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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 351-372

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (353)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

353. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to his counterpart in the United States and in the United States Embassy regarding the delays in issuing visas to Irish citizens who have been approved for said visas at their embassy in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24256/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The processing of visas to enter the United States is solely a matter for the US authorities, and my Department has no remit over the operations of the US Embassy Visa Service. My advice to those seeking to apply for a US visa or for an ESTA visa waiver is to get information from the website of the US Embassy in Dublin and to engage with them directly on their application.

Officials from my Department are in regular communication with the US Embassy, and understand that efforts are being made to minimise waiting times, including the allocation of dedicated extra resources for the processing of J1 visa applications, which is expected to result in a significant increase in the number being processed in the coming days and weeks.

Equal Opportunities Employment

Ceisteanna (354)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

354. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24307/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to meeting its obligations under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and the Disability Act 2005. Under my Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 and the Department's Human Resources Strategy 2019-2022, there is a commitment to embed a culture of dignity and respect, emphasising gender, equality, diversity and inclusion.

As part of my Department's efforts to increase awareness and understanding of the supports for officers with a disability, including arranging for reasonable accommodations to be put in place, the Department has a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer who is based in the Human Resources Division. During induction the Disability Liaison Officer meets new officers who join the Department and provides a short presentation on the role of the Disability Liaison Officer; how to disclose a disability; the statutory obligations placed on public sector organisations; and the processes in place for officers who require a reasonable accommodation. At all times, the Disability Liaison Officer is guided by the Code of Practice for the Employment of Persons with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service. The Disability Liaison Officer also takes part in Training events throughout the year to highlight the supports available for officers with a disability.

More broadly, as part of my Department's efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for officers with a disability, the Department rolled out Disability Awareness Training in 2021, which consists of 11 modules covering a broad range of topics, including Mental Health, Hidden Disabilities, Sensory Conditions and Wheelchair Etiquette, amongst others.

Under the remit of the Department's Management Board Sub-Committee on Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, there is a Social Inclusion and Disability Working Group which aims to champion and celebrate social inclusion and disability in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Together with the Disability Liaison Officer, the Social Inclusion and Disability Working Group organise events to mark important days such as the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. As part of the work that the Sub-Committee progresses, a Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, which includes specific actions related to Disability and Accessibility will be introduced shortly.

There are no public bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of my Department.

Northern Ireland

Ceisteanna (355)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

355. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of his efforts to ensure power-sharing in Northern Ireland continues in the aftermath of the Stormont elections. [24335/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have remained and continue to remain in regular contact with the parties in Northern Ireland, and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following the Assembly elections. This election has undoubtedly brought with it significant democratic change, which will need to be navigated in the period ahead.

It is, first and foremost, a matter for the parties now, and those representatives that have been elected in good faith, to come together to establish an Executive that can deliver for all of the people of Northern Ireland on the basis of the result of the election, and in a spirit of partnership, equality and mutual respect.

It is disappointing that it was not possible to elect an Assembly Speaker last Friday,

We will continue to engage with the parties and the British Government to support the full functioning of the democratic institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. I hope, as we all do, that we will see those institutions up and running as soon as possible. I will also continue to remain in close contact with the Secretary of State, as both Governments work in partnership as co-guarantors of the Agreement, in support of power-sharing and a peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (356)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

356. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason interim death certificates are recognised when applying for renewal of children’s passports in which a parent has died in the interim. [24341/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport.

In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and the rights of the child and their guardian(s), it is important that the Passport Service is satisfied that all relevant guardians have given their consent to the issuance of a passport to a child.

Where a child's guardian is deceased, the original death certificate of the deceased guardian, consent of the surviving guardian and a Sole Guardian Affidavit from the surviving guardian should be submitted to the Passport Service in order to satisfy guardian consent requirements. If the original death certificate is not available, a coroner's report or interim death certificate will meet the Passport Service requirements.

Question No. 357 answered with Question No. 345.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (358)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

358. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an urgent passport appointment can be facilitated for a person (details supplied) travelling abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24354/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

With regard to the specific case about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the child's parent to advise as to the steps they must take to apply for a passport.

Question No. 359 answered with Question No. 345.

Ministerial Communications

Ceisteanna (360)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

360. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs If he has spoken formally with his Turkish counterpart to date in 2022. [24388/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Turkey is an important player in relation to developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East more generally. In that context, I keep in quite regular engagement with my Turkish counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs Çavusoglu, to discuss issues currently before the UN Security Council as well as overall EU-Turkey relations. My most recent conversation with Foreign Minister Çavusoglu, and also the only formal contact so far this year, was when we spoke by phone on 13 April in order to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine where Turkey is seeking to play an important mediation role. 

My Department, including our Embassy in Ankara, also keeps in regular official contact with the Turkish government on a wide range of bilateral, EU and international issues, including the domestic situation in Turkey and important issues currently before the UN Security Council. I visited Turkey and met with Foreign Minister Çavusoglu early last year, primarily in relation to renewal of an important UN Security Council Resolution pertaining to the humanitarian situation in Syria. Senior official level consultations with Turkey also take place on a regular basis, with a further session at Deputy Secretary General level planned for later this month in Ankara.

Question No. 361 answered with Question No. 345.
Question No. 362 answered with Question No. 341.
Question No. 363 answered with Question No. 345.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (364)

James Lawless

Ceist:

364. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24435/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service regrets the delay in processing this application and is prioritising it to ensure no further delay is experienced.

Question No. 365 answered with Question No. 341.
Question No. 366 answered with Question No. 345.
Question No. 367 answered with Question No. 345.
Question No. 368 answered with Question No. 341.
Question No. 369 answered with Question No. 341.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (370, 376, 381, 389, 391, 396, 404, 413, 414, 421, 423)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

370. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite the processing and release of a passport renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will facilitate the collection of the passport by the applicant . [24472/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

376. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24618/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

381. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this application has passed the estimated issue date and the imminent travel plans. [24638/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

389. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24725/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

391. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24727/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

396. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24732/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James Lawless

Ceist:

404. 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. [24766/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

413. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as the application has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24833/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

414. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as the application has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24834/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

James Lawless

Ceist:

421. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24909/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

423. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made in processing an application for a passport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24921/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 370, 376, 381, 389, 391, 396, 404, 413, 414, 421 and 423 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed all applications and progressed as appropriate.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (371)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

371. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a first-time passport for a minor which was lodged over three months ago will be dispatched considering that the estimated issue date was 21 April 2022; when a refund will issue in respect of the previous application for this child which expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24477/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant and a refund has issued for the previous application.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (372)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

372. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports will issue in time for booked travel for persons (details supplied) that applied in January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24481/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to one of the applicants. The Passport Service regrets the delay in processing the other application and will prioritise the application once additional documentation is received.

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