Written Answers Nos. 370-394
370. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passport applications by persons (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13843/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to one of the applicants and has provided an update to the applicant's parent as to the steps they must take to progress the other passport application.
374. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost incurred by his Department for the supply of Covid-19-related face masks and face coverings since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13892/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost incurred by his Department for the supply of Covid-19-related hand sanitiser since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13910/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
My Department attaches top priority to the health, safety and security of our staff both at headquarters and in our 97 diplomatic and consular missions worldwide.
From the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, my Department has taken a range of steps to maximise the safety of our staff, in line with evolving Government guidelines. These measures have included detailed policies on travel and work place safety, risk assessments, investments in signage, air purifiers and perspex dividers in open plan offices. Hand sanitiser was provided throughout all our HQ buildings for staff and visitors and face masks were supplied to frontline staff, including those maintaining our buildings and colleagues providing essential passport and consular services. Supplies of sanitiser and face masks were dispatched at the time of the initial onset of the pandemic to missions and were supplied subsequently where local purchase was not reliable. In most cases, missions themselves have funded these modest costs from their own administrative budgets.
Details of Headquarters’ investment in stocks of face masks and hand sanitiser in the period 2019-2022 to-date are set out in the following tables. Sanitiser refill costs were included in our contract cleaning costs throughout the Pandemic at an estimated annual cost of up to €2,000.
Purchase of face masks and face coverings
|
Year |
Name of Supplier |
Cost € |
|
2019 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2020 |
Allphar Services Ltd Argos Boots Grosvenor Lloyds Pharmacy Total |
14,145.00 29.51 10.00 885.60 7.50 15,077.61 |
|
2021 |
Allphar Services Ltd Grosvenor HSE Midlands Marathon Safety Solutions Prospect Design Ltd Total |
27,675.00 1,377.60 1,327.00 140.00 461.25 30,980.85 |
|
2022 to date |
Flashbay Electronics Europe Ltd MJ Scannell Safety Ltd Vitalrate Ltd Grosvenor Total |
411.44 46,051.20 1,414.50 135.30 48,012.44 |
Purchase of hand sanitiser
|
Year |
Name of Supplier |
Cost € |
|
2019 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2020 |
Bunzl Codex Emergency Care Products Sourced via IDA Ireland Total |
182.66 276.75 1,461.79 18,570.99 20,492.19 |
|
2021 |
N/A |
0 |
|
2022 to date |
N/A |
0 |
376. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [13924/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant's parent as to the steps they must take to progress the passport application.
377. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a complaint has been received from the Russian Embassy in Ireland following an attack on its property on 7 March 2022; the response of his Department to this complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not comment on any specific security incidents or security arrangements concerning diplomatic missions accredited to Ireland. It is part of my Department's role to be in contact with diplomatic missions on these and other issues, including with the Embassy of the Russian Federation. My Department also liaises closely with An Garda Síochána as required.
378. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that his Department has taken to implement the relevant recommendations from the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community report issued in November 2021. [14005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to promoting gender, equality, diversity and inclusion and creating a culture of dignity and respect in the workplace, as set out in our Statement of Strategy 2021-2023.
Over recent years, my Department has taken a proactive and strategic approach to advancing equality and inclusion issues. As part of my Department’s Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022, a number of initiatives and policies have been advanced to improve gender, equality, diversity and inclusion. In 2019, a dedicated Lead Officer for Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion was appointed who co-ordinates work in this area across the Department. In October 2020 and November 2021 the Department launched two surveys to gather equality data and the views of staff on how we can make further progress in this area, particularly with regard to increasing the diversity of staff employed by the Department. Combined, the results of these surveys will be used to develop a Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which will be finalised by the end of Q2 2022.
My Department’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action plan will include a commitment to increase our outreach to under-represented communities, including members of the Traveller Community and organisations representing the Traveller Community, as part of our outreach initiatives to create greater awareness of employment opportunities within the Department.
As part of the Department’s Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training programme, staff will be provided with training on unconscious bias, cultural awareness, and an overview of equality legislation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs recognises that more work is required in this area and we are fully committed to making progress in the coming years. As such, we will fully support and engage with any initiatives that emerge out of the recommendations from the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community report.
381. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of the humanitarian partners that have received humanitarian assistance funding and the amounts provided to date; and if will commit to providing additional supports if required. [14059/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish government has made a €20 million Irish aid package available to support the humanitarian response in Ukraine and refugee host countries. This is being channelled through trusted humanitarian partners who have an established presence delivering life-saving assistance in the region.
The first €10 million tranche has been allocated to UN OCHA (€3 million), UNHCR (€3 million), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC; €3 million) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC; €1 million), all of whom are active on the ground in Ukraine.
The second tranche, also €10 million, is being made available to agencies with strong track records and able to respond immediately to needs in Ukraine and those of its neighbours most affected by the conflict, in particular refugee flows. Additional funding is being made available to the UNHCR and ICRC, together with dedicated funding for medical response through the WHO and for protection issues for women and children affected by conflict through UNICEF and UNFPA. A dedicated call for proposals for NGOs ready to respond is being launch.
Ukrainian civil society organisations that are the first responders in this humanitarian crisis will be supported through the UN OCHA Ukraine Humanitarian Fund which ensures flexible, un-earmarked funding. Irish Aid is also supporting Irish NGO efforts through the Emergency Response Fund Scheme (ERFS), designed to support timely and effective responses to sudden onset humanitarian crises.
Ireland has provided medical supplies, including blood bags, protective suits, masks and disinfectants, in response to a request from Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which is coordinating the supply and delivery of support across all EU member states. This mechanism ensures fast and targeted provision of what is needed most. Ireland has also activated its rapid response corps and expects to deploy several experts to work with UN stand-by partners on the humanitarian response.
In addition, Ireland contributes to global funds and provides core funding to key agencies that are allocating funds to Ukraine, including WHO, OCHA, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland was amongst the 10 largest donors to the CERF in 2021. Pre-positioned donor funds, including from Ireland, has enabled the CERF to release €55 million in assistance to Ukraine.
382. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if services are available for persons who want to send medication to specific persons in Ukraine with whom they may be in contact. [14087/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe generosity of people in Ireland towards Ukraine, the impulse to help those in need, and the strong solidarity with Ukrainians, is very welcome and is to be commended.
I am also impressed by the support shown to Ireland-based Ukrainians including doctors who are working to get medical supplies to Ukraine. Networks such as those are invaluable in keeping channels open with people on the ground in a situation where normal services to send goods directly to individuals are severely disrupted.
The Government of Ireland has responded quickly and in multiple ways to support people in need. Medical supplies including blood bags, protective suits, masks and disinfectants, have been sent in response to a request from Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which is coordinating the supply and delivery of support across all EU member states. This mechanism ensures fast and targeted provision of what is needed most. We have also made a €20 million aid package available to trusted humanitarian partners that play a key role delivering life-saving assistance in Ukraine and refugee host countries, including by ensuring the continuity of healthcare services and delivery of medicines throughout Ukraine. This includes partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organisation working on the ground across Ukraine, providing critical support, including access to medical supplies.
People in Ireland who would like to assist are advised to send funds rather than goods. This can be done through donating to established Irish and international humanitarian organisations. Dóchas, the umbrella organisation for Irish NGOs, has made available a list of entities which have launched Ukraine appeals. Websites can be accessed at: www.dochas.ie/whats-new/ukraine-how-you-can-help/.
384. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request an update from the Irish Consulate in the Philippines in relation to a visa application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14096/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe visa application referred to is currently being processed by the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore. As the initial application was incomplete, the applicant was requested to submit further documentation, which has now been provided.
Officials at the Embassy are aware of this case and are in direct contact with the applicant, who will be notified as soon as a decision has been made on the application.
387. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or officials from his Department have engaged in any form of communication with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum, including by phone call, webinar, email, or any event organised by the World Economic Forum from 1 January 2019 to date; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department retains ongoing contact with a broad range of international organisations and institutions, of which the World Economic Forum (WEF) is one.
The Department has had some contact with the WEF in the last number of years. That contact has mainly arisen in relation to invitations and plans for attendance at WEF-organised events, primarily the WEF’s annual meeting usually held in Davos, Switzerland. I have not, however, attended a WEF annual meeting in the period in question.
In recent months, the Department has had contact with the WEF in relation to an invitation for attendance at the 2022 Forum. That Forum has since been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A renewed invitation has been received for a re-scheduled annual Forum, to be held from May 22nd-26th; no decision on attendance has been taken. The Department also had some brief contact with the WEF in relation to a proposed event in the margins of the Munich Security conference last month.
In addition to the above, the Embassy of Ireland in Berne has engaged with WEF officials in the period in question, mostly in respect of matters relating to the logistical aspects of Ministers’ and officials’ attendance at the WEF’s annual meeting. This engagement includes participation in annual briefings hosted by the WEF for Ambassadors in the run-up to the Davos event.
The Deputy may wish to note that WEF’s annual meetings were held in 2019 when the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance attended. In 2020, there was no Ministerial attendance and the 2021 meeting was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
389. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the supports that Ireland will provide to the Moldovan Government to help it with supporting refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14255/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMoldova's response to the crisis has been very impressive under extremely difficult circumstances.
The €20 million Irish Aid humanitarian package responding to the Ukraine crisis includes to support to Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries, including Moldova. €5 million of the Irish Aid package is allocated to the UNHCR inter-agency Regional Response Plan (RPP) for the Ukraine crisis, which in turn has allocated a fifth of its overall budget to Moldova and where UNHCR has opened an office. €1 million of our contribution is earmarked directly for Moldova.
Ireland is also providing €1.5million to UNFPA, whose work in Moldova focuses on the protection of women and girls.
Many of Ireland’s humanitarian partners are expanding their activities to help the Moldovan government cope with the influx of refugees. The humanitarian package also includes a €1 million grant to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), which is also supporting the local response via the Moldovan Red Cross.
Ireland has also contributed to the inter-agency Regional Response Plan through Irish Aid core funding to key participating organisations, including UNICEF, IOM, UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA, WFP, WHO and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). We encourage all our humanitarian partners to use their core funding to respond to the Ukraine humanitarian crisis including by supporting neighbouring countries.
The EU has also announced a rapid assistance package of €500 million to help civilians affected by the conflict. This will include support to the inter-agency RRP and additional funding of €5 million to Moldova in the European Commission’s revised Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP).
390. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm, given the temporary closure of the Embassy of Ireland to Ukraine, that all locally employed staff and contractors, and the relevant members of their families, were offered passage to Ireland and international protection here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14301/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine.
Visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens wishing to travel to Ireland have been lifted since 25 February. This allows all Ukrainian nationals considering leaving Ukraine, including locally employed staff at the Embassy in Kyiv and relevant members of their families, to enter Ireland without a visa, if they judge it safe to travel.
In advance of the temporary closure of the Embassy in Kyiv, contingency arrangements were put in place by the Ambassador, including for local staff employees, The Department maintains ongoing contact with the local staff employees at the Embassy in Kyiv, currently in safe locations, in identifying individual supports. In addition, regular contact has been established with contractors engaged by the Embassy at the time the crisis broke and they have been informed of the removal of the visa requirement to enter Ireland.
391. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14313/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 (FBR) has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the FBR Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.
The application referenced was registered on 9 December 2020 and is being stored in a secure environment.
The FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt. FBR 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 continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
My Department is fully committed to the continued allocation of additional resources over the coming period to assist with the processing of the Foreign Birth Registration applications currently on hand and the high volume of new applications anticipated this year.
392. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will match funding from an organisation (details supplied) to support persons with cystic fibrosis in Ukraine. [14340/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is committed to providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the most effective way possible.
In keeping with the Principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship, which underpin the Irish Aid partnership approach to humanitarian action, Irish Aid provides predictable, often long-term, funding, to a range of partners, including NGOs and UN agencies like the WHO and the Red Cross Movement, who are currently positioning themselves to respond to the crisis on the basis of need. The Irish Aid funding model for humanitarian action was found by the OECD in a 2020 review to be a 'useful inspiration for other donors.' The model employed provides a quality-assured resourcing base series of activities, from which partners can then fundraise.
The Irish Aid programme's multi-annual funding relationships with pre-qualified development and humanitarian NGOs enables them to plan their interventions, including humanitarian response, over a number of years. In addition to this long-term funding, our Irish NGO partners can apply directly to the Emergency Response Fund Scheme (ERFS), enabling them to respond in a timely, predictable, and effective manner to emerging humanitarian crises, such as that in Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, €20 million in Irish Aid funding has been committed to trusted humanitarian partners playing key roles in delivering life-saving assistance on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. We have allocated funding to partners best positioned to deliver on the ground immediately.
Among those partners are the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), who are working to ensure, in spite of the access challenges, the continued availability of health care services and the delivery of medicines throughout Ukraine. Specific Irish Aid funding has also been made available to the WHO, to enable the delivery of essential medical supplies to Ukraine.
In addition, the HSE, working with the Irish Aid team, and responding to a request from Ukraine, has sent medical supplies, including blood bags, protective suits, masks and disinfectants, to Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM). The EUCP is coordinating the supply and delivery of support across all EU Member States to ensure the fast and targeted provision of what is needed most.
Ireland contributes to global funds and provides core funding to key agencies that are allocating funding to Ukraine, including WHO, OCHA, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The core funding - essentially prepositioned money - has enabled our partners to respond immediately to the crisis without waiting for additional donor support. By way of example, the CERF has allocated €55 million to Ukraine since the invasion - Ireland is one of the top ten donors to the CERF.
Irish Aid is also supporting local civil society organisations in their work providing vital life-saving care and other health services via UN OCHA’s Humanitarian Fund.
393. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of negotiations with the British Government to restore access to the waters around Rockall for Irish fishermen; his views on whether this is a breach of the spirit of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and if the European Commission has been involved in these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14389/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to address the issues related to Rockall, reflecting the longstanding fisheries tradition in the area.
I have outlined Ireland’s position on Rockall and considered possible ways forward in contacts with the UK and Scottish Governments over the course of the past year.
I last met with my Scottish counterpart, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson on 9 March and we discussed this issue. We agreed to continue to prioritise this matter and to work together to seek to resolve outstanding issues.
Our officials also remain in ongoing contact with the European Commission on all matters relating to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, including fisheries.
Through these engagements, the Government is seeking to address the issues involved, reflecting longstanding fisheries patterns in the area.
The Government's position in relation to territorial claims on Rockall is consistent and longstanding Irish Government policy.
Ireland has never made any claims to Rockall, which is a small uninhabitable granite rock located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and some 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal.
Nor has Ireland ever recognised British sovereignty claims over Rockall, and accordingly has not recognised a 12 nautical mile territorial sea around it either.
394. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of negotiations with the British Government on the legal status of Lough Foyle; if his attention has been drawn to the negative consequences of the failure to reach an agreement on the issue in the years that have passed since the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK Government assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle has never been accepted by Ireland and this position remains unchanged.
Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to resolve jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough.
Since that time, a series of meetings and contacts have taken place at official level between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and my own Department. This engagement is ongoing and my Department is also continuing to consult with other relevant Departments on specific issues and concerns in relation to licensing of aquaculture in Lough Foyle.
The issues involved in these discussions are complex and involve a range of different actors, including the Crown Estates on the UK side, but the Government is satisfied that all sides are committed to reaching a positive resolution as soon as possible.
