Written Answers Nos. 129-148
129. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to deal with the outstanding issues of low pay across the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1030/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSimilar to other sectors in the public service, the pay of Permanent Defence Force personnel was reduced as one of the measures to assist in stabilising national finances during the financial crisis.
The recovery in the economy has provided the fiscal resources to provide for a fair and sustainable recovery in public service pay scales.
Pay is being restored to members of the Defence Forces and other public servants in accordance with public sector pay agreements. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay.
Members of the Permanent Defence Force have received the pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. In addition in 2017, following negotiations with PDFORRA, improved pay scales for general service recruits and privates, who joined the Permanent Defence Force post 1 January 2013, were implemented.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, provides for increases in pay ranging from 6.2% to 7.4% over the lifetime of the Agreement. The focus of these increases is weighted in favour of those on lower pay. The increases due from 1 January 2018 and 1 October 2018 have been paid to Permanent Defence Force personnel. An increase of 1% was paid to personnel earning up €30,000 per annum from 1 January 2019. Further increases in pay are scheduled for later in 2019 and 2020.
By the end of the current Public Service Pay agreement the payscales of all public servants (including members of the Defence Forces), earning under €70,000 per annum, will be restored to pre FEMPI levels. The restoration of the 5% reduction to allowances cut under FEMPI is also scheduled in the agreement.
New entrants who joined the Defence Forces since 2011, will also benefit from the measures which were recently announced in relation to interventions at points 4 and 8 of the relevant pay scales for all such new entrants to the public service. This measure, should it be accepted by the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, will be effective from 1 March 2019.
In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, the Government has tasked the Public Service Pay Commission with conducting a more comprehensive examination of the specific recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces, which the Commission identified in Chapter 6 of its report in May 2017.
The Commission's work is on-going. The Government will give due consideration to the findings and recommendations that arise from the work of the Commission.
130. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if regulations that exclude members of the Defence Forces from participating in marches or parades will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1031/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the unique roles assigned to the Defence Forces, there are a range of restrictions that apply to members of the Defence Forces relating to political and industrial relations matters.
Section 103 of the Defence Act prohibits members of the Permanent Defence Force from membership of, or subscription to, any political organisation or society; DFR A9 prohibits participation by uniformed members of the Defence Forces in any demonstration, meeting or function of a political character; DFR A7 prohibits at any time unauthorised communications that pertain to service matters by members of the Defence Forces. Members of the Defence Forces are also prohibited from striking.
The Deputy may wish to know that this matter is the subject of litigation and therefore it is not appropriate to comment further.
131. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to introduce a new Army barracks in counties Cavan and Monaghan or the greater Border region, in view of Brexit, recent developments and the possible reintroduction of a hard border; if such a move is included in contingency plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1121/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a whole of Government approach, my Department continues to engage in forward planning with the other Departments involved in addressing all issues relevant to the UK's decision to leave the European Union. This engagement involves the identification of key strategic, operational and policy issues arising from Brexit.
As I have outlined previously, the UK's decision to leave the EU does not of itself give rise to additional border control requirements. Furthermore, the avoidance of a hard border on the island is fundamental to the Brexit agreement reached in November last between the EU and the UK Government, and there can be no change to the commitments made in that agreement. As such, there are no plans for a new Army barracks in counties Cavan and Monaghan or the greater Border region.
Furthermore, it is important to note that primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, responsibility for the security aspect of border control rests with An Garda Síochána, while the Revenue Commissioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate.
Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. The Defence Forces also provide support to the Revenue Commissioners, again, when requested to do so.
There is ongoing close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters and regular coordination and liaison meetings take place. My Department continues to monitor the ongoing situation to ensure that both it and the Defence Forces are fully prepared to address any potential issues that might arise in the defence area as a consequence of Brexit.
132. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel who were required to work or be on-call for periods of more than ten consecutive hours over the Christmas 2018 period; the extra payment made to those personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1136/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled. I will revert to the Deputy in respect of the information requested when available.
133. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the health and safety management system reports and-or audits carried out on the Air Corps by the State Claims Agency in each of the years from 2006 to 2015; the year and author of each report and-or audit in the timeframe; if the reports have been published and-or classified as confidential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1180/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the State Claims Agency that it has a statutory remit under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000 to provide risk management advices to Delegated State Authorities. Such risk management advices include the provision of Health & Safety Management System audits, inspections and reviews. From this, State Claims Agency conducted a number of Health & Safety Management System Defence Forces audits within the Air Corps between the years 2006 – 2015. The Reports are authored by the State Claims Agency and are confidential between the Agency and their Client.
134. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the figures for Permanent Defence Force personnel ordinarily based at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath. [1325/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of the Permanent Defence Force is 9,500 personnel. The military authorities have informed me that the establishment for Units based in Custume Barracks is approximately 995 personnel.
Military service entails personnel moving into and out of particular postings and as they serve at home and overseas, receive training and undergo educational and career development courses. Accordingly, there is a constant through-flow of personnel into and out of barracks, including Custume Barracks.
135. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the customer complaints received by his Department in each of the years since 2016; if the complaints are grouped into categories; the nature of the complaints; the resolution of same; and the number progressed to the relevant Ombudsman in each of the years since 2016. [1869/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received a small number of complaints in the years referred to by the Deputy. The table sets out the complaints which were received by the Department’s Customer Service.
|
Customer Complaints |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Number |
6 |
5 |
0 |
|
Category group |
Not categorised. |
Not categorised. |
N/A |
|
Nature |
Response times to queries. Event cancellation. |
Response times to queries. |
N/A |
|
Resolution |
Through discussion with complainants to address the issues. |
Through discussion with complainants to address the issues. |
N/A |
|
Ombudsman referral |
None |
None |
N/A |
136. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to continue to fund and support the conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts at community level by an organisation (details supplied) in partnership with INGOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54033/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra137. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to ensure that Ireland increases its diplomatic efforts through the EU to ensure the peace deal in South Sudan holds; his further plans to continue to support the humanitarian efforts in South Sudan that are addressing the root causes of the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the humanitarian efforts in South Sudan that are addressing the root causes of conflict will receive continued support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54413/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the conflict resolution and peace building efforts at community level by the South Sudan council of churches in partnership with INGOs will receive continued funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54415/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will increase diplomatic efforts through the EU to ensure the fragile peace deal holds in South Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54427/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to increase diplomatic efforts through the EU to assist peace talks in South Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1102/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137, 143, 144, 146 and 157 together.
South Sudan continues to endure a terrible humanitarian crisis, primarily the consequence of conflict. I am deeply concerned by the continued high level of violence, and by reports of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, which perpetuate the crisis and impact negatively on its scale.
The current conflict began in 2013 and has had devastating consequences for civilians. The war, compounded by drought, has led to severe food insecurity and caused massive population displacement and suffering throughout the country, with women and girls suffering the most. It is estimated that almost 400,000 people have died, and over 7 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
On 12 September last, the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, signed a peace agreement with the opposition. While this peace agreement has the potential to mark a new departure, it is critical that South Sudan’s leaders implement it without delay. Achieving lasting peace will require sustained effort and commitment as well as a genuinely inclusive approach to building the future South Sudan.
Ireland strongly supports efforts to build peace in South Sudan. In November 2017, during his visit to Addis Ababa, the Tánaiste met representatives of IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and the African Union to discuss the situation in South Sudan. On that visit, the Tánaiste announced funding to the IGAD High Level Revitalization Forum, the process which delivered the revised peace agreement. Ireland will continue to support IGAD’s work on monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the agreement in 2019.
Our Embassy in Addis Ababa, which is accredited to South Sudan, monitors the situation and engages with local, regional and international parties on an ongoing basis. The Irish Ambassador in Addis Ababa visits Juba frequently where she meets with key government, UN, NGO, Red Cross and diplomatic partners, including the EU Delegation. Her most recent visit took place in November.
We are committed to supporting efforts towards peace in South Sudan and have contributed to projects aimed at peacebuilding. In 2018, this has included supporting partners’ meditation efforts and empowering civil society, in particular women’s groups, to facilitate their engagement in peace processes.
As well as our direct bilateral support, we are actively involved in the efforts of the EU to support peace in South Sudan. Two officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been seconded to the EU Delegation in South Sudan, including one as Head of Mission. The EU Delegation is strongly supportive of the peace process, in particular by providing support to the implementing and monitoring bodies of the peace agreement. The Tánaiste discussed these efforts with the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Alexander Rondos, when he visited Dublin on 7 November 2018.
While a sustained resolution to the conflict is the ultimate goal, we have a duty now to deal with immediate humanitarian needs. Since 2012, Ireland has provided €61 million in direct humanitarian assistance to South Sudan. Over €10 million in Irish funding was provided in 2018, including to Irish NGOs to assist them in reaching the most vulnerable. Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam, Trócaire and World Vision, with support from Irish Aid, are working in partnership with local organisations and NGO networks to provide lifesaving supplies to meet the basic needs of those suffering from the conflict.
As well as this direct bilateral aid, Ireland has also contributed to humanitarian support in South Sudan through the multilateral system. Ireland is a significant contributor to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund, which has allocated $178 million to alleviate the crisis in South Sudan since 2011, as well as to the EU, which provided more than €90 million in 2018.
With humanitarian needs likely to remain acute throughout 2019, Irish funding will continue to support both those in need inside South Sudan as well as South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.
138. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No 65 of 12 December 2018, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland can refer a case to the ECHR in relation to four Catalan civil and political leaders held in prison on pre-trial detention who are now on hunger strike; if officials from his Department will visit these persons before Christmas in order to report back to him on their situation and conditions of detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues referred to by the Deputy are the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings in Spain. As such it would not be appropriate for me to make an intervention or statement on the matter.
There are no plans for Irish officials to make such visits. I am kept informed of developments in Catalonia by our Embassy in Madrid on a regular basis.
139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to have further talks with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties in Northern Ireland on the need to have the assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54114/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on recent efforts to restart the Executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1683/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 170 together.
The continuing absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a source of deep concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. Both Governments are determined to find a way beyond the current impasse to get the institutions operating again and I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how this can be pursued.
I visited Belfast on 9 and 10 January and held discussions with the leaders of all of the Northern Ireland political parties. These were constructive engagements with each of the party leaders and I emphasised that the two-year absence of the devolved institutions must not continue. There are pressing decisions and issues across a range of areas, which require a functioning Executive and Assembly. Each of the party leaders confirmed to me their wish to participate in the institutions again and provided views on key concerns and issues for their parties.
Following these latest consultations, I do not underestimate the way to go in achieving a resolution, but I continue to believe that this can be achieved and that there is an increasingly urgent need for talks to begin.
The devolved institutions of the Agreement are urgently needed so that the mandated Assembly and power-sharing Executive can represent the interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland and address issues of concern, including the challenges for Northern Ireland of the UK decision to exit the European Union. The North South Ministerial Council is also essential to oversee and develop North South cooperation on matters of mutual interest, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement.
The legislation that was brought forward by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which temporarily suspends the requirement to call an Assembly election, underlines the urgent requirement for all with responsibilities to do everything in their power to get them operating again. The Secretary of State and I are agreed that a new political process is needed. I will continue to work with the Secretary of State and remain in regular contact with the leaders of each of the political parties, to get the necessary political process commenced to secure an agreement for a functioning Executive and Assembly.
I also met in Belfast last week with a range of civil society representatives, including trade unions, business organisations and those working in the education, voluntary and community sectors. In all of these discussions, I heard a clear and unambiguous desire for the Assembly and Executive to operate again and acute concern at the impact of the current impasse for Northern Ireland and for progress with the Peace Process founded on the Good Friday Agreement. There was also serious apprehension on how the challenges raised for Northern Ireland by the UK decision to exit the European Union will be addressed and broad support for the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated between the UK and the European Union, in particular in providing an absolute guarantee that a hard border will be avoided and that the Good Friday Agreement will be fully protected. I also received a clear message in these civil society engagements that the UK exit from the EU is a further and pressing reason for political leaders to work together through the power-sharing Executive and Assembly, to represent and protect Northern Ireland’s unique interests and concerns.
I believe that these calls from across all sections of the community in Northern Ireland for the devolved institutions to operate have to be heeded.
140. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a matter regarding a map contained in SI No. 22 of 2016 (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54194/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn international law the outer limits of a coastal state’s maritime zones - such as the 12 mile territorial sea, the 200 mile exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf - are measured from the baseline. The normal baseline is the low water mark along the coast. In 1958, however, following an earlier decision of the International Court of Justice, it was agreed at the UN Conference on the Law of the Sea that in places where a state’s coastline is heavily indented, or is screened by a fringe of islands, straight baselines connecting appropriate points on headlands and islands may be drawn.
As the configuration of the Irish coastline on the west and south coasts meets these criteria it was decided that Ireland should become one of the first countries in the world to adopt the new system, drawing straight baselines connecting fifty points from Malin Head in Donegal to Carnsore Point in Wexford. These were set out in the Maritime Jurisdiction (Straight Baselines) Order 1959. As other parts of the State's coastline do not meet the necessary criteria straight baselines were not drawn in those places.
The fifty points were resurveyed several years ago using modern survey techniques that allow far more precision than was possible in 1959. The 2016 Order prescribes an updated and more accurate system of straight baselines drawn between the resurveyed points and replaces the system established by the 1959 Order.
141. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost incurred by his Department in 2018 for the use of taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54211/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation. Vote 28 incorporates the majority of Ireland’s 83 diplomatic and consular Missions abroad while Vote 27 encompasses a small number of development-focused Missions, mostly in Africa.
Total taxi hire costs for both Votes for 2018, including domestic and Mission costs, amount provisionally to €350,625.00. This amount is based on provisional out-turn figures and are subject to change as we finalise the year end account.
Given the nature of my Department’s responsibilities, officers are obliged to undertake a significant amount of official international travel, often taking place during unsociable hours when the safety and security of Officers necessitates travel by taxi. Officers across the growing Mission network also travel to frequent meetings and out-of-hours events as part of their core official duties where it may often be only feasible by taxi.
Travel expenditure is being actively minimised. Provisional 2018 taxi expenditure was marginally higher than 2017 (€337,872; 3.7%) but this is in the context of increased diplomatic activity at European and international level brought about by Brexit preparations and our United Nations Security Council campaign, an expanded Mission network and a larger workforce.
Departmental travel policy aims to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties. My Department complies with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on official travel.
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance being provided to a person (details supplied) in prison in Turkey; if all legal documents required have been furnished in view of the fact that they were in court again on 2 January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54365/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that I am aware of this long-running Consular case.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassy of Ireland in Turkey have been providing consular assistance to this citizen and his family since his arrest in 2017. At the latest hearing on 2 January the matter was adjourned and his bail was extended.
I understand that the court in Turkey has made an official request to the Irish authorities for documentation relating to this citizen, which is being processed as rapidly as possible.
145. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the case of an Irish citizen (details supplied) is not receiving responses from his Department or an embassy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54424/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that I am aware of this case, which relates to a civil legal matter in another European country. Embassy officials have provided this citizen with details of local English-speaking lawyers who are best placed to advise on legal proceedings.
My Department has replied directly to this citizen on several occasions, and to the representations made on her behalf.
147. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget and spend in his Department for marketing, media and social media in each of the years from 2016 to 2018; the projected spend for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54465/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department engages in advertising and public awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. Some examples of these campaigns have included the Online Passport Renewals Service, a “Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe” initiative, the “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” campaign and the Global Ireland initiative which incorporated the UN Security Council campaign and Public Consultations on Ireland’s International Development Policy.
Projected spending in this area by my Department during 2019 is still being finalised. A full outline of the amount spent in 2016, 2017 and 2018 is laid out in the table.
|
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
|
€243,687.00 |
€210, 324.15 |
€45,527.53 |
148. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff in his Department employed to work on marketing, media and social media in 2018. [54482/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a dedicated Communications Unit that employs twenty one civil servants covering, inter alia, press relations, website and digital media and public outreach.
The role of the Unit is to promote and facilitate external communication in support of Ireland's objectives internationally. This includes communicating to the public about the work underway by Government to prepare for the departure of the UK from the European Union and steps taken to mitigate impacts as well as messaging on our candidacy for the Security Council of the United Nations. Other key priorities for the Unit include strengthening the capacity of the Department and missions abroad to deliver on public diplomacy goals; deepening public awareness of the services and activities of the Department and enhancing public awareness of Irish Aid - Ireland's official overseas development programme.
There are press officers posted in London, Brussels and Washington, as well as a team of three officers in the Passport Office whose work includes social media and key public information messaging on passport services.
In addition there are currently two Special Advisors employed by my Department who, along with other duties, advise on media matters.
Mr. Chris Donoghue is my Special Advisor and Communications Director. Mr. Donoghue is employed at Principal Officer grade. Mr. Paul Fox is Special advisor to the Minister of State for European Affairs. His role includes advice on media matters. Mr. Fox is employed at Assistant Principal Officer grade.
These appointments were made in line with “Instructions to Personnel Officers – Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil” which included “Guidelines on staffing of Ministerial offices” issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
