Tuesday, 30 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 265-287

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (265, 270, 272, 283)

James Lawless

Ceist:

265. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58267/21]

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

270. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport is likely to issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58510/21]

James Lawless

Ceist:

272. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine the passport application of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58527/21]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

283. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo on time for their travel plans. [58973/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 265, 270, 272 and 283 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant.

Foreign Birth Registration

Ceisteanna (266)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

266. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58341/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants are being advised that they should allow approximately 2 years for processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications at this time.

The application referenced was registered on 4 February 2020, and is being stored in a secure environment.

Foreign Birth Registration staff continue to provide an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may contact the Passport Service directly.

My Department is fully committed to allocating additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the high volume of new applications anticipated and the 32,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand.

Consular Services

Ceisteanna (267)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

267. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance that can be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58354/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am fully aware of the very strong ties this individual has to Ireland. As the person is a German citizen and was travelling on that passport at the time of the incident, consular assistance is being provided by the German Embassy - and has been since 2018.

My Department is therefore limited in the extent to which consular assistance can be provided to this individual. The relevant Irish Embassy however does retain a connection to the case, has been in contact with the individual, and is monitoring developments on an ongoing basis.

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (268)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

268. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to the United States Senate Leader in the past three months. [58404/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I have had numerous engagements with high-level US officials in the past three months. During my visit to Washington DC in September, I had good meetings with Senator Dirk Durbin, the Senate Democratic Whip, and with Senator Pat Leahy, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. I also met with Senator Chris Murphy, whom I have since spoken to again recently by phone.

While in Washington, I also had fruitful in-person engagements with members of the US House of Representatives, including the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Richie Neal and Brendan Boyle. I also had a meeting with USAID Administrator Samantha Power while in Washington.

I took these opportunities to discuss a range of issues, including Brexit and Northern Ireland developments, as well as the enduring close ties between our two countries. Our Ambassador and Embassy in Washington continue to maintain regular and close contact with Members of Congress to ensure our interests, particularly in regard to the Northern Ireland Protocol, are fully understood.

While I have not had the opportunity to meet with Senator Majority Leader, Charles Schumer, and Senator Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell in the past three months, I look forward to continuing high level political engagement with senior US interlocutors on critical issues for Ireland.

United Nations

Ceisteanna (269)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

269. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has contacted the United Nations seeking it to apply for additional tough sanctions on Belarus. [58405/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland condemns the regime of Alexander Lukashenko for its exploitation of migrants for political purposes.

At the November Foreign Affairs Council meeting, EU Foreign Ministers discussed the escalation in the crisis along the EU’s borders with Belarus. We took swift action and agreed to broaden the listings criteria for sanctions on the Belarusian regime. This broader listing will target individuals and entities organising or contributing to activities by the Lukashenko regime that facilitate illegal crossing of the EU's external borders.

There are no UN sanctions on Belarus. However, at the request of Ireland, France and Estonia, the three EU members of the UN Security Council, the Council held an AOB discussion on Belarus on 11 November, focused on the ongoing migration issue there. Ireland expressed concern about the deteriorating situation at the EU-Belarus border, condemned the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes by the Belarusian authorities, and highlighted the need to prevent a humanitarian crisis unfolding.

The EU members of the Council, joined by Norway, the UK, and the US, as well as incoming Council member Albania, held a press stakeout after the meeting, stressing that all actions must be guided by fundamental values, especially regarding the protection of migrants’ human rights.

Question No. 270 answered with Question No. 265.

Consular Services

Ceisteanna (271)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

271. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to increase the number of staff located at the Irish Embassy in Canberra. [58526/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland is represented at two Diplomatic Missions in Australia, with an Embassy located in Canberra and a Consulate General located in Sydney. My Department keeps staffing levels at these Missions as well as at its network of 94 Missions abroad under continuing review. There are no immediate plans to increase the number of staff at the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra.

Question No. 272 answered with Question No. 265.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (273)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

273. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to parliamentary question No. 462 of 9 September 2021 and No. 123 of 13 October 2021, the position regarding a passport application by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58541/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (274)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

274. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the criteria for issuing an emergency travel certificate in tabular form; the number issued by month between January 2019 and October 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58672/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Emergency Travel Certificates are issued by Irish missions overseas to Irish citizens with a valid reason for emergency travel. Emergency Travel Certificates are valid only for a single journey and generally relate to an Irish citizen travelling abroad whose passport has been lost or stolen and who wishes to return to Ireland.

Applicants for an Emergency Travel Certificate are required to submit:

- Passport photos and completed passport application form

- Expired passport if available

- A police report if passport is lost, stolen or damaged

- Proof of emergency

- Proof of travel

- Photo ID or other identification documents

- Photo ID or other identification documents of guardians if issuing to a child

Passport Service records of Emergency Travel Certificates issued by month from January 2019 to October 2021 are outlined in the table below.

ETCs issued	Total
2021
January	24
February	21
March	24
April	22
May	21
June	39
July	72
August	100
September	75
October	111
Total	509
2020
January	133
February	129
March	101
April	14
May	20
June	29
July	56
August	39
September	42
October	25
November	21
December	40
Total	649
2019
January	124
February	131
March	148
April	160
May	177
June	211
July	256
August	269
September	189
October	166
November	145
December	153
Total	2129

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (275)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

275. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the parents of a child (details supplied) can expect to have their passports returned; the reason for the delay in returning same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58694/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the parents' passports that were submitted with the application of their child have been returned.

The Passport Services prioritises dispatching the applicant's passport once it has been issued. Supporting documents submitted with the application are dispatched separately and, depending on current volumes, can take a number of weeks to be returned to the applicant or their guardians.

Resourcing the Passport Service is of the highest priority for my Department who are actively working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit both permanent and temporary staff between now and the end of January 2022. This will double the number of staff from June levels to a total of 920 staff by the end of January. These additional resources will help to improve customer experience and reduce turnaround times, including the return of supporting documents.

International Bodies

Ceisteanna (276)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

276. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he and his Department took to seek agreement on convening the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, Human Dimension Implementation Meeting; if he is attending the OSCE Ministerial Council on 2 and 3 December 2021 in Stockholm; if he will address this issue at that venue; the mechanism he plans to use to hold organisation member states to account for human rights commitments agreed through the organisation and other international agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58699/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland greatly values the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, including its human dimension. The Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) is a key platform for the promotion of human rights in the OSCE region.

HDIM is an invaluable and unique forum for engagement between civil society and the participating States of the OSCE and Ireland regrets that it was not possible to hold HDIM this year. Along with our EU partners, we strongly supported the efforts of the Chairperson-in-Office to secure agreement between all participating States, and were disappointed that consensus could not be reached.

Ireland, including through our participation of the OSCE, welcomes opportunities to engage with civil society. As an EU Member State, Ireland regularly uses the institutional structures of the OSCE, including HDIM, and the weekly Permanent Council to raise issues of concern throughout the OSCE region.

Ireland will be represented by Minister of State Thomas Byrne at the annual OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm from 2-3 December. He will have the opportunity to reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to the comprehensive concept of security, including the integral importance of the human dimension, and to discuss these issues with our international partners.

Human Rights

Ceisteanna (277, 281)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

277. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the Human Rights Violation in Bahrain.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58846/21]

John Brady

Ceist:

281. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the silence of the Government on the issue of human rights violations in Bahrain at the UN Human Rights Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58957/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 281 together.

Respect for 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.

I note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy Griffin. Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the Bahraini authorities, including the specific case of Dr. Abduljalil Alsingace.

Our active participation at the UN Human Rights Council is a particularly important fora in which to raise our concerns regarding human rights. Ireland has raised the human rights issues in Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in the form of national statements and through support to EU Statements.Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain as a member of the European Union. At the most recent EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue in February 2021, issues of concern were raised by the EU including rule of law, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, death penalty, torture and the impact of Covid-19 on the human rights situation.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, has also made representations to the Bahraini authorities on human rights issues, including the detention of a number of individuals.

Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain, and calls on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights.

Freedom of Information

Ceisteanna (278)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

278. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of freedom of information requests that are currently with his Department seeking an internal review of a decision in tabular form. [58849/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department currently has two requests for an internal review of freedom of information requests.

Freedom of Information

Ceisteanna (279)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

279. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of complaints that have been made to the Office of the Ombudsman regarding Freedom of Information requests to his Department. [58850/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

My Department is only aware of two complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman about Freedom of Information matters since the FOI Act was enacted.

The first, made in 2020, is closed and marked 'Resolved' by the Office of the Ombudsman. The second was made this year. My Department’s report to the Office of the Ombudsman in response to the latter complaint will issue this week.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (280)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

280. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport for an infant (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58956/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport applications to the applicants' parent.

Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 277.

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (282)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

282. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the state of relations between Ireland and Nicaragua; if there are issues of concern to Ireland in respect of the political situation in Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58969/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The current situation in Nicaragua is of great concern to Ireland and to the European Union.

Elections took place in Nicaragua on 7 November last. Ireland and the EU had stated on numerous occasions that these elections were going to be neither free nor fair, and that proved to be the case. No credible opposition figures were allowed to run, and no election monitoring was permitted.

In the months leading up to the elections, we had seen a severe crackdown on journalists, opposition politicians, human rights activists, civil society and business leaders in Nicaragua. This repression deprived Nicaraguan citizens of their human, civil and political rights, and of the right to elect their own government in fair and transparent elections.

Ireland and the EU have expressed our serious concern in relation to the situation in Nicaragua, have unequivocally condemned the actions of the Nicaraguan authorities, and have repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of all opposition politicians and all other political prisoners. We have also called for the authorities to allow the return of international human rights bodies and NGOs to the country.

We will continue to put pressure on the Nicaraguan authorities to put an end to the crackdown and to restore full respect for human rights and democracy in the country.

Just like multiple other countries and multilateral bodies, the EU released a very strong statement on 8 November condemning the elections and stating that the presidency of Daniel Ortega lacks democratic legitimacy. The Nicaraguan government was left in no doubt that its actions are unacceptable to all EU Member States, including Ireland. That statement also noted that the EU will consider further restrictive measures against the regime.

The next steps in terms of EU action on Nicaragua are currently being discussed among EU Member States in Brussels. The EU and Ireland have also been very clear that any further action must not add to the hardship of the population, and that the most vulnerable sectors of society must continue to be supported.

My Department will continue to closely engage at EU and international level, both through our Embassy in Mexico which covers relations with Nicaragua and through our partners on the ground, including NGO and civil society organisations, to find a solution to the crisis.

Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 265.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (284, 285)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

284. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of first-time child passport applications that were actually processed fully within eight weeks providing details on a monthly basis for 2021 in tabular form; the number of applications processed thereafter in weekly time increments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59066/21]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

285. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of passport applications that are actually processed and dispatched within the current turnaround times listed on the website, providing figures on a weekly basis for the past six-month period; if there are plans to amend those timelines to ensure more accurate information to applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59068/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.

Passport Service operations have been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as were many Government services. Notwithstanding this, the Passport Service has issued over half a million passports to date in 2021 and 45% of simple adult renewals issue within one business day.

The current passport processing times are:

- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals

- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals

- 40 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online

- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service

The aforementioned passport processing times are based on current average application turnaround times and relate to passport applications submitted to the Passport Service with required supporting documentation. When passport applicants do not provided all of the requisite documentation to the Passport Service, it takes much longer to process the application and issue a passport.

With regard to the specific information requested by the Deputy, the Passport Service systems do not currently allow us to provide this level of detail. This is because elements of an application are reset when documentation which was incorrect or not submitted with the application are requested and subsequently received. However, the deputy can be assured that the Passport Service is attaching particular priority to the nearly 7% of online applications which have not been issued on or before estimated issue date which was indicated to the applicant. Intensive work is underway to eliminate these delays which are very much regretted by the Service.

Most recent Passport Service figures show that 35% of online applications are incomplete and the onus is on the applicant to submit the required documents to the Service. The Passport Service contacts applicants who have not submitted the requisite documentation. However, the Passport Service must wait in those cases until the applicants submit the outstanding documentation that is required. While the Passport Service makes every effort to contact applicants in such circumstances, their experience is that many applicants take weeks and sometimes months to send in the necessary documents.

The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for first time passports. These first time applications are necessarily complex to process, since they are essentially applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. It is the statutory responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of applicants.

In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Due to the intensive analysis underpinning first time online passport applications processing time is 40 working days.

Resourcing the Passport Service is of the highest priority for my Department who are actively working with the Public Appointments Service to recruit both permanent and temporary staff between now and the end of January 2022. This will double the number of staff from June levels to a total of 920 staff by the end of January. I am confident that these additional resources will help to improve customer experience and reduce turnaround times. to respond to current and anticipated high demand for passports in 2022

The Passport Service continually examines how to improve processing times and engagement with applicants. Preparation is currently underway for several system and service improvements that will enhance the customer service experience and will improve processing times. These improvements will be rolled out in the coming weeks and months.

In the context of the National Development Plan, my Department is making a major investment in the future of the Passport Service. Over the next couple of years, we will replace the core technology underpinning the service, which will deliver efficiencies and a more resilient passport system.

Budget 2022 also included an investment of an additional €10m in passport services in response to the increasing demand for passports both at home and abroad.

Question No. 285 answered with Question No. 284.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (286)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

286. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a child (details supplied) of an Irish citizen had their passport application cancelled after 11 months of supplying documents to the passport office [59070/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Operations of the Passport Office were severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as were many other government services. Due to Level 5 restrictions, between January and May of this year, the Passport Service offered emergency passport services only.

First time passport applications are necessarily complex to process, since they are essentially applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship. It is the statutory responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of applicants.

In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of all guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Verification of consent of all guardians is vital to protecting the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and its guardians.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy is enquiring, this application was submitted shortly before Passport Service operations were disrupted by necessary public health restrictions. Once operations scaled up again in line with easing of public health restrictions, the Passport Service made multiple attempts to verify the consent of the applicant's parent who was resident overseas. Unfortunately, staff were unable to verify the consent of the overseas parent in this case and the passport application had come to the point where it had expired. I encourage the applicant's parent to apply for their child's passport again, once all supporting documents and consent forms are fully complete and verifiable.

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (287)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

287. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Defence the aims of the high-level seminar for Irish Industry and research Institutions focused on research and development funding opportunities in security and defence which took place on 25 November 2021; if he is satisfied that the hosting of this event is in accordance with traditional foreign policy objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58968/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

The event to which the Deputy refers took place as a webinar on Thursday last. Its aim was to provide information to Irish industry and research institutions on the opportunities for EU funding for research and development projects and engagement in cross-border European programmes and projects in the security and defence domain.

Contributors to the event included the European Commission (Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space) and the European Defence Agency. The event also involved a number of European enterprises sharing their experience of the wide-ranging opportunities that there are for Irish research institutions and industrial entities in the security and defence domain, particularly for exploitation of dual use technologies. Industry associations representing Defence and Security research and enterprise also participated in the event.

The seminar was in support of Irish companies , especially SMEs, who are engaged in the development of technologies that keep our Defence Forces safe whether they are on missions and operations overseas or undertaking the range of duties at home in Ireland together with wider security and defence capability.

The event, which was very well attended by Irish companies and research institutes, including the higher education sector, follows on from the publication last year by my Department and the Defence Forces of a Feasibility Study which, inter alia, identified the value of having a research technology and innovation capability within the Defence Organisation that focuses on technologies at lower technology readiness levels (TRL) that have broad potential utilisation in both the civil and security and defence spheres and on leveraging innovations from the civilian sector in a manner that offer potential benefits for our Defence forces as well as for industry and academia.

The recent establishment of the RTI Unit in Defence has the potential to set a new strategic direction for Defence innovation and collaboration in Ireland, to drive internal innovation in the Defence Organisation and to contribute to the development of a security and defence dual-use innovation eco-system. The Defence RTI Unit will also support Irish enterprise and research bodies in accessing EU funding streams, including through the European Defence Fund and the EDA and their engagement with European networks and SMEs across the EU.

Supporting Irish research and enterprise in accessing funding and in exploiting opportunities in capability development in the security and defence domain, and participation by such entities in such research and development opportunities, does not compromise Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. These initiatives do not involve Ireland becoming a member of a military alliance nor a participant in any mutual defence arrangements. I am satisfied that this event was consistent with Ireland's foreign policy, including our participation in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy and our traditional policy of military neutrality.