan T.D. - Irish Aid |
March to Dec |
€9,169.20 |
€1,529.63 |
Nil |
7.50 |
|
2012 |
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore T.D. |
Jan to Dec |
Nil~ |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Lucinda Creighton T.D. - European Affairs |
Jan to Dec |
€9,597.43 |
€106.25 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Jan O'Sullivan T.D. - Irish Aid |
January |
€819.65 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Joe Costello T.D. - Irish Aid |
Jan to Dec |
€1,549.38 |
€5,335.83 |
Nil |
28.00 |
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore T.D. |
Jan to Dec |
Nil~ |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Lucinda Creighton T.D. - European Affairs |
Jan to July |
€6,130.36 |
€33.61 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Pascal Donohoe T.D. - European Affairs |
July to Dec |
€2,653.37 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Joe Costello T.D. - Irish Aid |
Jan to Dec |
Nil |
€6,134.60 |
Nil |
357.80 |
|
2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore T.D. |
Jan to July |
Nil~ |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Minister Charles Flanagan T.D. |
July to Dec |
€6,573.40 |
Nil |
Nil |
€300.00 |
|
MOS Pascal Donohoe T.D. - European Affairs |
Jan to July |
€4,759.95 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Dara Murphy - European Affairs/Data Protection |
July to Dec |
€9,791.89 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
MOS Joe Costello T.D. - Irish Aid |
Jan to July |
€12,773.01 |
€3,252.87 |
€175.79 |
235.80 |
|
MOS Seán Sherlock T.D. - Irish Aid, Trade Promotion and North-South Cooperation |
July to Dec |
€9,028.50 |
€1,238.40 |
€6.00 |
418.00 |
|
MOS Jimmy Deenihan T.D. - The Diaspora |
July to Dec |
€11,201.87 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
€ |
|
Minister Charles Flanagan T.D. |
Jan-Dec |
€17,444.64 |
€4,957.92 |
€196.96 |
|
|
MOS Dara Murphy - European Affairs/Data Protection |
Jan-Dec |
€27,686.84 |
€4,436.52 |
€315.58 |
|
|
MOS Seán Sherlock T.D. - Irish Aid, Trade Promotion and North-South Cooperation |
Jan-Dec |
€22,116.24 |
€4,664.05 |
|
|
|
MOS Jimmy Deenihan T.D. -The Diaspora |
Jan-Dec |
€26,270.98 |
€3,324.79 |
|
302. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount he spent on media clipping and media monitoring services in each calendar year from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3826/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not subscribed to external media clipping or media monitoring services during the period to which the Deputy refers. My Department and Ireland’s network of 80 Diplomatic, Consular and other offices overseas perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing government policies internationally, in particular at EU and UN levels; economic, trade and cultural promotion; frontline consular services; engaging with Irish diaspora communities; and programme management, particularly in Irish Aid priority countries.
This work necessitates electronic access to the most up to date international and national news. My Department has used online news aggregation in order to be able to search for and access relevant current and past online news.
The total amounts spent on online news aggregation services over the 2011-2015 period were:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2011 |
€10,890 |
|
2012 |
€9,840 |
|
2013 |
€24,909 |
|
2014 |
€33,210 |
303. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken to protect Christian and other minority communities in the Middle East; if he has taken any initiatives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3852/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have repeatedly condemned the crimes committed against religious and ethnic minorities across the Middle East, including Christians, who have been the victims of appalling crimes, including murder, sexual violence, enslavement and forced conversions.
Ireland, in conjunction with 57 other States, sponsored a resolution calling for the Security Council of the United Nations to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court in 2014, a resolution which was vetoed by two permanent members of the Security Council.
Ireland has provided over €43M in recent years in humanitarian support to the victims of the Syrian and Iraqi crises and will make a further commitment at the forthcoming London conference on the Syrian crisis at the beginning of February.
The only means of securing the protection of Christian communities and other minorities across the Middle East, is through the promotion of sustainable political solutions to the conflicts which have destabilised the region and have been the key factor in the promotion of radical and extremist ideologies. Ireland has been a key supporter of the UN’s efforts to achieve an end to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.
304. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on relations with the autonomous provinces of Kurdistan in Iraq and on Ireland's stance on the long struggle of Kurdistan for national independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3854/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland continues to support the territorial integrity of Iraq and does not propose to intervene in internal constitutional matters of Iraq, which are for decision by the Iraqi people and their democratically elected leaders.
