Written Answers Nos. 1-25
12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of meetings or other relevant engagement he has had with EU member states and his UK counterparts on the subject of Brexit since Dáil Éireann went into recess in July 2018; the persons he met at those meetings; the location at which they took place; the details of other relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40309/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit is a priority issue for this Government, and the Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities.
I, as well as officials from my Department, remain in ongoing contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and Task Force, and the UK.
Monthly meetings of the General Affairs Council (Article 50) are an opportunity for me to bring Ireland’s interests and concerns directly to both my EU counterparts, and to the Commission Task Force. I attended the GAC (Article 50) on 20 July and 18 September. On both occasions, I met separately with Michel Barnier and I also met briefly with a range of EU colleagues. In addition, in August I attended the German Ambassadors’ Conference in Berlin and held a meeting with my German opposite number, Heiko Maas. On 4-5 September, I travelled to Estonia, Lithuania and Finland where I met with my Estonian, Lithuanian and Finnish counterparts. I was in Warsaw yesterday for meetings with the Polish Foreign Minister and European Affairs Minister.
In all my meetings, I am struck by the solidarity and unity of our EU partners with Ireland on the issue of the backstop, and I am grateful for their continued public and private expressions of support.
On the UK side, in July, I met with the then recently appointed UK Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union, Dominic Raab, in London to discuss the current state of play in the negotiations, and in particular the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. I also met briefly with Jeremy Hunt, following his appointment as UK Foreign Secretary, in August, in Vienna, and with David Lidington, the UK Minister of the Cabinet Office, in September, in Dublin. In these meetings, I emphasised that it was the responsibility of the UK to put forward viable and workable proposals for the backstop, and encouraged the UK to engage constructively on the issue.
In September, I also met Keir Starmer, Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, during his visit to Dublin.
13. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will call on the EU to seek the suspension of Israel from the Kimberley process and introduce a ban on Israeli diamond exports in view of the fact that diamonds generate $1 billion annually for the Israeli military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40272/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has strongly supported efforts in the EU and the OECD to promote the accountability, transparency and effective management of natural resources. In particular, Ireland supports the EU regulation on conflict minerals. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation leads on this area in coordination with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The Kimberley Process is an intergovernmental process, supported by the United Nations, to control the entry of diamonds to the world market, and prevent the exploitation of diamonds by rebels and warlords in diamond producing countries. Once diamonds have entered the market in an approved way, there is no reason to treat them differently from any other product.
This is not a general mechanism for policing human rights issues in every country through which those diamonds subsequently pass.
The suggestion of sanctions on Israel has been made many times by the Deputy and others, and discussed here in the House. Restrictions on trade would have to be imposed at EU or UN level. The Government does not support the imposition of sanctions on Israel, and such a proposal would have no possibility of reaching agreement at EU level.
I have no proposals for a different approach in relation to diamonds.
14. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the immediate threat to the Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan al-Ahmar (details supplied); the steps he is taking to ensure that the destruction will not take place; and his plans to hold Israel to account if it carries the destruction out. [40111/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am extremely worried about the imminent threat to the Bedouin community of Khan al Ahmar, which we have discussed here on many occasions. The notice to residents to demolish their own structures by 1 October or face enforced demolition clearly indicates that Israel is intent on carrying out this reprehensible action.
These villagers have already been expelled once from their original homes in Israel, and they should have been protected by the occupation authorities, not subjected to further injustice. They have not consented to moving, and it is virtually impossible for them to obtain planning permission from Israeli authorities for housing or other structures in their village.
The forced removal of the Bedouin community to another site is illegal under international law, which clearly prohibits the destruction of private property and the forcible transfer of the population of an occupied territory.
The clearing of Palestinians from this particularly sensitive location in the West Bank is critically damaging to the viability of a future Palestinian state, and thus to the prospects for a peace agreement.
I have made two public statements, in May and July this year, expressing my concerns about Khan al Ahmar, and calling on the Israeli authorities to halt these demolitions and the removal of Palestinian communities. I reiterated these concerns in my speech to the UN General Assembly last week. I have also made Ireland’s views on settlements known directly to the Prime Minister of Israel.
Irish representatives in Ramallah have visited Khan al Ahmar on several occasions, along with EU colleagues, as a show of support for the villagers. Ireland has also pressed strongly for EU action, and the EU has called on Israel to reverse this policy both in private and in public statements, including last month by the EU High Representative on behalf of the EU.
15. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his aims ahead of his forthcoming trip to the United Nations General Assembly. [37513/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 73rd session of the UN General Assembly got underway in early September.
The theme for this year’s General Debate which took place from 25 September-1 October was "Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”.
I delivered Ireland’s National Statement to the General Debate in which I emphasised Ireland’s strong support for multilateralism as the best way to address global problems. It is my firm view, which I believe is shared across the Oireachtas, that a collective effort is the only way to address global challenges such as conflict, migration and climate change which are often linked.
Our National Statement also provided the opportunity to highlight Ireland’s role in UN peacekeeping, disarmament and humanitarian assistance; and to underscore Ireland’s concerns regarding the situation in the Middle East. I also reconfirmed Ireland’s commitment to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance by 2030.
Immediately prior to the General Debate the Taoiseach addressed the Mandela Peace Summit. With South Africa, Ireland successfully co-facilitated the Mandela Peace Summit Declaration which was adopted by consensus by the General Assembly. It was an honour for Ireland to be chosen to work in partnership with South Africa on the Declaration.
During the visit to the UN, I and the Minister of State for Development and Diaspora attended a number of events on themes of women, peace and security; international criminal justice; education; health; humanitarian response and climate action.
A central objective of my visit, and those of the Taoiseach and Minister of State Cannon, was to make a strong case for Ireland’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term.
We held a wide range of bilateral meetings, with UN Member States from all regions. The Taoiseach, Minister of State Cannon and I met with a number of Heads of State and Government and Ministers and received a strong hearing on our campaign, which is based on Ireland’s track record of engagement at the UN and on the principles of empathy, partnership and independence which underlie our campaign.
16. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the backstop agreement between the EU and the UK Government with regard to ensuring no hard border on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40103/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission’s proposals on the ‘backstop’ are set out in the Draft Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, which forms part of the overall draft Withdrawal Agreement published in February. It is available on the European Commission’s website and on the Government’s Brexit website.
This draft text serves as the basis on which negotiations have been conducted so far. It sets out the basic elements for a legally operable ‘backstop’ which avoids a hard border on this island and protects the integrity of the EU Single Market.
This reflects the commitments on avoiding a hard border and protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, made by Prime Minister May in December 2017, and again in March.
In an effort to finalise negotiations, Michel Barnier has spoken of efforts to “de-dramatise” the backstop. These would focus on the technical aspects of the backstop in terms of the location and modalities of the controls necessary to protect the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, in the event that the backstop should ever need to be implemented. This would maintain the key principle of the backstop, to maintain the invisible border as it is today. Mr Barnier briefed EU leaders at the informal European Council Summit in Salzburg and received full and unanimous support for his approach, from all partners, including Ireland.
Last month, Prime Minister May announced that the UK would now bring forward their own proposals for a backstop arrangement. The Government welcomes this announcement. We have long called for the UK to engage fully with this issue. However, time is short, and it is important that these proposals are tabled with the Commission Taskforce as soon as possible, to allow negotiations make progress before the October European Council.
Although the text of the backstop may be subject to change, our objectives do not. Our preference is still for an overall EU-UK relationship which would resolve all issues. However, it remains essential that a legally operable backstop is agreed which provides certainty that a hard border will be avoided in any circumstances. Therefore it cannot be temporary and must be in place unless and until another solution is found. This position is supported and shared by our fellow EU27 Member States, and by the European Commission.
17. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if greater resources will be provided to the Passport Office in County Cork to allow for greater speed in clearing passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40311/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is composed of 3 constituent offices located in Mount Street, Dublin, Balbriggan, County Dublin and South Mall, Cork.
The Passport Service is one unified service. The distribution of work across the 3 passport offices does not in any way or limit the options available to the public in terms of passport application channels or reduce the quality of service provided.
Currently, the Cork office processes applications from Northern Ireland and Great Britain, as well as applications submitted at Ireland’s network of Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
The Passport Office in Cork is currently processing applications well within target turnaround times with renewal applications via Northern Ireland and Great Britain being processed within 10 days and non-renewals within 13 and 17 days respectively. Applications submitted at Ireland’s network of Embassies and Consulates are being processed within 20 days.
The public counter in Cork also continues to accept applications from all categories of applicant, by appointment. Where appropriate, this office can also facilitate the issuance of emergency passports.
My Department continues to closely monitor the level of passport demand to ensure that all resources are effectively deployed. In order to manage seasonal demand and anticipated application increases, the Passport Service recruited 216 Temporary Clerical Officers this year. These Temporary Clerical Officers were appointed to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork in accordance with application volumes allocated to each office. A total of 50 Temporary Clerical Officers were assigned to the Passport Office in Cork.
Targeted overtime was also utilised across all Passport Offices to help reduce the impact of high application volumes on turnaround times.
In addition to this, 12 Clerical Officers and 1 Executive Officer have joined the Cork Passport Office’s permanent staff since the beginning of the year.
18. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is developing contingency plans for businesses for a situation in which the landbridge through Britain becomes unusable for Irish lorries travelling to and from the Continent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30826/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s contingency planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government given its importance in getting Irish products to market on continental Europe, in particular with regard to agri-food products. This is an important issue with regard to protecting the competitiveness of our producers and ensuring continued unhampered access to the EU Single Market.
A Landbridge Project Group is chaired by my Department and involves all relevant Government Departments, including the Department of Finance, the Revenue Commissioners, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine, Department of Health, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Project Group has met four times to date.
Work on is being taken forward in two strands. The first is through the Article 50 negotiations. In the mandate provided to the European Commission by the EU27 in May 2017, it was agreed that the Withdrawal Agreement will take account of Ireland’s unique geographic situation, including the transit of goods (to and from Ireland via the UK). The need to address this issue as part of the distinct strand of the negotiations on Irish specific issues was agreed between the EU and the UK in the Joint Progress report of December 2017.
To this end, I welcome the UK’s formal notification to the European Commission of its intention to join the Common Transit Convention. The UK’s accession to the Common Travel Convention will play an important role in ensuring Ireland’s access to other EU Member States via the UK landbridge.
The second strand is our work with the European Commission and other affected Member States (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden) with a view to preparing EU ports to facilitate the transit of EU products through the UK once it becomes a third country through the use of EU rules on internal transit set out under the Union’s Custom Code. This work is intensifying and good progress is being made.
Our work on the landbridge must also include the possibility of a no-deal or worse-case outcome.
To this end, relevant Departments have now been tasked by the Government to roll out detailed Action Plans with a view to advancing, as appropriate, the mitigating measures which have been identified in the areas of their responsibility from the planning to the implementation phase. In line with this approach, the Government has already approved a number of key Brexit preparedness measures focused on East-West trade which will also take account of the continued use of the landbridge.
19. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the oppression faced by the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan (details supplied); and if he will he raise these attacks and the continued persecution of the Ahmadiyya community with his Pakistani counterpart. [40112/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
I am aware of the oppression faced by Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, and I very strongly condemn the violence that the community faces. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are.
Freedom of religious expression is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy and those rights must be guaranteed. Acts of violence and discrimination based on religion or belief, committed in the name of religion or national security, whether by individuals, by groups or by states, must be challenged.
Our commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, published in January 2015 and more recently in the Programme for Partnership Government. We work to advance this commitment at the EU, the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and through our bilateral contacts. I wish to stress that the promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland works closely with Human Rights Defenders to protect them and the work they do and to promote the value of civil society space.
At the UN General Assembly we regularly support initiatives to protect against acts of persecution based on religion or belief, raising our concern for the continued discrimination, intimidation and systematic harassment of members of Muslim, Christian and Baha’i communities, as well as those belonging to non-traditional religious or belief movements.
Ireland works within and alongside the EU to address the persecution of religious minorities. During our Presidency of the European Council in 2013, Ireland played a key role in the development of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which provide a framework for the promotion of this right in the EU’s external human rights policy. In 2015, Ireland also pressed for the inclusion of a reference to the promotion of this right in the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019, which ensures that the EU will continue to engage on the issue of the promotion of freedom of religion and belief.
Officials from my Department, including in the Irish Embassy in Ankara, which is also accredited to Pakistan, will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Pakistan, in close cooperation with the EU. If the Deputy is aware of any organisations representing the Ahmadiyya community in Ireland, I would ask him to encourage that organisation to make contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade directly. Officials in my Department would be happy to meet with such a group in order to discuss their situation in more detail.
20. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a roadmap outlining his overseas development aid plan to reach the 0.7% of GNI target will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40300/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2018 the Taoiseach launched Global Ireland, a plan to double Ireland’s global impact by 2025. Amongst other things, in Global Ireland the Government committed to publishing a White Paper on Ireland’s International Development Cooperation and to delivering 0.7% of GNI to Overseas Development Assistance by 2030.
The public consultation for the new international development policy concluded on Tuesday in Dublin.
Over 185 substantive written submissions were received from Irish people and non-governmental organisations, as well as UN and other international bodies. Five well-attended public meetings were held, in Cork, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, and Dublin. The intention is to publish the White Paper before the end of the year.
In developing the new policy, the intention is to further fine tune Ireland’s international contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Building on the reputation for quality work for which Irish Aid is recognised, the policy will enable Ireland to play its full part in helping address the challenges which the world will face in the decades ahead, including conflict prevention, climate change and gender equality. We will continue a focus on those left furthest behind and will reinforce our support for a rules-based multi-lateral system. The new policy will also assist Ireland in consolidating existing partnerships and in building new relationships.
The new policy will inform an ambitious pathway to reaching the UN target of 0.7% GNI over the lifetime of the sustainable development goals. However, a steady and phased approach is required if the focus on quality and on reaching the furthest behind is to be maintained as the Irish Aid programme expands.
22. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to ensure that the recommendations of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40115/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (IIFFM) on Myanmar makes for harrowing reading.
Ireland has strongly supported the mandate of the IIFFM since it was established in March 2017 and I offer my thanks to them for their work and for this report.
The findings of the IIFFM corroborate many of the eyewitness accounts which have emerged from Myanmar in recent times. In particular the report provides credible findings that human rights violations amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes have been committed by members of the Burmese Military (Tatmadaw) and other security forces in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States.
The IIFFM’s report also finds that there is sufficient evidence of crimes committed in Rakhine State being so grave that they warrant a competent court to determine the liability for the crime of genocide of those in the Tatmadaw chain of command.
The work of the IIFFM 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.
I have taken note of the recommendations and Ireland is actively engaging with our international partners in responding to its findings.
One of the key issues we have focused on so far is the issue of accountability. At the recent 39th Session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland actively supported the creation of a resolution on Myanmar, proposed jointly by the EU and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which mandates a new impartial independent mechanism to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of the most serious violations of international law committed in Myanmar since 2011. This is an important step in facilitating fair and independent criminal proceedings for these crimes.
The IIFFM report also makes a number of other recommendations. In particular, the report recommends the introduction of targeted sanctions against members of the Tatmadaw and Border Guard Police who have been accused of violations of international law. Ireland has actively engaged in the formation of the EU’s position in the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council’s Conclusions on Myanmar, which were adopted on 26 February 2018. These Conclusions, which in some ways anticipated the outcome of the IIFFMM, provide for the imposition of targeted measures against certain persons from the Myanmar Armed Forces and Border Guard Police responsible for serious human rights violations and for the expansion of the existing arms embargo. A number of members of the Tatmadaw and Border Guards have been listed under these sanctions since the Conclusions were adopted in February. Ireland is actively engaging in further discussions in this regard in light of the findings of the IIFFM.
Another of the key recommendations of the IIFFM relates to the question of repatriation. Ireland strongly supports the IIFFM’s insistence that provisions be made for a safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable means of return of the Rohingya to Rakhine State and for the introduction of measures that will enable them to sustain a reasonable livelihood. The question of citizenship is central in this regard and I call on the authorities of Myanmar comprehensively address this issue.
Additionally, it is clear that the long-standing drivers of conflict in Myanmar need to be addressed. The IIFFM recognises that, the implementation of the findings of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State (The Annan Commission) provides a roadmap for sustainable and community-led peacebuilding in Rakhine State, and for the development of extremely impoverished regions there. Ireland has strongly and repeatedly supported the implementation of the report of the Advisory Commission’s findings and will continue to do so.
Officials in my Department will continue to monitor the situation and to work with our international partners to urge progress within Myanmar on these difficult issues and to pursue a resolution to this crisis that brings peace, reconciliation and prosperity for everybody in Myanmar. In the meantime, Ireland will continue to support the provision of humanitarian aid to those in need.
23. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had communications with the Prime Minister of Greece with regard to the detention of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40269/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials at the Irish Embassy in Athens have been in direct contact with the family of the individual in question, and with the German authorities, since we were made aware of his detention.
As the individual detained is a German citizen, the German authorities are the competent authority under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to provide assistance to this individual.
Officials in my Department continue to monitor the case, and stand ready to provide all appropriate assistance to this individual and his family, in close cooperation with German counterparts.
24. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to his UK counterpart in regard to the need for the British Government to return sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and to allow exiled Chagossians to return to their homes in view of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, hearings on the matter in September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40266/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22 June 2017, the UN General Assembly voted on a Resolution put forward by Mauritius to seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965, prior to Mauritian independence from the UK. Public hearings on this matter commenced before the ICJ at The Hague in early September where twenty-two States and the African Union presented oral statements to the Court in relation to the future status of the Chagos Islands.
Ahead of the June 2017 vote, Ireland gave considerable attention to the Resolution put before the UN General Assembly, weighing up the various points of view having listened carefully to the arguments put forward.
After very careful review, we felt that the most appropriate step to take was abstention, given the arguments from one side that this was an improper attempt to bring a bilateral dispute before the ICJ and from the other that there are matters of general relevance to the international community relating to de-colonisation. An abstention is consistent with the position Ireland has taken on previous ICJ referral resolutions.
The vote on this resolution was 95 in favour, 15 against, with 65 abstentions.
It is now for the ICJ to consider the merits of the arguments put before it and I do not, therefore, intend to make any representations.
25. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of discussions on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. [29044/18]
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 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. The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these 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 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. In addition, officials from my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality met with Justice for the Forgotten on 4 July to hear their views on the implementation of the legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement.
My Department also facilitated an engagement on 29 August in Dublin for the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Judith Thompson, to hear the views of victims and survivors in this jurisdiction, including the families affected by the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and other attacks.
In relation to the Dáil motions, 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 this request, and pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House.
