Written Answers Nos. 355-373
355. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to amend the tenant purchase scheme to allow for tenants residing in dwellings acquired under Part 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to purchase their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18867/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme came into operation on 1 January 2016. The Scheme is open to eligible tenants, including joint tenants, of local authority houses that are available for sale under the Scheme.
The Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015 governing the Scheme provide for a number of specified classes of houses to be excluded from sale, including houses provided to local authorities under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, houses specifically designed for older persons, group traveller housing and houses provided to facilitate people with disabilities transferring from institutional care to community-based living.
Local authorities may, within the provisions of the Regulations, exclude certain houses which, in the opinion of the authority, should not be sold for reasons such as proper stock or estate management. It is a matter for each individual housing authority to administer the scheme in its operational area in line with the over-arching provisions of the governing legislation for the scheme, and in a manner appropriate to its housing requirements.
The Programme for Government commits to maintaining the right of social housing tenants to purchase their own home with some changes to eligibility. In addition, a review of the operation of the first 12 months of the Tenant Purchase (Incremental) Scheme 2016 has been finalised and a full report has been prepared setting out findings and recommendations. The review and the commitments in the Programme for Government are being examined as part of the work on the broader social housing reform agenda. I expect that the review will be published once all the work on these reform measures is completed.
357. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the funding allocated to local authorities to bring back voids into use in 2019 and to date in 2020; and the percentage of the funding spent on returning a void to use that can be recouped by local authorities from his Department. [18883/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring 2019, expenditure of some €26.6 million was recouped to local authorities under the Voids Programme.
This year, on 26 May, there was an initial call for proposals for COVID-19 related Voids funding for vacant units. The majority of works approved under this element of the programme are complete. My Department has approved funding of €4.8 million to support this programme to return 475 units.
I have secured an additional €30 million for the voids programme under the July stimulus.
There is no minimum local contribution sought from local authorities under the voids programme. The capped funding per dwelling, can cover 100% of the costs incurred.
358. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will introduce legislation by which legal action can be taken against landlords that do not have adequate controls in place to control large gatherings within residential properties that they have leased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18887/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction to deal with anti-social behaviour is primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána.
With effect from 27 March 2020, under new emergency measures introduced into law to protect tenants during the COVID-19 emergency period, tenants cannot be forced to leave their rental accommodation, other than in exceptional circumstances. These emergency laws initially applied for a period of 3 months from the enactment of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 and were subsequently extended to 20 July by the previous Government.
On my request, after consultation with the Minister for Health, and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, the Government has made an Order extending the emergency period until 1 August.
The Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2019 sets out the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords in the residential rental sector. Under section 16(h) of the Residential Tenancies Act, a tenant shall not engage, nor allow their visitors to engage, in anti-social behaviour. Section 17 of the Act defines anti-social behaviour to include behaviour that: constitutes the commission of an offence reasonably likely to affect directly the well-being or welfare of others; could cause fear, danger, injury, damage or loss to certain persons; or persistently prevents or interferes with the peaceful occupation of others in the property or neighbourhood.
Under section 15 of the Act, a landlord owes to each person who could be potentially affected a duty to enforce the tenant’s obligations and section 77 provides that third parties who are directly and adversely affected by tenants engaging in anti-social behaviour may, subject to certain conditions, refer a complaint to the RTB for resolution, where a landlord has failed to enforce their tenant’s obligations. Further information can be obtained on the RTB’s website at www.rtb.ie.
The Residential Tenancies Acts are kept under constant review to ensure that they continue to be fair, equitable and fit for purpose in a modern rental sector.
359. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department has received a request from Dublin City Council to approve and fund the acquisition of units of accommodation from a development by a company (details supplied) for the purposes of providing affordable cost-rental accommodation; if so, the details of the funding request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18914/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not received a funding application from Dublin City Council to acquire homes in this development for the purposes of providing cost-rental accommodation.
360. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when funding in respect of the new fire station in New Ross, County Wexford will be signed off on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18916/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises, is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
In February 2016, my Department announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on an annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres.
The five-year programme proposed the construction/refurbishment of twenty six fire stations. This included sixteen new builds and ten upgrade/refurbishment projects.
A new fire station at New Ross is provided for in this Capital Programme. Wexford County Council has indicated that New Ross is their number one fire station priority. The Council completed a tender process in December 2019, and in March 2020 my Department requested and received the tender report and cost plan, along with further detail in May 2020. A final decision on this project has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. My Department will continue to work with Wexford County Council to progress this project.
A new capital programme for the period 2021-2025 is currently being finalised. Following extensive engagement with fire authorities a number of proposals for station works etc. have been received. The proposals will be evaluated and prioritised on the basis of the:
- Area Risk Categorisation of the fire station (population, fire risks, etc.)
- Established Health and Safety needs and
- State of development of the project (is site acquired, etc.?)
In recognition of the current economic situation faced by the State as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the speed and extent to which proposed expenditure can stimulate local economies will also be a key consideration in the first few years of the new programme.
I hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding New Ross fire station, and this new programme, in the near future.
361. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of approved housing bodies which have been placed in engagement in July 2018, July 2019 and July 2020; the average period for which the engagement lasted; if each approved housing body emerged successfully from the process; the typical cause for the voluntary regulator placing an approved housing body in engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19042/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn advance of the formal establishment of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority, as provided for by the Housing (Regulation of the Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the oversight of approved housing bodies (AHBs) is conducted through the Voluntary Regulation Code (the Code), "Building for the Future, A Voluntary Regulation Code for Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland" underpinned by three standards - Financial, Governance and Performance. The Code is overseen by an Interim Regulatory Committee supported by a Regulation Office based in the Housing Agency.
Where the Regulation Office identifies significant issues and risks in relation to an AHB’s governance, financial viability and/or performance management, it enters that organisation into a process of Engagement. AHBs usually enter Engagement for a combination of reasons. The most common causes are governance and financial management/viability matters.
The overall aim of Engagement is to protect AHB assets and to safeguard the interests of tenants, service users and key stakeholders. The Engagement process identifies key changes required by the AHB to bring its performance, governance or financial management to an acceptable level.
The Regulatory Assessment Cycle typically runs from November to May each year, during which AHBs may be deemed to require Engagement. The table below set out the total number of AHBs in Engagement at each of the requested dates.
|
No. of AHBs in Engagement at |
July 2018 |
July 2019 |
July 2020 |
|
AHBs |
12 |
13 |
26 |
The increase in the number of AHBs in Engagement in 2020 is largely attributable to two factors:
- A number of additional AHBs signed up to Voluntary Regulation Code (VRC) in 2019/20. These AHBs demonstrated significant non-compliance with the Standards.
- An increased focus on AHBs who have less than 5 directors. This forms part of the eligibility criteria for AHBs in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019.
The length of time an AHB remains in Engagement is largely dependent on the organisation itself. Issues affecting the length of time include the willingness and ability of the organisation to effect change, size of the AHB, structural and/or cultural issues and the scale of the matters to be addressed. The average period for which the Engagement lasted is 17 months. 15 AHBs have successfully exited the engagement process. All organisations presently in Engagement are actively working towards compliance with the standards and exiting Engagement.
362. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the policy of allowing local authorities to purchase houses on the private market for use as social housing will continue; his views on whether the policy is limiting the amount of houses available for purchase generally by new home owners and is driving them out of the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19047/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe acquisition of properties on the private market for use as social housing has been an important delivery channel, focusing on priority situations, with local authorities seeking to ensure that they do not interfere unduly with the local private market and secure good value for money to meet local housing needs.
The Programme for Government commits to increase our social housing stock by over 50,000 over the next five years, the majority of this new stock will be built by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and State agencies. Therefore, construction programmes will increasingly be the priority moving forward.
363. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the action he plans to take to allow for effected parties to resume operations with regard to the Supreme Court ruling of 1 July 2020 striking down a provision under section 177 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 allowing for substitute consent; if he will provide each report, briefing and item of correspondence in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the recent Supreme Court judgment to which the Question refers, concerning the leave to apply for substitute consent system under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended and its compatibility with the EIA Directive. The judgment and its implications are currently being examined by my Department, which is working to ensure that any measures necessary to address the findings of the judgment will be brought forward as expeditiously as possible.
Discussions with the Office of the Attorney General are ongoing and, as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, any correspondence or documentation on legal advice sought by my Department is legally privileged. Therefore, it would not be appropriate, in the circumstances, to disclose related material at this time.
364. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the regulations in place to ensure that new housing developments ensure access to adequate childcare facilities; the position regarding housing developments (details supplied) in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19060/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the Minister in relation to the planning system is, primarily, to provide a policy and legislative framework under which the planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála and the Office of the Planning Regulator perform their statutory planning functions. Under section 30 of the Planning Act, the Minister is specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be concerned. Accordingly, I cannot comment on the specific housing developments set out in the details supplied.
Planning authorities have statutory responsibility for determining planning applications in accordance with the statutory regulations. In respect of childcare provision, the Guidelines for Planning Authorities relating to Childcare Facilities, issued by my Department under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provide a framework to guide both local authorities, and developers and childcare providers in formulating and considering development proposals. The Guidelines are intended to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the country to the treatment of applications in respect to the land use planning aspects of childcare provision, for relevant planning applications.
365. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has engaged with his Chinese counterparts and their officials in respect of Uyghur Muslims; the nature, subject matter and frequency of the engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18128/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra376. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the treatment of the Uighur community in China; if he will join the international community in condemning the human rights abuses; and if he has engaged with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland on this matter. [18248/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra381. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the treatment of the Uighurs in China, including the forced internment of over a million Uighurs will be raised with his Chinese counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18355/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 365, 376 and 381 together.
I am aware of the credible reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, and am deeply concerned about the reports of restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance, and recent allegations of forced sterilisation in the region.
My officials and I have engaged regularly with the Chinese Ambassador on issues of human rights. Furthermore, Ireland, along with our EU partners and others in the international community, have been vocal about our concerns regarding the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. Ireland was one of 27 States to join a Joint Statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 30 June 2020 which reiterates our concerns, and urges China to allow unrestricted access to the region for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It also called on the High Commissioner to provide regular information about the situation in the region, in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms that are guaranteed under international law.
Ireland has previously joined a Joint Statement at the UN Third Committee in October 2019, and a Joint Letter at the UN Human Rights Council in July 2019, which outlined our concerns in the region. The Joint Statement called for the Chinese Government to urgently implement eight recommendations made by the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination related to Xinjiang, including by refraining from the arbitrary detention of Uighurs and members of other Muslim communities. The Joint Letter called on the Chinese Government to uphold its international obligations, and to respect human rights in Xinjiang.
The treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang was also raised at EU level during the EU-China Summit on 22 June 2020, and during an EU statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 1 July 2020.
The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and Ireland will continue to monitor and assess the situation and, along with our EU partners, engage with Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora as appropriate.
366. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the referendum to grant voting rights to Irish citizens living outside the State in Presidential elections will be held. [18735/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State.
We will shortly restore the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill to the Dáil Order Paper.
The date for the holding of the referendum will be decided once the legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas.
367. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparation that has been undertaken to prepare for the Conference on the Future of Europe. [19133/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Conference on the Future of Europe is a proposal, from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for a two-year long series of conferences aiming to promote better citizen involvement in the EU.
Ireland, as an active proponent of improved citizen engagement with the EU, welcomes and supports President von der Leyen’s initiative. We believe that the Conference should be policy-focussed and primarily concentrate on how the objectives of the EU Strategic Agenda can best be delivered. Given the scale of the challenges likely to arise in the coming years, some form of reflection and closer engagement with all citizens on the kind of Europe we wish to see emerging from the pandemic is appropriate.
Ireland actively contributed to discussions within the Council on the Conference, helping to shape the Council’s agreed position in June. The EU Commission, Parliament, and Council have now all adopted their respective positions on the Conference and will now undertake discussions to agree a unified approach as to its governance and modalities. We look forward to the outcome of these negotiations and the start of the Conference.
Ireland has a strong record of citizen engagement on Europe, including recently through the Citizens’ Dialogues on the Future of Europe. Through the Citizens’ Dialogues and Citizens’ Assemblies, we have developed effective models for citizen engagement and we will draw on this experience in determining how to best engage on the Conference on the Future of Europe when the details as to its operation are agreed.
368. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the practice of organ harvesting from members of a group (details supplied) and other prisoners of conscience in China; the actions he has taken to address the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17995/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the European Parliament resolution (2013/2981(RSP) of 12 December 2013 on organ harvesting in China; the actions being taken to advance the objectives set in the resolution;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17996/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
The Government closely follows reports of persecutions against Falun Gong practitioners, including allegations of organ harvesting, and officials in my Department have met with representatives of the Irish Falun Dafa Association and human rights lawyers on a number of occasions.
Ireland frequently raises human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities in both bilateral meetings and in appropriate multilateral fora, including rights related to freedom of religion or belief. Ireland joined a Joint Statement at the UN Third Committee in New York in October 2019 which called on China to uphold its national laws and international obligations and commitments to respect human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, across China.
The EU also regularly discuss human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities, including through the annual EU-China Summit which took place on 22 June this year. During this Summit the EU raised its concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in China, including restrictions on fundamental freedoms, as well as the treatment of ethnic minorities and human rights defenders.
The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue is the primary formal framework through which Ireland and other EU Member States share with China our experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and strongly urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation there. The latest session of this dialogue took place on 1-2 April 2019, and the EU raised a number of issues relating to freedom of religion and belief, as well as the rights of persons belonging to minorities, freedom of expression and association, arbitrary detention, and the death penalty.
New laws on organ donation came into force in China at the beginning of 2015 with a view to ending the practice of forced organ transplants, including from prisoners. The Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, in cooperation with our EU partners, continues to monitor the implementation of this legislation.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to address human rights issues with China, in frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing, and through the relevant multilateral channels.
370. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of an application for nationality for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17999/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Foreign Births Registration (FBR) team was reassigned to our consular services at the beginning of the current public health emergency to operate a COVID-19 crisis call centre, assisting our citizens abroad.
Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. The Department has seen an increase in the number of applications received, from approximately 6,000 applications in 2015 to over 32,000 in 2019. Over 10,000 applications have been submitted to date this year. There are currently 27,000 applications waiting to be processed.
Applications that have been sent to the FBR team are being held securely and will be processed when normal services resume later in the summer. The expected processing time for FBR applications is between 12 and 18 months.
With regard to the specific application the Deputy has enquired about, I can confirm that a member of the the Foreign Birth Registration team acknowledged reciept of this application on 18 October 2019 and it will be processed in due course.
371. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans the Government have to protest at the introduction of draconian new security measures in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18010/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong, following the adoption of a national security law on the 30 June by the Chinese National People's Congress.
I made a statement on 1 July to express my concern at the adoption of this law and reiterated Ireland's full support for fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, such as freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. I have also discussed the issue with the Chinese Ambassador.
Additionally, on 30 June 2020 Ireland was one of 27 States to sign up to a Joint Statement at the UN Human Rights Council which reiterates our concerns in Hong Kong. The Joint Statement highlights our concerns regarding the implication of this law for the autonomy of Hong Kong and the rights and freedoms that are guaranteed in the Hong Kong Basic Law.
The EU also issued a statement on this matter on the 1 July, which highlighted the EU's strong stake in the continued stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and outlined our concerns regarding the conformity of this law with China's international commitments. Ireland fully supports this statement. The matter was also raised by the EU during the EU-China Summit on 22 June, and in a statement by the EU at UN Human Rights Council on 1 July.
The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and we will continue to monitor and assess the situation, and to raise our concerns with the Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora.
372. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the use of the death penalty in Bahrain, in particular in cases (details supplied); if he will intervene in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18103/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra374. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the nature of his most recent engagement with his counterparts in Bahrain; if he has discussed human rights conditions in Bahrain with them and or his European counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18197/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra377. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address human rights violations in Bahrain; if he will condemn the use of the death penalty by the Government of Bahrain, including two persons (details supplied) who have been sentenced to death; and the actions he will take to raise awareness of this issue. [18249/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra382. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Bahrain will be requested to improve its position on human rights; if the execution of two pro-democracy activists (details supplied) will be raised with his Bahraini counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18356/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 372, 374, 377 and 382 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 human rights violations. I am aware of the cases raised by the Deputies, and the decision of the Court of Cassation in Bahrain to confirm the death penalty ruling in their cases.
A moratorium on the death penalty had been in place in Bahrain since 2010 and the decision to resume the use of capital punishment in 2017 was deeply concerning. The execution of three people in Bahrain in July 2019 was a particularly negative development.
The abolition of capital punishment is one of Ireland's international priorities and we condemn the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. Ireland joins with the EU in calling on Bahrain to halt the execution of theses two individuals. Ireland fully supports the EEAS statement issued on 13 July, which notes that the death penalty “is incompatible with human dignity”, “does not serve as an effective deterrent to crime and makes any miscarriage of justice irreversible”.
Our principled stance on human rights feeds into our bilateral dialogue with Bahrain. Senior officials from my Department have raised our concerns about this case directly with the Bahraini Ambassador to Ireland, reiterating our long-standing opposition to the death penalty. When I met the Bahraini Foreign Minister at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019, I also raised the human rights situation in Bahrain with him, expressing the hope that we can have an open and honest discussion on these issues.
I note the recent statement made by the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs that, should countries which still use capital punishment, especially Islamic countries, agree to abolish the death penalty, that Bahrain would seriously consider this issue. I urge Bahrain to consider assuming a position of leadership in this regard.
At the most recent informal EU-Bahrain Human Rights dialogue in November 2019, issues discussed included the right to a fair trial, prison conditions, and the overall human rights situation in the country. I also understand that the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, has made contact with the Bahraini authorities in relation to these two cases.
373. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a definition will be set out for non-essential travel in view of genuine instances in which persons need to travel abroad for work and family reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18140/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs publishes travel advice for over 200 countries on our website and the TravelWise app. This travel advice includes the use of security ratings to help communicate how safe or unsafe we believe a country may be to visit and to help citizens make informed decisions about overseas travel.
It is based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country and our international partners, together with our domestic partners where appropriate. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the priority of protecting public health, we have cooperated particularly closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Health and the HSE.
Our system involves four levels of security rating: Normal Precautions; High Degree of Caution; Avoid non-Essential Travel; Do Not Travel. These ratings reflect the Department’s estimation of the relative safety and security of a country at a specific point in time. The current advice is against all non-essential travel overseas with the exception of a very limited number of locations.
The Department's travel advice is not designed to advise whether any individual's trip should be considered essential or non-essential. Instead, it provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas, with a view to helping them to make informed decisions for themselves.
We must adopt a common sense approach to Essential and non-Essential Travel and be cognisant of the personal circumstances of individuals. Essential travel in my view should be for compelling reasons. These can be related to pressing family, extended family or relationship reasons such as bereavement, serious illness or personal difficulties. There can also be compelling business and work related reasons which make travel essential and critical.
But we must also realise that it is for every individual, having weighed up the relevant data and personal circumstances, to decide whether the essential nature or urgency of the need to travel outweighs the potential risks.
Regardless of whether the travel is essential or non-essential all the regulations must be followed on return.
