Thursday, 14 Dec 2017

Written Answers Nos 37-61

Human Rights Cases

Ceisteanna (37)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

37. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the trial of a person (details supplied) in Turkey that began on 7 December 2017; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the Turkish authorities are not allowing him attend his own trial in person; his views on whether the person will receive a fair trial in view of the present conditions in Turkey and the fact that President Erdogan openly calls his political opponent a terrorist; his views on the imprisonment of other People's Democratic Party, HDP, members and MPs; and if an official from the Irish Embassy in Turkey is attending and monitoring this high-profile trial. [53545/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Deputy will recall that my predecessor issued a statement expressing serious concerns when the co-chairs of the Peoples’ Democratic (HDP) Party, Figen Yüksekdað and Selahattin Demirtas, were arrested in November 2016. A representative of the Embassy in Ankara tried without success to gain access to the court when Figen Yüksekdað’s trial opened in July and, when Selahattin Demirtas’s trial opened on 7 December, a number of European Union and like-minded Embassies tried unsuccessfully to gain access to the court. Neither was Selahattin Demirtas allowed access to the court, since the authorities would only make a video-link available to him.

Notwithstanding the sensitive security situation in Turkey following the attempted coup in 2016, it is vital that the rule of law, freedom of expression and democracy should prevail. The arrest and detention of elected members of Parliament is especially worrying and I have repeatedly said that all those facing trial in Turkey must be afforded full due process, including the presumption of innocence and the right to a free and fair trial. The pre-trial detention of Selahattin Demirtas has already been lengthy and I am concerned that the level of transparency implicit in the right to due process is not being observed in this case. The Embassy in Ankara has regular contact with other HDP members of Parliament and will continue to monitor both trials as closely as feasible.

In the meantime, I would reiterate earlier calls to the Turkish authorities to engage in dialogue so that outstanding issues can be resolved by political means. Turkey is a candidate country for membership of the European Union and, as such, is committed to adhering to European values. The Turkish authorities need to continue to engage in constructive dialogue on human rights and rule of law issues, including with the Council of Europe.

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (38)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

38. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Acts, or parts of Acts, awaiting commencement within his area of statutory responsibility; the reason for the delay in the commencement of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53569/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Specific provisions of Acts under my Department that have not yet been commenced are Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act 2008.

These Sections of the Passports Act, if commenced, would provide that guardians’ consent to the issuing of a passport would be considered to be enduring for the child up to the age of 18. The commencement of these provisions is currently under consideration as part of the ongoing passport reform programme.

European Council Meetings

Ceisteanna (39)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

39. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53909/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I attended the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday 11 December, where developments in the Middle East, including the Middle East Peace Process, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Libya were discussed.

The Council had a good exchange of views on the Middle East Peace Process and developments in the wider region. We discussed what more the EU can do to promote peaceful solutions to the various challenges facing the region. Ministers discussed the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. I spoke of the need for the EU to look at ways to step up its political engagement in seeking a negotiated solution to the conflict. I outlined that the EU must also redouble its efforts to press for access of humanitarian aid for those in dire need.

Over lunch, I participated in a discussion with Foreign and Development Ministers and the Foreign Ministers of the G5 Sahel countries. Following this, Foreign and Development Ministers had a discussion on the follow up to the EU-AU summit at the end of November. I welcomed the direct EU-AU political engagement which underlines that our relationship with Africa is at a turning point and requires sustained political engagement, with joint ministerial meetings a first step.

European Council Meetings

Ceisteanna (40)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

40. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Prime Minister Netanyahu met the EU Foreign Affairs Council; if so, the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53910/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Brussels on 11 December preceded the Foreign Affairs Council, and was not therefore a meeting with the Council itself. The meeting was an informal breakfast meeting, essentially an exchange of views, and so there was no formal outcome as such. High Representative Mogherini hosted the meeting, and a similar encounter with Palestinian President Abbas has been scheduled for January.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed himself in particular on regional security issues in the Middle East, and on the opportunities to improve relations and trade between the EU and Israel. In the light of the announcement by the United States on Jerusalem, which took place after the meeting had been scheduled, he also restated Israel’s longstanding position on Jerusalem as its capital, and hoped that EU countries would follow the US lead.

Led by HR Mogherini, the EU and its Member States restated our firm commitment to a two state solution which must include finding a way through negotiations for Jerusalem to serve as the future capital of two states – Israel and Palestine. More broadly, the EU side took the opportunity to restate to PM Netanyahu our chief concerns in relation to Israeli Government policies on Palestinian issues.

For my part, I also stressed to him the destructive impact of continued settlement building both on Palestinian lives and on the viability of the peace process.

Brexit Negotiations

Ceisteanna (41, 50, 53)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

41. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the EU-British agreement on Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53915/17]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

50. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the legal standing of the joint report from the negotiators of the European Union and the United Kingdom Government on progress during phase 1 of negotiations under Article 50 of the treaty on European Union on the United Kingdom's orderly withdrawal from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54102/17]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

53. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Brexit Secretary, David Davis's, comments that the agreement reached in phase 1 of Brexit negotiations is a statement of intent more than anything else. [54105/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 50 and 53 together.

I welcome the Joint Report from the EU and UK negotiators on progress in phase one of the Brexit negotiations, published on 8 December. On Irish-specific issues, the Government achieved the goals we set out to achieve in this phase. They included maintenance of the Common Travel Area, protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process, including avoiding a hard border, and the protection of EU citizenship and other rights.

We were consistently clear in seeking tangible commitments from the UK. We now have a written guarantee that a hard border will be avoided and commitments as to 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 proposed by the British Government, there is a commitment that the UK will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Customs Union and Single Market which support North South cooperation, the all-island economy and protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. Moreover, such an arrangement must be compatible with the UK’s guarantee of avoiding a hard border, which is an ‘overarching requirement.’

The agreement between the EU and UK on Irish-specific issues set out in the Joint Report represents, as do the other elements of the Progress Report, a set of very strong political commitments and guarantees. These must now be reflected in the Withdrawal Agreement which will be legally binding and must be concluded before the UK’s departure from the EU on 29 March 2019. The Joint Report makes clear that progress in the Phase Two negotiations, including on the framework for future relations between the EU and UK, will only be possible if commitments made in Phase One are being honoured through the elaboration of the formal Withdrawal Agreement.

EU Directives

Ceisteanna (42)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

42. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans in respect of the implementation of the European Union work-life balance directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53954/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The European Commission initiated a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU on 26 April 2017. The proposed directive aims to address women's under-representation in employment and support their career progression through improved conditions to reconcile their working and private duties.

Discussions on the proposed Directive will continue at working group level under the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2018. The Bulgarian Presidency hopes that discussions on the Directive will progress to ‘general approach’ at the EPSCO formation of the Council in either March or June 2018. Accordingly, it is too soon to plan for the proposal’s implementation at this stage in negotiations.

The Department of Justice and Equality is leading the negotiations on behalf of Ireland.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (43, 59)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

43. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenditure on external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since May 2016; the names of the reports in tabular form; the publication or expected publication date of each report; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53969/17]

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

59. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date in tabular form. [54261/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 59 together.

The Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).

The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement, these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department.

In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed, and continues to inform, the the Department’s policies. It allows for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.

These services are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objective of the Department.

Separately, a low number of consultancies are occasionally engaged directly by our Missions abroad and in some instances they prepare technical reports relating to the overseas development programme.

I refer the Deputies to written parliamentary question Ref No: 17434/17 responded to on Thursday, 6 April, 2017 concerning external reports commissioned by my Department from March 2011 to April 2017 detailing the name, costs, date of commission, date of publication, where appropriate, and name of the external consultant which is available on the Oireachtas website.Details of reports commissioned since April 2017 to date are included in the following table:

Commission	Experts/Consultants	Report/Subject	Cost(€)	Date of publication
2017	ASM	Audit of grants awarded under Emigrant Support Programme	47,375	Not Applicable – see footnote*
2017	Tierney & Associates, Risk & Governance Consultants	Systems review of Emigrant Support Programme	15,375	*
2017	Indecon Consultants	Economic Report on Addressing the Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants	73,627.80	Not yet published
2017	Ernst & Young (EY)	External Quality Assessment of Internal Audit	15,000	*
2017	Amárach Research	Brexit Research: Understanding the likely demand for Irish passports from citizens in U.K	21,000	*
2017	M Horizon (UK) Ltd	Continental Shelf NE Atlantic	3,163	*
2017	Mary Brady	Overview of Humanitarian Mine Action	4,500	*
2017	Noel Casserly	UNFCCC Reporting and Climate Financing Mapping 2016 – 2017	25,537	*
2017	Rachael Twinem	Internal review of the management structure and roles in the DICE (Development and Intercultural Education) project	Final cost not yet available	*
2017	Mercer International	Study of Compensation Levels - Locally engaged staff in diplomatic missions (Irish Aid)	19,188	*

*Certain reports commissioned by the Department are for internal management usage and not for publication. However, many Irish Aid related reports are published on www.irishaid.ie

Passport Data

Ceisteanna (44)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

44. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports issued by his Department in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53970/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The number of passports issued in the years requested is as follows:

Year	Passports issued
2012	635,600
2013	634,635
2014	632,156
2015	672,760
2016	733,060
2017 (1st Jan. 0 10th Dec.)	752,296

Passport Applications Data

Ceisteanna (45)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

45. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons from Great Britain and Northern Ireland that have applied for an Irish passport in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form. [53971/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Tracking 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 numbers of passport applications received from Northern Ireland and Great Britain for 2012 to 2016 and in 2017 to date:

Year	Northern Ireland	Great Britain
2012	41,124	45,646
2013	44,122	42,441
2014	48,475	43,449
2015	53,715	46,229
2016	67,582	63,453
2017*	80,964	81,287

(*1 Jan. – 10 Dec. 2017 only)

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

Ceisteanna (46)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

46. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the target date set by his Department for reaching the 0.7% ODA GNP target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53972/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas development cooperation programme and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy for International Development, “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), as economic conditions allow.

The current Programme for Government sets out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target as resources permit. This progress needs to be made in a sustainable and manageable way, building on Ireland's recognised role as a reliable and effective partner in contributing to ending global poverty and hunger, and in providing humanitarian assistance. For 2016 – the most recently published OECD statistics, Ireland contributed 0.33% of GNI to Official Development Assistance.

In line with EU member states, we remain committed to making incremental, sustainable and manageable progress towards achieving the 0.7% UN target by 2030, over the period of the Sustainable Development Goals. Reaching this target will involve significant increases to the ODA budget and requires careful planning and consultation with other Government Departments and stakeholders. This ambitious pathway towards making greater but sustainable progress on the UN target w ill be informed by the new White Paper on Ireland’s development assistance programme which will be produced next year.

Human Rights

Ceisteanna (47)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

47. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on recent events in Venezuela including the banning of opposition parties from the 2018 election there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53973/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The situation in Venezuela continues to be a matter of serious concern to the Government.

Municipal elections took place in Venezuela on 10 December 2017. Preliminary results released by the country’s national electoral institute suggested that the ruling party of President Maduro, the Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV), won a significant majority of available seats. The electoral process was partly boycotted by the opposition and the rate of participation by the electorate was low. This followed on from gubernatorial elections in October, the results of which were not recognised by a large part of the opposition amidst numerous reported incidences of irregularity.

In parallel, attempts to foster meaningful dialogue between the government and the opposition, aimed at bringing about political stability and addressing the severe challenges facing the country, are continuing. The talks are being hosted by the Dominican Republic and accompanied by six countries of the region acting as guarantors of the process. We consider this a step in the right direction and are fully supportive of regional efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

Presidential elections are due to take place in December 2018. Ireland and its EU partners have called for concrete action to ensure the full respect and independence of Venezuela’s democratic institutions, notably through the holding of free and fair elections supervised by a balanced Electoral Council and involving independent international observation.

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. The measures are designed to be scaled up or down on a gradual basis to respond to developments in Venezuela, of which respect for the electoral timetable and process will represent an important barometer. We will continue to monitor the situation closely in concert with our European partners.

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Ceisteanna (48)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

48. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated number of Irish persons living in the United States of America without documentation; the recent efforts that have been made to resolve this issue; the number of meetings held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53974/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I want first of all to reassure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to finding a solution to the plight of the thousands of undocumented Irish in the United States.

By their nature, it is difficult to put exact numbers on undocumented communities, and the thousands of undocumented Irish in the US are no different. Estimates vary as to the numbers but our priority is to assist those who need our help and to find a solution, irrespective of their number.

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 contacts on Capitol Hill.

Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, working both here and in the US, are engaged on the issue on an ongoing basis, having regular meetings with their US and Irish community contacts, and I am kept fully informed of developments.

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 during that 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.

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 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.

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 thousands of undocumented themselves and their families in Ireland.

Departmental Budgets

Ceisteanna (49)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

49. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a budget has been allocated to the person in the role of US special envoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53975/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Taoiseach appointed Deputy John Deasy as Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented Irish in June 2017.

The work of the Special Envoy is conducted under my overall direction and is part of the ongoing engagement by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States.

Our diplomatic network across the United States continues to engage at every opportunity with representatives of the Administration and Congress, as well as with Irish community organisations, to seek relief for the undocumented.

As the Taoiseach indicated at the time of the appointment, no additional remuneration is paid to the Special Envoy.

The staff resources required are drawn from existing resources in relevant sections of my Department, as needed and on a case by case basis. Likewise, the envoy’s travel and subsistence expenses are covered from within the existing resources of my Department. The Departmental budget for 2018 is currently under consideration and it is anticipated that a budget will be allocated to the role as part of that process.

Question No. 50 answered with Question No. 41.

Brexit Negotiations

Ceisteanna (51, 52)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

51. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the priorities of Ireland for phase two of Brexit negotiations as they relate to individual sectors of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54103/17]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

52. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on all meetings scheduled with Task Force 50 in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54104/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.

The second phase of the Article 50 negotiations will enable discussions to get under way 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. We also want to see transition arrangements which preserve the status quo in terms of British rights and obligations, other than in relation to membership of the EU institutions and agencies. They should be in place for a period long enough to allow for an orderly Brexit.

It will also be important to maintain a clear focus on the unique challenges faced by Ireland. All aspects of the Irish specific issues will continue to be worked on in a distinct stream of work in phase 2. The EU27, including Ireland, will therefore need to be satisfied that the principles and commitments agreed on Friday are delivered upon and reflected in the withdrawal agreement.

There is no question that Brexit poses very significant and serious challenges to Ireland’s economy and trade, as well as across a range of other sectors. While in recent years we have been diversifying increasingly to other markets, Ireland is still heavily reliant on the UK as a trading partner. A number of key sectors will also be impacted significantly, including, but not limited to, agri-food, fisheries, financial services, transport, energy, enterprise and trade more generally.

In this regard, Ireland’s approach to phase two of the negotiations will continue to be informed by the detailed sectoral work being done by individual Departments, and through cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department. These represent a very active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s overall response to Brexit, including its priorities for the next phase of the Article 50 negotiations.

Since taking up office, engagement on Brexit with Michel Barnier and his Taskforce, and with other EU partners, has been a central element of my work and that of my Department and our Missions. This approach has yielded clear results in ensuring that Ireland’s unique issues and concerns have been fully understood by our EU27 partners and have been reflected in the EU’s negotiating position and the outcome of Phase 1. As the negotiations move to a new phase in 2018, we will continue working closely with the Commission Task Force to advance Irish priorities.

Question No. 53 answered with Question No. 41.

EU Issues

Ceisteanna (54)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

54. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the European Ombudsman report on unpaid internships in the European External Action Service with his EU colleagues; if he will recommend action on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54136/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

As I noted in my response to the Deputy regarding this matter on 13 July 2017, the EU Ombudsman report on unpaid internships in the European External Action Service is an “own initiative” report that has not been the subject of formal discussion among EU foreign ministers. I noted also that the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission Mogherini has responded to the EU Ombudsman on the report outlining how the EEAS internship programme will be revised from 2018 and I will monitor progress in that regard with interest.

Ireland participates in the “EEAS Junior Professionals in EU Delegations” paid programme. In addition my own Department offers a limited number of paid 11 month internships for graduates which are advertised on the career opportunities section on our website www.dfa.ie. Paid internship positions also arise from time to time with the Department’s Development Cooperation Division, which administers the Irish Aid programme.

Ministerial Travel

Ceisteanna (55, 56)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

55. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the use his Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54197/17]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

56. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the use his Department has made of the Government jet in each of the years March 2011 to February 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54213/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.

The core functions of my Department are predominantly concerned with international political and security policy, advancing reconciliation and cooperation on the island of Ireland, representing Ireland at the EU level, and promoting Ireland’s economic and trade interests in Europe and internationally.

The Deputy will find details of use of the Ministerial Air Transport Service on the Department of Defence website at http://www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Document+ID/FFF14F42B7DA240280257632003D5C94?OpenDocument

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (57, 58)

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

57. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the photography costs for his Department in each year since March 2011 inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used, in tabular form; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54229/17]

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

58. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the use of external public relations firms employed by his department in each year since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54245/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Question Nos. 57 and 58 together.

Photography

My Department only avails of the services of external photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that the media can easily and freely avail of photography where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated. Events such as the visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in May 2017 and those by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada in July 2017 and UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in November 2017 resulted in positive overseas media coverage of Ireland.

Through the Office of Government Procurement an updated Multi-Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of Professional Photography and Videography is now in operation. My Department procures the services of external photographic agencies via this Framework where necessary.

In addition, my Department continues to avail of in-house resources for photography whenever possible.

In relation to photography costs for the period March 2011 to December 2016, I would refer the Deputy to the reply issued to Question No. 349 of 13 December 2016.

The cost of photography to my Department for events which took place in 2017 is listed in Table 1. A small number of invoices for photography at events held during 2017 have yet to be received. In the time available, it has not proved possible to compile a breakdown of photography costs associated with events organized by Ireland’s network of 80 diplomatic missions abroad.

Public Relations

My Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations services since March 2011. Expenditure has, however, arisen in the context of specific initiatives under Ireland’s overseas development programme for which we have from time to time commissioned companies with a public relations and communications background to provide other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management. The information requested by the Deputy in this area is set out in Table 2.

DHR Communications has been contracted to manage and administer grants to journalists reporting on international development issues under the Simon Cumbers Media Fund (SCMF) and to manage and administer annual Africa Day celebrations.

The SCMF involves managing three funding rounds each year, including the annual SCMF student competition. This typically involves the following activities:

- Convening national and regional information workshops;

- Managing and administering the application process;

- Organising the judging process

- Providing detailed feedback to all applicants;

- Processing grant payments and keeping detailed administrative and financial records;

- Maintaining and updating the SCMF website.

It should be noted that expenses paid to third parties account for approximately 30% of the total paid to DHR for managing and administering the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. This includes costs associated with maintaining and updating the SCMF website, facilitating the judging process and raising awareness of the Fund among journalists.

Following a competitive tendering process, DHR has also been engaged to plan, manage and execute a national Africa Day flagship event in Dublin. This includes the administration of a small grants scheme for regional events which DHR managed on behalf of the Department in partnership with a number of local authorities. DHR also worked to raise public awareness of the Africa Day events, including through the use of social media and the Africa Day website. This public awareness work represented a very minor element of the overall project and was conducted in close cooperation with my Department’s communications office.

Africa Day events have been hosted by the Department in Iveagh Gardens in 2009 and 2010, in CHQ in George’s Dock in 2012 and at the Farmleigh Estate annually since 2013. In 2011, the Department supported a series of smaller-scale performances, family events, art exhibitions, debates and educational activities instead of hosting a flagship event.

In relation to the expenditure on Africa Day, expenses paid to third parties accounted for between 70% and 80% of the total costs listed below. This included expenditure on security, sanitation, venue set-up, health and safety issues and small grants to facilitate the participation of community groups.

DHR also previously provided short-term management support services for the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid, including the logistical management of the nationwide public consultation activities.

Table 1: Photography Costs - 2017

HQ Total: €39, 165.66

Mission Total: €14, 216.21

Department Total to date for 2017: €53,381.87

Description	Date	Cost	Minister	Photographer
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	13/12/2016	€351.85	Minister Mr. Joe McHugh,, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Senator Gary Harte Iveagh House Lecture 14/12/2016	17/01/2017	575.64	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Minister Flanagan 21/12/2016	17/01/2017	292.74	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	02/03/2017	€351.85	Minister Andrew Doyle, T.D. representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Minister Flanagan	07/03/2017	68.88	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Bosnian Foreign Minister	07/03/2017	516.6	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of New Zealand Foreign Minister	07/03/2017	551.04	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Japanese Foreign Minister	07/03/2017	740.07	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography US Ambassador Farewell Event	07/03/2017	120.54	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography All Island Civic Dialogue Media Trip 16/02/17	13/03/2017	1412.04	n/a	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Australia Foreign Minister 24/02/17	13/03/2017	671.58	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Secretary of State for NI James Brokenshire 14/02/17	13/03/2017	413.28	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of UAE Foreign Minister 20/02/17	13/03/2017	585.48	Minster Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Bundestag And Milliband Visit 23/02/17	13/03/2017	878.22	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of French Foreign Minister 22/02/17	13/03/2017	654.36	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Email of Jpeg for annual report 22/03/17	22/03/2017	14	n/a	Maxwells
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	07/04/2017	€351.85	Minister Catherine Byrne , T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of Luxembourg Foreign Minister 10/03/17	25/04/2017	1222.62	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography: Launch of Online Passport Service 30/03/17	25/04/2017	585.48	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Email of Jpegs for Civic Dialogue 17/02/17	25/04/2017	189.42	n/a	Maxwells
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	27/04/2017	€351.85	Minister Damien English, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	16/05/2017	€351.85	Minister Marcella Corcoran T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier 12/05/17	17/05/2017	1100.85	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Global Irish Civic Forum 04/05/17	17/05/2017	1168.5	Minister Flanagan	Photocall Ireland
Photography Royal Visit Kilkenny 11/05/17	18/05/2017	999.38	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Min Flan meeting Deputy PM Vietnam 24/04/17	23/05/2017	204.3	Minister Flanagan	Denis Byrne
Photography Royal Visit Farmleigh Gallery 11/05/17	23/05/2017	467.4	Minister Flanagan	Photocall Ireland
Photography GAA & Irish Abroad Global Games Launch 24/05/17	09/06/2017	522.75	Minister Mc Hugh	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Danish Foreign Minister 02/06/17	13/06/2017	977.85	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Chinese Visit to Iveagh House 08/06/17	13/06/2017	522.75	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography All Island Civic Dialogue Event in Letterkenny 22/05/17	13/06/2017	442.8	Minister Mc Hugh	Clive Wasson
Photography Royal Visit Dublin Friday 12/05/17	15/06/2017	1136.52	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Presentation Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	15/06/2017	€351.82	Minister Joe McHugh, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of Prince Albert of Monaco 23/06/17	27/06/2017	1014.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Joint Ireland UK Messines Commemoration 07/06/2017	27/06/2017	500	n/a	Eric Flamand
Photography Visit of Finnish Foreign Minister 03/07/17	06/07/2017	1383.75	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Prime Minister of Canada 3-4/07/17	06/07/2017	2736.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Passport Stats Photo 18/07/17	19/07/2017	611.85	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Japanese Princess Takamado 09/07/17	19/07/2017	522.75	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Official Photos for Min Coveney, MoS Cannon, Ambassador O'Neil and visit of Secretary of State for NI	02/09/2017	2214	n/a	Julien Behal
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	05/09/2017	€454.20	Minister Mary Mitchell-O’Connor, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of former President of Finland & Nobel Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari	06/09/2017	854.85	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	21/09/2017	€351.85	Minister John Paul Phelan,, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Missile Control Conference	24/10/2017	984	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Reconciliation Forum 28/10/17	07/11/2017	799.5	n/a	Julien Behal
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	14/11/2017	€351.85	Minister, Ciarán Cannon, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson	24/11/2017	922.5	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Team Ireland Conference Croke Park	24/11/2017	645.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Latvian Foreign Minister	24/11/2017	522.75	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Human Rights Conference	24/11/2017	522.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Future of Europe Launch event	24/11/2017	731.85	Taoiseach, Minister Coveney and MoS McEntee	Julien Behal
Photography Brexit Media trip	24/11/2017	2829	n/a	Julien Behal
New Years’ Greetings by the President for the Diplomatic Corps		€1,064.80	Minister Helen McEntee, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography

Table 2

This table sets out the payments for project and event management since 2011:

Payments for Project and Event Management 2011 to 2017

Name of Project/Event	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017 (to date)
DHR Communications: SCMF	€73,237	€47,430	€73,836	€60,338	€83,757	€145,278	€108,026
DHR Communications: White Paper Review	€25,000	€26,026	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
DHR Communications: Africa Day	€6,806	€90,851	€118,644	€143,829	€179,221	€206,126	€189,041
Total	€105,043	€164,307	€192,480	€204,167	€262,978	€351,404	€297,067

Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 43.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (60, 61)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

60. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of expenditure by his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on advertising of Government information campaigns published specifically in national and regional newspapers in addition to all online advertising for all such Government information campaigns; the name of each such information campaign to which this expenditure related; the cost of each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54277/17]

Niall Collins

Ceist:

61. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department from 1 January 2017 to date in 2017 on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54293/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.

Photography - 2017

My Department only avails of the services of external photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that the media can easily and freely avail of photography where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated. Events such as the visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in May 2017 and those by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada in July 2017 and UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in November 2017 resulted in positive overseas media coverage of Ireland.

Through the Office of Government Procurement an updated Multi-Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of Professional Photography and Videography is now in operation. My Department procures the services of external photographic agencies via this Framework where necessary.

In addition, my Department continues to avail of in-house resources for photography whenever possible.

The cost of photography to my Department for events which took place in 2017 is listed in Table 1. A small number of invoices for photography at events held during 2017 have yet to be received. In the time available, it has not proved possible to compile a breakdown of photography costs associated with events organized by Ireland’s network of 80 diplomatic missions abroad.

Table 1: Photography Costs - 2017

HQ Total: €39, 165.66

Mission Total: €14, 216.21

Department Total to date for 2017: €53,381.87

Description	Date	Cost	Minister	Photographer
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	13/12/2016	€351.85	Minister Mr. Joe McHugh,, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Senator Gary Harte Iveagh House Lecture 14/12/2016	17/01/2017	575.64	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Minister Flanagan 21/12/2016	17/01/2017	292.74	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	02/03/2017	€351.85	Minister Andrew Doyle, T.D. representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Minister Flanagan	07/03/2017	68.88	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Bosnian Foreign Minister	07/03/2017	516.6	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of New Zealand Foreign Minister	07/03/2017	551.04	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Japanese Foreign Minister	07/03/2017	740.07	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography US Ambassador Farewell Event	07/03/2017	120.54	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography All Island Civic Dialogue Media Trip 16/02/17	13/03/2017	1412.04	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Australia Foreign Minister 24/02/17	13/03/2017	671.58	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of Secretary of State for NI James Brokenshire 14/02/17	13/03/2017	413.28	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of UAE Foreign Minister 20/02/17	13/03/2017	585.48	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Bundestag And Milliband Visit 23/02/17	13/03/2017	878.22	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Visit of French Foreign Minister 22/02/17	13/03/2017	654.36	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Email of Jpeg for annual report 22/03/17	22/03/2017	14	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	07/04/2017	€351.85	Minister Catherine Byrne , T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of Luxembourg Foreign Minister 10/03/17	25/04/2017	1222.62	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography: Launch of Online Passport Service 30/03/17	25/04/2017	585.48	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Photography Email of Jpegs for Civic Dialogue 17/02/17	25/04/2017	189.42	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	27/04/2017	€351.85	Minister Damien English, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	16/05/2017	€351.85	Minister Marcella Corcoran T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier 12/05/17	17/05/2017	1100.85	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Global Irish Civic Forum 04/05/17	17/05/2017	1168.5	Minister Flanagan	Photocall Ireland
Photography Royal Visit Kilkenny 11/05/17	18/05/2017	999.38	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Min Flan meeting Deputy PM Vietnam 24/04/17	23/05/2017	204.3	Minister Flanagan	Denis Byrne
Photography Royal Visit Farmleigh Gallery 11/05/17	23/05/2017	467.4	Minister Flanagan	Photocall Ireland
Photography GAA & Irish Abroad Global Games Launch 24/05/17	09/06/2017	522.75	Minister Mc Hugh	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Danish Foreign Minister 02/06/17	13/06/2017	977.85	Minster Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Chinese Delegation Visit to Iveagh House 08/06/17	13/06/2017	522.75	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography All Island Civic Dialogue Event in Letterkenny 22/05/17	13/06/2017	442.8	Minister Mc Hugh	Clive Wasson
Photography Royal Visit Dublin Friday 12/05/17	15/06/2017	1136.52	Minister Flanagan	Maxwells
Presentation Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	15/06/2017	€351.82	Minister Joe McHugh, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of Prince Albert of Monaco 23/06/17	27/06/2017	1014.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Joint Ireland UK Messines Commemoration 07/06/2017	27/06/2017	500	n/a	Eric Flamand
Photography Visit of Finnish Foreign Minister 03/07/17	06/07/2017	1383.75	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Prime Minister of Canada 3-4/07/17	06/07/2017	2736.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Passport Stats Photo 18/07/17	19/07/2017	611.85	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Japanese Princess Takamado 09/07/17	19/07/2017	522.75	Minister Flanagan	Julien Behal
Photography Official Photos for Min Coveney, MoS Cannon, Ambassador O'Neil and visit of Secretary of State for NI	02/09/2017	2214	n/a	Julien Behal
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	05/09/2017	€454.20	Minister Mary Mitchell-O’Connor, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of former President of Finland & Nobel Prize winner Martti Ahtisaari	06/09/2017	854.85	n/a	Julien Behal
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	21/09/2017	€351.85	Minister John Paul Phelan,, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Missile Control Conference	24/10/2017	984	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Reconciliation Forum 28/10/17	07/11/2017	799.5	n/a	Julien Behal
Presentation of Credentials by Diplomatic Corps	14/11/2017	€351.85	Minister, Ciarán Cannon, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography
Photography Visit of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson	24/11/2017	922.5	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Team Ireland Conference Croke Park	24/11/2017	645.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Visit of Latvian Foreign Minister	24/11/2017	522.75	Minister Coveney	Julien Behal
Photography Human Rights Conference	24/11/2017	522.75	n/a	Julien Behal
Photography Future of Europe Launch event	24/11/2017	731.85	Taoiseach, Minister Coveney and MoS McEntee	Julien Behal
Photography Brexit Media trip	24/11/2017	2829	n/a	Julien Behal
New Years’ Greetings by the President for the Diplomatic Corps		€1,064.80	Minister Helen McEntee, T.D., representing the Government	Maxwell Photography

Advertising - 2017

My Department engages in advertising of Government information which it is considered necessary to bring to the attention of citizens . Online adult passport renewals are a key part of the Passport Reform Programme and my Department has advertised in 2017 in order to ensure a good uptake by citizens of this innovative service.

The advertising in question took the form of a multi-format outdoor transport campaign combined with digital units in Dublin and Belfast Airports to promote the online passport service. The outdoor transport campaign ran over two two-week cycles in May and June. The digital units in Dublin and Belfast Airports ran from May to August. In addition to the outdoor campaign, a further online and social media campaign was also run with ads being placed around digital articles and social media activity on travel-related themes. This part of the campaign ran from April until August of this year.

The advertising was successful in helping to raise public awareness of this award-winning new service and has seen over 108,000 people avail of it to date. The total cost of the advertising is outlined in the following table:

Table 2: Advertising Costs - 2017

Activity	Cost	Supplier
Public Information Campaign to raise awareness of the Online Passport Service	€210,324.15	MEC

Communications / Public Relations

In 2017, my Department has not engaged outside public relations companies for the purposes of communications or public relations advice.

My Department has from time to time commissioned companies with a public relations and communications background but this has been for the provision of other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management, particularly in relation to Irish Aid public outreach activities.

Website Development – 2017

The Department’s websites (including www.dfa.ie, www.irishaid.ie, www.globalirish.ie and those of Ireland’s 80 diplomatic missions abroad) are used to publish valuable information for citizens, including on passports and citizenship, updates on the work of the Department and its Ministers and Government travel advisories for over 200 countries abroad. The Department’s websites receive in excess of 27 million page views per year.

Maintenance and development costs during 2017 in this area have been as follows:

Table 3: Website Development Costs - 2017

Activity	Cost	Supplier
Website Development	€30,080	Action Point Innovation Ltd.
Website Development	€65,054	Terminal Four Solutions Ltd.
Subtotal	€95,134
Additional Website Services Development Costs	€132,566	Action Point Innovation Ltd.
Additional Website Services Development Costs	€43,917	Capita IB Solutions
Subtotal	€176,483
TOTAL	€271,617

Media Interview Training and Preparation – 2017

Senior Department staff members have received training on communicating in crisis situations, which is fundamental in ensuring that the Department serves Irish citizens at home and abroad during consular emergencies overseas. The relevant payments made in 2017 were as follows:

Table 4: Media Interview Training and Preparation – 2017

Activity	Cost	Supplier
Pre-posting training in communications	€3000	Communications Clinic