Written Answers Nos. 144-160
144. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of times he has met his officials regarding Project Ireland 2040 since its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30553/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a modest capital allocation under Project Ireland 2040/National Development Plan 2018-2027. A total allocation of €70 million has been included under the National Development Plan 2018-2027, across the Department’s two Votes: Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade, for the years 2018-2022 as follows:
2018 - €13 million
2019 - €17 million
2020 - €13 million
2021 - €13 million
2022 - €14 million
The National Development Plan does not include capital allocations beyond 2022, so the allocations for subsequent years will be decided in due course as part of the annual budgetary processes.
As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, the Department’s strategic capital investment priorities for the period will be as follows:
- Further announcements as part of the Doubling Our Global Footprint Initiative;
- The Passport Reform Programme;
- Investment in ICT infrastructure, and
- Investment in the State’s Global Property Portfolio, including the development of Ireland Houses with the State Agencies and the relevant Embassy in strategic locations.
Decisions on spending will be consistent with value for money principles, will provide clear benefits for the State and will depend on a range of other factors, including staff, office and accommodation needs.
As the Department’s allocations under Project Ireland 2040/National Development Plan 2018-2027, were already earmarked for the key Departmental priorities identified above it has not been necessary for me to have any dedicated meetings with my officials on this. I will, of course, be engaging shortly with my officials on this and other areas of Departmental expenditure as the 2019 Estimates process gets under way.
145. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of FOI requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number of refusals; the number that have been appealed and that are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30570/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA breakdown of the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by my Department since January 2018 is set out in the following table. To date 192 requests have been received, twenty-one requests have been refused, six requests for internal reviews of decisions have been sought and one appeal for a review of a FOI decision of my Department is under consideration by the Office of the Information Commissioner.
|
Freedom of Information requests |
Total |
|
Number of FOI requests granted |
31 |
|
Number of FOI requests part-granted |
39 |
|
Number of FOI requests refused |
21 |
|
Number of FOI requests withdrawn |
26 |
|
Number of FOI requests withdrawn and handled outside of the Act |
46 |
|
Number of FOI requests currently being processed/on hold |
27 |
|
Number of FOI requests transferred to other FOI bodies |
2 |
146. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of vacancies on State boards under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30587/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no state boards under the aegis of my Department.
147. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken at EU and international level to protect the Palestinian Bedouin community, in particular, to prevent the forcible transfer of this community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Palestinian Bedouin communities settled around Jerusalem have been at risk of forcible transfer for a number of years, particularly as illegal Israeli settlements in the area continue to expand. The area is inhabited by members of the Jahalin tribe, which was expelled from its home in the Negev to the West Bank in the 1950s. One village in particular, that of Khan Al Ahmar, home to some 181 Palestinian Bedouin, 95% of whom are Palestinian refugees, has been under threat of demolition for many years.
The communities are located in a particularly sensitive part of Area C in the West Bank, an area which is critical for the viability of a future Palestinian state. Any attempt to develop the land for illegal settlements is therefore a threat to the Two State solution. There is no doubt that the removal of the Bedouin community to another site, to which they have not agreed, is illegal under international law.
These plans have been subject to a number of legal proceedings. Many in the international community, including Ireland, have raised our concerns on numerous occasions with the Israeli authorities. As a result of international pressure and legal actions plans for the demolition had been delayed. However, following an Israeli Supreme Court ruling in May 2018, the Israeli authorities were given permission by that court to proceed with the demolition.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process has said that the proposed demolition in Khan Al Ahmar is contrary to international law and has called on Israel to halt the demolitions.
I have made two public statements in relation to Khan al Ahmar specifically, on 31 May and most recently on 4 July, calling on the Israeli authorities to halt the demolitions of Palestinian property and the removal of Palestinian communities. I also condemned the demolitions and the forced evictions of the neighbouring Palestinian community of Abu Nuwar. The Irish Representative in Ramallah has visited Khan al Ahmar on a number of occasions, along with other European Missions, as a show of support for the villagers. Ireland has also pressed strongly for EU action on this, and the EU has issued statements in Brussels and at local level calling on the Israeli authorities to reverse the decisions.
Following Palestinian petitions last Thursday, the Israeli High Court has issued a temporary restraining order freezing the demolition of Khan Al Ahmar. The Court has ordered the Israeli authorities to respond to the Palestinian claims by 11 July before making a decision whether to accept or reject the petition.
I again call upon the Israeli authorities to halt the demolitions of Palestinian property and the removal of Palestinian communities. I will continue to raise this issue in my interactions with the Israeli authorities.
148. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the conflict in Syria; the EU's preferred outcome for the country post-conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30753/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a recent report regarding the ongoing situation in Syria (details supplied); his views on the content of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30884/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent unilateral breach of the months' long de-escalation agreement that had prevailed in Daraa and surrounding opposition held areas in southern Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30885/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made known Ireland's views to Russia on a bilateral basis regarding that country's use of and support for lethal force against unarmed civilians in Syria, including conducting airstrikes on hospitals and other healthcare facilities and camps for displaced persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30886/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the illegal confiscation of property from exiled Syrians (details supplied); and if he will raise this confiscation at EU level. [30888/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 157 to 159, inclusive, and 161 together.
The Syria conflict, which is now in its eighth year, has cost the lives of well over 400,000 people. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including 1.5 million people trapped in hard-to-reach and besieged areas. Over 6 million people are displaced internally, and a further 5.6 million have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. The Assad regime and its allies have repeatedly targeted civilians, through deliberate attacks, including chemical attacks, on civilian infrastructure such as homes, hospitals and schools, the use of "starve or surrender" techniques and the denial of humanitarian assistance, and forced displacement in the interest of demographic engineering.
I am particularly concerned by the recent escalation of violence in the south west, including air strikes by the regime and its allies, which forced over 300,000 civilians from their homes and destroyed critical infrastructure including several health facilities. I am aware of the report to which Deputy Shortall refers which highlights some of the shocking attacks that have taken place in Daraa province in recent weeks. I welcome the truce announced on Friday, but I am concerned by reports that it has already been breached. I take this opportunity to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the respect of the de-escalation agreement and full humanitarian access to all Syrians in need.
I have frequently called on all regional actors, and all those involved in the Syria conflict, to show restraint and avoid any escalation, which could further undermine regional stability, as well as adding to the suffering of civilians. I have also called on all parties with influence on the Syrian regime to exert that influence to ensure that civilians are protected, and to encourage the Syrian Government to engage fully with the UN-led peace process.
It is clear that Russia's support for the Assad regime has prolonged the suffering of the Syrian people. Russia has also repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria, which has seriously undermined the protection of Syrian civilians. Ireland's has communicated its concerns directly to the Russian authorities on numerous occasions. In October 2017, I met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov. I relayed Ireland’s condemnation of the ongoing attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the use of chemical weapons. I called on Russia to ensure civilians are protected, and to exert its influence on other parties to the conflict to do the same. These messages have also been relayed to the Russian Ambassador on numerous occasions at Ministerial and official level.
I am aware of the issue related to property rights to which Deputy Shortall refers. Ireland recently co-sponsored a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council that "deplores the existence and application of national legislation, in particular 'Syrian Law Number 10/2018', which would have a significant detrimental impact on freedom of movement and the right of Syrians displaced by the conflict to return to their homes in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner when the situation on the ground allows it, and calls for their repeal".
Ireland and the EU believe that there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict. The human suffering caused by the Syrian conflict can only be brought to an end by reaching a sustainable political solution. Ireland and the EU fully support UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura in his efforts to lead political negotiations to end the conflict based on the 2012 Geneva Communique and UN Security Council resolution 2254. The EU provides direct assistance to the UN-led Geneva peace talks and has launched, in coordination with the UN, an initiative to develop political dialogue with key actors from the region to identify common ground.
Ireland and the EU also provide political and financial support to a broad range of measures which aim to ensure full legal accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. This includes the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism established by the UN General Assembly to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Syria, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria established by the UN Human Rights Council, and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fact Finding Mission and Joint Investigative Mission with the UN. Last month, Ireland co-sponsored the decision adopted by the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention introducing an attribution mechanism to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks in Syria and elsewhere. In addition, Ireland has consistently supported EU sanctions targeting the regime and its supporters, and will continue to do so as long as the situation on the ground justifies these measures.
The EU and its Member States constitute the largest single donor to the humanitarian response to the Syria crisis and have to date mobilised more than €10.6 billion for humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. The EU hosted two international donors’ conferences for Syria in April 2017 and April 2018 at which pledges totalling over €9 billion were made.
Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €110 million in humanitarian assistance to the humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, making this Ireland’s largest contribution to a single crisis in recent years. In 2017 alone, Ireland provided almost €25.5 million to the humanitarian response. At the 2018 Brussels Donor conference, Ireland pledged to contribute a further €25 million in 2018 and almost €22 million of this has been disbursed so far. Through its annual contributions to the EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response in Syria.
149. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all members of election monitoring panels are informed of the make-up of each election monitoring delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30793/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. Accordingly, my Department maintains a roster of potential participants in election monitoring missions. The aim is to ensure that, in response to requests for Irish participation in international missions observing elections and certain referenda, there is a pool of adequately experienced people who could contribute effectively to such missions on either a short or long term basis. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union (EU) and also those organised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
If a Roster Member applies to participate in an Election Observation Mission (EOM), they are individually notified if they are nominated for that EOM. In the case of EU EOMs, the Commission will notify the nominated Roster Member as to whether they are selected to participate on the EOM. This information is not circulated to the full Roster as there are important concerns about the release of personal data in terms of legislation and security to third parties. Circulating such information about individual observers would require the consent of observers and doing so without their consent may be in breach of EU General Data Protection Regulation.
150. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in Myanmar; the efforts being made to address the humanitarian crisis and human rights violations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30809/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made by the EU and the international community to ensure that international and national humanitarian staff and organisations have full unimpeded access to affected populations in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30810/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to ensure that those guilty of human rights violations in Myanmar are brought to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30811/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 to 152, inclusive, together.
Since the most recent escalation of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, in August 2017, approximately 700,000 members of the Rohingya community have fled across the border to Bangladesh where they now reside in precarious conditions in refugee camps. Conditions are likely to deteriorate over the coming months as the monsoon season progresses.
This exodus of refugees has been accompanied by credible claims of serious human rights violations by the Myanmar Security Forces. These include reports of widespread killing of civilians, sexual and gender based violence, arbitrary arrests, and the burning of Rohingya villages.
Efforts by the international community to address this crisis have focused on responding to the humanitarian crisis, promoting a political solution and pressing for accountability for crimes and other violations of human rights abuses that have occurred.
While efforts aimed at achieving accountability and a political solution to the crisis are vitally important, there is an immediate need for a coherent humanitarian response to the extremely difficult conditions faced by the huge numbers of displaced members of the Rohingya community now mainly in Bangladesh. To this end, Ireland has actively supported the international humanitarian response to the refugee crisis and we provided direct funding of €1 million in 2017 with an additional €1 million allocated for 2018. Our support has focused on food, shelter, water and sanitation. Through the Irish Aid Rapid Response facility, we have provided 37 tonnes of hygiene, sanitation and shelter kits and deployed experts in water and sanitation and humanitarian coordination on the ground. In addition, as the 6th largest donor to the UN-administered Central Emergency Response Fund, Ireland's estimated contribution through UN pooled funding amounted to a further €1 million to deliver life-saving support.
In Northern Rakhine, Ireland provided funding to the Red Cross at the end of 2017 to provide cash transfers to 10,000 households and food and non-food items to 20,000 households; first health and assisted childbirth services; access to sanitation for 5,000 households; and reunification of separated families in Rakhine State.
Elsewhere in Myanmar, over the course of 2017-18, Ireland is providing over €3.5 million to humanitarian and development NGOs, primarily to Trócaire for its work on gender equality, resource rights and humanitarian assistance to conflict affected communities.
Humanitarian access in Northern Rakhine has been extremely limited since the start of this crisis. Only the Red Cross Movement and to a lesser extent the World Food Programme have access. As a result it has not been possible to provide adequate lifesaving assistance to the estimated 100,000-150,000 Rohingya that remain in Rakhine, or to other affected persons in that region.
Ireland has strongly and consistently pressed for humanitarian access to Myanmar and has added its voice to that of the international community in pushing for this crucial first step in addressing the humanitarian crisis. I repeat that call here and for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State. The report of the Commission urges the Government of Myanmar to ensure full and unimpeded humanitarian access – for both national and international staff – at all times and to all communities in Rakhine State.
An intensive political response by the international community continues to be pursued and on 6 June, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been agreed between the Myanmar government, the UN High Commission for Refugees and the UN Development Programme, to establish a framework for cooperation between the parties aimed at creating conducive conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of these refugees from Bangladesh to their places of origin. The MoU also aims to help create improved and resilient livelihoods for all communities living in Rakhine State.
Ireland continues to actively engage with our international partners in supporting these efforts through bilateral contacts in Myanmar and via participation in the EU and UN responses including at the recent 38th Session of the Human Rights Council.
Ireland has consistently called for an independent and impartial investigation into the serious and credible allegations of human rights violations by the Myanmar security forces. In that regard, we have strongly supported the extension of the mandates of the UN Fact Finding Mission and UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar Yanghee Lee, and have asked the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with them and allow them access to the country. Their work in investigating allegations, recording victim testimony and gathering other evidence, so that it can be preserved for further criminal proceedings, is crucial to ensuring full accountability.
Ireland has also actively engaged in the formation of the EU’s position including in the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council’s Council Conclusions on Myanmar, which were adopted on 26 February last. These conclusions condemn the human rights violations in Myanmar, support the mandates of the Fact Finding Mission and Special Rapporteur and provide for targeted restrictive measures against senior military officers of the Myanmar armed forces responsible for these acts. Targeted sanctions have since been put in place.
My Department will continue to liaise closely with EU and other international partners to press for progress in resolving this crisis including through our Embassies in Thailand and in Hanoi who are closely monitoring the situation.
153. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff who have been designated to work on Ireland's bid for a seat at the UN Security Council; if staff have been seconded from other Departments or outside agencies to work on the bid; if so, the number seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30812/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget allocated for Ireland's bid to win a seat on the UN Security Council; the breakdown of the budget allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30813/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra155. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if other events have been planned for Ireland's bid to win a seat on the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30814/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of Ireland's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council; the reason the campaign has not focused on Ireland's history and policy of neutrality in international affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 156, inclusive, together.
Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. Our candidature was first announced in 2005 and the campaign has been building since then under successive Governments.
The official launch of Ireland’s candidature took place at UN headquarters in New York on 2 July, marking the beginning of an intensive period of lobbying which will continue until the election in June 2020. I, along with all my Cabinet colleagues, will be intensifying efforts to make Ireland’s case. This political engagement is being supported by my Department’s diplomatic personnel.
The campaign is being coordinated at official level by a core team of staff in the UN Policy Unit, within the Political Division of my Department. This team currently consists of 6 staff members. While the UN Policy Unit has a number of other areas of responsibility, the UN Security Council candidature is central to its work. One secondment is currently envisaged to assist with the implementation of the Global Ireland initiative and this will include support to the Security Council campaign among other tasks.
In addition to Dublin based staff, Ireland’s Mission to the UN in New York is also fully engaged on the election effort. I would also stress that the campaign is a whole of Department, and whole of Government, undertaking. Thus messaging and activities relevant to Ireland’s candidature are being integrated into the work of all sections and offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as that of other Government departments.
Up to this point Ireland’s UN Security Council campaign has been managed within existing resources by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As we move forward there will be a need for additional resources to promote Ireland’s candidature as we seek to secure support from UN Member States.
Over the coming two years until the election in June 2020, Ireland will seek to build awareness of our achievements and experience globally. This will be realised through the use of Ireland’s diplomatic network, engagement on substantive policy issues at the UN, and the organisation of events on a range of themes which will highlight Ireland’s track record globally and our principled commitment to the value of multilateralism.
Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality goes hand in hand with our promotion of international peace and security, including our obligations as members of the United Nations. This aspect of our history and track record as a UN Member State is one which has resonated across the membership of the UN since we joined in 1955 and we continue to highlight it. The themes of empathy, partnership and independence are intended to capture Ireland’s lived experience and outlook, giving primacy to cooperation, agreement and reasonable compromise.
160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request Jordan and Israel to urgently provide safe haven to civilians fleeing military attack; his views on the creation of UN managed humanitarian corridors to facilitate the evacuation of civilians; if unilateral funding will be provided immediately for the creation of camps for potentially 750,000 persons fleeing the attacks; and if he will request that adequate EU funding is provided for same in the longer term. [30887/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply concerned about the recent upsurge in violence in south-western Syria, which has led to the displacement of over 300,000 people. This is a further deterioration of the terrible situation inside Syria, where over 13 million people require humanitarian assistance. An additional 5.6 million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. Ireland recognises that countries in the region have more than played their part. Jordan as an example, is the second-largest refugee hosting country in the world when compared to the size of its population.
The safety and protection of civilians inside Syria is an utmost priority and I call on all parties to respect their obligations under International Humanitarian Law. I welcome the truce announced on Friday, but I am concerned by reports that it has already been breached. I reiterate my call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for the de-escalation agreement.
Crucially, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access must be facilitated. UN agencies and partners are providing support to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to respond to the urgent needs of the displaced. This includes health, water and sanitation, food, shelter and other core relief items as well as ensuring the protection of civilians. In addition, UN convoys, in cooperation with the Government of Jordan, have in recent days transported assistance for the tens of thousands of Syrians near the Jordanian border. These efforts must be sustained and increased.
Ireland has provided over €110 million towards the Syria crisis since 2012. Our humanitarian assistance responds to those in need inside Syria as well as Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in neighbouring countries. During a recent visit to a refugee camp in Jordan, where I witnessed first-hand the impact of Ireland's humanitarian assistance, I announced a further €1.25 million in funding for the valuable work of UNICEF and UNHCR.
At the recent meeting of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Development on June 25th I discussed with my EU counterparts the issue of Syrian refugees from south-western Syria and possible solutions. Last April, the EU hosted the Brussels II Conference for Syria and the Region, which included a focus on sustaining and increasing humanitarian assistance to all those affected by the crisis in Syria, including Syrian refugees and vulnerable communities in neighbouring countries. The EU and its Member States contributed €4.8 billion out of the total €6.2 billion pledged until 2020, to support both immediate assistance and longer term response.
Ireland will continue to advocate for sustained European response to this crisis. Ultimately, only a political solution to the conflict will end the suffering of the Syrian people.
