Written Answers Nos. 373-394
373. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport for a person (details supplied) will be dispatched; if any further supporting documentation is required for this application to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
374. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the genuine human solidarity and empathy shown by Ireland and the EU to victims of the war in Ukraine in contrast with the continued provision of immunity for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians; his views that international law should apply equally to the invasion of a sovereign country as well as to the colonisation and persecution of another; his further view that the taking of territory is wrong in both instances; his views that the role of the ICC in investigating war crimes be equally endorsed in the case of Israeli repression of Palestinians as in the case of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24614/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in favour, given the significant extra resources and political support made available to the International Criminal Court, ICC, for its Ukraine investigation, including from countries not previously supportive of the court’s mandate and activities, of extra resources and support also being made available to the ICC for its Israel-Palestine investigation, which is currently operating with limited resources and in an environment of strong political opposition; the steps he will take to ensure the latter investigation will be allocated equal resources and given every opportunity to complete its investigation successfully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24615/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
I am proud of the solidarity and support Ireland has provided to Ukraine, as well as our continued commitment to the Middle East Peace Process, which remains a key priority for the Government. Ireland strongly supports a two-State Solution based on international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and in line with the agreed parameters for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ireland is also a firm supporter of the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and a party to the Rome Statute. The Court not only promotes and upholds the rule of law but also provides a means of bringing to account the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. The Court's work contributes in a fundamental way to international peace and justice, both in Ukraine and with respect to those states in the Middle East over which it has jurisdiction.
In February 2021, the ICC confirmed its territorial jurisdiction concerning the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. In March 2021, the Prosecutor of the ICC announced the commencement of a formal investigation and this investigation into the situation is ongoing. Ireland is committed to preserving the independence and impartiality of the Court’s judicial process and, accordingly, we do not comment on ongoing legal processes.
On 14 April, I announced that Ireland will provide €3 million in additional funding to the Court. €1 million will be disbursed immediately to the Office of the Prosecutor and my officials are currently engaging with the Office of the Prosecutor to complete the transfer of these funds.
While I announced this funding in Ukraine, this additional support to the Prosecutor from Ireland will be available to benefit investigations into all situation countries, including the occupied Palestinian territory. This funding replaces the previous €150,000 grant I announced on 31 March.
382. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue on time for an applicant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24704/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
387. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of cases in which a parental consent form could not be verified by the Passport Office in each of the years between 2017 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24713/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe witnessing of identity and consent forms for children is a vital element of the verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the child in the photograph is the same child submitted on the passport application form and that the child's guardians have consented to the issuance of the passport.
In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and also the rights of parents or guardians and children, it is important that forms are correctly completed and that the witness' signature is verified by the Passport Service.
The Passport Service does not maintain records of how many applications are rejected because the witness to a child's identity and consent form could not be contacted. The Passport Service will only request a new identity and consent form after multiple attempts have been made to contact the witness.
388. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport express application will be completed for a minor (details supplied) considering it was received by the Passport Office on 22 February 2022 and has exceeded the estimated issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24724/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
