Micheál Martin
Ceist:221. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the discussion on human rights in the context of the Brexit negotiations. [50667/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit Negotiations
Ceisteanna (221)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is determined to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts is fully protected and respected in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, including all elements relating to human rights. Human rights protections form a vital part of the institutional underpinning for the peace settlement founded on the Good Friday Agreement and serve to build and maintain confidence for communities across Northern Ireland. The protection of human rights in Northern Ireland - including through the incorporation into law of the European Convention on Human Rights - is one of the key principles of the Agreement, as set out in the chapter on Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity. It is important to be clear that the European Convention on Human Rights is separate and distinct to the European Union. The UK’s decision to leave the EU has no impact on its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Even after the UK leaves the EU, there remains a continuing obligation on the British Government to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into Northern Ireland law, as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement. In this regard, it is welcome that the UK Government’s White Paper on legislating for withdrawal from the EU that was published in March clarified that it has no plans to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
In February, as part of the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit, the Government convened a Sectoral Dialogue on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement to hear the views of civil society, North and South, on the possible implications of Brexit for this pivotal chapter of the Agreement. This was a very valuable exchange and a number of key themes emerged, which have been communicated publicly, which are informing the Government’s approach in this area, including as set out in the comprehensive document, Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, published by the Government on 2 May.
The Government’s programme of engagement with EU partners has ensured that Ireland’s unique issues and concerns have been fully understood by the EU27 and have been reflected in the EU’s negotiating position for the Article 50 negotiations with the UK. In this regard, the Guiding Principles for the dialogue on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which were published by the European Commission Article 50 Task Force in September, confirm that European Union law and practice has provided a supporting framework in Northern Ireland and across the island for the Good Friday Agreement provisions on Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity. They state that the Good Friday Agreement requires equivalent standards of protection of rights in Ireland and Northern Ireland and that the United Kingdom should ensure that no diminution of rights is caused by the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, including in the area of protection against forms of discrimination currently enshrined in Union law. This position has been conveyed by the European Commission Task Force to the UK in the Article 50 negotiations in the High Level Dialogue on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government takes very seriously our responsibility to safeguard its institutions and principles, including in the area of human rights. The Government will continue to pursue, with our EU partners, an outcome to the Article 50 process that protects our headline priorities and Ireland’s fundamental interests, including to ensure protection of and respect for the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (222)
David Cullinane
Ceist:222. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the 142 areas of North-South co-operation that his Department is working on in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49866/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
North South cooperation brings very tangible benefits to the daily lives of people and, in particular, to those living in the border regions where it contributes to improving economic opportunity and development. It is also a very practical outworking of the peace process which allows for the normalisation of relationships between people across the island, to our mutual benefit. North South cooperation between Ireland and Northern Ireland is one of the central elements of the Good Friday Agreement. The EU Taskforce’s Guiding Principles for the Dialogue on Ireland/Northern Ireland indicated that it is “necessary for the European Union and the United Kingdom to examine whether, and if so how, the fact that European Union law ceases to apply in the United Kingdom after withdrawal might impact on continued cooperation and whether specific provisions need to be inserted in the Withdrawal Agreement”. Officials have been carrying out detailed work over the last few weeks to map out areas of cooperation that operate on a North South basis on the island of Ireland and which rely on EU law and policies. Over the course of this exercise, an extensive range of North South cooperation was identified, covering areas under the formal North South Ministerial Council work programmes and other areas of cooperation that have developed since the Peace Process.
There is still more work to be done in this area, but the exercise has underlined the need to avoid risks presented by any regulatory divergence from the rules of the EU Single Market and Customs Union. North South cooperation has made an important contribution through the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement to the improvement of people's lives on this island. We want to ensure that this cooperation can continue in a meaningful way.
The UK has a responsibility to ensure that it does not hinder or impede the continuation and development of North South cooperation by its withdrawal from the EU. Avoiding a hard border is only one element of this.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (223, 225)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:223. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out in tabular form the number of vacancies in each state board under the aegis of his Department. [49937/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMary Lou McDonald
Ceist:225. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out in tabular form the names of persons he has appointed to each State board under the aegis of his Department that have not come from the Public Appointments Service list of suitable candidates. [49999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 225 together.
There are no State Boards under the aegis of my Department.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (224)
Clare Daly
Ceist:224. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will liaise with the Turkish Embassy in Dublin and with the Turkish Government in Ankara with a view to using all possible diplomatic means to help the return of 54 missing children (details supplied) and the return of the bodies of those missing children who may have died; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49949/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The attack on a convoy of busses transporting evacuees from the besieged towns of Foua and Kefraya in North West Syria last April, which left over 100 people dead, many of them children, was utterly abhorrent and I, once again, condemn it unreservedly. Attacks on civilians in Syria, such as the bombing of this convoy of evacuees, further underline the need for full accountability for these appalling acts. Those responsible for such crimes must be held accountable. In relation to the allegation of kidnapping raised by the Deputy, it is extremely difficult to get reliable and verified information on the situation and reliable evidence is essential for follow up and accountability. I am not aware of any indication that the 54 children who are still missing are being held in Turkey, and I would be happy to pursue the matter further, if the Deputy will furnish more detail. Conflict and war have a particularly horrific impact on vulnerable groups such as children, and Ireland is committed to working to ensure that their needs are taken into account in humanitarian response in a meaningful way. Ireland will continue to prioritise the protection of civilians, and particularly the most vulnerable of these, including children, in our response to the Syria crisis.
In the meantime, I call on anyone who may have any knowledge about the whereabouts of the missing children, however insignificant it may seem, to make that information known in order to alleviate the suffering of children separated from their families.
Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 223.
European Banking Authority
Ceisteanna (226)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:226. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on Ireland's bid to host the European Banking Authority. [50045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The decision on the relocation of the European Banking Authority was made at the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday 20 November. Ireland, along with 7 other Member States presented bids to host the EBA on its relocation from the UK, in the context of Brexit. After three rounds round of voting, Dublin and Paris were tied with 13 votes each. The selection of Paris was made by the drawing of lots, in line with the procedure set out in advance of the vote. The Irish Government made a very strong offer for the EBA to be located in Dublin. I wish to acknowledge the work carried out across government departments and agencies on our bid, which was well-received around Europe and viewed as strong and very competitive. It was a very considerable achievement to have won through 3 rounds of voting, successfully out performing very strong bids from a number of other key EU cities and capitals.
Minister Harris, the Department of Health and relevant agencies also put together a very comprehensive offer which was recognised around Europe as a very compelling case that Dublin could host the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The competitive and political nature of the selection process necessitated a whole-of-Government effort to ensure that Ireland’s case was put forward strongly and convincingly to Member State Governments and to elicit support in the voting process.
That is why we made a strategic decision some weeks ago to focus our efforts on gaining support for our EBA bid. By focusing on just one offer, we were able to be clear in our goal and it allowed us to engage in a more definitive manner in seeking the support of our partners in the EU.
I would like to congratulate Paris on being chosen as the new seat of the EBA. It is important that there is a smooth transition and successful relocation for the Authority, its staff and their families.
The EBA plays a vital role in the European system of Financial Supervision and it is essential that its work, which helps to protect consumers and contributes to the Union’s financial stability, continues during the transition. The Central Bank of Ireland is an active member of the EBA and will continue to work with the Authority to achieve high quality prudential regulation and supervision across the banking sector.
Ministerial Meetings
Ceisteanna (227, 238)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:227. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, on 17 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50050/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:238. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 238 together.
I welcomed UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson last week for his first visit to Ireland since being appointed to the position in July 2016. I also routinely meet the Foreign Secretary at meetings of Foreign Ministers in an EU context and internationally.
Although the Foreign Secretary does not have lead responsibility for Brexit, the meeting provided a timely opportunity to exchange views on the ongoing Brexit negotiations. On Brexit, I underlined the need to ensure sufficient progress is made on all three exit issues in Phase 1 before discussions on a future relationship and any transitional arrangements can commence. I emphasised our desire for progress on Irish specific issues and on the need for the UK to provide strong political assurances and tangible commitments that recognise the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland. Ireland’s commitment to protecting the Good Friday Agreement, in all its parts, and the gains of the peace process remains clear. In this regard, I repeated the Government’s position that flexible and imaginative solutions are required.
I also reiterated that Ireland is fully behind Michel Barnier and his team and that any decision on sufficient progress will be made together by the EU 27 Heads of State and Government.
Ideas on a number of areas of mutual foreign policy interest, including the Middle East and Africa, were also shared. In addition, discussions focused on the strong British-Irish bilateral relationship and how this relationship can be strengthened into the future.
Ireland and the UK share many areas of mutual interest and concern and we will continue to work together on areas of commonality.
Ministerial Communications
Ceisteanna (228)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:228. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has used a private e-mail account to send or receive official documents or positions on Brexit; and if so, the details of this correspondence. [50060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department’s ICT Unit provides a secure Departmental email service. I also use a private email account. In the past, for operational reasons, that private account has also been used for communication on certain matters, such as diary issues, speeches and information updates. However, for some time now the policy has been that I use my Departmental secure account only for confidential official business, including on Brexit.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (229)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:229. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the president of an association in Turkey (details supplied) has been arrested and imprisoned; his views on the arrest; if he will request their release; and if the case will be raised with his Turkish counterpart. [50094/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that I have on many occasions expressed my grave concern at the large-scale arrests of public servants and academics, as well as many others, in the aftermath of the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016. I am aware of the specific case to which Deputy Crowe refers, and our Embassy in Ankara has been keeping us informed of developments in the case, which is also being closely observed by the European Union. I reiterate that all those accused and charged with a crime are entitled to a free and fair trial and must be accorded full due process, including access to their legal teams. I urge the Turkish authorities to ensure that the conditions for a fair and objective trial are fully observed, in this and all other cases, and have asked my officials to request an update from the Embassy of Turkey in Dublin.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (230)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:230. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the bodies under the aegis of his Department in which his Department provides in excess of €1 million funding per annum; the public funding received by these bodies; the bodies in which 50% or more of its income comes from public sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are no bodies under the aegis of my Department so the questions raised by the Deputy do not arise.
Ministerial Staff
Ceisteanna (231)
Joan Collins
Ceist:231. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the number of special advisers employed, including the new special adviser recently recruited from a company (details supplied), by him; the roles these advisers perform; and the amount they are paid. [50256/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are currently two Special Advisers employed by my Department; the Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Caitríona Fitzpatrick, and the Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Paul Fox.
The Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is on the Principal Officer salary scale. The Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs is on the Assistant Principal Officer salary scale. Both of these appointments were made in line with “Instructions to Personnel Officers - Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil” which included “Guidelines on staffing of Ministerial offices” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
I have recently sought sanction from the Taoiseach to appoint a second Special Adviser to my own office. This appointment will also be in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions.
Citizenship Status
Ceisteanna (232)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:232. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of entries on the foreign births register in each of the years 2014 to 2016, and to date in 2017. [50293/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for Irish citizenship through Foreign Births Registration (FBR) can be submitted by any person with a grandparent born in any part of Ireland or by any person whose parent received Irish citizenship prior to the birth of the applicant. The number of new entries made in the Foreign Births Register for the years 2014 to 2016, and to date in 2017 are:
2014: 5,743
2015: 5,588
2016: 8,161
2017 to date: 16,655.
Passport Applications
Ceisteanna (233)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:233. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the number of passports issued to persons resident outside the State in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [50294/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Irish citizens living outside the State may apply for an Irish passport through a number of channels, namely via the network of Irish Embassies, Consulates and Honorary Consuls worldwide, in person at the London Passport Office, through the online renewal system, or in the case of Northern Ireland through the Northern Ireland Passport Express service. The Passport Service does not compile data based on country of residence of applicants. Rather, tracking of application numbers is in general carried out against method of application. Including the main relevant categories of application methods, this suggests that number of passports issued to Irish citizens living outside the State in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and in 2017 to date is as follows:
|
Years |
Passports issued |
|
2007 |
139,101 |
|
2008 |
136,451 |
|
2009 |
140,992 |
|
2010 |
145,500 |
|
2011 |
130,633 |
|
2012 |
126,739 |
|
2013 |
126,537 |
|
2014 |
133,230 |
|
2015 |
148,112 |
|
2016 |
182,021 |
|
2017* (1 January to 22 November only) |
178,299 |
Passport Applications Data
Ceisteanna (234)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:234. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the number of passports issued to persons living in Northern Ireland in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [50295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland may apply for an Irish passport through the Northern Ireland Passport Express system, the online renewal system or in-person at the Passport Office in the State. Tracking of application numbers is in general carried out against method of application, rather than address of the applicant. The number of passports issued to Irish citizens on foot of an application through the Northern Ireland Passport Express service in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and in 2017 to date is as follows:
|
Year |
Passports issued via NI Passport Express |
|
2007 |
31,734 |
|
2008 |
31,909 |
|
2009 |
32,183 |
|
2010 |
32,760 |
|
2011 |
30,181 |
|
2012 |
40,526 |
|
2013 |
43,227 |
|
2014 |
46,944 |
|
2015 |
52,861 |
|
2016 |
65,716 |
|
2017* (1 January to 22 November only) |
63,797 |
Citizenship Status
Ceisteanna (235)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:235. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the number of persons registered with his Department's citizens' registration service as being resident abroad. [50296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Citizens’ Registration facility is administered by the Consular Directorate of my Department in concert with our network of Embassies and Consulates around the world. No registration facility is available within the Common Travel Area (Ireland/Great Britain). There are currently a total of 29,176 citizens registered on the system and this number is made up of a combination of holidaymakers, business travellers and longer-term migrants. The system is primarily intended to capture the contact details of Irish citizens in a country or region at a given time so that my Department can contact them in the event of a crisis. Levels of registration tend to be low in Europe and North America and proportionately higher amongst those travelling or living in other parts of the world.
Registration is completely voluntary and a matter for the individual concerned. The system does not enable us to distinguish between long-term residents and temporary visitors and my Department would have no basis on which to verify the residence status of individuals.
Passport Applications
Ceisteanna (236)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:236. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Passport Office in Dublin can no longer take the credit card details that are on passport application forms in view of the fact that they cannot manually input the details into the credit card machine; if so, his plans to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50313/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Passport Office offers applicants a number of options for paying passport application fees, depending on which application method is used. For applications made in person at the Dublin or Cork Passport Offices, card payments may be taken only where both the card and the card-holder are present, with payments taken through secure chip & PIN terminals. Other means of payment such as cash, postal orders or bank drafts are also accepted.
Passport Express is currently the most popular channel through which the Passport Office receives application. Payments for such applications are made directly through An Post at the time of submission. In that case, as any card payments are made by applicants in person at the Post Office, manual inputting of details by the Passport Office does not arise.
The online passport renewal service, which was launched in March of this year, takes secure payment by card online.
With the exception of a small number of overseas missions, where current practice is under active review, the Passport Office no longer accepts credit card details written on passport application forms for payment.
Undocumented Irish in the USA
Ceisteanna (237)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:237. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the status of progress with regard to the Irish undocumented in the United States of America. [49852/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government continues to avail of all opportunities to raise immigration reform and the status of the undocumented Irish in the US issue with the US administration and with contacts on Capitol Hill. We do not, however, underestimate the size of the challenge. This policy area has been a deeply divisive issue within the US political system for decades, with pronounced disagreement, even within the same political parties, on the best way to deal with an issue which directly affects over 11 million people.
The Government has consistently engaged with both parties in a bipartisan way to address our longstanding concerns and this continues to be our approach, with officials from our Embassy in Washington DC in regular contact with the administration and with congressional contacts on both sides of the aisle.
For my own part, during my visit to New York for the UN General Assembly in September, I met with representatives of the four Irish Immigration Centres in the region and a representative of the US-wide Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres.
In addition, I met with a senior State Department official and I was able to further emphasise the Government’s commitment to this issue when I travelled to Washington DC last month.
The Government’s special envoy to Congress on the undocumented, Deputy John Deasy, accompanied me on that most recent visit and together we engaged with senior members of the US administration and with members of Congress, including the Congressional Friends of Ireland Group.
Outside of my own engagement on the issue, Deputy Deasy has visited the US three times since his appointment, in July, September and October.
In addition to contact at political level, our Ambassador in Washington D.C, Dan Mulhall, hosted a roundtable discussion on 25 October on the issue with Irish community key stakeholders, including the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres.
The Government remains wholly committed to working with the US authorities to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish, while respecting the right of the United States to set its own immigration policies.
Question No. 238 answered with Question No. 227.
EU Issues
Ceisteanna (239)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:239. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the status of efforts being made by the EU to ensure that the rule of law and European principles and ideals are being adhered to in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The European Union is a community of shared values, committed to defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law. At both the May and September General Affairs Councils, Ireland along with a large number of other Member States, stressed the importance of the Rule of Law and urged renewed dialogue between Poland and the Commission. I hope that progress can be made through further dialogue between Poland and the Commission, with a view to resolving this issue.
EU Issues
Ceisteanna (240)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:240. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the status of efforts being made by the EU to ensure that the rule of law and European principles and ideals are being adhered to in Hungary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The European Union is a community of shared values, committed to defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The current situation in Hungary was extensively debated in the European Parliament on 26 April last, at which time the First Vice-President of the European Commission Timmermans and Prime Minister Orbán made extensive contributions to the debate.
Fundamental values and the rule of law are a shared EU interest and call for a common approach. Ireland is supportive of the approach being taken by the European Commission in relation to developments in Hungary. The Hungarian Government has consistently made clear its willingness to engage with the Commission and I look forward to the outcome of that process.
Foreign Policy
Ceisteanna (241)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:241. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on Chile's recent general election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The general elections which took place in Chile on 19 November consisted of both Presidential and congressional elections. In the Presidential ballot, the candidate of the ‘Chile Vamos’ coalition, former President Sebastian Piñera, won 36.6% of the vote, with the candidate of the Nueva Mayoría coalition, Alejandro Guillier, in second position with 22.7%.
Under Chilean electoral law, a second round election between the two candidates who secured the highest number of votes will now take place on 17 December. In the congressional elections on 19 November, which were the first to take place under new arrangements which ended the former binomial electoral system, there were significant changes in representation in both the Senate and Congress, both of which have an enlarged number of seats.
As a result, whoever wins the second round of the Presidential elections may not command a congressional majority. It is noteworthy that female representation in the new Congress will increase from 16% to 23%.
I am pleased to have this opportunity to recall that Ireland enjoys excellent and warm bilateral relations with Chile. We look forward to developing that relationship in the months and years ahead, including through the opening of a resident embassy in Santiago, which I announced last month.
Foreign Policy
Ceisteanna (242)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:242. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the situation in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50375/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The situation in Venezuela continues to be a matter of serious concern to the Government. Gubernatorial elections took place on 15 October amidst numerous reported incidences of irregularity and the results were not recognised by a large part of the opposition. This has accentuated the political polarisation in the country. The EU has called for full transparency on the results of the elections through a comprehensive and independent audit and Ireland has been wholly supportive of that position.
The establishment of an all-powerful Constituent Assembly has further eroded the democratic and independent institutions. Ireland and its EU partners have said that we cannot recognise the Constituent Assembly or its acts because of serious concerns about its legitimacy and representativeness.
On 13 November last, at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, which I attended, it was agreed unanimously to adopt restrictive measures, underscoring our concerns at the situation in the country. These measures consist of an embargo on arms and on related material that might be used for internal repression, as well as a legal framework for a travel ban and assets freeze.
Ireland has supported calls on the Venezuelan Government to urgently restore democratic legitimacy, including through free and fair elections, and on the opposition to continue engaging in a united manner towards a negotiated solution to the current tensions, in the interest of the country. Ireland is also fully supportive of regional and international efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
Middle East Issues
Ceisteanna (243)
Darragh O'Brien
Ceist:243. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the steps that have been taken by the State with regard to the ongoing expansion of illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50376/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland and our EU partners have consistently condemned the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory, which is unjust, provocative, and undermines the credibility of Israel’s commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict. The introduction and settlement of communities of the occupying power, to alter the demography of the area, is unambiguously illegal under international law. The process of establishing settlements also inevitably involves violations of the rights of the occupied population, through seizure of their land, discriminatory treatment and other restrictions.
The Government has consistently and repeatedly conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities, and highlighted them in our interventions at EU, UN and international level. In addition, I have raised these concerns directly with Israeli leaders during my visit to Israel and Palestine in July. Most recently, I issued a public statement on 20 October condemning the latest settlement plans.
In addition, Ireland has consistently argued at EU level in favour of a clear differentiation by the EU and the international community between the State of Israel, on the one hand, and the illegal settlements on Palestinian land, on the other. This policy was explicitly supported by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2334 in December 2016. The EU has already taken a number of actions in this regard. These include guidelines on labelling of goods from settlements, advice to businesses on the risks of investing in settlements, and forbidding the spending of EU research funding in settlements.
I have made it a high priority personally to support efforts to reach a comprehensive peace agreement to the Middle East conflict. I have met with the US Middle East team to encourage their work, and to underline what the EU sees as the key parameters for an agreement. I have also taken an active role on this issue in the Foreign Affairs Council, urging my colleagues to continue our work to help preserve and create the political and physical space in which the two state solution can be achieved. I visited the region earlier this year and met with representatives of both parties, and I hope to do so again in the coming months.