Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces members who have applied to re-enlist on the introduction of the recently amended emergency legislation; and the number re-enlisted. [6792/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 1 April last, I announced a scheme to re-enlist former enlisted personnel who have the skills and expertise required to fill identified gaps in the Permanent Defence Force. The scheme will allow for initial re-enlistment for a minimum of six months and up to 3 years.
The re-enlistment of former personnel with the relevant skills and experience was one of the many actions being pursued to address the skill shortages in the PDF. It is a medium to long term initiative which pre-dates the COVID crisis, but which also facilitates the COVID response. While the legislation to permit re-enlistment had been published in the term of the last Dail, the enactment of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act 2020 includes this provision. The scheme will support the Defence Forces in responding to, and sustaining their response to, the current COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
The terms and conditions were agreed with the Representative Association, PDFORRA on 1 April last. Under those terms and conditions, individuals who wish to re-enlist will serve for a specific period and for a specific purpose which will involve the use of a particular skill or area of expertise which cannot currently be met through the use of existing military resources. In addition, individuals will be required to meet a range of general eligibility criteria including medical and physical fitness to ensure they are capable of performing normal military duties.
I would like to emphasise that anyone who leaves of their own volition during the period of their enlistment up to three years will not be required to make any payment in order to discharge.
Since announcing the scheme, which is still ongoing, 614 applications have been received.
The Military Authorities have advised that 502 applicants have been deemed eligible at the application stage and are going forward for assessment. Upon completion of this process, and having regard to specific shortages which exist within the Permanent Defence Force, the Chief of Staff will then make recommendations to me as to those that should be re-enlisted.
25. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent on external consultants by his Department in 2019; the average hourly rate; if caps or limits on such spending are in place; the way in which conflicts of interest are managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7278/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 the Department of Defence expended €45,972.03 on external consultants. When engaging external consultants my Department has full regard to all relevant legislation and national and EU Procurement Policy and seeks to ensure that value for money is always obtained.
I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with details of the average hourly cost of the consultancies given the different types of consultancy involved and the fact that some contracts were awarded on a fixed price basis.
26. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps which have been taken to give effect to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; if legislation will be introduced to give effect to the principles which has been done in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6978/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland gave effect to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by adopting a National Plan on Business and Human Rights in November 2017.
Key commitments of the Plan that have been met to date include the establishment of the Business and Human Rights Implementation Group to oversee its delivery and the completion of a Baseline Assessment of the legislative, policy and regulatory framework for business and human rights in Ireland.
This Assessment, which is available on my Department's website, found that many of the provisions of the UN Guidelines are already covered by existing national and EU legislation. It made a number of recommendations for consideration by the Implementation Group. It identified the need for more detailed study on access to remedy for persons whose human rights have been violated as a result of business activities. Independent research is being commissioned on this topic.
The Baseline Assessment suggested that consideration be given to the adoption of mandatory human rights due diligence provisions and drew attention to measures adopted by other countries that could be used as possible models. I will await the outcome of the Implementation Group's deliberations before proceeding with specific proposals.
27. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has engaged the use of external consultants from 1 January 2020 to date; the details and costs of such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5531/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).
The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department.
In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has informed, and continues to inform, the Department’s policies, allowing for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
These services are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objectives.
A small number of consultancies are engaged directly by our Missions abroad from time to time and in some instances they prepare technical reports relating to Ireland’s overseas development aid programme.
The following consultants were engaged by my Department from 1 January 2020 and to date in 2020:
|
Name |
Costs |
Details |
|
David Bruckert (Cultural Consultant) |
€2,500 |
Provided advice on the development of the Expo 2020 Be Inspired programme, by participating in the Expo 2020 Open Call Selection Committee. |
|
Nutrition Works |
€15,820 |
Nutrition Tech Support Consultancy – Facilitation Service |
|
MJB Consulting |
€24,016 |
Task Force for Rural Africa and Food Systems |
|
Democrashe |
€1,499.18 |
EU Taskforce on Women, Peace, Security meeting – Gender Empowerment Women/Girls |
|
Gumfoot Consultancy Limited |
€Nil (to date) |
Process Review of the Irish Council for International Students for the Fellowship Programme |
|
Stewart Gee |
€Nil (to date) |
Agricultural Research Partners Review |
28. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the date the passport office will recommence the processing of routine passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5703/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is operating a limited service at this time which has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services, assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and Covid-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad in cases of emergency. Our WebChat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances.
The Passport Service will continue to follow Government guidelines regarding Covid-19. The Passport Service welcomes the recently released Return to Work Safely Protocols developed by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Health and Safety Authority and the Health Service Executive. The Passport Service is working to implement this guidance to ensure a safe return to work for our staff in line with the Government’s roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society.
Applicants can still apply for passports, including both passport renewals and first time passports, using the Passport Online service, but the usual turnaround times cannot be guaranteed due to the limited services available at present. Passport Online is the cheapest and most convenient way to apply for a passport and this service has won awards for its user friendly process, including a NALA award for the use of plain English. Passport Online expanded in 2019 to include first time applicants in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Europe. Irish citizens including children can also renew their passports online 24/7, from anywhere in the world. It is planned that the production of online applications will begin in Phase 3 (29 June) of the Government’s roadmap. However, turnaround times will be impacted by social distancing requirements to provide our staff with a safe place to work.
Passport applications made via the postal channel require extensive handling and processing by passport staff and as these staff are currently reassigned to other critical services, this application channel is not available at present. The processing of postal applications will recommence when the Passport Service resumes our full normal services.
29. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the planned annexation of the Jordan Valley; if this issue has been raised at EU level; the actions that will be taken at national and EU level in response to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5762/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra38. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the proposed annexation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank by the Israeli Administration was discussed at his recent meeting with his European counterparts; the response to this breach of international law proposed; and if the issue of sanctions or other appropriate responses was discussed. [6784/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the proposed annexation of the West Bank by Israel; the steps he has taken to help prevent this from happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6973/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 38 and 41 together.
A new Israeli Government was sworn in on 17 May, and of course I wish it well in these very difficult circumstances, as it takes on the challenge of combatting COVID-19. I take note, however, of comments made by Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Knesset on 17 May, regarding the annexation of territory in the West Bank, which is part of the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as the provisions on annexation in the political agreement reached during coalition negotiations in Israel.
As I stated publicly on 23 April: "I think it important, as a friend and partner of Israel, to be very clear about the gravity of any such step. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under international law, including the UN Charter, whenever and wherever it occurs, in Europe’s neighbourhood or globally. This is a fundamental principle in the relations of states and the rule of law in the modern world. No one state can set it aside at will.
Ireland remains committed to a negotiated two-state solution that ends the occupation that began in 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States, on the basis of international law, the internationally-agreed parameters and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. This accords with the European Union’s long-standing position. We firmly believe that this is the only outcome which will provide long term security, freedom and prosperity to both peoples."
The unilateral annexation by Israel of any part of the occupied Palestinian territory would have no legitimacy, and would not be recognised or accepted by Ireland or the international community more generally. I have in the past made my views on this clear to Israeli leaders, including during my most recent visit to Israel in December 2019. My officials continue to convey our views to the Israeli authorities at appropriate opportunities.
The Middle East Peace Process, including the issue of annexation, was discussed at the 15 May videoconference meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. In advance of that meeting, I and senior officials in my Department discussed the issue with a large number of EU Member States to encourage a clear and united position.
During the VC discussion, the strong view expressed was that annexation was completely unacceptable and, if implemented, would be a grave violation of international law. This is not just a principle that applies to Israel and Palestine but one which is global. I, and many other Ministers, emphasised the need for EU action to deter such a damaging unilateral action, which would inevitably have negative consequences for the EU-Israel relationship. There was broad agreement that the EU and its MS need to engage in outreach with the new Israeli Government and make clear our deep concerns.
I welcome the very clear statements that have been made on this matter in recent weeks by EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell, who has said that any annexation would constitute a serious violation of international law that could not pass unchallenged.
I will continue to prioritise this issue, working closely with EU partners and countries in the region.
30. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain including the detention of political prisoners; if this situation has been discussed at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6007/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra33. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will consider introducing a joint statement on Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in Geneva regarding that country’s treatment of political prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6325/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 33 together.
The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern. Although progress has been made in certain areas, there continue to be instances of violations of fundamental freedoms, including the targeting of human rights defenders.
Ireland participates actively in the UN Human Rights Council, and regularly raises the case of human rights in Bahrain at that forum, both in national statements and in our support of EU Statements, which I believe is the right way to highlight this issue.
Discussions are still ongoing on how the next session of the UN Human Rights Council will be held, in view of the current situation. No decision has yet been taken on national or EU interventions at that session. In our planning for the next session, we will consider carefully which priorities to set, with a view to focusing the weight of Ireland's efforts, and the Council's attention, on the most grave and troubling situations globally.
While the issue of Bahrain has not been raised at the EU Foreign Affairs Council recently, the EU and Bahrain hold regular discussions on human rights issues. At the most recent informal EU-Bahrain Human Rights dialogue in November 2019, issues discussed included the right to a fair trial, prison conditions (including the need to ensure adequate medical treatment for prisoners), and the overall human rights situation in the country. The EU continues to follow up directly with the Bahraini authorities; for example, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, recently wrote to the Bahraini Minister for Foreign Affairs specifically highlighting the ongoing detention of Human Rights defenders and the conditions of their detention.
We also raise our concerns about the human rights situation, and the treatment of detainees in particular, in our bilateral discussions with Bahrain. When I met with the former Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019, I made a point of raising the human rights situation directly with him, expressing the hope that we can have an open and honest discussion on these issues. Officials from my Department met with a delegation from Bahrain in November 2019 and had an in-depth discussion on prison conditions and the justice system in Bahrain. Among the issues raised were Ireland’s concerns about the imprisonment of certain individuals, apparently on the basis of opinions they had expressed; and the provision of healthcare for prisoners in Bahrain. The Bahraini officials outlined specific plans to improve prisoners’ access to healthcare, and my officials continue to follow up on this matter.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain, and to call on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights. We shall do so both directly with Bahraini officials, as well as at EU and international level, whenever opportunities arise.
31. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a service (details supplied) will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6105/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is operating a limited service at this time which has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services, assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and Covid-19 payments for DEASP, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad in cases of emergency. Our WebChat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances.
The Passport Service will continue to follow Government guidelines regarding Covid-19. The Passport Service welcomes the recently released Return to Work Safely Protocols developed by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Health and Safety Authority and the Health Service Executive. The Passport Service is working to implement this guidance to ensure a safe return to work for our staff in line with the Government’s roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society.
Applicants can still apply for passports, including both passport renewals and first time passports, using the Passport Online service, but the usual turnaround times cannot be guaranteed due to the limited services available at present. Passport Online is the cheapest and most convenient way to apply for a passport and this service has won awards for its user friendly process, including a NALA award for the use of plain English. Passport Online expanded in 2019 to include first time applicants in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Europe. Irish citizens including children can also renew their passports online 24/7, from anywhere in the world. It is planned that the production of online applications will begin in Phase 3 (29 June) of the Government’s roadmap. However, turnaround times will be impacted by social distancing requirements to provide our staff with a safe place to work.
Passport applications made via the postal channel require extensive handling and processing by passport staff and as these staff are currently reassigned to other critical services, this application channel is not available at present. The processing of postal applications will recommence when the Passport Service resumes our full normal services.
32. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when postal applications for passports will be facilitated again in view of the fact the current situation by which only online applications are being accepted is causing difficulties for some elderly persons and those who cannot operate computers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6243/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is operating a limited service at this time, which has allowed us to both reassign staff to our consular services, assisting our citizens abroad and redeploy staff to critical areas including contact tracing for the HSE and Covid-19 payments for Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, all critical services at this time.
The Passport Service continues to process emergency passports for our citizens at home and abroad in cases of emergency. Our WebChat service and a dedicated travel emergency mailbox continue to operate through which we can be contacted in such circumstances. If an applicant does not have computer facilities to access WebChat, then someone on their behalf with access to computer facilities can initially make contact with the WebChat team to outline the query and provide the applicant’s phone number. If the case in question is an emergency, a passport officer will call the applicant directly to provide them with assistance. The Passport Service’s regular customer care phone lines will be available again when normal services resume.
The Passport Service will continue to follow Government guidelines regarding Covid-19. The Passport Service welcomes the recently released Return to Work Safely Protocols developed by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Health and Safety Authority and the Health Service Executive. The Passport Service is working to implement this guidance to ensure a safe return to work for our staff in line with the Government’s roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society.
Applicants can still apply for passports, including both passport renewals and first time passports, using the Passport Online service, but the usual turnaround times cannot be guaranteed due to the limited services available at present. Passport Online is the cheapest and most convenient way to apply for a passport and this service has won awards for its user-friendly process, including a NALA award for the use of plain English. Passport Online expanded in 2019 to include first time applicants in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Europe. Irish citizens including children can also renew their passports online 24/7, from anywhere in the world. It is planned that the production of online applications will begin in Phase 3 (29 June) of the Government’s roadmap. However, turnaround times will be impacted by social distancing requirements to provide our staff with a safe place to work.
Passport applications made via the postal channel require extensive handling and processing by passport staff and as these staff are currently reassigned to other critical services, this application channel is not available at present. The processing of postal applications will recommence when the Passport Service resumes our full normal services.
34. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open a new Irish Consulate General office in Doha, Qatar. [6379/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland enjoys excellent relations with Qatar, with the Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi being accredited to Qatar on a non-residential basis. While travel between Abu Dhabi and Doha has become more complex in recent years, the Ambassador of Ireland in Abu Dhabi continues to visit Qatar regularly in support of our broad policy objectives, including the development of political and trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses and the wider Irish community.
The Embassy in Abu Dhabi has also put in place a system of pre-scheduled visits to Qatar approximately every eight weeks to provide consular services to the Irish community, although obviously in the current situation those services have to be provided virtually for the time being.
In considering the expansion of our diplomatic representations overseas, a range of factors are taken into account, including our national political, economic, and trade priorities, as well as availability of resources. There are no immediate plans to open an Embassy in Qatar.
35. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have recently contacted the US Ambassador to Ireland regarding the decision of the US Government to temporarily halt funding the WHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6522/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOVID-19 is a global crisis, requiring a collective, coordinated, global response. Ireland's priority is to provide vital support to the multilateral system's efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in the most vulnerable countries, protecting their people and, ultimately, Irish people also, on the basis that “nobody is safe until everybody is safe.”
The World Health Organisation, part of the UN system, is at the centre of that global response, working to control the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its impact. Ireland, as a member of the WHO, has been guided by advice from that organisation in our response to the pandemic.
Recognising the WHO's important role, Ireland was the first country to contribute to the WHO COVID-19 appeal. This appeal has since been rolled into the UN Global Humanitarian Response Plan, which aims at a coherent response across the UN system to COVID-19. Ireland is also part of Team Europe, the EU's response to the pandemic. That collective response, focusing on global leadership and unity, remains at the heart of Ireland's approach.
There has been no contact with the US Ambassador to Ireland on the matter at hand.
36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the embassies currently without an ambassador; the length of time each embassy has been without an ambassador; when each post will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6523/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe diplomatic mission network plays a key role in promoting and protecting the values, interests and economic well-being of the country and its citizens. There are sixty six Embassies, seven Permanent Missions, sixteen Consulates General and four other Representative Offices in the global network.
Heads of Mission positions are filled by Ambassadors, Consuls General and Permanent Representatives as well as by Chargé d'Affaires in a small number of cases when the role is occupied on a temporary basis.
Currently five Embassies are headed by a Chargé d'Affaires: Abuja, Addis Ababa, Athens, Helsinki and Vienna. The dates on which officers took up duty is included in the following table.
These assignments are generally of limited duration but it should be noted that the current public health emergency and measures to combat the spread of the virus, including restrictions on travel, may have an impact on the timing of rotations. The rotation of officers at all levels to ensure effective cover and continuity of service is under continuous review by the Department.
|
Embassy |
Date Chargé assumed duty |
|
Abuja |
December 2018 |
|
Addis Ababa |
August 2019 |
|
Athens |
November 2019 |
|
Helsinki |
August 2019 |
|
Vienna |
April 2020 |
37. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had recent discussions with the UK Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the need for the UK Government to respond positively to the unanimous requests of Dáil Éireann concerning the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6656/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast week, 17 May, was the 46th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 in which thirty three were killed and hundreds seriously injured, attacks which saw the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles.
While it was unfortunately not possible to gather at the memorial on Talbot Street in Dublin this year to mark the anniversary, we still stand together as a country at this time in remembrance and in solidarity with the victims’ families and survivors.
The Government will continue to seek the full truth of these appalling attacks, and some measure of closure for those affected, in accordance with the three Motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann.
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 continues to actively pursue the implementation of these all-Party Dáil motions. We have consistently raised the issue with the British Government on a bilateral basis, including at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference.
I and Minister Flanagan have made clear to our counterparts that the absence of a response from the British Government is of deep concern to the Government, and that there remains an urgent need for a response.
The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request, at senior political level and in official level engagement by my Department, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House and until a resolution is found.
The Government maintains a close and cooperative relationship with Justice for the Forgotten, as we continue work to seek the full facts of the appalling events of 17 May 1974 and of other attacks in this jurisdiction during the Troubles.
The Government welcomes the announcement by the PSNI on 30 November 2019 that former Chief Constable Jon Boucher will head an Independent Police Team to conduct an analytical report on the Glenanne Gang series of cases.
The Government is conscious that this work by Chief Constable Boucher is very relevant to a number of cases of the utmost concern for victims’ families and survivors, both North and South, who suffered in the murderous attacks by the so-called Glenanne Gang. This includes the Hillcrest Bar bombing, and the Miami Showband attack, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and also, of course, the Dublin and Monaghan bombings.
It is to be hoped that the report being conducted by Chief Constable Boucher will contribute to the long process of justice, truth and acknowledgement of what happened in these awful cases, where collusion is a feature.
Chief Constable Boucher is conducting a police investigation, and as such will be in a position to seek the cooperation of the Gardaí through the framework of Mutual Legal Assistance, which underpins the excellent cooperation that exists between the Gardaí and the PSNI more broadly.
The Government will be supportive of facilitating this investigation, subject to the requirements of the law, as we have other investigative processes in Northern Ireland, in relation to the attacks conducted by Glenanne Gang and of course other cases from the Troubles.
In any scenario, we will continue to engage with the British Government, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue, consistent with the request made by this House, until a satisfactory resolution is found.
39. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific monetary or other supports that can be offered to Irish citizens destitute abroad due to Covid-19 and unable to pay the costs requested by airlines to bring them home. [6785/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides all possible consular advice and assistance to citizens overseas, where requested and where appropriate.
As part of the comprehensive approach to the repatriation of our citizens overseas in the context of COVID-19, our focus has been on helping citizens who are normally resident in Ireland to return home safely on commercial flights where possible and, where not possible and if available, on chartered repatriation flights.
As is standard practice across the EU, UK and elsewhere, citizens are required to pay for all flights, whether commercial or chartered. In a few very exceptional cases, consideration has been given to providing a loan to cover part of the cost of the flight, on the basis of this being repaid in full within six months. As with all consular assistance, resources are focused where they are most needed, based on an assessment of vulnerability in individual cases.
To date, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including our network of Embassies and Consulates overseas, has advised and assisted over 6,000 citizens in returning home to Ireland from 129 countries. We will continue to provide all possible consular advice and assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
40. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in correspondence dated 6 May 2020 have raised serious concerns regarding the rule of law and democracy in Hungary; his views on these concerns; if other EU member states will be supported in their efforts to ensure democracy and the rule of law is maintained across the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6968/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the Joint Letter from the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in regard to Member State responses to the Covid-19 outbreak. This followed on from the release on 8 April of a “toolkit” on respecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the COVID-19 crisis by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and a Statement of 22 April last which was agreed by all 47 Council of Europe Member States. Both of these initiatives were welcomed by the EU.
The rule of law, democracy and respect for fundamental rights are core principles of the EU. It is precisely during a time of crisis such as this that all EU Member States should stick to these shared values.
Ireland along with 18 other EU Member States issued a Joint Statement on the Rule of Law in the context of the Covid-19 crisis on 1 April last. Ireland and the other signatories affirmed their support for the European Commission initiative to monitor the emergency measures and their application across Member States to ensure the fundamental values of the Union are upheld.
On 22 April last, I took part in an informal video conference with my Foreign Minister counterparts to discuss the EU and Member States’ response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We exchanged views on the measures taken so far, at both EU and national levels, and the importance of ensuring such measures are proportionate and respect fundamental rights and the rule of law.
