Written Answers Nos. 68-87
68. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the terms of reference of the review of the Department of Justice and Equality's handling of the trawl of emails relating to the disclosures tribunal; and if the failure to search the former Minister's email account and the accounts of her advisers will be included in the terms of reference of the review. [53497/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms of reference for the review referred to are available on my Department's website, www.taoiseach.gov.ie. The terms of reference include an examination of the actions taken by the Department of Justice and Equality in response to all requests for documents directed to the Department, including whether the Department has now carried out appropriately comprehensive search and retrieval to identify any relevant material for the tribunal and any concerns which arise. The review may also advise on what further measures, if any, might be taken to address those concerns. The Department of Justice and Equality will of course implement any further measures arising from the review.
69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had discussions with his British counterpart on the legislation being enacted or proposed by the British Government regarding its decision to exit the European Union; and if he has satisfied himself that such legislation does not impact on aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. [52941/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 and this has been a headline priority since the UK referendum result. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government has a solemn responsibility to protect the Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the Peace Process which have been of immeasurable benefit to the entire island, north and south.
Upholding the Good Friday Agreement is also an objective shared by the British Government. Last Friday, we received firm commitments in the joint report of the negotiators of the EU and UK Government. These commitments include the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, protection of EU citizenship and other rights, and the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts including in relation to North South co-operation and the principle of consent.
This agreement not only provides a guarantee that there will be no hard border in any circumstances, it spells out for the first time how this will be achieved. In the event that it is not possible to resolve the border issue as part of a wider EU-UK future relationship agreement, which has always been the Irish Government’s preference, or through specific solutions, paragraph 49 of the report states that, “in the absence of agreed solutions, the United Kingdom will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Internal Market and the Customs Union which, now or in the future, support North-South co-operation, the all-island economy and the protection of the 1998 agreement.” It has also been agreed that any agreements put in place will be accompanied by effective mechanisms to ensure implementation and oversight.
The British Government has proposed a number of pieces of draft legislation relating to the UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union, which are being considered at Westminster. While this is a matter for the UK Parliament, my Department, including through the Embassy in London, is actively following the progress of these bills at Westminster.
70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet the NATO Secretary General. [53354/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI currently have no plans to meet with NATO’s Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg.
71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to encourage the international community to take action against the Government of Myanmar in view of the recent escalation of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53376/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI continue to have deep concerns about the violence and human rights abuses in Rakhine State and I have condemned the excessive actions of the Myanmar security forces on numerous occasions since 25 August. Ireland has consistently expressed our concern at EU level and with our international partners.
A devastating humanitarian crisis has developed as a result of these actions in Rakhine State, and over 640,000 people, most of whom are members of the Rohingya community, have fled to Bangladesh where they are facing extremely challenging circumstances.
There are wide-ranging efforts being made at national, EU and the wider international levels to address the situation. At a political level, Ireland and the EU continue to address this crisis in line with the Conclusions setting out the EU’s position on the situation in Myanmar which were adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 October.
Minister of State Ciarán Cannon visited Myanmar from 19-21 November 2017 to represent Ireland at a meeting of Asian and European foreign ministers in the ASEM format, which in addition to allowing broader discussions, offered an opportunity for ministers to express their concern on the situation in Rakhine state.
Minister of State Cannon directly conveyed Ireland’s serious concerns in a bilateral meeting with Myanmar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, U Kyaw Tin. He urged the Government of Myanmar to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State in full and to allow the safe, voluntary and sustainable return of the people that have fled their homes.
While there, he also met with a range of Government, UN and civil society organisations to learn at first hand of the work they are doing and the challenges they face.
Ireland has also continued to engage on this issue at the United Nations and was an active participant in the Special Session of the Human Rights Council that took place in Geneva on 5 December, where Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva outlined our concerns. At that session, Ireland supported a resolution expressing alarm and grave concern at the situation and calling on the Myanmar government to ensure the protection of the human rights of all persons in Myanmar, including persons belonging to the Rohingya Muslim community and other minorities.
Ireland will continue to engage at a national level, through our EU membership and with the broader international community to press for a positive and long-term solution to the situation in Rakhine State, including for the Rohingya community, and for the significant number of refugees who are now situated in Bangladesh.
72. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish passport applications made, by country, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53405/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTracking of passport applications is in general carried out against channel of application rather than by other metrics, including country of origin. Bearing this in mind, the following general breakdown of applications will give the available detail on the volume of overseas applications received to date this year.
From 1 January 2017 to date, the Passport Service has received 585,798 applications from citizens resident in Ireland and 69,887 applications from citizens resident in Northern Ireland. In the same time period, the Passport Service has received a total of at least 126,031 passport applications from citizens residing outside of the island of Ireland.
Passport applications from persons outside the island of Ireland may be submitted either via the online passport renewal service at https://www.dfa.ie/passportonline or through the network of Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide and a separate table is included below for the applications made through each of these channels.
In the case of table 1 (overseas applications via the online system), a breakdown is included based on the applicant’s postal address.
In the case of table 2 (overseas applications via the Embassy network), it is not possible to provide a clear breakdown by country of residence of the applicant, because many Irish Embassies are accredited to and provide passport services for Irish citizens in more than one country. An indicative breakdown by receiving mission is included, although it should be noted that it is not necessarily the case that passport applications would have been received from each accredited State.
Table 1: applications from outside the island of Ireland submitted to date in 2017 via the online renewal service
|
Online applications by postal address of applicant |
Applications received |
|
AFGHANISTAN |
2 |
|
ALGERIA |
2 |
|
ANDORRA |
1 |
|
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA |
1 |
|
ARGENTINA |
28 |
|
ARUBA |
1 |
|
AUSTRALIA |
2,369 |
|
AUSTRIA |
55 |
|
BAHAMAS |
1 |
|
BAHRAIN |
13 |
|
BANGLADESH |
2 |
|
BARBADOS |
4 |
|
BELARUS |
2 |
|
BELGIUM |
143 |
|
BELIZE |
1 |
|
BERMUDA |
11 |
|
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA |
1 |
|
BOTSWANA |
1 |
|
BRAZIL |
32 |
|
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM |
2 |
|
BULGARIA |
11 |
|
CAMBODIA |
5 |
|
CAMEROON |
1 |
|
CANADA |
957 |
|
CANARY ISLANDS |
10 |
|
CAYMAN ISLANDS |
28 |
|
CHILE |
10 |
|
CHINA |
45 |
|
COLOMBIA |
8 |
|
COOK ISLANDS |
2 |
|
COSTA RICA |
3 |
|
CROATIA |
4 |
|
CYPRUS |
13 |
|
CZECH REPUBLIC |
35 |
|
DENMARK |
56 |
|
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC |
2 |
|
EAST TIMOR |
1 |
|
ECUADOR |
2 |
|
EGYPT |
20 |
|
ERITREA |
1 |
|
ESTONIA |
5 |
|
FALKLAND ISLANDS |
1 |
|
FIJI |
2 |
|
FINLAND |
26 |
|
FRANCE |
457 |
|
GEORGIA |
2 |
|
GERMANY |
464 |
|
GHANA |
1 |
|
GIBRALTAR |
7 |
|
GREECE |
26 |
|
GUERNSEY |
13 |
|
HONDURAS |
1 |
|
HONG KONG SAR |
58 |
|
HUNGARY |
17 |
|
ICELAND |
2 |
|
INDIA |
20 |
|
INDONESIA |
7 |
|
IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF |
1 |
|
ISLE OF MAN |
36 |
|
ISRAEL |
35 |
|
ITALY |
139 |
|
JAPAN |
58 |
|
JORDAN |
5 |
|
KENYA |
9 |
|
KOSOVO |
1 |
|
KUWAIT |
4 |
|
LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC |
2 |
|
LATVIA |
3 |
|
LEBANON |
3 |
|
LIBYA |
2 |
|
LUXEMBOURG |
71 |
|
MACAU SAR |
3 |
|
MALAWI |
2 |
|
MALAYSIA |
22 |
|
MALTA |
20 |
|
MARTINIQUE |
1 |
|
MAURITIUS |
8 |
|
MEXICO |
31 |
|
MONACO |
4 |
|
MOROCCO |
1 |
|
MOZAMBIQUE |
1 |
|
MYANMAR |
1 |
|
NEPAL |
1 |
|
NETHERLANDS |
267 |
|
NEW ZEALAND |
577 |
|
NICARAGUA |
1 |
|
NIGERIA |
12 |
|
NORWAY |
46 |
|
OMAN |
2 |
|
PAKISTAN |
2 |
|
PANAMA |
6 |
|
PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
1 |
|
PERU |
14 |
|
PHILIPPINES |
5 |
|
PITCAIRN ISLANDS |
1 |
|
POLAND |
19 |
|
PORTUGAL |
45 |
|
PUERTO RICO |
2 |
|
QATAR |
15 |
|
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN |
1 |
|
ROMANIA |
7 |
|
RUSSIA |
7 |
|
RWANDA |
1 |
|
SAUDI ARABIA |
18 |
|
SEYCHELLES |
1 |
|
SINGAPORE |
91 |
|
SLOVAK REPUBLIC |
5 |
|
SLOVENIA |
2 |
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
683 |
|
REPUBLIC OF KOREA |
19 |
|
SPAIN |
601 |
|
SRI LANKA |
4 |
|
SUDAN |
2 |
|
SWAZILAND |
2 |
|
SWEDEN |
106 |
|
SWITZERLAND |
184 |
|
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC |
3 |
|
TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA |
13 |
|
THAILAND |
42 |
|
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO |
6 |
|
TURKEY |
26 |
|
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS |
2 |
|
UGANDA |
4 |
|
UKRAINE |
2 |
|
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES |
171 |
|
UNITED KINGDOM |
16,669 |
|
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA |
5 |
|
UNITED STATES |
3,685 |
|
URUGUAY |
2 |
|
VATICAN CITY STATE |
1 |
|
VENEZUELA |
2 |
|
VIETNAM |
32 |
|
VIRGIN ISLANDS (BRITISH) |
1 |
|
VIRGIN ISLANDS (U.S) |
1 |
|
ZAMBIA |
5 |
|
ZIMBABWE |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
28,887 |
Table 2: indicative list of applications submitted to date in 2017 via Irish Embassies and Consulates*
*Note: Many Irish Embassies are accredited to and provide passport services for Irish citizens in more than one country. The following table is organised by receiving Mission and is indicative only. Not all accreditations are listed; and listing does not necessarily mean that passport applications have been received from each State of accreditation.
|
Mission |
Applications received |
|
ABU DHABI |
|
|
- UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan |
1,421 |
|
ABUJA |
|
|
- Nigeria, Chad, Ghana, Senegal |
267 |
|
ADDIS ABABA |
|
|
- Ethiopia, South Sudan |
21 |
|
ANKARA |
|
|
- Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan |
96 |
|
ATHENS |
|
|
- Greece, Albania, Serbia |
123 |
|
BANGKOK |
|
|
- Thailand, Myanmar |
297 |
|
BEIJING |
|
|
- China, Mongolia |
863 |
|
BERLIN |
|
|
- Germany |
1,548 |
|
BERNE |
|
|
- Switzerland, Algeria, Liechtenstein |
755 |
|
BRASILIA |
|
|
- Brazil |
121 |
|
BRATISLAVA |
|
|
- Slovakia |
25 |
|
BRUSSELS |
|
|
- Belgium |
587 |
|
BUCHAREST |
|
|
- Romania, Moldova, FYR Macedonia |
77 |
|
BUDAPEST |
|
|
- Hungary, Republic of Kosovo, Montenegro |
58 |
|
BUENOS AIRES |
|
|
- Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay |
172 |
|
CAIRO |
|
|
- Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria |
163 |
|
CANBERRA |
|
|
- Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea |
9,801 |
|
COPENHAGEN |
|
|
- Denmark, Iceland |
225 |
|
DAR-ES-SALAAM |
|
|
- Tanzania, Burundi, Eritrea |
33 |
|
FREETOWN |
|
|
- Sierra Leone |
6 |
|
HANOI |
|
|
- Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos |
115 |
|
HELSINKI |
|
|
- Finland |
75 |
|
JAKARTA |
|
|
- Indonesia |
63 |
|
KAMPALA |
|
|
- Uganda, Rwanda |
33 |
|
KUALA LUMPUR |
|
|
- Malaysia |
134 |
|
LILONGWE |
|
|
- Malawi |
32 |
|
LISBON |
|
|
- Portugal, Morocco |
156 |
|
LJUBLJANA |
|
|
- Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
36 |
|
LONDON |
|
|
- UK (including Consulates) |
50,885 |
|
LUSAKA |
|
|
- Zambia, Namibia |
86 |
|
LUXEMBOURG |
|
|
- Luxembourg |
244 |
|
MADRID |
|
|
- Spain, Andorra, Tunisia |
1,471 |
|
MAPUTO |
|
|
- Mozambique, Angola, Botswana |
39 |
|
MEXICO |
|
|
Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela |
150 |
|
MOSCOW |
|
|
- Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan |
90 |
|
NEW DELHI |
|
|
- India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Republic of Maldives |
142 |
|
NICOSIA |
|
|
- Cyprus |
129 |
|
NAIROBI |
|
|
- Kenya |
108 |
|
OSLO |
|
|
- Norway |
135 |
|
OTTAWA |
|
|
- Canada, Bahamas, Jamaica |
2,869 |
|
PARIS |
|
|
- France, Monaco |
1,972 |
|
PRAGUE |
|
|
- Czech Republic, Ukraine |
111 |
|
PRETORIA |
|
|
- South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Zimbabwe |
2,854 |
|
RIGA |
|
|
- Latvia |
14 |
|
RIYADH |
|
|
- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen |
429 |
|
ROME |
|
|
- Italy, Libya, San Marino |
389 |
|
SEOUL |
|
|
- Republic of Korea |
65 |
|
SINGAPORE |
|
|
- Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, East Timor |
619 |
|
SOFIA |
|
|
- Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia |
42 |
|
STOCKHOLM |
|
|
- Sweden |
225 |
|
TALLIN |
|
|
- Estonia |
8 |
|
TEL AVIV |
|
|
- Israel |
154 |
|
THE HAGUE |
|
|
- Netherlands |
677 |
|
TOKYO |
|
|
- Japan |
137 |
|
VALETTA |
|
|
- Malta |
95 |
|
VIENNA |
|
|
- Austria |
214 |
|
VILNIUS |
|
|
- Lithuania, Belarus |
35 |
|
WARSAW |
|
|
- Poland |
153 |
|
WASHINGTON |
15,300 |
|
- USA (including all Consulates General) |
|
|
97,144 |
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the most vulnerable locations globally to which Irish aid continues to be directed; the success of such operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53486/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Policy for International Development, “One World, One Future” make explicit Ireland’s commitment to work in support of lasting benefits for the most vulnerable and poorest communities around the world.
Ireland’s international development programme maintains a strong focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, and on other countries where the need is greatest. In 2016, over half of Ireland’s bilateral ODA was directed to Least Developed Countries. In the same year, eight of the top ten recipient countries of Irish development assistance were in Africa – seven of which are classified as fragile by the OECD Development Assistance Committee.
Ireland is also committed to providing support to people and countries experiencing humanitarian crises. In 2016, more than one quarter of Ireland’s overseas development aid was spent on humanitarian response. It is anticipated that by the end of 2017 approximately one quarter of Ireland’s ODA will again have been disbursed in direct response to crisis and conflict. A Country Categorisation of Needs method which ranks crises according to risk and needs is used to ensure that our humanitarian response is focused on areas where need is greatest.
All countries in the broader Horn of Africa region - apart from Djibouti - currently fall within Categories 1 and 2, the categories where the greatest need has been identified. As a result, Ireland provides substantial humanitarian assistance to South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
In addition, significant resources are committed to vulnerable and crisis affected communities in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Forgotten crises, such as in Chad, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are also prioritised for support.
High standards of accountability are continually maintained to ensure that Irish development assistance continues to have transformative impacts. Programmes in receipt of funding are subject to regular monitoring to ensure intended results are being achieved and resources have been used appropriately.
Full details of the distribution of our aid, and the results achieved, are published each year in our Annual Report. The 2016 Annual Report is available at www.irishaid.ie.
74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU and UN colleagues continue to address the threat of international terrorism; if particular initiatives are likely with a view to protecting peaceful persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53487/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is fully engaged in the approaches being developed by the European Union and the United Nations to combat terrorism, in particular, the need for greater international cooperation to address the underlying factors that contribute to terrorist related threats and violence.
In the case of the European Union, Foreign Ministers remain focused on implementation of the June 2017 Council Conclusions on Counter-terrorism and on the contribution that the EU can make through external action to preventing and countering terrorism. Engagement with third countries to prevent violent extremism and to strengthen their capacity to detect and prevent terrorism, in full compliance with international law and human rights, remains at the core of the EU’s strategy.
The EU has also placed considerable emphasis on strengthening co-operation with its immediate neighbours in the Western Balkans, Turkey and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries through dedicated political dialogue and the cultivation of effective counter-terrorism partnerships.
The European Council has also expressed its support for practical cooperation and coordination between the EU and the United Nations in the area of counter-terrorism and has welcomed the establishment in June 2017 of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism by the UN Secretary General. This office will provide strategic leadership to United Nations counter-terrorism efforts.
The former UN Secretary General’s comprehensive Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, presented in January 2016, and subsequent reports are an important and welcome contribution to addressing the threat posed by international terrorism. These highlight the need to examine drivers of violent extremism through dialogue and conflict prevention, strengthening governance and the rule of law, gender equality and empowering women, community engagement and youth empowerment, and education and skills development.
Two initiatives in which Ireland has been particularly engaged are the effects of violent extremism on Youth and Women, and their role in countering such extremism. Ireland was strongly supportive of the adoption last year by the Security Council of Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security. This Resolution confirmed that inclusion and participation by young people must lie at the core of efforts by the international community to respond to crises and conflict.
Women, Peace and Security is also a key element in the fight against violent extremism. Ireland has long been a supporter of the full implementation of Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security and its successor Resolutions. Women can have an important role to play in helping to counter radicalisation and extremism in their families and communities, and also have the potential to be radicalised themselves. Therefore, effective Countering Violent Extremism strategies must take cognisance of the particular situation and perspectives of women and girls into consideration.
75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts are ongoing within the European Union to address the issue of euroscepticism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53488/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEuroscepticism is not new but in recent years it has become stronger and more vocal. In the Rome Declaration of March this year, EU Heads of State and Government pledged ‘to listen and respond to the concerns expressed by our citizens’ and to “address the challenges of a rapidly changing world.”
The EU has emerging from a period of crisis and is moving forward to a new more positive phase. The setback suffered by populist parties in a number of recent European elections and the return of economic growth to all EU countries have contributed to this new optimism. To maintain this impetus we need to ensure that the EU is delivering practical improvements to the lives of citizens through policies to promote jobs and growth and by addressing internal and external challenges such as migration and international terrorism.
The public launch of the Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe by the Taoiseach last month marked the formal start of a process designed to engage the Irish public directly in a debate on the kind of Europe they want to see evolve. Our aim is to raise awareness of the issues involved; to encourage participation in the debate; and to use this engagement process to formulate Ireland’s contribution to the wider European debate and specifically to President Tusk’s Leaders’ Agenda, an ambitious work programme for the EU for the next two years.
Engaging meaningfully with our citizens across the Union and responding to their concerns is the best means of ensuring support for our work on EU issues.
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to ensure that Ireland's position as a member of the EU is not diminished in the Brexit-related discussions or EU generated review of taxation or other structural reviews with particular reference to phase 2 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53489/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe second phase of the Article 50 negotiations will enable discussions to get underway between the EU and the UK on transitional arrangements and on the framework for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
Ireland’s overriding objective is that a future EU-UK agreement should be comprehensive and ambitious and as wide as possible in its scope, while ensuring a level playing field and protecting the integrity of the Single Market.
More broadly, we continue to make clear to EU partners, to third countries, and to business and civil society, that Ireland’s place is at the heart of the European Union. This point is being pressed home at the public outreach meetings taking place under the Citizens’ Dialogue initiative launched last month. Moreover, the Irish people are strongly committed to EU membership as has been shown in numerous opinion polls over many years. It is imperative that we use our influence to shape the future direction of the European Union. Each Member State, Ireland included, will be bringing its own contributions to the debate. We will continue to work closely with partners to advance and defend Ireland's interests across the range of policy areas.
We have undertaken extensive analysis of the consequences of Brexit and our unequivocal conclusion is that our future interests are best served by remaining a fully committed member of the European Union, notwithstanding the UK’s departure.
We do not see any link, nor has any link been suggested by any other Member State, between the solidarity demonstrated by partners in regard to Brexit and our approach to other priority issues.
77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU continues to monitor and encourage the positive and democratic process in the western Balkans; the degree to which each country there complies with the acquis communautaire in line with EU requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53490/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are four countries in the Western Balkans with candidate status – Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are potential candidates.
The EU, including Ireland, continues to monitor closely the progress of these countries in the implementation of reforms required to align with the acquis communautaire. Ireland places a strong emphasis on the need for the requirements of the aquis to be fulfilled by applicants, including on the human rights and rule of law issues that are essential for a functioning democracy. We support candidates in their efforts to achieve the required standards.
The incoming Bulgarian Presidency of the EU has indicated that the Western Balkans will be a priority of their presidency, culminating in a summit in Sofia in May 2018. In the meantime, the European Commission will publish a strategy for enlargement and ‘state of play’ reports on each of the individual countries, which will be assessed by the working groups of the European Union and will be discussed by Ministers at the General Affairs Council in the New Year.
As a strong supporter of the accession process, which we view as a transformative driver for stability, peace and democracy, Ireland looks forward to seeing a renewed focus on this region in the coming months, and supports all efforts to enhance regional relationships and institutional reform.
78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to identify with and support the needs of the undocumented Irish in the US; the extent to which ongoing negotiations continue to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government continues to identify with and support the needs of Irish immigrants living in the United States, including undocumented Irish citizens.
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.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has worked closely with Irish immigration centres in the United States for many years on this issue.
During my visit to New York for the UN General Assembly last September, I met with representatives of the four Irish Immigration Centres in the region and with a representative of the US-wide Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres.
Those meetings were an opportunity for me to hear first-hand about the issues impacting on the undocumented. It was also an opportunity for me to update those present on our efforts, at both political and official level, to find a solution for the undocumented Irish. Those efforts are continuing.
The Government continues to avail of all opportunities to raise US immigration reform and the status of the undocumented Irish with the US administration and with key contacts on Capitol Hill.
I met with a senior State Department official during my September visit and I was able to further emphasise the Government’s commitment to this issue when I travelled to Washington DC on 3 - 5 October last.
The Government’s commitment to the undocumented has again been evidenced by the appointment of Deputy John Deasy as special envoy to Congress on the undocumented Irish.
Deputy Deasy accompanied me on my October visit to Washington DC and together we engaged with senior members of the US administration and with members of Congress, including the Congressional Friends of Ireland Group.
Deputy Deasy has been very active since his appointment, visiting the US a total of four times since his appointment - in July, September, October, and November.
In addition to contact at political level, officials from our Embassy in Washington D.C. stay in regular contact with the administration and with congressional contacts on both sides of the aisle.
Ireland’s ambassador to the United States, Dan Mulhall, hosted a round table discussion on the undocumented on 25 October last with Irish community representatives from across the United States, including representatives of the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres.
None of us, however, underestimate the size of the challenge facing us.
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 Deputy can be assured that officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both here and in Washington, D.C., will, under my direction, continue to give priority to this issue, mindful of its importance to the undocumented themselves and their families in Ireland.
79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new steps that can be taken to address the refugee crisis in Syria and Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53493/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough the EU, Ireland has long advocated for and supported the development of durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, and in tackling the root causes of displacement.
Through our engagement with conflict-affected countries, refugee hosting countries and our EU counterparts, Ireland supports conflict resolution and development in Syria, Iraq and the wider region. The situation in Syria continues to be one of utmost concern. The conflict, which is now in its seventh year, has cost an estimated half a million lives. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including close to 3 million people trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Over 6 million people are displaced internally, and a further 5.5 million have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. An end to the violence is urgently needed in order to relieve the suffering of the Syrian people. The peaceful resolution of the conflict in Syria is a foreign policy priority for Ireland. Ireland fully supports the UN-led Geneva peace process and the work of UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura.
Ireland’s Overseas Development Aid (ODA) budget has consistently supported responses to humanitarian crises. In 2016, €194 million, more than one quarter of our ODA, was directed to humanitarian need, including support for the response to the crises in Syria and Iraq. Since 2012, Ireland has contributed over €90 million to the humanitarian response to the Syria crisis alone. Ireland has fulfilled its pledge to provide at least €25 million in humanitarian assistance to the region during 2017. Through our annual contributions to EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, from which €445 million was contributed in 2016. The EU is also supporting the Turkey Refugee Facility in response to the almost 3 million refugees being hosted in that country. €3 billion has been committed to this by the EU between 2016 and 2019, with Ireland providing €22.9 million.
In 2015 the Government established the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) in response to the humanitarian crisis in Southern Europe as a due to mass migration and people fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. Under the terms of this programme, administered by the Department of Justice, Ireland has committed to accept up to 4,000 refugees from the region. To date, 1,502 people have already arrived with another 325 people expected to arrive in December and early in the New Year.
In Iraq, the UN estimates that 11 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, as the country begins to recover from the atrocities committed by Daesh. The current number of internally displaced persons requiring humanitarian assistance stands at almost 3.3 million, of which 1.6 million are living outside of camps in host communities. In addition, there are an estimated 240,000 Syrian refugees in Iraq. The EU is working to support the Iraqi government on stabilisation and reconciliation. In areas liberated from Daesh, the EU focuses on demining, the return of internally displaced persons and resilience. The EU supports an inclusive process of reconciliation, to build a common vision on the future of the country. Ireland has consistently called for inclusive democratic measures to allow for genuine national reconciliation, in order to create the environment for long-term viable stability in Iraq and the wider region.
Since 2014, Ireland has provided over €8 million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq, including €2 million in 2017 for the UN Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund.
Via our annual contributions to the EU budget, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response to the situation in Iraq, which amounts to €548 million since 2014.
The situations in both Syria and Iraq were discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday. At the Foreign Affairs Council in April of this year, EU Foreign Ministers agreed a new strategy for Syria. The EU is currently working on a new EU strategy for engagement with Iraq which will set out our priority actions for the period ahead.
80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which ongoing efforts remain to encourage re-engagement in the peace process in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53494/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace. It also includes action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement activity, which are progressively endangering the prospects of such a peace agreement.
In recent months the new United States administration has been actively exploring the possibilities for re-launching the process to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. This engagement is very welcome, and I have met myself with the US team to encourage their work and to underline to them the key parameters for an agreement which the EU has long espoused.
I was very disappointed at the US announcement recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and initiating steps to move the US Embassy. I issued a statement describing this decision as premature and ill-advised, and unhelpful to efforts to resolve the conflict in the Middle East. High Representative Mogherini issued a similar statement on behalf of the EU.
In discussions with my EU colleagues, most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, I have urged that the EU must continue to encourage an appropriate US initiative, but also that the EU continue our own work, including work on the ground to help preserve and create the political and physical space in which the two state solution can be achieved. I am actively exploring with EU colleagues how this can best be done.
81. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has scoped the potential impact of proposed United States tax changes to the taxation of intellectual property on the State; the level of research his Department or other Departments or agencies are involved in to quantify the possible impact here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53289/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed changes in the US tax code currently being debated by the US Congress are relevant to all countries that trade with the United States. The importance of US tax rules is reflected in the fact that the proposed changes were discussed by European Finance Ministers at the recent ECOFIN meeting.
The proposed legislation has not yet been finalised or signed into law at this point in time. The full implications of US tax reform for Ireland, and the rest of the world, will depend on the exact nature of any changes which are ultimately agreed by both Houses of Congress and President Trump.
It is not just changes to the taxation of intellectual property that could be relevant, but rather the proposed broader changes to the US international tax regime and how the US tax the overseas operations of US business. I am supportive of US proposals that ensure tax is not artificially avoided through base erosion or profit shifting, but care is needed so that genuine commercial arrangements are not hit with double taxation which is damaging to economic activity, trade and investment. It is important that any anti-avoidance measures adopted by the US recognise that international trade between companies and countries is mutually beneficial and should be encouraged. These are points I made to US legislators during my recent visit to the US.
My officials, together with our Embassy in Washington, have been closely tracking the debate and progress of the proposed US legislation. My officials have also been in regular contact with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation as part of efforts to analyse the potential impacts of US tax reform.
Regardless of what happens with US tax reform, Ireland’s corporation tax regime will continue to be competitive while also offering long-term certainty to international business. Ireland remains committed to long-term stability and to the 12.5% corporation tax rate. As always, we will remain alert and responsive to any changes in the US or global tax environment.
82. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the estimated additional revenue yield if a publican's excise licence increased from €3,805 to €5,125 where the value of turnover was in excess of €1.270 million . [53356/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that 390 licences were issued to traders declaring an annual turnover in excess of €1.27m during the 2016/2017 licensing year, which ended on 30 September 2017. The total Excise Licence Duty payable by these traders was €1,483,950 (€3,805 x 390).
If the Excise Licence Duty payable had been €5,125 in the same period the total Excise Licence Duty payable would have amounted to €1,998,750. This would represent an increase of €514,800.
83. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full year cost of providing ten additional statistician and economist posts for the Revenue Commissioners. [53357/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that recruitment of analytical staff, such as economists, statisticians or other data analysts, in Revenue is generally addressed through specialist recruitment. As well as direct recruitment or internal promotion of staff with relevant background or experience in these areas, Revenue also benefits from economist recruitment panels established by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service and the secondment of Statisticians from the Central Statistics Office.
Through these channels, economists, statisticians and analysts are recruited by Revenue at a mix of grades, primarily at Administrative Officer and Assistant Principal levels.
Statisticians may be recruited at two levels in the civil service: 1. Administrative Officer (AO) equivalent, the average annual cost for a Statistician, AO equivalent, is estimated at €81,710; 2. Assistant Principal (AP) equivalent, the average annual cost for a Statistician, AP equivalent is estimated at €117,587.
Economists may be recruited at two levels in the civil service: 1. Administrative Officer (AO) equivalent, the average annual cost for an Economist, AO equivalent, is estimated at €67,979; 2. Assistant Principal (AP) equivalent, the average annual cost for an Economist, AP equivalent is estimated at €107,190.
The required grade mix is dependent on the nature of the work to be undertaken. Therefore it is not possible to provide an estimate for the cost of 10 additional staff as this would first require an assessment of the work for such staff to determine the appropriate staffing mix.
84. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the situation in a case in which a sale is agreed and deposit paid for land on 10 October 2017, but no contract has been signed regarding non-residential property on transactions eligible for the 2% rate under transitional relief measures; if the lower rate of stamp duty is still applicable if the contract is executed before year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53384/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rate of stamp duty on commercial land was increased to 6% on Budget Day, this rate applies in relation to all relevant conveyances executed after midnight on 10 October 2017. I subsequently introduced transitional measures in the Finance Bill that will allow for the previous rate of 2% to continue to apply where the parties to a contract entered into a binding contract before 11 October 2017 and where the conveyance or transfer is executed on or before 31 December 2017. Both of these conditions must be satisfied.
I am advised by Revenue that the payment of a deposit does not, of itself, necessarily indicate that the parties to a transaction had entered into a binding contract for the conveyance of property. If individuals are in doubt about the status of a transaction they should consult with their legal advisors to determine whether they had, in fact, entered into binding contracts before 11 October 2017 and indeed, whether the conveyances will be executed on or before 31 December 2017.
85. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to introducing the concept of a deemed disposal for non-resident investors in Real Estate Investment Trusts, REITs and Irish Real Estate Funds, IREFs, as applies to Irish resident investors in unit funds (details supplied). [53385/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraReal Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are purpose designed vehicles for real estate investment. A requirement placed on REITs is that, in general, 85% of their property income is distributed as a dividend to investors each year. This 85% obligation does not apply in years where the REIT cannot, for example because of an insufficiency of distributable reserves, make a distribution. Therefore, non-residents are charged to Irish tax on their share of the profits distributed each year. As such, REITs are not designed to have any significant amount of undistributed property income to which a deemed disposal event could apply.
Introduced in Finance Act 2016, Irish Real Estate Funds or IREFs are investment undertakings, excluding UCITS, where 25% of the value of that undertaking is made up of Irish real estate assets.
The provision addressed the concerns raised regarding the use of collective investment vehicles by non-residents to invest in Irish property. The investors had been using the structures to minimise their exposure to Irish tax on Irish property transactions.
IREFs must deduct a 20% withholding tax on certain property distributions to non-resident investors. The withholding tax will not apply to certain categories of investors such as pension funds, life assurance companies and other collective investment undertakings.
An IREF taxable event occurs when a unit holder receives value for the accrued profits of the IREF. In most cases this will be on the::
- making of a cash or a non-cash distribution to a unit holder; or
- the cancellation, redemption or repurchase of units from a unit holder;
However, the other methods in which value can be realised and which therefore need to trigger the IREF withholding tax are:
- any exchange by a unit holder of units in one sub-fund of the IREF for units in another sub-fund of the IREF;
- the issuing of units as paid-up unless new consideration has been received by the IREF;
- the IREF ceasing to be an IREF or an investment undertaking.
A deemed disposal rule in the context of IREFs may not be practicable.
At Committee and Report stages of the Finance Bill I agreed that certain issues raised in respect of IREFs and REITs would be examined by the Tax Strategy Group. The Tax Strategy Group papers will be published in Summer 2018.
86. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if financial institutions are meeting their targets in respect of the tracker mortgage scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53406/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Central Bank’s most recent Tracker Mortgage Examination status update report was issued on 17 October last and it indicated that, as at the end of September, approximately 13,000 mortgage accounts have been identified as impacted through the examination. This is additional to the 7,100 mortgage accounts which were rectified and remedied prior to the commencement of the industry wide examination. In addition, since the October update report, one lender has accepted that it has a further 6,000 impacted accounts. Lenders have also commenced the payment of redress and compensation to impacted customers and to end of September €120 million had been provided to customers in respect of approximately 3,300 accounts pursuant to the examination. A further €43 million in redress and compensation payments was paid by two lenders prior to the commencement of the industry wide examination.
The Central Bank will publish a further update report on the tracker examination next week and I look forward to receiving this. It will be important to find out more conclusively the number of people who have been affected by the tracker scandal and the progress banks have made to deal with their impacted customers. It remains the priority of the Government and the Central Bank to complete the tracker examination as quickly as possible and to ensure that all impacted accounts are identified and that appropriate redress and compensation is paid to the affected borrowers.
87. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the details and timelines of NAMA's sale of land at a location (details supplied); if the sale was on an open market basis with a competitive tendering process; if not, the reasons an open market sale was not pursued; when the land was sold; the date that agreement was signed; if there were deposits for the purchase of the land in place before the sale of the land; the disposal strategy of NAMA in relation to the sale of the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that NAMA did not own the property in question. Its role in relation to the property was as the secured lender. The property was owned and managed by the debtor, who had responsibility for the management of the sales process.
I am advised by NAMA that the property in question was not sold during the period when the loans were owned by NAMA. Nor was there a binding legal agreement in place whereby the debtor, who has a right to seek to achieve the maximum value for their assets, was obligated to sell the property to a particular purchaser.
I am advised that, over a 15 month period, NAMA endeavoured, in good faith, to facilitate the sale of this property by the debtor to an educational institution. In order to enable the sale to the institution, NAMA approved the sale at an agreed independent valuation in March 2016. However, the purchaser did not sign the contracts or pay a deposit until December 2016. I am advised that, by the time NAMA was notified that the purchaser had signed the contracts, the connected loans of the debtor had already been contracted for sale to a third party as part of a multi-connection loan sale which had been openly marketed in a competitive loan sales process. This loan sale was progressed in keeping with NAMA’s statutory mandate to deal expeditiously with its assets.
I am advised that, after the loans were sold, NAMA was no longer in a position to influence matters relating to the property. For the avoidance of doubt, contracts for the sale of the property did not exchange during the time that the property was secured to NAMA.
Lastly, I am advised that where loans relating to a property are sold before an associated asset sale has contracted, the loan acquirer is generally made aware that the property is at "sale agreed" stage. NAMA have confirmed that this was the case in the transaction referenced by the Deputy. However, the Deputy will also appreciate that NAMA’s involvement with a given property ends once the loans are sold and any future commercial decisions regarding underlying assets are entirely a matter for the loan acquirer and associated debtor.
