Written Answers Nos. 99-113
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which human right abuses across the globe in war zones or elsewhere continue to be an issue at United Nations level; if the top 20 offenders in this regard are likely to be recipients of action from the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 to eliminate human rights violations, particularly at the UN Human Rights Council and through our membership of the UN Security Council.
As stated previously in my replies, the human rights situation in any particular country is unique in its character, scale and complexity, and a universally agreed global ranking does not exist.
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 o 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.
101. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will support and advocate for an EU programme to grant refugee status to Tibetan people currently displaced from their homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15105/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe promotion and protection of human rights is a core pillar of Irish foreign policy, and Ireland is active bilaterally and in multilateral fora on human rights issues, including in relation to displaced persons. I am aware of the significant numbers of Tibetans living outside Tibet, in India and elsewhere.
My Department liaises closely with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in relation to global refugee issues. In line with our commitment to support the most vulnerable, the Government also provides funding to the United Nations, bilaterally and through the European Union, in support of its work with refugees, particularly via UNHCR. The Department of Justice has primary responsibility for international protection policy and related EU policy development.
My Department closely follows the situation in Tibet. At the 48th UN Human Rights Council in September in 2021, Ireland joined an EU Group Statement of 26 Member States, which called on China to abide by its obligations under national and international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, including in Tibet. The EU reiterated these concerns in a statement at the UN General Assembly last October.
I have set out my Department's position as regards the situation in Tibet in my reply to Question 14672/22.
103. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Irish Aid to Yemen; if Irish Aid to Yemen is due to be increased given the worsening situation in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15362/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the work of his Department and the European Union on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. [15332/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 156 together.
After more than seven years of crisis in Yemen, an estimated 23.4 million Yemenis will need humanitarian assistance during 2022.
Since 2012 Ireland, through the Irish Aid programme, has disbursed just over €34 million to Yemen. Over 90% of that funding, including €6,000,000 in two separate grants in 2021, has been channelled through the UN managed Yemen Humanitarian Fund (YHF). The YHF directly funds humanitarian partners operating in Yemen, enabling them to deliver timely and effective life-saving assistance to people who need it most. In 2021 25 donors contributed $96 million to the YHF, which allocated over $109 million to 106 humanitarian projects implemented by 51 partners. Ireland was the sixth largest donor last year.
On 16 March, at the High Level Pledging Event on Yemen, Minister Coveney pledged an additional €5 million in Irish Aid funding to Yemen this year, also to the YHF.
In addition, Irish Aid contributions to global funds and Irish Aid's substantial core funding to key agencies responding to the Yemen crisis, increases the total Irish response to humanitarian needs in Yemen. Among these Irish Aid partners are WFP, UNICEF, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). CERF makes emergency funding readily available for UN agencies and is an important funding mechanism for the Yemen crisis.
Augmenting Ireland's bilateral support is support through the European Union which since 2015 has contributed over €1.2 billion to respond to the crisis in Yemen. This includes €827 million in humanitarian aid and €407 million in development assistance. EU humanitarian aid includes food assistance, health care, education, water, and shelter. It also includes improved hygiene services in areas of high food insecurity and malnutrition, conflict-affected areas, and to displaced populations. So far this year €135 million in humanitarian aid has been allocated by the EU for those affected by the conflict in Yemen.
Conscious that the underlying drivers of conflict must be addressed if the humanitarian situation in Yemen is to change, at the UN Security Council Ireland has supported calls to end hostilities and continues to work with partners, including as a Member State of the EU, to support the work of Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to end the conflict.
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Passport Office continues to be upgraded and streamlined to deal with the higher volume of applications in a shorter time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15144/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of additional staff that have joined the Passport Office to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15038/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to address the significant backlog in processing passport applications. [14667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current timelines for first-time applications and renewals of passports in Ireland; the number of passports processed to date in 2022 in comparison to 2021; the number of passports that remain to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if all additional staff for the Passport Office are now in place; the improvements being made on processing times on all types of passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15353/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures that are being taken to address the issue of lengthy processing times for first-time passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15352/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports still backlogged in the Passport Office; and the number of new staff that are now in full-time employment in the office. [15289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 122, 130, 134, 143, 154 and 160 together.
Over 264,000 passports have been issued from 1 January to 20 March 2022, compared to 21,000 passports issued over the same period in 2021.
The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high demand for passports. My Department has been pro-actively planning to ensure the necessary resources are in place to meet the current and expected level of demand throughout 2022 and is making an unprecedented investment in the Passport Service in terms of additional staff and improvements to the passport processing and customer service systems.
In recent weeks, the Passport Service has reduced the average turnaround time for first time applications from 40 working days to 35 working days. In addition, 45% of adult online renewal applications are processed in one working day.
In terms of staffing, the Department has been working with the Public Appointments Service on a major recruitment drive over the past several months. Since June 2021, over 300 members of staff at all grades have been assigned to the Passport Service, with 156 staff joining since the beginning of 2022. The current number of staff at the Passport Service is 774.
In addition to this, and to complement staffing recruitment through the Public Appointments Service, the Passport Service is running its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers with a view to assigning additional staff and to maintain staffing levels throughout the year to meet the demand expected in the coming months. This competition is currently underway and once completed, will see staffing numbers of over 900 at the Passport Service, which represents a doubling of staff numbers since last summer.
It is a priority for the Passport Service to improve processing times in 2022, particularly for first time applicants. The Passport Service is implementing a number of further measures that will positively impact the current turnaround times and improve customer service:
- Intensive training of new staff and upskilling of existing staff is underway to increase the resources that can process complex applications, including first time applications.
- Actively prioritising first time applications and directing increased resources to processing these complex applications with a view to further reducing the current turnaround time.
- Passport Service staff are working targeted overtime with a focus on key areas including first time applications.
- A new document management system was put in place in early March. This aims to improve the processing speed in the Passport Service offices, and turnaround times for applicants. One particular feature of the new system improves the processing time for applicants who have been asked to submit additional documents. Once the additional documents are received, they are prioritised and where applications are complete can now be processed in 3 weeks. This significantly reduces the processing time, particularly for first time applicants.
- A new Passport Service site in Swords, Co. Dublin opened in November 2021 and accommodates 140 staff. Works on expansion of the Passport Service site in Balbriggan began in January 2022 and it is anticipated that this will be completed in the autumn of 2022. This will accommodate 175 staff.
- Public information media campaigns reminding citizens to check and renew their passports will continue throughout this busy year.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs website has been enhanced and now includes a new passport service section where applicants can easily find out what additional documents are required for their type of application.
We are confident that the measures that have been implemented will help to reduce passport turnaround times in the course of 2022, particularly for first time applications, and will assist the Passport Service in meeting the high demand forecast for this year.
The current passport processing times are:
- 10 working days for Simple Adult online renewals
- 15 working days for Complex or child online renewals
- 35 working days for First Time Applications on Passport Online
- 8 weeks for An Post’s mail-in “Passport Express” service
There are currently over 182,000 applications in the Passport Service system. While there is a very high volume of applications in the system, this does not represent a backlog. These applications are all being processed in the usual way, with a continuous stream of new applications and a continuous dispatch of completed passports happening every day.
Figures show that of the total number of applications in the system, 63% are fully complete and are being processed by the Passport Service. The other 37% of applications in the system are incomplete, which means the Passport Service is waiting for the applicant to submit the necessary documentation 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.
First time passport applications do take longer to process than renewal applications and there are a number of reasons for this. First time applications are necessarily complex to process, since, in many cases, they are 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 first time 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 and extra measures undertaken by highly trained and experienced staff, first time applications take 35 working days to process.
I strongly urge anyone who is considering travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply for their passports online in plenty of time.
105. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the humanitarian assistance being provided by Ireland to alleviate the distress of refugees fleeing Ukraine to border countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe solidarity shown by countries bordering Ukraine in taking in millions of refugees over a period of a few weeks has been remarkable. Their solidarity must now be matched by other EU Member States and Ireland will not be found wanting. As of last weekend, over 9000 Ukrainians had come to Ireland, with a whole of Government response being put in place to assist their stay. I would like to pay tribute to all those Irish people who have offered a place in their homes, or who are otherwise helping those Ukrainians who are here or coming here.
I am conscious that Ireland must also assist those closer to Ukraine, already hosting millions of refugees. That is why I allocated one quarter of the initial €20 million Irish Aid Ukraine response package to the UNHCR Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP). The RRP is allocating its €500 million appeal to directly supporting the host countries of Poland, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.
In addition, €2 million of that support to UNHCR will go directly to is work in Poland and Moldova, who are coping with the largest influxes of refugees.
Given the particular vulnerability of female refugees, €1.5 million in Irish Aid support to UNFPA’s work on protection of women and girls.
A dedicated call for proposals for Irish NGOs ready to respond and support host countries is also being launched.
€1 million in Irish Aid funding is supporting national Red Cross societies, including in Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, and Romania, in their work with Ukrainian refugees.
Ireland is contributing to the 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.
Finally, 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 RRP and additional funding to neighbouring countries.
106. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates on which he raised the Palestinian issue with his European counterparts since his appointment to this office as he stated in Dáil Éireann on 2 March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates on which he has met with representatives of the Israeli Government; the dates on which he has met with the Palestinian Government since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13372/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 131 together.
The Middle East Peace Process continues to be a key foreign policy priority for Ireland, and I have had extensive engagements with my counterparts in the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
I have made five visits to the region, most recently from 1-5 November 2021 when I visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory, and Jordan. During this visit, my engagements in Israel included meetings with President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz. On the Palestinian side, I met with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Abu Amr.
Further to my direct contacts with my Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, Irish officials continue to engage in regular dialogue with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities on matters of mutual concern, including the Middle East Peace Process.
I have also had regular engagement with my European counterparts, as well as with the European Union institutions, in relation to these issues. In addition to ongoing bilateral contacts, I regularly discuss these matters with European partners in the context of multilateral fora, including the EU and the UN. I participate in meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) regarding the Middle East Peace Process, most recently on 18 October 2021. I addressed the UN Security Council on 16 May 2021 in response to the escalation in violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland's representatives consistently engage in respect of our concerns at monthly Security Council meetings on the Middle East, most recently on 22 March.
Furthermore, Irish officials are in continuous dialogue with our European partners on these matters, including at the UN Security Council and via our Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.
107. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the circumstances in which Russian businesspersons have been granted Irish passports; the number of such passports granted and in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to them. In order to meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement when making a first time passport application.
It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy as the Passport Service does not record any other citizenship that may be held by Irish citizens who apply for Irish passports nor does it enquire as to their occupation.
108. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department’s plans to expand the Irish diplomatic presence in the Middle East given the current circumstances surrounding energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15482/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s diplomatic presence in the Middle East includes long established Embassies in Cairo, Tel Aviv, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, as well as a representative office in Ramallah. A new Embassy in Amman was opened in 2019. There are also Honorary Consuls in Manama, Alexandria, Beirut, Damascus, and Muscat.
In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland programme, which aims to double Ireland’s global impact by 2025. To date, fourteen new Missions have opened. Four Missions opened in 2021, including Embassies in Kyiv, Manila, Rabat and a Consulate in Manchester. There have been Government decisions to open a further five new Missions. These are Consulates General in Toronto, Lyon and Miami and Embassies in Dakar and Tehran, which will bring to 19 the number of new Missions opened as part of the Global Ireland programme.
All Missions are located in regions where there are opportunities for Ireland to advance our national, economic, and political priorities, including with regard to issues such as energy security. Missions work as part of an integrated 'Team Ireland' model, in cooperation with State Agencies and other Government Departments, to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and promote our interests in trade, tourism, investment, science, technology and innovation, culture and education.
In considering any further expansion of the Diplomatic network, a range of factors will be taken into account. The Government is conscious of the factors that might warrant the opening of new Missions in a number of countries and will keep the matter under active review.
109. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications from County Tipperary that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15329/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications from County Longford that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15327/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications from counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications by persons in counties Carlow and Kilkenny that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15039/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 114, 121 and 152 together.
The numbers of passport applications with the Passport Service from counties Carlow, Cavan, Kilkenny, Longford, Monaghan, Meath and Tipperary are outlined below in tabular form.
Passport Service figures show that of the total of 182,000 passport applications in the system, 63% are fully complete and are being processed by the Passport Service. The other 37% of applications are incomplete, which means the Passport Service is waiting for the applicant to submit the necessary documentation 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. Applications that are incomplete cannot be processed within the average turnaround times.
The table below outlines the total number of applications in the system by county as well as the number that are currently being processed by the Passport Service and the number of applications that require further action from the applicant, such as the submission of additional documents.
|
County |
Total Applications in System |
Passport Service Processing |
Further action required by applicant |
|
Carlow |
912 |
508 |
404 |
|
Cavan |
1,132 |
591 |
541 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,444 |
828 |
616 |
|
Longford |
545 |
292 |
253 |
|
Monaghan |
824 |
481 |
343 |
|
Meath |
3,760 |
2,195 |
1,565 |
|
Tipperary |
2,253 |
1,229 |
1,024 |
112. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the application by Moldova to join the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15156/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, and of the European perspective of the Eastern Partnership’s three associated partners, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Ukraine, in particular, has made impressive progress in aligning with EU standards and deserves recognition for their efforts to defend European values.
However, we are mindful that there is a clear distinction between the response to the situation in Ukraine and applications from Moldova and Georgia. I also note that Ukraine FM Kuleba specifically asked at the 4 March FAC that the three countries not be treated as a package.
On 10 March the European Council invited the Commission to submit its opinions on all three applications and to assess the applicant states' preparedness for accession.
This will be based on a number of criteria, primarily the Republic of Moldova's capacity to align with the EU acquis. In the past, it has taken up to three years for the Commission to revert to the Council with their opinion. Typically, the opinion will set out a number of deliverables to be fulfilled by the country before it can be considered an official candidate country. Once the opinion is accepted by the Council, the country becomes a potential candidate country (similar to both Bosnia and Kosovo) entitling them to extra technical support and guidance under a stabilisation agreement with a view to boosting the country’s preparedness for accession.
Ireland will continue to support the EU aspirations of Moldova, while urging its authorities for continued improvements, particularly in the priority areas of promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law, an independent judiciary and good governance.
113. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that Ireland is undertaking at the United Nations and within the European Union to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15345/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am extremely concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which now has the highest number of people in emergency food insecurity in the world.
In addition to responding to humanitarian need with over €5 million in Irish Aid funding last year, Ireland has been active on Afghanistan at the UN and within the European Union.
Since mid-August 2021, the UN Security Council has met five times to discuss Afghanistan. Each time, Ireland has underlined the need for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, as well as the necessity to protect human rights, especially those of Afghan women, girls, and minorities. Ireland strongly supported the UN Security Council Resolution, adopted on 22 December 2021, which exempts humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan from UN sanctions against members of the Taliban.
Ireland will participate at a high level donor-pledging conference on Afghanistan on 31 March, at which donors will be asked to pledge their responses to a UN funding appeal for seeking approximately $5 billion to meet the emergency humanitarian needs within Afghanistan and of Afghan refugees in the region.
Ireland is also contributing to the EU response, which – along with Member States – allocated more than €1 billion in funding last year to UN agencies and NGOs working in Afghanistan to deliver humanitarian aid and to support basic needs. The EU has also established a humanitarian air bridge that has delivered over 280 tonnes of lifesaving medication, food and equipment against COVID-19 to Afghanistan.
In addition, Ireland contributes to support global funds and provides core funding to key agencies that allocate funding to Afghanistan, including the EU, WHO, UNHCR, IFRC, ICRC and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Ireland was the 9th largest donor to the CERF in 2021, providing €11 million. Since August 2021, the CERF has allocated more than €68.6 million to Afghanistan.
