Written Answers Nos. 670-690
670. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the arrangements being made to enable Irish passport holders who are resident in Northern Ireland to avail of the proposed EU Digital Covid Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31688/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Digital Covid Certificate is designed to facilitate the safe free movement of citizens within the EU during the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be valid in all EU Member States, including Ireland, and will be provided by the Member State within which the vaccination or Covid-19 test took place.
Individual Member States will determine how the EU Digital Covid Certificate will be used as part of their national public health measures. Information on how the Certificate will apply in each country will be made available by Member States and on the Re-open EU portal. Under the Regulations, individuals who have been vaccinated or tested in the Member State, who are EU citizens or third country nationals legally in the State, have a right to be issued these certificates on request.
Over the coming weeks the Department of An Taoiseach, the Department of Health and the HSE, Department of Justice, OGCIO, Department of Foreign Affairs, Government Information Services, and Department of Transport will continue to develop the technical aspects and supporting operational procedures, legal instruments, and a communications campaign required to support the Certificate system.
With regard to persons not vaccinated in the State, including EU citizens vaccinated in Northern Ireland, the Regulation gives the option to issue vaccination certificates to persons vaccinated elsewhere, with EMA approved vaccines, upon receipt of appropriate proof.
Currently, the main development focus is on the delivery of the obligations of the EU Regulation with respect of persons who received a vaccination or a test in the State. The possibility of providing vaccination certificates to persons not vaccinated here, including Irish passport holders vaccinated in Northern Ireland, will be kept under consideration.
671. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to extend the validity of signatures already witnessed for passports at the passport office specifically in relation to children past the current six months in certain situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31709/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassport applications for children have specific witnessing requirements in respect of establishing the child applicant’s identity and establishing that consent for the issuance of a passport from all the child’s guardians has been granted.
Applications are only valid for six months primarily due to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Regulations on the requirement for a recent photograph. The ICAO is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport.
Where additional documentation has been requested and has not been received within this timeframe, these applications are cancelled. Where documentation has been received and is now more than six months old the Passport Service has and will continue to show flexibility where possible until such time as the backlog of passport applications due to Covid 19 is cleared.
673. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts his Department is making to ensure that member states adopt a uniform approach of accepting a negative PCR test result 72 hours before arrival and 48 hours in the case of rapid antigen tests for inbound EU travel under the digital green certificate system and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31736/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has been clear in expressing its support for the EU Digital Covid Certificate which is expected to be implemented in Ireland from 19 July 2021 subject to the prevailing health conditions. The EU Digital Covid Certificate will provide a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from Covid or test result. Each country participating in the EU Digital Covid Certificate continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. Each country will also determine how the Digital Covid Certificate will be used as part of their national public health measures. As such, the various testing and quarantine exemptions available to arrivals holding Digital Covid Certificates, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at the country of destination. Council Recommendation 2020/1475 which has recently been revised, sets out standard validity periods for Covid-19 tests in order to simplify travel within the Union. Most Member States already provide that a PCR test be carried out not more than 72 hours prior to arrival. However, as with all Recommendations, it is not legally binding on all Member States.
As the Deputy is aware, policy and operational matters relating to the recognition of Covid-19 tests are primarily a matter for the Minister for Health.
674. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the election of Syria as a new member of the World Health Organisation executive board given the current nature and purported crimes of the Syrian regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31836/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe human rights abuses and breaches of International Humanitarian Law committed by the Syrian regime are extremely well documented. Ireland has consistently called for full accountability for crimes committed, including through our statements on the UN Security Council, and statements at the UN Human Rights Council. The EU has also instituted a series of sanctions against the Syrian regime and its supporters in response to the violent oppression by the regime of the civilian population in Syria. The selection process of the World Health Organisation Executive Board operates on a regional basis. Syria was elected as a member of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office: neither Ireland nor other EU Member States had a role in Syria's selection.
675. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31849/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace that the commitment made to clear all applications on hand at the end of April within 6-8 weeks is on target to be met. Simple Adult Renewals continue to be processed within 10 working days.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant's mother on 10 June 2021.
676. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application for a passport by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31863/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace that the commitment made to clear all applications on hand at the end of April within 6-8 weeks is on target to be met. Simple Adult Renewals continue to be processed within 10 working days.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was received by the Passport Service on 01 June 2021 and is being processed.
677. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of employees in his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department who have been in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years. [31877/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there are no employees in my Department in receipt of a higher duty acting allowance for over two years.
There are no bodies under the aegis of my Department.
678. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s engagement and role in the US administration formed expert working groups with Canada, Mexico, the European Union and the United Kingdom to determine the best way to safely restart travel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters related to expert working groups on restarting travel formed by the US Administration are the responsibility of US authorities. However, ease of travel is vital to our economic relationships and for building connections across the Atlantic. We continue to engage with the US State Department, primarily via our Embassy in Washington D.C., on travel, and the associated restrictions, between our two countries. My Department also continues to engage closely with the US Chargé d’Affaires and her team at the US Embassy in Dublin.
I raised the issue of resumption of travel between our two countries in my contacts with the US Administration, including during my meeting with US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan in May. We agreed that it is important that we restore connectivity with the US as soon as it is feasible, and safe, to do so. Together with other EU countries, we have also written to US Secretary of State Blinken requesting reconsideration of the US travel restrictions currently in place.
Ireland is deeply committed to people-to-people links with the US. We will work to ensure that the restrictions will not have any long-term impact on existing channels of migration, exchange and tourism which benefit our countries significantly. We are particularly keen that the current travel restrictions will not negatively impact the future of the J1 and Working Holiday Agreement programmes. I look forward to working with the US again to promote travel between our countries, once the Covid-19 crisis has abated, and in accordance with public health advice.
680. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) given that the application was received by the Passport Office on 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31973/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace that the commitment made to clear all applications on hand at the end of April within 6-8 weeks is on target to be met. Simple Adult Renewals continue to be processed within 10 working days.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant's mother on 10 June 2021 to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
681. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the sanctions that will be imposed on the Belarusian Government given recent events. [32025/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the coercive forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft in Belarus and the subsequent arbitrary detention of Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega, the Taoiseach conveyed Ireland's view that a strong EU response was needed during the Special European Council meeting on 24 May. EU leaders agreed to a set of concrete measures in reaction to the flagrant disregard for international law shown by the Lukashenko regime and the work of operationalising those measures has begun.
Belarusian aircraft have been banned from EU airspace and EU aircraft are now forbidden from overflying Belarusian airspace. The EU has also announced a €3 billion comprehensive plan of economic support for a future democratic Belarus. This plan reflects the EU's commitment to the Belarusian people who have been protesting since the fraudulent August 2020 Presidential election, which was neither free nor fair.
The EU has already imposed targeted sanctions against 88 individuals responsible for the fraudulent election and the systematic repression of the Belarusian people and civil society. Those sanctioned include Alexander Lukashenko and his son Viktor. Sanctions have also been imposed on 7 business entities supporting the regime.
EU leaders have agreed to impose further targeted sanctions to make those responsible for the ongoing repression of the Belarusian people, and the incident involving a Ryanair aircraft, accountable for their unacceptable actions. A further package of sanctions, including ones specifically linked to those responsible for the Ryanair incident, is expected in the coming weeks. Consideration is being given to the adoption of broader economic sanctions and Ireland is actively engaged with our EU partners in that regard.
Ireland is committed to a peaceful and democratic resolution of the crisis in Belarus. Our focus remains on ensuring that the human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic will of the Belarusian people are fully respected. We maintain our call on the Belarusian authorities to end the repression and engage in a meaningful and inclusive national dialogue that leads to elections that are free and fair.
683. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Defence if Fort Shannon, County Kerry is still in the charge of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30478/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that Fort Shannon is a property in my ownership as the Minister for Defence. There are no current plans for the use of this property from a Defence Forces point of view. While my Department has no active plans for its immediate disposal, it would be prepared to work with the relevant State bodies should there be interest in developing these lands.
684. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence when the contract for the replacement of LÉ Eithne will be put out to tender. [30728/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible. This is primarily to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process.
In this context, the principal aim over the period of the White Paper is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas. Budget 2021 provides a Capital allocation of €131m for investment in Defence equipment and barracks infrastructure and will enable continued investment in major equipment platforms, including the replacement and refurbishment of Naval Service vessels. The increased capital funding for 2021 builds on increased levels of capital expenditure totalling €392m over the years 2018 – 2020.
As a result of the White Paper commitment to Naval Service vessel replacement, the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel (MRV) is the immediate White Paper project in this context. The MRV project is an important developmental project and indicative of the commitment to on-going investment and development of defence capabilities. It is a major project and work remains on-going in progressing it. This project is at currently underway and it is intended to hold a public tender competition in due course to cover the supply of the MRV, subject to availability of funding within the overall Defence capital funding envelope. Projects for other vessel replacement will be considered over the life-time of the White Paper in the context of overall capability development and funding along with the overall EDP process.
685. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces plan to run advertisement campaigns in the print media and national television stations to attract new recruits into the Defence Forces. [30757/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdvertising for recruitment campaigns is placed across all major social media platforms and radio stations as the most effective method of targeting potential recruits. The Defence Forces have recently conducted two large campaigns in this fashion along with a Naval Service Cadetship campaign in May. There are no national television advertising campaigns planned for 2021.
Print advertisements have been taken out in the GradIreland virtual conference booklet and also the Institute of Guidance Counsellors National Conference 2021 booklet. Both The Irish Times and The Irish Independent are being utilised this month to promote the recruitment of instrumentalists to the Defence Forces School of Music.
686. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacancies by job title in the Defence Forces medical corps; and when each vacancy will be filled in tabular form. [30758/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the military authorities that it was not possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available.
I shall provide the figures to the Deputy when I am in a position to reply.
|
Branch |
Job title |
Vacancies |
|
Army (Central Medical Unit) |
Dental Officer |
4 |
|
Medical Officer |
3 |
|
|
Pharmacist |
1 |
|
|
Dental Hygienist |
2 |
|
|
Medic |
10 |
|
|
Dental Nurse |
5 |
|
|
Biomedical Laboratory Attendant |
2 |
|
|
Instructor Medic |
2 |
|
|
Naval Service |
Sick Berth Attendant |
4 |
|
Dental Surgery Attendant |
1 |
|
|
Air Corps |
Medic/Driver |
2 |
687. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence his views on the statements made by an organisation (details supplied) to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 25 May 2021 that due to shortages of personnel in the Naval Service some naval vessels do not have sufficient crews to go to sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30838/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary.
On any given patrol day the Naval Service can carry out a number of taskings on behalf of other State agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners.
The Government has acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues that are currently impacting on Naval Service operations. The current shortfall is especially marked in specialist areas, where small numbers are more vulnerable to gaps. Without giving rise to any compromise on safety, the impact of these shortfalls has resulted in greater pressure on individual members and units. There has also been an impact on the operational availability of the Naval Service, and an impact on the overall number of operational ships, which is a situation that has to be managed carefully.
I can assure the Deputy that notwithstanding current challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime security operations.
688. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence his views on the statements made by an organisation (details supplied) to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on 25 May 2021 that the Army is having significant difficulties with the retention of personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30839/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has fully acknowledged the recruitment and retention issues which have impacted operational capacity of the Defence Forces over recent years.
In response, a range of actions have been progressed to address these issues. The report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) on retention and recruitment in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) contained a wide range of recommendations to address retention and recruitment difficulties and these have been progressed through the High Level Implementation Plan "Strengthening Our Defence Forces".
Immediate benefits included a 10% increase in Military Service Allowance; the restoration to pre-Haddington Road levels of certain allowances and the restoration of premium rates for certain weekend duties. The Defence Forces have also received the benefits of Public Service Pay Agreements with further increases available under the new Pay Agreement, should it be accepted by the Defence Forces Representative Associations.
Work has also progressed on a broad range of non-pay measures in line with the PSPC recommendations, including in workforce planning; enhanced professional military education; bespoke leadership training; development of a mental health and wellbeing strategy; a review of barriers to extended participation in the PDF (including the possibility of extending retirement ages) and consideration of the provision of additional specialist posts in certain areas.
A Service Commitment Scheme, introduced in 2019, for pilots, has had a stabilising effect on Air Corp pilot numbers, with a further iteration of the Scheme scheduled in 2021. A Naval Service Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme was also introduced this year and a sea going naval personnel tax credit of €1,270, which was applied in the 2020 tax year, has been extended for the 2021 tax year, and has been increased to €1,500.
The introduction of schemes to allow for the re-commissioning of former Officers and the re-enlistment of former enlisted personnel of the PDF have also assisted in addressing particular skills gaps.
In addition, a range of direct entry specialist competitions have been initiated as a further means to fill critical positions. Furthermore, the upper age limit for both direct entry Naval Service and Air Corps technical appointments has recently been increased to 29 years.
The Programme for Government additionally contains a commitment to “ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do ”, which is in addition to comprehensive range of primary and secondary medical care currently provided by the Defence Organisation, at no charge, to all members of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF). A joint military-civilian working group has been established to progress this commitment.
There is no quick fix to the challenges facing the Defence Forces today. However, I remain fully committed to restoring the capacity of the Defence Forces. Whilst there has been significant work undertaken to date, it will take time to see the full effect of the measures introduced.
689. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Defence if he has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the cross-border healthcare initiative which is due to finish in December 2021; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30849/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe PDFORRA Medical Assistance Scheme (PMAS) is provided by PDFORRA to its members and does not involve my Department. It should be noted that a comprehensive range of primary and secondary medical care is provided, at no charge, to all members of the Permanent Defence Forces. In addition, the Programme for Government 2020 includes a commitment to "ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do". A joint civil-military working group has been established to examine this matter and work is currently being progressed.
690. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the details of the expenditure incurred by staff in his Department under the heading of travel and subsistence from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30861/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure incurred by my Department on ministerial and civil service travel and subsistence in 2020 was €374,602.55, and to 9 June 2021 was €83,592.96.
