Written Answers Nos. 164-171
164. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he and his officials have requested Brexit scenario plans from each Department and State agency since President Juncker's address to the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22 June 2018. [28673/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPresident Juncker’s address to the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22 June underlined the continued importance of contingency planning and preparedness. This was also stressed in the Conclusions of the European Council (Art 50) on 29 June.
The Government’s process of preparing for the UK’s exit from the European Union has been ongoing since the result UK referendum two years ago and is currently being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department.
Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate economic, regulatory, and operational challenges which would result from such an outcome. It assumes a trading relationship based on the default WTO rules, but also examines the possible effects on many other areas of concern.
This work is therefore providing baseline scenarios for the impact of Brexit across all sectors, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations, including in regard to transition arrangements and the future relationship. This approach is also enabling the modelling of potential responses under different scenarios, such as one where a withdrawal agreement is concluded and where a Free Trade Agreement is the basis for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
It also takes account of the planning being undertaken at EU level by the Commission Preparedness Unit, which is issuing information notes aimed at different business sectors and examining legislative actions which may be needed at EU level.
The Government is already acting in order to get Ireland Brexit ready. Dedicated measures were announced in Budget 2018, including a new €300m Brexit Loan Scheme for Business and a €25m Brexit Response Loan Scheme for the agri-food sector as well as additional supports for capital investment in the food industry and Bord Bia marketing and promotion activities, amounting to over €50m in total. Capital expenditure of €116 billion under Project Ireland 2040 will allow the state and its agencies to properly plan major infrastructure projects while ensuring that communities and businesses can plan ahead. There was also increased funding provided to my Department in Budget 2018 for the opening of six new diplomatic missions. A further seven new Missions will be opened as part of the next phase of expanding Ireland’s global footprint. These thirteen new Missions will be located in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Oceania and will contribute to helping our exporters find new markets.
Our Government’s enterprise agencies continue to work with companies, helping them to deal with Brexit – making them more competitive, diversifying market exposure, and up-skilling teams.
In total 40 reports analysing the effects of Brexit across a broad range of sectors and in some cases setting out responses have been published to date by Government Departments. All these reports are available on a dedicated Brexit webpage on my Department’s website: https://www.dfa.ie/brexit/.
Longer-term economic strategies will also be critically important in addressing the challenges of Brexit, including Ireland 2040 –the National Development Plan. The Enterprise Strategy 2025 Renewed was recently launched and we are in active discussions with the European Investment Bank on a potential increase in investment in the country.
165. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of discussions with the British Government in regard to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. [29049/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
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 met with Justice for the Forgotten in April to hear their views and update them on the Government’s continuing engagement on legacy issues, including with the British Government on the Dáil motions.
The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these 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 have consistently 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 and Monaghan atrocities. I have also underlined 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 bombings, and pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House.
166. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in the context of budget 2019, he will in line with a campaign (details supplied) be spending 0.7% of GNI on overseas development aid by 2025 enabling Ireland to meet the UN sustainable development goal target of ending extreme poverty by the year 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29477/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2018 the Taoiseach launched Global Ireland, a plan to double Ireland’s Global Footprint by 2025. It commits the Government to publishing a White Paper on Ireland’s International Development in 2018. Our ambition in the White Paper will be to position Ireland to continue to play a leadership role in achieving a better world, including through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In Global Ireland, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to making incremental, sustainable progress towards achieving the UN target of allocating 0.7% of Gross National come to Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 2030. To achieve this will involve substantial increases to the ODA budget. For 2018, the Government has allocated €707 million for ODA. €707 million represents a very significant investment of public funds by the Government in Ireland predicated on a policy of prudent financial management, a spirit of partnership, and a culture of results. Around 70% of Irish ODA is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the remainder provided and managed by other government departments.
Increasing the ODA budget needs to be undertaken in a phased manner taking into consideration the capacity required across Government to manage and deliver a quality aid programme. The process requires careful planning and consultation with other Government Departments and stakeholders.
Ireland’s new International Development Policy currently being developed will provide the framework for ODA budget allocations. The process to develop this new policy is being led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in close consultation with the rest of Government. The new policy will continue to reflect the whole of Government effort on international development and ensure coherence domestically and internationally.
Internal preparations and analysis are already well under way including consultation across Government. The consultation process is following Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines. I intend to launch a public consultation phase on 12th July involving both public meetings and online opportunities for the public and partners to input. The new International Development Policy will be launched in the autumn, taking on board the outputs from the public consultation phase. These discussions and the new policy will inform our budget deliberations in relation to the allocations of ODA in budget 2019.
167. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to concerns about the lack of transparency in regard to the election observation roster that his Department maintains (details supplied); and the steps he is taking to address these concerns. [29545/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). I refer the Deputy to the responses to previous parliamentary questions on this matter, Questions 165 and 170 of 25 October 2017 and Questions 393, 394 and 396 of 26 July 2017.
Following a comprehensive review and a public call for applicants, a roster of 200 members with a reserve panel of 10 was established in May 2013. The roster was determined by an independent appraisal process.
The criteria for selection for observation missions were set out in the Information Note for Applicants accompanying the call for applications to join the Election Observation Roster. This is unchanged, both in selection criteria and methodology.
For each election observation mission to which Ireland proposes to deploy observers, all roster members are invited to express their interest in the mission with a view to ensuring the widest possible participation. A shortlist is drawn up based on the specific criteria set out by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience, language proficiency, gender and length of time since serving on a mission. In many cases, the EU and OSCE also invite Member States to nominate new observers or observers with limited experience. However, the final decision rests with the inviting body, usually the OSCE or the European Union.
The call for applications to establish a new Election Observation roster issued on 2 July and will run until 20 August. Late applications will not be accepted. The call will be published on two Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade websites, www.dfa.ie and www.irishaid.ie, and will also be publicised on the Department’s social media.
A candidate information booklet setting out all of the necessary details including the eligibility requirements and the process leading to the establishment of the roster will be on the aforementioned websites.
In terms of the selection of candidates for the new roster, candidates will need to demonstrate for the first qualifying stage that they meet the essential criteria set out in the application booklet. The second stage is a qualitative scoring of their application under specific headings related to election observation and democratisation.
The process to appoint these volunteers to the roster will be managed by the Election Observation Desk in the Department and the volunteer mobilisation will be run in accordance with established best practice.
168. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of times his Department has engaged polling companies and-or Irish market researchers to conduct research on its behalf in each of the past two years; the names of such companies; the associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29575/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not engaged research organisations of the type described by the Deputy over the past two years.
169. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if he and the Minister of State with special responsibility for financial services and insurance will continue to meet a group (details supplied) to ensure that the views of policyholders are fully represented in the reform of the insurance market. [28664/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the role that the Alliance for Insurance Reform is taking in regard to the issue of the cost of insurance, particularly for businesses and voluntary organisations. The Minister of State for Financial Services and Insurance, Mr Michael D’Arcy TD, has formally met with the Alliance, and relevant issues were discussed. Both Minister D’Arcy and I are very conscious of the impact that the volatility in insurance prices in the last few years has had on businesses, Alliance members as well as other organisations. The Alliance has put its viewpoints across at Joint Oireachtas Committee appearances, while its members have submitted a large number of representations to the Department, both directly and through Senators and TDs, who have also tabled Parliamentary Questions on behalf of the group.
In particular, the reforms being sought by the Alliance in its “10 asks” are well known, but practically all relate to issues which were comprehensively examined and considered by the Cost of Insurance Working Group in the course of producing its two reports, namely the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance and the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance. Indeed, having considered the matter in some detail, a number of these measures are in the process of being implemented, such as amending Section 8 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 and establishing a procedure to ensure exaggerated and misleading claims are referred to the Gardaí for investigation and prosecution, if appropriate. In respect of other issues, put forward by the Alliance such as changing the approach to calculating the Book of Quantum, Minister D’Arcy has already indicated that there are constitutional issues which need to be first considered, thus explaining why the Working Group referred the matter to the Law Reform Commission for examination.
It should be also be noted that Minister D’Arcy and my Department generally have been involved in consulting extensively with various stakeholders across the insurance sector including groups representing the interests of policyholders on an ongoing basis, most particularly through the Cost of Insurance Working Group project. Indeed, the primary objective of the Working Group ultimately is to ensure the delivery of fairer premiums for consumers and businesses through setting the conditions for a more stable and competitive insurance market.
Finally, both the Minister of State and our officials will continue to meet relevant stakeholders and representative groups throughout the implementation of both Reports.
170. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 2 July 2013, the cost and outcomes of the investigation referred to as ongoing at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29467/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Special Liquidators that they are in the process of collating the requested information for the Deputy but it was not ready in its entirety in order to answer the PQ within the timeframe provided. I will write directly to the Deputy with a response once the information has been received by my Department.
171. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the changes planned for the capital acquisition tax thresholds and rates over the next three years. [29474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general consideration of Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) thresholds and rates are undertaken within the annual Budgetary and Finance Bill process. As is normal, the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on any possible changes in advance of the 2019 Budget. In addition, it would be impossible for me to comment on any possible changes in respect of future Budgets.
The Deputy will be aware that considerable changes have been made to all three CAT thresholds in recent budgets:
The Group A threshold increased from €225,000 to €280,000 in Budget 2016, and to €310,000 in Budget 2017. This threshold applies where the beneficiary is a child (including certain foster children) or minor child of a deceased child of the disponer. Parents also fall within this threshold where they take an absolute inheritance from a child. The Group B threshold increased from €30,150 to €32,500 in Budget 2017. This threshold applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, niece, nephew, or lineal ancestor or lineal descendant of the disponer. The Group C threshold increased from €15,075 to €16,250 in Budget 2017. This threshold applies in all other cases.
