Written Answers Nos. 339-361
339. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the turnaround times for first time passport applications; the steps taken to reduce these turnaround times; if there has been additional staff allocated to first time applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47846/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Passport processing turnaround times for all passports are:
- 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals,
- 15 working days for Complex renewals,
- 40 working days for First Time applications on Passport Online and
- 8 weeks for Passport Express.
Over 450,000 passports and passport cards have been issued to date in 2021. Almost 45% of passports for simple adult renewals continue to issue within one business day.
The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for first time passports. Of the 130,000 applications currently on hand, approximately 60% are first time applications. In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, such applications require careful processing to validate the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to Irish citizenship for the first time. Additionally, in the case of children, consent of all guardians must be validated.
The Passport Service continually examines how to improve processing times, including examining the processes around the verification and processing of the supporting documentation for first time applicants.
Currently, 99% of the Passport Service staff involved in customer service and the production of passports are working on site. Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand remains a priority for my Department and is an issue that is kept under constant review. My Department is working closely with the Public Appointments Service to recruit additional staff to meet the current and forecasted demand for passports in the coming period. The Public Appointments Service has recently assigned Temporary Clerical Officers to augment the Passport Service and more will be assigned in the coming weeks to the offices in Dublin and Cork in line with the planned relaxation of social distancing measures. The Passport Service expects to see a reduction in passport processing times once additional staff have been assigned and trained.
340. Deputy Michael Collins 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. [47894/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy James Lawless 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. [48188/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra357. Deputy Michael Lowry 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. [48239/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 340, 355 and 357 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has already issued passports to the applicants.
The current passport application turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online and 8 weeks for Passport Express for applications which have been completed correctly.
343. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a settlement between a State agency (details supplied) and the Revenue Commissioners; if there are any agencies under his Department’s remit that have had a similar issue or have made a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any issue in the past five-years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48024/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not have any State agencies under its remit.
347. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 250 of 23 September 2021 and his endorsement of the statement by EU Commissioner Lenarčič which underlined that attacks on education constitute violations of international humanitarian law, his views on whether Israel will continue to perpetrate these violations with impunity unless direct action is taken and that the time is now to institute such actions by the international community, by Ireland and the EU in particular; the form these actions might take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48127/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I stated in my response to the Parliamentary Question no. 250, referred to by the Deputy, I remain gravely concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and particularly the impact on children and their education. Ireland has repeatedly emphasised that the rights of children to education without fear of violence or attack must be upheld at all times.
Ireland’s position on these issues is, and will continue to be, based on international law, including Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power under the Fourth Geneva Convention. I remain deeply troubled by the lack of accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in relation to attacks on education.
Ireland continues to be active on these issues in the United Nations Security Council. At the Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East on 29 September, Ireland expressed concern about the recent increase in violence in the occupied Palestinian territory. Referring to the incidence of settler violence on 28 September in the South Hebron Hills in which a young child was seriously injured, Ireland called on the Israeli authorities to hold those responsible accountable and to end the culture of impunity around all such incidents of violence.
I have also raised these matters with my counterparts at EU level. At an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 27 May, I called on EU colleagues to address the root causes of violence, including settlement expansion, in a more robust way. I raised similar points at the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 June. It is vital that the international community does all it can to seek to address the root causes of violence and tension.
348. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the persistent expansion of illegal Israeli settlements is in keeping with the principles of the UN Charter in the context of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in particular Israel’s persistent expansion of illegal settlements; his further views on whether the Israeli Government has habitually failed to respect human rights and human dignity in its dealings with Palestinians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48128/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has been consistently vocal in its opposition to illegal settlements and their expansion. The Government's support for a Dáil motion earlier this year, declaring that Israel’s settlement policy in occupied Palestinian territory amounts to unlawful de facto annexation, reflected our grave concern about the scale and character of settlements and their negative impact.
I have conveyed in the strongest terms my concerns about settlement announcements to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid. Ireland’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv has also raised the issue directly with the Israeli authorities. Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah has made a number of visits along with EU colleagues to sensitive sites of concern in the West Bank.
We will continue to proactively raise our concerns about settlements at national and EU level, in statements at the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council, and in our bilateral contacts.
The human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory more generally remains a matter of serious concern. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels.
In February, Ireland made a statement in the interactive dialogue with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, where we stressed the importance of accountability for all violations of international law committed in the occupied Palestinian territory.
In March, at the Human Rights Council session, Ireland co-sponsored Resolutions on Human Rights and Accountability, Self-Determination and Settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. We also made a national statement under Item 7 during the General Debate, which urged Israel to halt settlement expansion and demolitions and allow for legal construction for Palestinian communities.
In May, Ireland supported a special session of the Human Rights Council on the escalation of violence. The Human Rights Council voted to establish a Commission of Inquiry on the oPt at that session. In keeping with our principled position on Commissions of Inquiry established by the HRC, Ireland supports the work of the Commission of Inquiry.
Ireland regularly raises these issues also at the Security Council, including on 29 September, when Ireland chaired the Council’s monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East.
Ireland also provides financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs working on human rights issues.
349. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department by indicating support for the Jewish character of the Israeli state agrees with the treatment by Israel of Palestinian communities in its attempts to accomplish Jewish supremacy; his views on whether these attempts to perpetuate the supremacy of Jews over Palestinians amount to apartheid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48129/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe respect the strong connection between the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
By their very nature, all States have certain inherent characteristics. However, regardless of how a state may name and define itself - be it socialist, democratic, united, Islamic, Arab or Jewish - full respect for the equal rights of all citizens – irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or other similar factors – is strictly required under international human rights law.
It is imperative that the rights of non-Jewish citizens of Israel are not infringed and that there is respect and tolerance for the diversity of its population. I am fully committed to raising such issues of equality with Israel. Where Ireland has concerns in relation to laws and practices which undermine equality among citizens and disregard the rights of minorities, particularly the Palestinian minority, we make our views known to Israel. We have, for example, expressed our concern about the Nation State Law where we had concerns that it might enable discriminatory practice against non-Jewish citizens.
All States, including Ireland and Israel, have obligations under international law, including international human rights law. In respect of the occupied Palestinian territory, we are clear on Israel’s responsibility under international humanitarian law to respect the rights of the civilian population living under its occupation, who have the status of protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention, for as long as the occupation continues.
I have raised these issues consistently and vocally, both publicly and in conversations with Israeli government interlocutors. I will continue to do so.
350. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of the consular assistance that he and his officials have provided to the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48154/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department, through the Embassy in New Delhi, Consulate General in Mumbai and Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, has been providing assistance to the citizen’s family since first being informed of this tragic death.
It is a general principle not to detail the specifics of ongoing consular work. However, I remain firmly committed to this case and I can assure you that officials in my Department continue to engage relevant authorities on this issue.
Cooperation between this Department and that of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is continuing both at headquarters and particularly in India to ensure a timely resolution, and to address any issues arising on an ongoing basis
Notwithstanding the Indian authorities’ position that this is a UK consular case, officers of my Department have provided consular assistance to the family of the citizen, to the greatest extent possible, and will continue to do so.
