Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 91-105

Departmental Staff Training

Ceisteanna (91)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

91. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on facilitating departmental members' attendance at social media training conferences or other external events. [19616/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There has been no expenditure by my Department in respect of attendance at social media training conferences or events. My Department did, however, recently run a training session on Mobile Journalism which was attended by officials from other Government Departments.

Company	Details	Amount
Glen Mulcahy T/A Titanium Media	Mobile Journalism Training (January 2018)	€2,000.00

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (92)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

92. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if a civil servant in his Department made contact with members of An Garda Síochána in connection with the events of 23 and 24 June 2017 when a civil servant in his Department was arrested outside Cabra Garda station; and if so, the details of the contact between 23 June 2017 and to date in 2018. [19618/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I can confirm that no civil servant acting on behalf of my Department made contact with An Garda Síochána in relation to the events outlined by the Deputy.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (93, 94)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he held meetings while attending the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium; and the issues that were discussed. [19619/18]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

94. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his speech in Leuven. [19621/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.

I delivered an address on the Future of Europe at the Catholic University of Leuven as part of its Wilfried Martens series of lectures. This is an annual event, with previous speakers including Commission President Juncker and former German Finance Minister Schauble. The event was live-streamed and the text of my speech is available online.

My speech covered the many achievements of the European Union, the benefits for Ireland of EU membership, and my thoughts about the future direction of the Union, including the importance of completing the Single Market and Digital Single Market, and working together to deliver concrete benefits for our citizens. I also, of course, spoke about developments in the negotiations on Brexit.

In my address, I emphasised the need for an ambitious and positive approach to our discussions about the future of Europe, and the importance of maintaining our core EU values and principles - respect for human dignity, personal and economic freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights.

I noted that many of the challenges we face - climate change, cyber-security, illegal migration, international trade and the regulation of major corporations - cannot be resolved by 28 states coming up with twenty-eight different solutions, and that we need to work together to respond effectively.

I also emphasised the importance of our relations with the rest of the world, including Africa and the Western Balkans, and noted my intention to participate in the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia on 17 May.

I stressed the importance of communicating and engaging with our citizens on key issues relating to the future of Europe. From Ireland's perspective, I outlined our Citizens' Dialogue which I launched last November, and explained that the intention of this has been to facilitate an open and wide-ranging debate with our citizens, which will help to inform our approach.

On Brexit, I noted the particular issues arising for Ireland and the need to preserve the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, and the gains of the Peace Process. I noted the commitment to translate into the legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement the principles and commitments agreed between the EU and the UK last December, including in relation to the border, and stressed the need to make real and solid progress on this before the June European Council.

After the speech, I attended a reception in the University where I had the opportunity to meet a range of academics and students, including Irish students studying there.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (95)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

95. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when he last spoke to Prime Minister May; if the framework for the future relationship was discussed; and if she spoke regarding the backstop outlined in the December 2017 agreement and the way in which she referenced same in her speech in the Mansion House, London recently. [19622/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I had a short meeting with Prime Minister May in the margins of the European Council on 23 March during which we discussed the latest developments in relation to Brexit, Northern Ireland and Russia.

On Brexit, I welcomed her government’s commitment to ensuring the backstop forms part of the Withdrawal Agreement, and looked forward to progress on this and on the other options before the European Council in June. I also conveyed to her my outrage at the attack in Salisbury.

This was my fifth bilateral meeting with her in recent months. I had previously met her in Belfast on 12 February where we assessed the state of play in the negotiations to restore the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly and encouraged the parties to reach an agreement so that functioning institutions can commence work again in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

Between these two bilateral meetings, I spoke by phone with PM May on Monday 19 February to review the latest developments in Northern Ireland and again on Monday 26 February when we discussed Brexit and the draft Withdrawal Agreement in particular, in addition to matters relating to Northern Ireland.

There is also regular ongoing contact between my Department and the British Government at official level about Brexit and the situation in Northern Ireland.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (96)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

96. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met the Commissioner, Mr. Phil Hogan, when he was in Dublin addressing Seanad Éireann; and if so, the issues that were discussed. [19623/18]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I had a private meeting with the Commissioner on the evening Wednesday, 25 April. We had an exchange of views on a range of issues, including Brexit, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the new Multiannual Financial Framework.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (97)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

97. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to mark the 40th anniversary of Irish troops being deployed to Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19658/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

This year marks significant anniversaries in relation to Ireland's UN peacekeeping role.  It will be the 60th anniversary of Ireland’s first participation in a UN peacekeeping mission and it is the 40th anniversary of the first deployment of Defence Force personnel to Lebanon as part of the UNIFIL mission.  

Ireland has made a huge commitment to supporting peace and security in the Middle East region and has participated in the UNIFIL mission since its establishment in 1978. There are currently some 370 personnel deployed to the mission.

My recent visit to Lebanon in March coincided with the official UN commemorations in Naqoura to mark the 40th anniversary of the UNIFIL mission's establishment. It was an occasion to pay tribute to the tens of thousands of UN peacekeepers who have served together with local communities for peace in South Lebanon.  It was a great honour to be present while a veteran Irish Peacekeeper delivered a poignant and emotional tribute to fallen peacekeepers at the ceremony.  The respect and high regard that is held internationally for the professionalism displayed by our Irish Peacekeepers was clearly evident.

Appropriate commemorative events are being planned to mark this year's important milestones in the history of Ireland's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations by the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. A State ceremony will take place in Dublin Castle on Sunday 24th June 2018.  Arrangements are currently being finalised and details will shortly be announced. It is intended that the ceremony will be an occasion to show our pride in those who have served in our name with the U.N. while also calling to mind those who surrendered their lives so that others might know the gift of peace.  

Defence Forces Fatalities

Ceisteanna (98)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

98. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the recommendations from the January 2006 review in the aftermath of the death of a person (details supplied); the recommendations that were not implemented; and the reason therefor. [19774/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

In February 2006, the then Minister for Defence received a report following an independent review conducted by Mr. Sean Hurley on the interactions between the Department of Defence/Defence Forces and the parents and family of Private Kevin Barrett in the aftermath of the tragic death of Private Barrett on 18th February 1999 while serving with UNIFIL in South Lebanon.

Mr Hurley looked in detail at how the Department and the Defence Forces interacted with the Barrett family after Kevin's death and made a number of recommendations under the following headings:

- The Families' Request for information

- The Repatriation of Private Barrett's Remains

- The Pre and Post Liaison Arrangements

The Coroner's Inquest

Important lessons were learnt and following on from publication of the report, the Defence Forces standard operating procedures have been reviewed and a number of actions taken in response to recommendations contained in the report. 

Practices and procedures in relation to the preservation of evidence collected in the course of investigations have been reviewed and changes to policies and procedures introduced. Specialised evidence storage lockers have also been issued to units both at home and overseas.  Specific instruction is provided by the Military Police to Officers in charge of overseas military posts, on the procedures to be undertaken to preserve the scene of accidents, incidents and crimes pending the arrival of Military Police.

Bereavement procedures have been reviewed.  The Defence Forces Bereavement Policy and Bereavement Handbook and a Unit Commanders Guideline on Bereavement and serious injury have been issued and are updated regularly.

The roles and responsibilities of Medical Officers at autopsies conducted outside the jurisdiction have been reviewed.  While instructions for Medical Officers with regard to autopsy have been outlined, the attendance of Medical Officers at autopsies and their reporting capacity is dependent on the rules in place in the country in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed. 

Specific procedures are in place for the repatriation of a member of the Defence Forces who is deceased while overseas.

Following publication of the report and at the request of the then Minister for Defence, arrangements were made for the Garda Síochána to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Private Kevin Barrett.  The Gardaí subsequently briefed the family on the findings arising from their investigation into Private Barrett's death.  The Department of Defence remained in contact with the family throughout the investigation.

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Ceisteanna (99, 100, 101)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

99. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if media reports that in 2016 it cost the taxpayer €15 million to replace Defence Forces personnel that left were accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19817/18]

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

100. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Permanent Defence Force in whole-time equivalent terms, that left the service in each of the years 2013 to 2017, for reasons other than retirement; the branch of the service of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19818/18]

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

101. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the estimated savings that would be made in terms of training and recruitment if the numbers leaving the Permanent Defence Force in 2018 for reasons other than retirement were halved relative to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19819/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 101, inclusive, together.

Given the unique and demanding nature of military life, there is understandably a relatively high level of turnover among Defence Forces personnel. This is not new and the Permanent Defence Force has always had a level of turnover that far exceeds other areas of the public service. This is a necessary feature of military organisations and allows for continuous renewal, promotions etc.

The table below sets out the numbers leaving for each of the years from 2002 to 2017.

-	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
LT GEN	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	0
MAJ GEN	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0
BRIG GEN	3	2	0	1	2	1	1	3	1	1	2	1	2	2	1	3
COL	2	6	5	5	5	9	1	14	5	7	8	3	8	2	9	8
LT COL	13	7	6	10	6	12	13	18	17	10	16	12	16	12	12	16
COMDT	20	19	12	19	27	28	26	33	21	38	31	20	28	22	35	23
CAPT	13	6	9	10	10	9	7	10	11	13	11	20	19	30	21	20
LT	6	1	3	7	2	3	1	2	0	4	2	2	8	5	2	6
Officers	58	41	37	53	52	63	49	82	56	74	70	59	81	75	80	76
SGT MAJOR	4	4	6	11	6	6	4	9	4	3	7	0	5	1	3	8
BQMS	9	2	4	2	7	7	1	12	7	8	2	1	5	3	1	9
CS/FS/BS	18	16	22	9	16	28	16	22	32	26	36	11	19	20	25	21
CQMS/FQMS	12	15	13	14	22	19	20	24	26	26	38	14	13	11	15	19
SGT	86	67	76	54	75	60	73	93	70	84	117	52	44	73	97	71
CPL	90	80	62	60	68	85	70	59	82	79	110	55	39	70	47	57
PTE 3 *	297	217	162	174	215	193	131	164	208	271	258	147	141	217	218	237
Other Ranks	516	401	345	324	409	398	315	383	429	497	568	280	266	395	406	422
CADET	8	6	9	5	8	7	2	2	3	5	4	2	4	8	7	12
PTE 2 *	35	20	12	33	24	28	28	12	8	9	10	19	13	12	32	24
APPRENTICE	3	4	3	3	8	3	0	3	1	0	0	0	1	0	4	2
GRADE 1	112	107	138	110	88	150	149	7	2	56	111	85	104	66	126	171
In Initial Training	158	137	162	151	128	188	179	24	14	70	125	106	122	86	169	209
Total	732	579	544	528	589	649	543	489	499	641	763	445	469	556	655	707

Discharges from the Defence Forces are recorded under a number of headings without a specific definition of retirement which can be either voluntary or involuntary. The headings range from "at their own request", purchase of discharge, end of contract or reaching age limits.

The figure of €15 million reported by the media is an estimate, provided by the military authorities, of the cost of training the same number of personnel as those who left voluntarily in 2016. The majority of the estimated cost is the pay of those individuals being trained and the pay of their training staff. There is significant scope for misinterpretation of such cost estimates and it is not accurate to infer that the level of savings reported by the media would occur within the Vote if this number of personnel did not leave the Defence Forces.

As the long terms trends illustrate, departure rates at half the level of those of 2017 have not occurred in the period since 2002. Accordingly, the Department of Defence has not engaged in an estimate of savings for this eventuality.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (102)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

102. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or officials in his Department met the British Minister for the Cabinet Office, Mr. David Lidington, when he visited Dublin. [19620/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I met with UK Minister for the Cabinet Office, David Lidington, during his visit to Dublin in April. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office often deputises for the Prime Minister, it is appropriate for me to routinely meet Minister Lidington to discuss issues of importance to both Governments.

Although the Minister for the Cabinet Office does not have lead responsibility for Brexit, his visit to Dublin, and subsequently to the border region, was welcome and timely, given the importance of the Irish specific issues to the ongoing negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK. It also provided an opportunity to discuss the strong British-Irish bilateral relationship, and how this relationship can be strengthened in the future, including in the context of supporting the restoration of the Executive in Northern Ireland.

Ireland and the UK share many areas of mutual interest and concern and we will continue to work together on areas of commonality.

Brexit Negotiations

Ceisteanna (103, 107)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

103. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Brexit negotiations being delayed until October 2018; and the detail of the British red-line issues. [19621/18]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

107. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it will be October 2018 before a possible deal will be negotiated on Brexit; and the way in which it will be applied to the Border. [19729/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 107 together.

Following on from the March European Council, the EU and UK agreed to five additional formal rounds of negotiations between April and the next European Council in June. These negotiations are focused on all outstanding issues in the draft Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as the future relationship.

The UK has agreed that a backstop solution for the border will form part of the legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement, in line with paragraph 49 of the Joint Progress Report agreed last December. The UK has also agreed that all the issues identified in the EU draft of the Protocol will be addressed to deliver a legally sound solution for the border.

Prime Minister May confirmed this in her letter to President Tusk of 19 March, in addition to reiterating the UK's commitment last December to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process, including the overarching guarantee on avoiding a hard border.

The Government has always maintained that the backstop will apply unless and until another solution is found. While we share Prime Minister May's preference to resolve these issues through the wider agreement on the EU's future relationship with the UK, it is crucial that we have certainty in all scenarios on the commitments already made on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It is also the case that the UK’s repeatedly stated positions, including its wish to leave the Single Market and the Customs Union, limit the depth of the future partnership and have consequences for the ability of the EU-UK future relationship agreement to deliver on all the commitments and guarantees provided by the UK with regard to protecting North South cooperation, the all island economy and the Good Friday Agreement, including avoiding a hard border.

Negotiations are ongoing, including detailed discussions between the EU and the UK on issues relating to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Significantly more progress is needed on agreeing the Protocol, including the backstop on avoiding a hard border, ahead of the June European Council.

The EU has always made clear that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” and that negotiations can only progress as long as all commitments undertaken so far are respected in full. The European Council is therefore continuing to follow the negotiations closely and will return in particular to the remaining withdrawal issues, including the Protocol, and to the framework for the future relationship at its next meeting in June. It is essential that real and substantial progress be made by the June European Council meeting.

The objective of the negotiators is that the full legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement, and a detailed political declaration on the framework for the future relationship, should be concluded by the October European Council. This limited timeframe underlines the urgency of the work ahead in the coming weeks.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (104, 108)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

104. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Mr. Michel Barnier elaborated on the scope of the alignment he referred to in his speech in the context of the Border when they met on 30 April 2018. [19988/18]

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

108. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he spoke with Mr. Michel Barnier regarding the way in which total alignment would work after Brexit in March 2019. [19731/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 108 together.

The Taoiseach and I met with Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator for the Article 50 negotiations, on 30 April in advance of his address to the All-Island Civic Dialogue. Our meeting offered an opportunity to take stock of the current state of play in the negotiations on both the future relationship and the draft Withdrawal Agreement, including progress on the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

There was agreement at the meeting that significantly more progress is needed on the Protocol, including the backstop on avoiding a hard border, ahead of the June meeting of the European Council. Recalling the European Council Guidelines of 23 March 2018 and the principles that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed and that negotiations can only progress as long as all commitments undertaken so far are respected in full, there was also agreement that there can be no Withdrawal Agreement without a satisfactory agreement on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The backstop for avoiding a hard border, as contained in the draft Protocol, seeks to maintain full alignment with those rules of the Single Market and Customs Union that are necessary to protect North South cooperation, the all-island economy and the Good Friday Agreement, which includes the overarching guarantee of avoiding a hard border. Mr Barnier reaffirmed the importance of this in his address to the All-Island Civic Dialogue on the same day.

Furthermore, this alignment is in the context of the recognition in the Protocol that it is necessary to address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland through a unique solution.

It was not necessary at the meeting to enter into detail on the draft Protocol. Ireland fully supports the Commission’s view that it will be necessary for all the EU rules involved to be listed in annexes to the Protocol. The rules in question would essentially be those dealing with customs, the free movement of goods, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures relevant to agricultural trade and the movement of animals. Future revision of such rules would also be covered. EU and UK negotiators are continuing work on agreeing the full list of the acquis concerned, which is very substantial and detailed.

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Ceisteanna (105)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

105. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; and if he or his officials have held meetings recently on the matter. [19990/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to the Government.

The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings.

The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings that was adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016 has, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, been conveyed to the British Government. These motions call on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow.

I want to acknowledge the tireless work of Justice for the Forgotten and of members of this House in supporting and advocating for victims and survivors of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and their families. I met with Justice for the Forgotten on 17 April last to hear their views and update them on the progress of the request to the British Government.

The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of the all-Party Dáil motions, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government.

I am actively engaged with the British Government on an ongoing basis on this issue, as are officials from my Department. I recently raised the issue directly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Karen Bradley on 16 April last.

I have underlined to the British Government that the Dáil motions represent the consensus political view in Ireland that an independent, international judicial review of all the relevant documents is required to establish the full facts of the Dublin-Monaghan atrocities. I have also advised that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government and indeed this House, and I have emphasised the urgent need for such a response.

The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on the request in relation to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, and pursue all possible avenues that could achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House.