Written Answers Nos. 36-50
36. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will address reports of licensing issues regarding the participation of the Civil Defence in festivals and public events (details supplied); the nature of the issue; the role of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council in this matter; the measures underway to resolve the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21215/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2015, the Government published the White Paper on Defence which includes a chapter on Civil Defence. Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation of approximately 3,500 volunteers who give generously of their time and expertise for their community and in support of the Principal Response Agencies.
The 2015 White Paper outlines that the Civil Defence Branch of my Department is responsible for the strategic management and development of Civil Defence at a national level. It provides grant aid, policy advice and training to support local Civil Defence units. The White Paper recognises the important role of Local Government in the management of Civil Defence. The Civil Defence Officer who is an employee of the Local Authority is responsible for the day-to-day management of Civil Defence in their Local Authority area.
The Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) is the regulator for emergency medical services in Ireland and their role is to protect the public. The Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council require organisations who wish to be operational, to apply to them, for an annual licence to operate.
When Civil Defence’s current operating licence was up for renewal in November 2018, my officials reviewed the current statutory declaration. That review identified that some assurances and details required as part of the licensing process are not within the control or remit of the Department of Defence as responsibility for operations rests with local authorities.
The Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council extended Civil Defence’s current licence to 30 July 2019 to address issues identified as a result of the review.
I fully appreciate the excellent services provided by Civil Defence volunteers. In that context, my officials have been working to resolve the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council licensing issue. My officials have been and continue to engage with Local Authority management through the Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Planning subcommittee of the City and County Managers Association and with senior management of the Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council.
I have asked my officials to continue to engage constructively to ensure there is no diminution in the level of care and first aid cover that Civil Defence volunteers provide beyond 30 July 2019.
37. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when a meeting will be held between his officials, local authorities and an agency (details supplied) on the future of EMT care by the Civil Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21259/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA meeting between officials from my Department, representatives of the Local Authorities and with the agency concerned took place on 15 May 2019. The meeting follows on from a series of engagements my officials have had with representatives of the Local Authorities through the City and County Managers and with the agency concerned, since the issue first arose in November 2018.
38. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if we will provide clarity on concerns that have been raised on the future operation of the aeromedical service based at Custume Barracks, Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21260/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Air Corps provides a broad range of services in accordance with its primary security role. It also undertakes a diverse range of non-security-related tasks on an ‘as available’ basis including the provision of air ambulance services to the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Since the commencement of the Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) Service in June 2012, the Air Corps has completed over 2,350 missions.
The EAS Service is a good example of the Air Corps and HSE combining their resources to deliver life-saving services for the people of Ireland. There are no plans to change the current operation of the service based out of Custume Barracks, Athlone.
39. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation in Venezuela; the position of the EU and Ireland on same; the efforts made and ongoing to resolve this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21230/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecent events in Venezuela and the escalation of tensions between both sides underscore the urgency of finding a negotiated solution to the already grave humanitarian, social and political crisis in the country.
Actions by the Maduro administration and the Venezuelan security forces, including the detention of the Vice President of the National Assembly Edgar Zambrano, are further examples of the deterioration in the situation.
I fully support the statement issued by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini on 30 April in which the European Union rejects any form of violence and calls for the utmost restraint to avoid the loss of lives and an escalation of tensions.
On 9 May the EU called for Mr Zambrano's immediate release, as well as calling for the civil rights, safety and parliamentary immunity of all members of the National Assembly, including its President, Juan Guaidó, to be fully respected.
EU Foreign Ministers discussed developments in Venezuela at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 13 May. I and EU colleagues reiterated our support for the EU's International Contact Group for Venezuela and its continuing efforts towards achieving a peaceful and democratic solution.
A Ministerial level meeting of the International Contact Group took place in Costa Rica on 6 and 7 May, and it has been working to create the conditions for the holding of free and fair presidential elections as soon as possible.
The ICG recognises that the priority now is to avoid further escalation of an already extremely tense situation, and that to achieve this it is imperative to reinstate democracy, rule of law and separation of powers. I fully support the ICG's statement that no actions of a repressive, judicial or political nature should be taken that would make this possibility more remote.
I welcome the Group's engagement with regional and international partners, including the Lima Group and CARICOM.
I also fully support the ICG's efforts to enable the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Venezuela in line with humanitarian principles, and welcome its recent announcement that it will establish a humanitarian working group in Caracas. Ireland is fully supportive of the €117 million in assistance that has been provided to Venezuela since 2018.
The United Nations continues to work to establish an effective humanitarian response system and to deliver assistance to those most in need. It is important and urgent that humanitarian organisations have unimpeded access and can effectively deliver and significantly scale up assistance swiftly, without constraints, free from any political interference. Needs are acute and the situation has been exacerbated by widespread interruptions to electricity and water supply.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, stands firmly with the Venezuelan people and their legitimate democratic aspirations. I continue to strongly believe that there can only be a political and democratic solution to the multiple crises facing the country. Officials in my Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and I will continue to engage with EU colleagues on this important issue.
40. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation in Syria; the position of the EU on Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21231/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation in Syria remains grave. Since 2011, the Syria conflict has cost the lives of well over 400,000 people. As the conflict enters its ninth year, nearly 12 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, and more than 80 per cent of people live below the poverty line. Over 6 million people are displaced inside Syria, 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. Other groups, most notably ISIS, have also perpetrated atrocities.
While the conflict had been less intense in recent months, in recent weeks there has been an escalation of the conflict in the north-west of Syria, in the area around Idlib. Conflict there between the regime and other armed groups has displaced 180,000 people, killing up to 120 civilians, and injuring hundreds. I condemn in particular the airstrikes that are reported to have targeted medical facilities and schools.
All parties must uphold their ceasefire commitments and cease military activities in the Idlib region. Any attempt at a purely military approach to the situation there risks endangering hundreds of thousands of others. Those with influence on the Syrian regime have a responsibility to exert pressure to ensure that civilians are protected, and to encourage the Syrian Government to engage fully with the UN-led peace process.
Ireland and the EU firmly believe that eight years of war have shown that military action cannot bring lasting peace to Syria. We support the UN-led efforts to bring about a political resolution to the conflict, in accordance with the 2012 Geneva Communiqué and UN Security Council Resolution 2254. What is needed to bring a sustainable end to the violence is a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led process. The EU provides direct assistance to the 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.
The UN Special Envoy’s efforts are currently focused on establishing a constitutional committee, made up of Syrians of different political views, to chart the way forward for the country and unlock a broader political process. The UN Special Envoy has been engaging directly with Russia, Turkey and Iran on this, and we believe that they have a responsibility to support and assist his efforts.
At the EU-League of Arab States Ministerial meeting in February, I raised the ongoing conflict in Syria with my EU and Arab counterparts. At the EU-League of Arab States Summit in Egypt later that month, which the Taoiseach attended, EU and Arab countries reaffirmed their commitment to the UN-led process in Syria, and agreed that any sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict requires a genuine political transition.
Ireland is a strong and consistent donor to the Syria crisis response and our overall funding supports those in need inside Syria as well as Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in the region. In March 2019, Ireland pledged a further €25 million to the crisis, bringing the total amount of humanitarian assistance committed to the Syria crisis to over €143 million since 2012 – our largest ever response to any single crisis. To date, Ireland has disbursed €138m of this funding. Through its annual contributions to the EU Institutions, Ireland also supports the EU’s humanitarian response in Syria.
41. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the persecution of Christians has been raised at the EU Foreign Affairs Council; the efforts made to address this at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21232/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We are committed to promoting freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities. This commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World.
Within the EU, Ireland works with partners to address the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. The EU's policy in this area is led by the Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which were adopted during our Presidency in 2013. The EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019 also includes an express reference to the promotion of freedom of religion or belief.
The EU's engagement and actions to promote and protect human rights across the globe is summarised in the EU's Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2018 which was adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council at its meeting on 13 May. It found that freedom of religion or belief continued to be under attack throughout the world in 2018 and that therefore the promotion and protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief remained a key priority in the EU's external human rights policy.
During 2018, the EU consistently raised concerns about violations of freedom of religion and belief in the course of political dialogues with partner countries, including during more than 20 human rights dialogues and consultations. The EU continued to be a strong advocate for Freedom of Religion or Belief in UN Multilateral fora, including at the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly as well as in other international organisations including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe.
Finally the EU is providing financial support of over €5m in the period 2018-2022 to three interfaith projects in the Middle East and Africa which aim to enhance cultural pluralism and intercultural understanding related to religion or belief. It has also increased its support to civil society projects on freedom of religion or belief under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights up to €5.18m.
42. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of talks to restart the Executive in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21233/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
On 26 April, the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach agreed to establish a new process of political talks, involving the five main parties, together with the British and Irish Governments. On 7 May, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I convened these talks in Belfast. The objective of this short, focussed process is to seek to quickly re-establish to full operation the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement - the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive and the North-South Ministerial Council.
There has been constructive engagement by party leaders and party representatives and this will need to be maintained over the coming weeks, to rise to the challenge of finding an agreement.
The Secretary of State and I participated in a further meeting with party leaders at Stormont House on Tuesday 14 May, and we will meet with the party leaders again next week, to seek progress on the issues which need to be resolved in order to get an agreement on operating the devolved power-sharing institutions again.
The awful killing of Lyra McKee and the outpouring of public feeling that followed demands a serious response at political level. People want to see real progress made. There is no patience for anything except urgent and determined progress.
Ultimately the challenge is for the parties to find an agreement. This will be difficult, but the two Governments believe that this can, and must, be achieved.
The Prime Minister and the Taoiseach will review progress in the talks by the end of May and consider any necessary further steps.
The devolved institutions of the Agreement are urgently needed so that the Assembly and power-sharing Executive can represent the interests of all of the people of Northern Ireland and address issues of concern. There are pressing decisions and issues across a range of areas, which require a functioning Executive and Assembly. 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 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.
43. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of efforts to resolve the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States of America; the recent meetings held by the special envoy of Ireland in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21234/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach and I have prioritised the issue of Irish immigration in the US since taking office. We will continue our efforts in this regard until we secure progress – both in terms of future legal immigration opportunities for Irish citizens, and also in securing a pathway for those Irish who are undocumented in order to regularise their status. Special Envoy to the US Congress on the Undocumented, John Deasy T.D., has also worked closely on these issues with my Department.
I visited the US in early February, for a series of engagements with the US Administration and Congressional leaders. I raised immigration issues in these meetings, as I have done in all my interactions with the US Administration and US political leaders since taking office. Additionally, the Taoiseach had a range of engagements at the highest levels of the US Administration and with Congressional leaders over the St Patrick's Day period. John Deasy T.D. accompanied the Taoiseach on this visit, and the issue of the undocumented Irish was raised with the US Administration.
In April, I was delighted to host events to mark the visit of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and to have the opportunity to discuss with her and the Congressional delegation a range of topics of mutual concern. Deputy Deasy also participated in the programme, as did officials from my Department. Through those events and meetings with the Taoiseach and Minister Donohoe, I believe the Speaker and delegation were fully briefed on Irish interests, including on immigration issues and our concerns for those Irish who are undocumented in the US.
These engagements have already borne fruit. I was pleased to note that an E3 Bill, which if passed, would offer new opportunities for Irish citizens to live and work in the US, was recently reintroduced into the US Congress. Much work still needs to be done for this Bill to become a reality, and we are under no illusions as to the challenging path ahead. Special Envoy Deasy is currently in Washington D.C. in connection with these latest developments, and is supported in his work by the Americas Unit of my Department, and Ireland’s Embassy in Washington, DC.
In addition to this work, my Department, including through our Embassy and Consulates in the US, work alongside the Irish Immigration Centres across the US on an ongoing basis to provide support to those Irish who are undocumented. Each Irish Centre receives significant Government funding through the Emigrant Support Programme for its work, including support for vulnerable Irish and the undocumented. In 2018, over €3 million was allocated to 76 organisations across the US, including the Irish Centres.
44. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 8 May 2019, if he will request the United Arab Emirates authorities to ensure conditions are improved for the person. [21276/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain worried about the case referred to by the Deputy. UN human rights experts last week expressed concern that the individual may have been kept in solitary confinement, and in conditions of detention which do not meet the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The experts claim that these conditions have had a serious impact on the individual's health. The UAE authorities have strongly denied these claims.
The Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi is monitoring this case, in coordination with other EU Member States. The EU delegation in Abu Dhabi, acting on behalf of EU diplomatic missions, has raised the case directly with the UAE authorities on multiple occasions, and will continue to seek updates regarding the health and well-being of the individual.
As I have stated, it is unacceptable that anyone should be imprisoned for peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms, and Ireland continually advocates for freedom for civil society actors to operate in a safe and enabling environment.
My Department will continue to monitor this case and will continue to relay Ireland's human rights concerns to the UAE authorities, whenever opportunities arise.
45. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of household insurance policies, employer liability insurance policies and public liability insurance policies, respectively entered into in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21177/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to note that while as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, my Department does not collect the type of information being sought by the Deputy. I am also informed that the Central Bank of Ireland does not collect the type of information being sought either.
In order to be helpful as possible my Department contacted Insurance Ireland to see whether they held this information as it pertains to its members. However they informed my officials that they do not collect this information. However, I understand that the Insurance Ireland Factfile for 2017 will be published shortly, and that it will provide aggregate data with regard to premium levels, claims, underwriting results and other financial data. The Insurance Ireland 2016 Factfile is available on their website at www.insuranceireland.eu/media/Factfile%202016-Final.pdf.
46. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance if under the VAT directive it is possible to charge a different or reduced rate for the sale of apartments to the sale of other types of residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21201/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the EU VAT Directive it is not permissible to differentiate between the supply of different types of residential property, such as apartments and houses, for the purpose of applying VAT rates.
47. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the average flood insurance claim for households here; the number of household flood insurance claims in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21236/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to note that while as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, my Department does not collect the type of information being sought by the Deputy.
My Department contacted Insurance Ireland for any details they might hold on behalf of their members in relation to this matter. Insurance Ireland has however advised my officials that they do not collate, publish or communicate any data relating to claims information at a granular level from their members. However their 2017 Factfile will be published shortly. It will include details on:
- Gross Written Premium;
- Net Written Premium;
- Net Earned Premium;
- Net Incurred Claims;
- Number of Claims Reported;
- Net Underwriting Result;
- Estimated Investment Income; and,
- Estimated Net Operating Result.
The Insurance Ireland 2016 Factfile is available on their website at www.insuranceireland.eu/media/Factfile%202016-Final.pdf.
Insurance Ireland has previously advised that property insurance policies cover a range of perils such as fire, storm, theft, water damage, and that it is not possible for them to isolate the number of burst pipes, fluvial or coastal flooding claim figures. It has however collated figures on severe weather events (storm and flood) in an aggregated form in relation to the number of claims incurred and the gross cost of claims incurred for all property claims. According to the latest data available from Insurance Ireland, the aggregate cost to insurers of adverse weather events for the period 2013-March 2018 is approximately €311 million.
In conclusion, the Government is satisfied that its existing policy and investment in relation to flooding which is focused on the development of a sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with flooding problems is the best way forward. This commitment is underpinned by a significant capital works investment programme by the OPW and Local Authorities, complemented by the exchange of information with the insurance industry on completed flood defence schemes. This approach should lead to the increased availability of and lower cost for flood insurance and further improve the already high level of coverage in this country compared with many other jurisdictions.
48. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if an application (details supplied) can be amended following a drawdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has raised a specific issue with regard to the Help to Buy scheme which is provided for by section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act.
I am advised by Revenue that there is not enough information provided in the details supplied to enable Revenue to address the matter raised. If Deputy Kehoe provides the details and contact information of the taxpayers concerned to Revenue, Revenue will follow-up directly with them on the query raised.
49. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when he expects Report Stage of the National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018 to be held in Dáil Éireann; the timeline for enacting the legislation; the estimated time it will take to establish the fund once legislation is passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21332/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware Report Stage of the National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018 had originally been scheduled for Tuesday 16 April. Due to the time given to debating other matters on the evening concerned it was not reached. The re-scheduling of Report Stage is a matter for final agreement between the Party Whips but my Private Office has received preliminary indications that it will be taken before the end of May, subject to the publication of the exact Order of Business for the week concerned.
Subject to agreement between the Whips it is the Government’s intention to complete the Bill’s passage through the Oireachtas before the summer recess and to have the President sign it into law as soon as possible thereafter.
While there is currently no timetable for the first payments into the fund (€1.5 billion transfer from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and first €500 million annual transfer from the Exchequer), profiled Exchequer transfers generally take place towards the end of the year, therefore it would be envisioned that, subject to the legislation being enacted in 2019, the first payments would take place toward the end of 2019.
50. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on expanding the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme; the extra amount he is prepared to authorise; if the funding borrowed to fund the scheme is included in the national debt calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21333/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan was launched on 1 February 2018. Prior to its launch, a tranche of €200 million of long-term fixed-rate finance was borrowed by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to provide funds for the scheme to local authorities.
The amount of €200 million initially provided for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL) was based on the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government’s estimates of expected drawdown of loans under the scheme over a three year period. From the data collected on the scheme to date, it is clear a further tranche of funds would need to be borrowed by the HFA for the scheme to continue to operate as there has been a greater than anticipated demand for the RIHL. As the HFA is on the state’s balance sheet any borrowings it makes are part of General Government Debt.
I understand the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is presently carrying out an internal review and the future of the scheme is being discussed by that Department with the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. Upon conclusion of the review a decision will be made on the future of the RIHL and the relevant Ministers will be in a position to make a statement on the scheme.
