Written Answers Nos 161-169
161. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made at national and international level to address the concerns raised by Palestinian prisoners that are currently on hunger strike as of 17 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to ensure that Palestinians that are incarcerated in prisons in Israel are afforded their human rights and are treated in a fair and humane manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
Issues relating to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons have consistently featured over recent years in our dialogue with Israeli authorities, both here in Ireland and in Israel, as well as in our discussions at EU and UN level. These issues include both the numbers of Palestinian prisoners, some being held under administrative detention without trial, and the conditions in which prisoners are held.
Ireland raised particular concerns about the detention of minors in our intervention at the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013.
It is only fair to acknowledge that similar concerns about conditions in prisons could be expressed about many other countries in the region and elsewhere.
In relation to the current situation, I am of course deeply concerned by the hunger strike involving a large number of prisoners, now in its fourth week. We cannot support the use of hunger strikes as a means of exerting pressure. There is a real risk of attitudes hardening on either side, leading to tragedy. We do not want to say anything that could add to that risk. I am aware that previous hunger strikes have been resolved, allowing a tragic outcome to be avoided.
I do not wish to comment therefore on the specific issues which the strikers have apparently raised. However, I would reiterate our essential position – which should be an obvious one, and which applies to all prisoners – which is that detained Palestinians should have the same protections and conditions that Israel affords its own citizens.
My Department raised our concerns about the hunger strike with the Israeli Ambassador on 9 May. They have also been raised in a bilateral meeting with the Israeli mission at the EU on 10 May.
The EU missions in Palestine issued a statement on Saturday concerning the hunger strikes and issues related to conditions of detention, and calling on Israel to respect fully the rights of prisoners.
I addressed these matters at slightly more length in response to a Topical Issues debate in the house yesterday, and I would direct the Deputy also to my statement on that occasion.
163. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the document which will satisfy his Department regarding passport applications by stateless persons who may be entitled to citizenship but not a public services card. [22443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, all passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her.
As of 29 March 2016 all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland are required to present a photocopy of their individual Public Services Card (PSC) for identification purposes.
The measure has been important in enhancing protection against fraud and identity theft and in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport. It also ensures that the identity of first-time applicants for Irish passports continues to be verified to a high standard.
First-time adult passport applicants who do not currently have a PSC can obtain one through a secure process of in-person registration via their local Department of Social Protection office. Details of documents needed to complete the PSC registration process and of an online appointment booking service are available via the website www.MyWelfare.ie.
164. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to amend the current passport card system to ensure that a passport card will be valid for a full five years from the date of issue for all dates on which a valid corresponding passport book exists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe passport card, which I launched in October 2015, can be used by Irish citizens for travel within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. The card is available to all Irish citizens who are over 18 years and hold a valid Irish passport book.
The passport card is a supplement to the passport book, as such, identity and entitlement requirements are assessed on the basis of the passport book application rather than on the card application itself. For this reason, the validity of a card cannot exceed that of the passport book on which verification of entitlement and identity was last established.
All passport cards are issued with a validity of five years or until their passport book expires, whichever comes sooner. In order to alert applicants to these parameters, when a passport card is due to expire in fewer than five years, the applicant is advised of the expiry date of the new passport card by way of information notice, generated on-screen by the application system. In this way, the Passport Service ensures that all applicants are fully aware of the expiry date of their new passport card in advance of finalising their application and can choose not to proceed with the application at that stage, if they so wish.
165. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 657 of 2 May 2017, if An Garda Síochána can be contacted by his Department for an update regarding the review of the draft proposals for the recommended works at Tubbercurry Garda station to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22426/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works is awaiting approval to the proposed works at Tubbercurry Garda Station, including confirmation of funding, from the Garda authorities.
166. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps the Standards in Public Office Commission will take to address digital spending in election campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22543/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC) administer the Electoral Acts, which provide, inter alia, for the regulation of donations and expenses during Dáil, Seanad, European and Presidential elections.
The Electoral Acts provide that election expenditure relates only to expenses incurred and payments made in providing property, goods or services which are used for electoral purposes during the period commencing on the date of the dissolution of the Dáil and ending on polling day itself. Expenditure outside of this timeframe is not covered by electoral rules. Thresholds for spending in constituencies are based on the number of seats. As long as the threshold is respected, it is for candidates and their agents to determine how to spend their resources. This may include print and broadcast media, expenditure on posters, and digital campaigns among others. Reimbursement of expenses from the Exchequer is capped and only applies to specific types of expenditures.
SIPOC also oversees the Register of Third Parties, for individuals and organisations, other than political parties, that accept donations for political purposes and may engage in political campaigns. Third parties who accept a donation above a certain threshold given for political purposes must register with SIPOC and submit annual returns.
SIPOC is an independent statutory body and, as such, is not accountable to my Department in the performance of its functions. However, I am advised that, at every election, SIPOC issues guidelines to candidates, election agents and political parties regarding acceptable donations and expenditures during an election campaign and that these guidelines set out what is or is not considered acceptable.
I am also advised that SIPOC is aware that new and evolving technologies may impact election activities. While all expenditures, including expenditure on digital media, are subject to the provisions of the Acts, some digital activities related to an election may fall outside of their scope, including, for example, social media engagement by individuals.
167. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to introduce a ban on hunting and shooting between midnight and 6 a.m. from 1 September to 31 March each year; the implications this could have for farmers, particularly on commonages that use shooting and hunting as a way of controlling foxes that attack sheep; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22494/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my understanding that a report has been produced by a working group set up by the Firearms Consultative Panel of the Department of Justice and Equality which recommends best practice guidelines on the issue of shooting and hunting at night. The report is now with the Firearms Consultative Panel itself and it is a matter for that body to further consider the recommendations in the report. An official of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is a member of the Firearms Consultative Panel.
I should state that I would support any best practice guidelines that promote health and safety but at the same time allows farmers/landowners protect their livelihoods.
168. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an assessment yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
169. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to include narcolepsy as one of the illnesses into the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22404/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Scheme.
