Written Answers Nos. 45-55
45. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions at EU level regarding the arrangements in place with Turkey regarding migrants; his views on whether it is appropriate to implement agreements with countries that disrespect human rights records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8690/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast March, EU leaders and Turkey agreed on the terms of a Statement to address the mass movement of people entering the EU from Turkey. The core intention of the EU Turkey Statement is to break the business model of the people smugglers profiting from the suffering of the vulnerable and to discourage migrants from risking their lives in dangerous sea journeys. The period since the Statement was agreed has seen a very substantial reduction in the number of migrants risking their lives at sea and entering the EU from Turkey, which suggests that the Statement is achieving its aims.
The need for the Statement to comply with EU and international law was a key concern for very many EU Member States, including Ireland. The legal advice of the EU institutions and the Attorney General’s Office was that the terms of the Statement were not in breach of EU or international law.
The European Council, the Justice and Home Affairs Council as well as the Foreign Affairs Council have all addressed the migration crisis on many occasions since the crisis developed in the Spring of 2015 and I have taken an active part in those discussions.
Human rights and humanitarian values are at the core of the EU and Member States’ approach to all negotiations on migration and mobility and we are committed to enhancing human rights safeguards in such negotiations.
Although the EU and Turkey are working well together to address the migrant crisis, the EU as a whole nonetheless has grave concerns about negative developments in Turkey in respect of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and freedom of expression, in the aftermath of the attempted coup in July 2016 and under the extended state of emergency, which is still in place. I share the concerns of our EU partners, which were set out very clearly in a statement on 8 November last. Unfortunately, these concerns persist. We will continue to monitor the situation in Turkey closely, and to engage with the Turkish authorities to encourage a renewed commitment to democracy and respect for human freedoms and to the core principles which we value so highly. We do not underestimate the challenges faced by Turkey, or the role it plays in the migrant crisis, but believe that the rule of law and democracy must always be respected.
46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific proposals or contributions Ireland is making to the Foreign Affairs Council to ensure the safety of the Yazidi people subjected to genocide and slavery in northern Iraq by ISIS. [8692/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to record my absolute and unreserved condemnation of the vile and criminal acts committed against the Yazidis by the terrorist group Da’esh. These crimes continue to this day, against Yazidis held captive by Da’esh. The protection of the Yazidi population and other populations from these crimes is a matter for the United Nations, in particular the Security Council of the United Nations, rather than the European Union.
In September 2015, Ireland addressed UN Human Rights Council on the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry report which stated that the crime of genocide had been committed against the Yazidis, saying “the Commission’s report details unimaginable crimes. The suffering of the victims of Daesh’s terrorism and hatred is laid bare before this Council in the report. This Council and the membership of the United Nations have an inarguable duty to end these crimes and work to achieve justice and accountability for the victims of these crimes.
Ireland has long made clear its full support for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. Together with over 50 Member States of the United Nations, Ireland co-sponsored a proposed resolution to this effect in 2014. Ireland regards the failure of the proposed resolution as a breach of the Security Council’s obligations under the UN Charter. Ireland repeats its call for the Security Council to uphold international law and act on this report by referring the situation in Syria to the Court. It is intolerable that the terrorist perpetrators of the most heinous crimes would be granted impunity by the action of any member of the United Nations.
Ireland urges that all States engaged in countering Daesh in Syria and Iraq should place the protection of civilian populations, especially minorities at particular risk from Daesh’s murderous ideology of hate, as a priority in their instructions to members of their security forces.”
The responsibility for a legal determination of the crime of genocide is a matter for a legally competent and internationally recognised court. These atrocities took place in both Syria and Iraq and reported crimes in both States need to be investigated and prosecuted. I regard the report of the Commission of Inquiry and its findings of genocide as authoritative and I repeat our long-standing demand that the Security Council fulfil its obligations under international law and act to ensure that the Yazidis can seek accountability for Daesh’s crimes before the International Criminal Court or another legally competent international tribunal.
I welcome the December 2016 decision of the UN General Assembly to establish an independent, impartial independent accountability mechanism for Syria. Ireland was one of the large majority of States voting in favour of its establishment. Our Mission to the United Nations have reported on the steps taken to implement the decision and we will consider all options Ireland can take to give practical support to United Nations in ensuring its effectiveness.
Funding from the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, has been provided to meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable people inside Iraq, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and those who have been displaced internally, or who have fled to neighbouring countries. Funding is channelled through Irish Aid’s NGO partners and UN organisations, who are best placed to respond, and is used to provide humanitarian supplies and urgently needed access to food, health, water and sanitation services, with a particular focus on the protection of children, women and the most vulnerable.
Ireland provided almost €3 million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq during 2016. €2.5 million was channelled through the UN Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which is used to provide life-saving assistance and meet the critical humanitarian needs of the estimated 10 million people affected by violence in Iraq. In Erbil and Dahuk Governorates, in particular, this includes members of the Yazidi community.
In addition the Irish Government dispatched 80 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies under the Rapid Response initiative. The relief items, which included blankets, jerry cans, cooking sets, water tanks, tarpaulins and shelter kits, at a total approximate value of €462,813, were donated to Oxfam for distribution to conflict affected communities.
During 2015, Ireland also provided €1 million to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund and €250,000 in support of UNICEF’s Iraq Strategic Response Plan, which prioritised the protection of civilians displaced by conflict, as well as €330,000 to Christian Aid Ireland to support activities promoting the protection of displaced women and girls in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, where the Yazidi population is concentrated.
Ireland continues to closely monitor the situation in Iraq, and given its complexity and severity, it is likely that further support will be provided to affected communities.
48. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the impact here of the new US immigration policy in view of the restrictions announced by the US President, Mr. Trump, recently (details supplied); and the actions his Department will take to minimise the negative impact of US immigration policy for Ireland. [8520/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I made clear in my statement of 29 January, 2017, concerning the Executive Order signed by President Trump on 27 January last, while US immigration policy is a matter for the US authorities, it is clear that this decision could have far-reaching implications – both on humanitarian grounds and on relations between the US and the global Muslim community. Accordingly, I share the concerns expressed by other EU partners regarding this development. I have noted the clarification issued by the Embassy of the United States in Dublin on 31 January, 2017, to the effect that the Executive Order in question does not restrict the travel of dual nationals to the United States, so long as they hold the passport of an unrestricted country and possess a valid US visa, if required. Since then, the US courts have intervened and imposed a suspension on the implementation of the Executive Order.
I would like to advise the House that officials from my Department met with representatives of the United States Embassy in Dublin on 8 February last and were assured that no changes have been made with regard to US visa regulations governing the issuance of visas for recent graduates. As the House may be aware, Irish students and recent graduates may avail of a range of options within the J1 programme. In this regard, I am pleased to note the recent announcement by the US authorities confirming an increase of 2,600 in the number of placements available to Irish citizens in the Summer Work and Travel (SWT) programme for 2017.
49. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the issue at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings of the demolition in Palestine of structures provided for by humanitarian aid and EU member states; if any course of action has been decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8548/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of the destruction by Israel of structures in Area C of the West Bank, which have been funded by the EU or its Member States, is a matter that is currently under discussion at EU level. It has been raised at the Foreign Affairs Council, and Ireland has taken an active role in extended consideration at official level. Ireland has argued for a stronger response to demolitions and confiscations and, in my view, the EU should request compensation in such instances. However, not all EU partners are of the same mind. Agreement on this point has not been reached, but I will continue to advocate for compensation.
50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of the Government on the formal recognition of the state of Palestine in view of the recent statement by the President of the USA in support of a one-state solution and in view of 138 UN member states affirming Palestinian statehood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8817/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy also to my replies to Questions 29 and 33 earlier today on this subject.
I am keeping under continuous review the question of whether and when an immediate recognition by Ireland of a state of Palestine might be helpful, bearing in mind the positive and negative arguments which I have previously outlined, and developments both on the ground and in the wider international politics of the issue. The views of this House are also an important consideration.
President Trump’s recent remarks on the two state solution have indeed given rise to widespread concerns, but he did not in fact support a one state solution.
The policies of the United States, or of those states which have already recognised Palestine, are of interest in relation to this question. But Ireland’s policy will be decided on our own assessment of the balance of the factors involved.
54. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any contact with the US President, Mr. Trump, and-or the Trump Administration with regard to his support for the proposed move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8768/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions with his Palestinian and Israeli counterparts on US President, Mr. Trump's, plans to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; his views on any such move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8761/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 62 together.
While President Trump has made clear his preference for moving the United States Embassy to Jerusalem, his Administration has stated that it is studying the issue before making any announcement. Previous US Presidents have expressed similar wishes but, on entering office, have realised that there are very good reasons why every other Administration and President have maintained their Embassy for the moment in Tel Aviv. Ultimately this is a decision for the US, but I hope there will be no change in the previous policy.
I have not discussed the issue with the US Administration or with the parties on the ground.
Ireland and our EU partners remain fully committed to a two state solution which will see Jerusalem accepted by all as the capital of two states. Until then, our own Embassy will not be moving.
55. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the bill passed by the Israeli Knesset that retroactively legalises thousands of illegal colonial settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and that such a move has been described by the Palestinian Government as legalised theft and an attempt to destroy the two state solution; and if he will raise his objections to this bill with his Israeli counterparts. [8684/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 7 February I issued a public statement on the passage of this legislation, which was as follows:
"I am deeply disappointed by the decision of Israeli legislators to pass the so-called Legalisation Bill on settlements in the West Bank.
This represents a further serious setback for the Middle East Peace Process. It has been widely criticised both internationally and by many in Israel.
It is a deepening of the settlements and a flagrant violation of international law.
I am calling on the Israeli government to recognise the damaging consequences of this course of action and to take a clear decision not to implement the new law.
Once again, I am calling for an end to all settlement construction.
Ireland remains steadfast in its support for a comprehensive two state solution which protects the future of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples."
Ireland also contributed to the drafting of a strong EU statement on the matter issued by the High Representative.
Our strong views on this legislation have been conveyed to the Israeli authorities both before and since its passage by the Knesset. I expect it to remain a significant issue in any dialogue with Israel, both nationally and at EU level.
