Written Answers Nos 18-34
18. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons on the waiting list to join the Civil Defence by local authority; the reason for the delay in providing the training to those on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12716/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence is charged with the management and development of Civil Defence at national level. The Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support and guidance and centralised procurement of major items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts.
Civil Defence services are delivered through the Civil Defence Officer (CDO) of the relevant Local Authority for that area. The CDO is a full time employee of the local authority and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Civil Defence matters under the overall direction of the relevant Chief Executive.
The legal basis for the recruitment of Civil Defence members is set out in Section 15 of the Civil Defence Act 2012. Civil Defence volunteers are recruited, trained and managed through the local authority. It is for each Civil Defence Unit to determine the appropriate number of volunteers required in the Unit. The Unit size varies between counties due to factors such as the population and geographic size of the county. The presence or absence of other voluntary emergency service groups (such as the Order of Malta, St Johns Ambulance and the Red Cross) in a county has an impact on the size of the Civil Defence Unit. Civil Defence training has become increasingly professionalised in recent years and many Units have tended to favour having smaller numbers of more highly trained volunteers.
As volunteers are recruited through each local authority my Department does not have any information on the number of persons waiting to join Civil Defence. I understand that it is the practice of Civil Defence Units to bring in groups of recruits on a periodic basis, typically once a year. New recruits undergo an induction process and it is more efficient to provide this initial training to a group of recruits rather than on an individual basis.
19. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount allocated to each local authority over each of the past ten years for the provision of training for new Civil Defence recruits in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides an annual operational grant to each local authority to cover 70% of the running costs for Civil Defence, up to a set limit. The local authority must provide the remaining 30% and may provide additional funding over and above this at their own discretion. The running costs include the Civil Defence Officer salary, accommodation running costs, vehicle upkeep and maintenance, local training etc.
Civil Defence training for new volunteers is coordinated by the Civil Defence Officer in the relevant local authority area. My Department does not allocate funding specifically for the provision of training to new Civil Defence recruits.
20. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when his Department will respond to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the service record of a former soldier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12718/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no record of having received a letter dated 31 January 2018 in respect of the details provided. If the Deputy wishes to submit a copy of the letter to me, my Department will prepare a reply.
21. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the projects mentioned in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 that come under his Department's remit or bodies under its aegis; and the estimated completion dates for each project in tabular form. [12987/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan 2018 to 2027 provides €541 million in capital funding for Defence for the period 2018 – 2022. This level of funding will allow the Defence Organisation to undertake a programme of sustained equipment replacement and infrastructural development as identified and prioritised in the Defence White Paper.
The projects listed in the table have been prioritised for inclusion, along with their expected completion dates, where available. Completion dates are not known for some projects as they have not yet been subjected to the full planning, appraisal and procurement processes.
- Mid-life upgrade of the Army Mowag APC armoured fleet (2023);
- Procurement of Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles;
- Replacement of the Air Corps Cessna Aircraft (2020);
- CASA Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement Programme;
- On-going Naval vessel replacement programme, including acquisition of a multi-role vessel;
- Mid-life refit of the Naval Service vessels LÉ Niamh and LÉ Roisín;
- On-going investment in force protection, transport, communications and information technology, weapons and ammunition systems;
- On-going investment in the modernisation and renewal of barrack infrastructure including accommodation, catering, workshops, storage and training facilities.
With regard to the modernisation and renewal of Defence Forces built infrastructure, the following projects were included in the National Development Plan (with expected completion dates):
|
Project |
Expected to be Completed |
|
Ordnance storage facilities in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh, Co. Kildare |
Q2, 2019 |
|
Training facilities in Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick |
Q4, 2020 |
|
Training facilities in Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny |
Q3, 2023 |
|
Accommodation facilities in the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh |
Q3, 2019 |
|
Accommodation facilities in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin |
Q3, 2019 |
|
Accommodation upgrade in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin |
Q4, 2019 |
|
Catering facilities in Custume Barracks, Athlone |
Q4, 2019 |
|
Upgrade of fuel storage safety system in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co Cork |
Q1, 2019 |
In addition, during the lifetime of the National Development Plan, other significant Defence Forces built infrastructure projects will be advanced in military installations throughout the country.
The capital funding provided under the National Development Plan emphasises the importance attached by the Government to ensuring that the Defence Forces have the capabilities necessary to deliver on all the roles assigned by Government.
22. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to engage consultants with a view to establishing a plan for future use of Columb Barracks, Mullingar. [12953/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, since the closure of Columb Barracks in 2012, my Department has explored a number of avenues to try and secure its long term future for the benefit of the local community. Government Departments and other Public Bodies, including Westmeath County Council, have been invited to declare an interest in acquiring the property. However no interest has been expressed from any of these bodies.
In May 2016 officials from my Department attended a public meeting in Mullingar on the future use of the barracks. A local group was subsequently established in order to prepare a feasibility study on community use of the premises. No report from that group has been furnished to my Department.
In April 2017, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, launched the online Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map as a key part of the Rebuilding Ireland initiative. Columb Barracks was included as one of the publicly owned sites having potential for housing development. However, to date there have been no formal approaches under this initiative.
As the Barracks is no longer required for military purposes, the current financial and administrative burden resulting from its retention cannot be sustained. As such, my Department has no plans to appoint consultants to carry out a master plan for its future use. Accordingly, my officials are proceeding with its disposal.
23. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of occasions Ireland has been found by the European Court of Human Rights to be in contravention of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12615/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been no findings by the European Court of Human Rights of a violation of Article 2 (right to life) for the period referenced by the Deputy in his question. I have set out below details of rulings of the European Court of Human Rights involving the State and Article 2 (right to life) for the relevant period. The outcomes have included the State reaching a friendly settlement with an applicant as regards the lack of an effective investigation in breach of Article 2 in one case and, in another case, conceding to the Court that an effective investigation had not taken place. In relation to those cases the Court struck out the applications without making any finding against the State.
Rulings of the European Court of Human Rights involving the State and Article 2 (right to life)
In McDermott, Keegan and Others v Ireland, application nos. 23213/09 and 62652/09, the applicants complained, among other things, of a lack of an effective investigation by the State in breach of Article 2 into the Stardust Tragedy of 14 February 1981. In a decision dated 25 September 2012 the Court ruled the application inadmissible.
In Magee v Ireland, application no 53743/09, the applicant complained of, among other things, a lack of an effective investigation by the State in breach of Article 2 in to her son’s death while in police custody. The State reached a friendly settlement with the applicant and the Court struck the case out of its list on 20 November 2012.
In Nic Gibb v Ireland, application no 17707/10, the applicant complained of, among other things, a lack of an effective investigation by the State in breach of Article 2 in relation to a fatal shooting by An Garda Síochána of her partner in the course of an armed robbery. The State conceded there had not been an effective investigation as required by Article 2 and indicated an intention to set up of a Commission of Investigation and the Court struck the case out of its list on 25 March 2014.
My Department is the Agent for the Government before the Court and provided expert advice on the case-law of the Court and its procedures in respect of each of the above. For all cases referred to, the lead Department was the Department of Justice and Equality.
The text of the Court’s rulings are available on the website of the European Court of Human Rights which hosts a database of all its judgments and decisions (https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#). The website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also lists all judgments and decisions involving the State (https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/international-priorities/international-law/courts-tribunals-dispute-mechanisms/european-court-of-human-rights/).
24. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost to his Department of negative interest rates on deposits held; the details of same for agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11738/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes: Vote 27- International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are no agencies under the aegis of the Department.
In 2017, negative interest charges totalling €4,235.42 were incurred on Vote 27 and paid to one commercial bank. In the period to end-February 2018, costs of €2,030.06 have been incurred on Vote 27 and paid to the same bank. Negative interest charges were also incurred on Vote 28 and paid to one commercial bank, different from the one to which charges were paid on Vote 27. In 2017, a total of €2,570.58 was paid. In the first two months of 2018 a total of €671.50 was paid.
These costs are unavoidable and relate to the need to draw-down funds from the Paymaster General’s Office for payments which may not have a value date until two to three days hence. These payments cannot be processed, however, without having the necessary funds in the bank account when the payment instruction is issued.
Negative interest arises from the necessary application by the Central Bank of Ireland of the policies and decisions of the European Central Bank. The value arising from the payment of negative interest by banks or by the State accrues to the Central Bank and adds to its profits. The Department is advised by the Department of Finance that some 80% of the Central Bank’s annual surplus is paid to the Exchequer and that in 2017 the payment amounted to €1.836 billion in respect of the 2016 surplus.
25. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the requirement for persons to have a public services card to apply or renew their passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11754/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service currently requires a photocopy of the applicant’s Public Services card (“PSC”) for first time adult applicants and for applicants seeking to replace lost, stolen or damaged passports that were issued prior to 2005. This measure has been an important step in protecting against fraud and identity theft and in upholding the integrity of the Irish passport
The Government decided on 17 July 2017 that a copy of the applicant’s PSC would be required for all adult passport applications made in the State by the end of 2018.
The PSC and the relevant issuing process, which is managed by the Department of Social Protection, is secure and robust and gives a high degree of assurance regarding the identity of the holder.
My Department will ensure that any changes to the passport application process are communicated to the public well in advance and will work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Social Protection on the practicalities involved.
26. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns from January 2017 to date in 2018, by year, month and company engaged in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position in relation to expenditure by my Department on external public relations or communications advice remains as set out in my reply to Question No. 108 of 13 February 2018.
As regards online advertising and public awareness campaigns, my Department engages in these where there is Government information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. Since January 2017 there have been two such campaigns: one for the launch of the online passport renewal service and one for the Government Brexit Update email service.
Online adult passport renewals are a key part of the Passport Reform Programme and my Department advertised during 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 2017. 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 last year.
The advertising was successful in helping to raise public awareness of this award-winning new service and has seen over 148,000 people avail of it to date.
The Government Brexit Update email service forms part of my Department’s overall strategy to keep the Irish public fully informed and up-to date on the direct implications and challenges of Brexit. Previously operated by the Department of An Taoiseach, it was re-launched last month along with a new dedicated Brexit website – www.dfa.ie/Brexit .
The Update is issuing on a regular basis via a commercial provider (MailChimp) and provides information on latest developments in the ongoing Brexit negotiations, on the latest available research publications and on engagement at Government level. It also highlights the range of business supports that are available through the various Government Enterprise agencies.
Details of expenditure on each of the above campaigns is set out as follows:
|
Activity |
Cost |
Supplier |
|
Public Information Campaign to raise awareness of the Online Passport Service (April – August 2017) |
€210,324.15 |
MEC |
|
Government Brexit Update (February – March 2018) |
€772.25 |
Twitter and MailChimp |
27. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there will be an increase in the number of staff in his Department in 2018, particularly in the areas covering Brexit in Dublin and Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11818/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is taking steps to reinforce existing missions, including in key partner countries, to address the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Already sixteen additional staff members have been assigned to our Embassies in London, Paris and Berlin and to Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels.
There are plans to significantly enhance Ireland’s networks over the coming years in the context of the Global Footprint initiative. My Department will require additional staff resources, both in Dublin and overseas, to meet the ambitions of this initiative to 2025.
The process has commenced with the recent Government decisions to open new Embassies in Santiago, Chile; Bogotá, Colombia; Amman, Jordan; and Wellington, New Zealand; and new Consulates General in Vancouver, western Canada and Mumbai, India, on a phased basis from this year.
As this process develops, the locations for the deployment of additional resources – both in the EU and further afield - will be identified on the basis of impact and influence, including the potential to deliver in terms of our economic and political interests and provide clear benefits for the State.
28. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the negotiations on reconvening the Northern Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11819/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of an Executive over many months.
The devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are the only way forward for Northern Ireland, and are urgently required.
The Government is currently working with the British Government on ways to take forward the political process in the period ahead. The Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have a shared responsibility to make every effort to follow a course that will get the devolved institutions operating as soon as possible.
The Taoiseach has spoken with Prime Minister May to emphasise the Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and its determination to secure the effective operation of all its institutions.
I am in very regular contact with Secretary of State Bradley as we seek a way forward from the current impasse and I also remain in contact with the parties.
As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish and British Governments have an obligation to uphold and protect the letter and spirit of that Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement remains the indispensable framework for providing stable, inclusive, power-sharing government for all the people of Northern Ireland and for sustaining our interlocking relationships – within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland and between the UK and Ireland.
29. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons holding Civil Service positions above clerical officer grade in his Department that entered the Civil Service via a route other than through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service or its predecessors; the grades of each; and the basis for the non-standard recruitment. [11859/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficers join the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through standard recruitment practices i.e. through competitions run under license directly by this Department or the Public Appointments Service, or through transfer/redeployment from another government Department under standard transfer/redeployment arrangements.
Under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, the Commission for Public Service Appointments has granted recruitment licenses to certain public service bodies, including this Department. Licence holders are obliged to ensure that their recruitment is carried out in accordance with the Commission’s Codes of Practice. These prescribe the necessary standards of probity, merit, equity and fairness to be applied by all those carrying out recruitment under license.
All officers above the grade of clerical officer in this Department joined the Department through the processes described above.
30. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the directions provided on the payment of staff in the public sector and Civil Service who fall under the direction of his Department for the days during Storm Emma when staff were directed to stay at home; if deductions in pay and annual leave were made to staff in the public sector or Civil Service as a result of days lost during the storm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11876/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll government Departments were guided by the advice of the National Emergency Coordination Committee in deciding to close certain offices during Storm Emma. While staff were unable to work in the headquarters offices of the Department, Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates, where approximately 40% of the Department’s staff work, continued to function as normal. The Department’s out –of-hours Consular Assistance Service continued to provide assistance to Irish citizens overseas. In addition, many of the HQ based staff in my Department have remote ICT access and continued to work from home on the days in question.
No deductions of annual leave were made to HQ based staff who were advised to follow the instructions of the National Emergency Coordination Committee, and no instruction was given to deduct pay from staff for the days in question.
31. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has been sentenced to prison for criticising the Bahraini Government; his views on the prosecution and sentence; his views on whether it demonstrates that the Bahraini Government will go to severe lengths to crack down on free speech; and if he will raise the person's conviction with his Bahraini counterpart. [11913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain very concerned about the human rights situation in Bahrain. Despite repeatedly stating its commitment to improving its human rights record, the Bahraini Government appears to be targeting those who express disagreement with or criticism of the Government. A number of worrying developments suggest an increasingly restrictive attitude to those opposing or challenging the Government in any way. Statements from the Bahraini Government on its commitment to safeguarding human rights enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution are undermined by many examples of violations of fundamental freedoms, including violations of freedom of opinion and expression.
Ireland’s concerns about human rights issues and restrictions of civil liberties in Bahrain is regularly conveyed to the Bahraini authorities, including through the Bahraini Embassy in London and through Ireland’s (non-resident) Ambassador to Bahrain. Most recently, last month, officials from my Department met with the Ambassador of Bahrain and Embassy officials in Dublin, and raised concerns about the human rights situation in Bahrain.
Officials from my Department also raised ongoing human rights concerns with Bahrain in the context of its Universal Periodic Review, which took place in Geneva in May 2017. In advance of this review, the Irish Mission to the UN in Geneva supported an event by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, where human rights concerns in the Kingdom were discussed. Ireland also made specific reference to Bahrain in our Item 4 (Human Rights situations that require the Council's attention) Statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva in September 2016, expressing concern about “restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association aimed at silencing the voice of civil society and human rights defenders in countries including… Bahrain”.
I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy, and of recent reports of the additional sentence that has been handed down in the case in question. Ireland attaches a high priority to safeguarding human rights defenders, such as the person referred to by the Deputy.
My Department will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Bahrain, and will utilise every appropriate opportunity to raise Ireland’s concerns with the Bahraini authorities.
32. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on Ireland’s participation in the 37th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council; the issues Ireland’s representatives have raised; and if Ireland has raised or will raise the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain at this session. [11914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile not a member of the Human Rights Council (HRC) Ireland is participating actively in the current session of the HRC which began on 26 February and will run until 23 March. My colleague Ciaran Cannon, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development took part in the high level segment at the beginning of the session and delivered a national statement on behalf of Ireland on 27 February. In his speech the Minister emphasised the centrality of human rights to Irish foreign policy and highlighted human rights situations of concern in a number of countries including Yemen, Myanmar and the occupied Palestinian territory. He also raised the treatment of human rights defenders and called for more effective promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI persons.
Apart from the national statement to the Ministerial segment, Ireland is also intervening in a number of specific debates on issues such as human rights mainstreaming, human rights defenders, terrorism, truth and justice, food and the rights of the child. Statements will also be delivered this week during Interactive Dialogues on country specific human rights issues, including, DPRK, Myanmar, Syria, Iran, Burundi and South Sudan. Copies of all Irish statements are uploaded to the Department of Foreign Affairs website following delivery.
With regard to Bahrain, Ireland has raised concerns at its human rights record on previous occasions including at the most recent review of Bahrain in the context of the Universal Periodic Review in May 2017 and at the 36th Session of the Human Rights Council, in September 2017, when Ireland made specific reference to Bahrain in our statement under Item 4 of the HRC’s agenda which deals with Human Rights situations that require the Council's attention. During the current session of the HRC, in its Item 4 Statement delivered on 14 March, Ireland expressed its grave concern at the end of the de facto moratorium on the death penalty in Bahrain.
33. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will contact the Israeli Prime Minister and bring to his attention that while he condemned Iran at the Munich Security Conference on 18 February 2018 in relation to an incursion (details supplied), in the period from 1 July to 30 October 2017, Israel violated Lebanon's airspace 758 times for a total of 3,188 hours and that since 2012, Israeli aircraft have violated Syrian sovereignty on roughly 100 occasions in the course of bombing targets in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11916/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persistence of Israeli flights over Lebanon has from time to time been raised with Israel by Irish Ministers and officials, particularly in the context of discussing issues surrounding Ireland’s deployment of troops with UNIFIL. I am also aware, of course, that both Lebanon and Syria remain officially in a state of war with Israel, with the most serious recent conflict taking place in 2006. Attacks have been launched on Israel from both locations. Ireland of course believes that an end to conflict, and to the formal state of war, is very much in the best interests of the entire region.
The engagement of Iranian military forces in Syria is already unwelcome and unhelpful. The recent incursion into Israeli airspace of an Iranian drone launched from Syria was quite clearly rash, provocative and dangerous, and led to an immediate escalation of violence which was thankfully of brief duration.
34. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent discussions on appointing a United States special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12117/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSuccessive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the peace process over the last three decades, and this support continues to be provided by the current US Administration, as well as by our many friends in Congress.
The Government strongly appreciates the sustained engagement by the current US Administration, including by the US State Department, in relation to Northern Ireland and we look forward to this continuing into the future.
In this regard, the Government has indicated that it would welcome the appointment of a Special Envoy for Northern Ireland by the current Administration, as part of its continuing support for the Peace Process.
The Taoiseach discussed the political process in Northern Ireland with President Trump in their bilateral meeting at the White House on 15 March, and also with key Congressional contacts during his recent visit to Washington, D.C.
I also discussed the matter with Administration representatives in Washington, D.C., last month.
Continued support and engagement by the US Administration and Congress will remain an essential element of the efforts by the British and Irish Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, to get the devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Agreement operating again as soon as possible.
