Ivana Bacik
Ceist:421. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to promote a message of peace in Yemen in the EU and to the UN. [14716/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraForeign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (421)
Freagraí scríofa
Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, driven by seven years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
As a member of the Security Council, Ireland has engaged extensively in support of the UN's efforts to end the conflict in Yemen. I have held discussions with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen as well as Major General Michael Beary, who has been appointed as Head of the United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement.
I have also engaged extensively with the countries of the region, including the Foreign Ministers of Yemen, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, stressing the need to work urgently towards a resolution of the conflict.
In addition to significant diplomatic efforts, Ireland has been a consistent and reliable donor to Yemen and has contributed over €37 million in humanitarian funding since 2015, including a commitment of €5 million for 2022 which I pledged on behalf of Ireland at the Pledging Conference for Yemen on 16 March. Ireland also contributes to the crisis in Yemen as an EU Member State. Since 2015, the EU has contributed over €1.1 billion, including €692 million in humanitarian aid and €393 million in development assistance.
Ireland will continue to support all efforts to end the terrible conflict in Yemen, including in the context of our position on the UN Security Council and as a European Union Member State.
Question No. 422 answered with Question No. 364.
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (423)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:423. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide humanitarian relief and assistance to help with the refugee crisis in Moldova following the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The response of Moldova to this crisis has been very impressive under extremely difficult circumstances. The €20 million Irish Aid humanitarian package 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 in very difficult circumstances.
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).
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (424)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:424. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to or if he will propose to an organisation (details supplied) that ride-on ride-off ferries currently located in the Black Sea could be converted or seconded to help evacuate civilians and wounded by sea from Mariupol which according to reports is running out of food and water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, including in Mariupol where civilians are under siege and supplies are running out.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a long and trusted humanitarian partner of Ireland and will receive €5 million as part of the announced €20 million Irish humanitarian aid package to support Ukrainians in-country and in refugee host countries. Irish Aid also provided €10 million in annual core funding to the ICRC last month. My officials are in regular contact with the ICRC, which has an established presence in Ukraine, including in Mariupol, providing life-saving assistance to people on the ground, including civilians seeking safe passage out of the city. As an impartial, independent and neutral organisation, the ICRC engages in dialogue with all parties to conflict and is therefore well-placed to facilitate the evacuation for civilians and wounded, once it is safe to do so.
Ireland is advocating and coordinating at the EU and UN level for safe passage and humanitarian access to be ensured. Satisfactory security guarantees and concrete and specific agreements need to be arranged and implemented if genuine humanitarian corridors are to function effectively, including evacuation of civilians from Mariupol.
Question No. 425 answered with Question No. 364.
Question No. 426 answered with Question No. 368.
Question No. 427 answered with Question No. 364.
Question No. 428 answered with Question No. 368.
Question No. 429 answered with Question No. 368.
Question No. 430 answered with Question No. 364.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (431)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:431. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a consent form issue for passport applications by persons (details supplied) has been resolved; if further documentation is outstanding in respect of each application; if both applications are being processed; the extent to which each application has been processed since 25 January 2022; when both passports will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14967/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service is working to expedite these applications and has contacted the applicants' parent in relation to same.
Question No. 432 answered with Question No. 368.
Question No. 433 answered with Question No. 368.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (434)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:434. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent directly in relation to the application. The first set of documents submitted by the applicant were lost in post. The applicant has since posted a new set of documents to the Passport Service.
Question No. 435 answered with Question No. 368.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (436)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:436. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the main locations for human rights abuses worldwide have been identified by the United Nations or the European Union; the action that has been taken in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The promotion and protection of human rights is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland and consequently we are a strong contributor to strengthening efforts by the United Nations and European Union to eliminate human rights violations.
The Human Rights Council has a primary role within the United Nations system to promote and protect human rights globally and to address situations of human rights violations. In 2021 the Human Rights Council, in addition to its three regular schedule of meetings, also held five special sessions to address urgent crises in: Myanmar; the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Israel; Afghanistan; Sudan; and Ethiopia. The current 49th session of the Human Rights Council included an urgent debate on the Russian invasion of Ukraine before adopting a resolution to establish a commission to investigate violations of human rights.
Likewise, Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council provides an important opportunity to advance our foreign policy priorities, including the promotion and protection of human rights across many of the countries featuring on the Council’s agenda.
At European Union (EU) level, Ireland is an active participant and contributor to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which works globally to support the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security. Human rights issues feature prominently at the meetings I attend at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
In addition, my officials engage extensively on human rights issues at the relevant Council-level working parties including on the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, which strengthens the EU’s ability to take collective action against perpetrators of human rights violations.
As always, I will be pleased to provide further detail in relation to individual countries of specific concern.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (437)
Joe McHugh
Ceist:437. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider utilising the post office network to enable proper scrutiny of first-time passport applicants in view of many applications showing basic errors which ultimately end up clogging the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Passport Service is proactively managing the current demand for passports and has put in place resources and structures to address the estimated significant increase in demand for passports in 2022 in this essential citizen service.
Passport Service statistics show that approximately 40% of first time child applications are incomplete. A significant proportion of those incomplete applications occur when parents have not submitted any documentation to the Passport Service. In these cases, parents apply online for their child’s passport and can take weeks or sometimes even months to submit the required supporting documents such as the witnessed consent form and child’s identity documents such as their birth certificate. The Passport Service is unable to process these applications until the required supporting documentation is submitted.
The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for first time applicants.
The Department of Foreign Affairs website was updated in February to include a new Passport Service section where applicants can easily find out what additional documents are required for their type of application. This can be found at https://www.dfa.ie/passports/documentary-requirements/
The Passport Service is also working on public education materials, including video tutorials, with a view to assisting applicants to complete their application correctly.
The Passport Service operates its paper-based, mail-in “Passport Express” service through An Post. This provides an option for citizens to submit their passport application through the network of more than one thousand post offices across the State. All types of passport application, both renewal and first time applications, can be made via the Passport Express service. My Department is in regular contact with An Post regarding possible initiatives to develop this service further.
While my Department has no current plans to enable passport applications to be checked at An Post locations, the Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance customer experience and reduce errors on applications.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (438)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:438. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15019/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent directly to provide an update on the status of the passport application.
Question No. 439 answered with Question No. 364.
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (440)
Colm Burke
Ceist:440. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence his plans to ensure that in the new Defence Forces structure that emerges from the recommendations of the Report of the Commission of the Defence Forces published in February 2022 that Collins Barracks, Cork would continue to be the headquarters location of the military formation that will control military operations in the southern region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13829/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022.
The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference. The report contains 69 main recommendations and together with sub recommendations, there are 130 recommendations. The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service.
The report proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including to Defence Forces culture, high-level command and control structures, and for the level of Defence provision in Ireland. Clearly, there are matters that will require careful consideration and in some critical aspects inter-departmental discussion. This includes the level of resourcing that may be allocated to Defence, legislative implications and the governance framework that will be required to underpin any changes the Government approve on foot of the Commission's report.
I will also be seeking the views of my Department and the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces Representative Associations will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation, relating to the implementation of any approved plan. I will also engage with key stakeholders and the Oireachtas, and I welcome the Dáil statements on the report which took place on the 16th February. I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to have a mature debate around the type of defence capabilities that we require and I am very much open to such a discussion. Current events are highlighting the importance of such a debate.
The intent is that following relevant consideration, and before the summer recess, I will revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan. This high level plan will set out proposed timelines for its implementation.
One of the Report's recommendations is that the structure of the Army be reviewed. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in speculative discussion on this matter prior to completion of the ongoing process, Government approval of any proposed plan of action, and completion of any subsequent reviews that may ensue.
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (441)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:441. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Defence the reason for having a well-equipped Army if Army personnel are not well paid and motivated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Defence Forces are paid increases, in pay and allowances, in line with Public Service pay agreements.
The current public service pay agreement, ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022’ provides for increases in pay and allowances to all public servants, including members of the Defence Forces. A general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever was the greater, came into effect on 1st October 2021. In addition, fixed periodic pensionable allowances, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, were also increased by 1% on this date.
The current pay agreement also provides for further increases in 2022, namely:
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1st February 2022 last.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on 1st October 2022. Fixed periodic pensionable allowances and allowances in the nature of pay will also be increased by 1% on this date.
In addition to general round pay increases, arising out of ongoing national pay agreements, members of the Permanent Defence Force have also benefitted from the implementation of increases in Defence Forces allowances, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission in 2019.
The Government remains fully committed to addressing pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, as well as the Government decision in December 2020, which agreed its terms of reference and membership.
In February 2022, the Minister welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The Commission has undertaken a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference, including an examination of the evolution of all remuneration systems and structures currently in place in the Defence Forces.
Given the significant recommendations contained in the Report, detailed consideration of the recommendations is required. This will involve significant inter-departmental consultation and the Minister also intends to get the views of key stakeholders. Following that engagement the Minister intends to return to Government with a proposed response to the Commission’s recommendations and a high-level action plan.
The Defence Forces Representative Associations will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation, relating to the implementation of any approved plan.
Defence Forces
Ceisteanna (442)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:442. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence if the technical pay agreement agreed with the Defence Forces in July 2019 has been implemented; if so, when it was implemented; if not, the reason for the delay in implementation; and when the agreement will be implemented. [13864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The review of technical pay in the Defence Forces was provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2010 - 2014 (Croke Park Agreement). The purpose of the review, in the context of the agreement, was to rationalise existing technical pay arrangements and consider if the requirements could be met in a more cost effective manner. A review of Technical Pay Group 1 was conducted in 2014 and came into effect at the beginning of 2015.
The Public Service Pay Commission recommended that the review of Technical Pay Groups 2 - 6 be completed at the earliest opportunity, without compromising the Public Service Stability Agreement.
An initial report (October 2019) and final report (January 2020) were completed.
The approach to implementing the findings of the review of Technical Grades 2-6 was the subject of extensive engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
At the conclusion of that process the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, on 25 May 2021, conveyed sanction for the implementation of the findings.
Discussions are at an advanced stage with PDFORRA regarding the application of the recommendations, as well as the scope and timelines for implementation. The Department hopes to bring the matter to a conclusion shortly.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (443)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:443. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence 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. [13887/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
During the period concerned my Department procured Covid-19 related face masks and face coverings, for staff use within the Department's premises, from both local and OGP Framework suppliers, details of which are provided in the table below:
|
Supplier |
Cost (Ex VAT) |
|
Medichem |
€1,744.00 |
|
Tailored Image |
€4,275.00 |
|
Safety Direct |
€240.77 |
|
TOTAL |
€6,259.77 |
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (444)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:444. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence 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. [13905/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
During the period concerned my Department procured Covid-19 related hand sanitiser, for use within Departmental buildings, from both local and OGP Framework suppliers, details of which are provided in the table below:
|
Supplier |
Cost (Ex VAT) |
|
Bunzl Cleaning & Safety Supplies |
€1,900.80 |
|
Mangan’s Pharmacy |
€236.25 |
|
Safety Direct |
€108.80 |
|
T.E. Laboratories |
€226.95 |
|
Ultra Chem Systems |
€193.58 |
|
Western Hygiene |
€80.69 |
|
Bidvest Noonan |
€295.03 |
|
Total |
€3,042.10 |