Tuesday, 14 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 578-597

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (579)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

579. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a person (details supplied) who submitted an application on 31 January 2022 will be issued with their passport; his views on whether it is acceptable to wait for this length of time; if he will consider making changes to the way that passport applications are processed; if issues with applications will be addressed earlier in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29023/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 3 March 2022. Processing time for fully complete and correct applications begins from the date supporting documents are received by the Passport Service. At the time this application was received, the processing time for first time applications was 40 working days. In this specific application, the Passport Service requested additional supporting documents for the applicant which also increased the processing time. The passport was issued to the applicant on 2 June 2022.

The Passport Service is proactively managing the current demand for passports and has put in place resources and structures to address the significant increase in demand for passports in 2022 in this essential citizen service.

The Passport Service is already out-performing any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. In 2019, which was the busiest year for passports pre-Covid, the Passport Service had issued 517,000 passports by 14 June. In the same period this year, over 600,000 passports have been issued. Last year, 634,000 passports were issued in the whole year. In five and a half months, the Passport Service has issued 95% of the total number of passports that were issued in the whole of last year.

Since March, online processing times for first time applications have been reduced by 40% and these applications now take 25 working days rather than 40 days, as of Monday, 6 June. This is a direct result of the substantial level of investment that the Department has made in the Passport Service.

The Passport Service has been proactively planning for the significant increase in demand for many months and has made an unprecedented investment in the staffing and resources necessary to meet this demand.

It is currently not possible for the Passport Service to address issues with applications earlier in the process due to the volume of applications that are being received. Applications enter a queue and are checked in order of date received.

The Passport Service operates an award-winning online service, which compares favourably internationally with countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. There is an ongoing programme of reform in the Passport Service, which continues to look at ways to enhance the customer experience for citizens.

I am satisfied overall that Passport Service operations are meeting the current needs of passport applicants and that recent service improvements are allowing the Passport Service to provide this essential citizen service in an efficient and effective manner.

Question No. 580 answered with Question No. 542.

International Relations

Ceisteanna (581)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

581. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 19 May 2022, the efforts that he has made at European Union and United Nations level to promote and advance such a consensus rather than simply raising the issue of Israel’s compliance with international law (details supplied); his views on whether Ireland is in a strong position at European Union and United Nations level to show leadership in this respect; his views on whether the Irish people would support such an initiative; if he will table such a proposal in view of the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29111/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Middle East Peace Process remains a key foreign policy priority for the Government, including in the context of our current tenure on the UN Security Council.

Ireland has played a leadership role at both EU and UN level in taking a consistent, clear and firm line in relation to the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. I share the Deputy’s concern regarding the situation on the ground, and we have expressed our views clearly in relation to illegal settlement activity, settler violence, violations of international law and any action that threatens the viability of a two-State solution. We have done this proactively as a member of the EU, at the UN Security Council, and bilaterally with Israel, and we will continue to do so.

In addition, I have visited Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on five occasions as Minister for Foreign Affairs. I also meet regularly with other key partners in the region, most recently on 2 June when I travelled to Jordan and met with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. We discussed the situation on the ground in the region, in particular our shared concerns about the situation in Jerusalem.

It is important that Ireland, as a member of the Security Council and the EU, remains a credible and effective actor in international fora in respect of our views on the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli Government. To promote progress on these issues, and to use our position and influence within the EU and the UN effectively, we engage actively in dialogue and seek to build consensus among our partners in these fora.

As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 19 May 2022, it remains the case that there is no consensus among EU Member States or at the Security Council for the introduction of sanctions against Israel.

However, Ireland consistently uses its voice to push for action at EU and UN levels, including in relation to differentiation between illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory and the State of Israel. Ireland’s advocacy in this regard has resulted in the implementation of a number of practical EU measures, including guidelines on the labelling of settlement goods (so that consumers can identify them and make their own choices in this matter), and exclusion of settlement institutions from EU research funding.

The Government remains firmly committed to a two-State solution, and will continue to work with partners to revive a political process in line with international law, which ensures equal rights and is acceptable to both parties.

Foreign Birth Registration

Ceisteanna (582, 829)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

582. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made on the allocation of further resources to reduce the processing times for applications to the foreign births register; the number of applications on the foreign births register system currently awaiting processing; the current processing time for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29124/22]

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

829. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current waiting time for applications to the foreign births register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30562/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 829 together.

My 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) resumed in November 2021. FBR staff also continue to provide support to Passport Services due to current unprecedented levels of passport demand.

A major recruitment drive has been underway over the past several months, which has seen the number of Passport Service staff increase by over 375 since June 2021. The Passport Service is currently running its own recruitment competition for Temporary Clerical Officers. This recruitment effort will bring staffing numbers to over 900, which represents a doubling of staff compared to June 2021. It is anticipated that some of these resources will be allocated to the provision of FBR Services as the current high level of passport demand reduces.

There are currently 38,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications on hand with the Passport Service. To date this year, almost 5,500 Foreign Birth Registration applications have been processed.

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 over 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time.

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 contact the Passport Service directly. For other applications, the FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt.

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.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (583, 584, 585)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

583. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has compiled an inventory of Russian assets held in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29146/22]

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

584. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the State has frozen or confiscated any Russian assets in Ireland; and if so, if he will list these assets. [29147/22]

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

585. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has compiled a list of Russian assets in the State; and if so, if he will provide a list of assets which have not been frozen or confiscated by the State. [29148/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 to 585, inclusive, together.

In relation to EU sanctions linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the obligation to freeze funds and economic resources belonging to, owned or controlled by listed persons and entities is set out in 'Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as amended'.

EU Regulations have direct effect in Irish law, so must be complied with in the same way as domestic Irish legislation. The obligation to freeze assets under the above sanctions regime - also known as the Ukraine (Territorial Integrity) Sanctions Regime - must therefore be complied with by whomever holds the assets at the time their owner is added to the sanctions list. In practice, this typically means that funds are to be frozen by financial institutions.

Irish financial institutions report details of funds frozen under EU sanctions to the Central Bank of Ireland. These details are in turn notified to the European Commission by the Department of Foreign Affairs on a regular basis, through a dedicated reporting portal. The total value of funds frozen by Irish financial institutions under the Ukraine (Territorial Integrity) Sanctions Regime up to 10 June 2022 is EUR 1.67 billion. Specific details of accountholders and owners of funds cannot be published, for reasons of confidentiality.

The sanctions adopted by the EU in response to the war in Ukraine are unprecedented, but are only effective insofar as they are properly implemented. In its capacity as a competent authority for financial sanctions, the Central Bank of Ireland maintains regular engagement with financial institutions on their obligations. Regular outreach to relevant private operators is also undertaken by the Department of Finance. The Cross Departmental International Sanctions Committee, chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs, has also been involved in outreach to private sector operators.

Other than through its regular reporting to the European Commission as outlined above, the Department of Foreign Affairs has not compiled an inventory of Russian assets held in the State. The Department is not currently aware of any assets owned or controlled by an individual or entity listed under the Ukraine (Territorial Integrity) Sanctions Regime that have not been frozen by the relevant body.

Question No. 584 answered with Question No. 583.

Question No. 585 answered with Question No. 583.

Question No. 586 answered with Question No. 543.

Question No. 587 answered with Question No. 543.

Question No. 588 answered with Question No. 543.

Question No. 589 answered with Question No. 543.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (590, 785, 786)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

590. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if assistance will be provided in relation to a passport application for a child (details supplied); given that it is well outside the 15-day estimated turnaround for a child renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29159/22]

John Brady

Ceist:

785. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30280/22]

John Brady

Ceist:

786. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30281/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 590, 785 and 786 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Question No. 591 answered with Question No. 543.

Question No. 592 answered with Question No. 542.

Question No. 593 answered with Question No. 542.

Question No. 594 answered with Question No. 542.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (595)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

595. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that Ireland's climate finance contributions fell from €93.6 million provided in 2019 to €88.3 million in 2020; if Ireland will commit to meeting the approximately €475 million a year required to meet Ireland's fair share, based on academic estimates and research from civil society in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29177/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

International climate action, including climate finance, is a key priority for the Irish Government.

Ireland’s Annual Climate Finance Reports, available on the Irish Aid website, illustrate the Government’s continued support to countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

To calculate Ireland’s contribution to international climate finance, the Irish Government strictly applies reporting guidance agreed at international and EU level. The methodology used to calculate climate finance changed in 2021, following the coming into force of the EU Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action This new methodology was applied to reporting on climate expenditure in 2020, compiled during 2021, and which is detailed in the 2020 Climate Finance Report.

Ireland’s climate finance in 2019 was €93.6 million. According to the previous methodology, Ireland’s total climate finance would be €91.8 million in 2020, representing a 2% decrease in climate finance from 2019. In applying the new methodology, Ireland’s climate finance is approximately €88.3 million. 2020 was also an exceptional year due to the impact of COVID-19 on programming and the delivery of planned activities.

The Government is committed to significantly increasing its climate finance, in response to the urgent needs of many developing countries. The Programme for Government tasked my Department with devising a strategy to scale up Ireland’s climate finance contributions. At COP26 in 2021, the Taoiseach announced that Ireland will more than double its international climate finance, reaching at least €225 million per year by 2025. Work on the strategy outlining how this target will be met is nearing completion.

Question No. 596 answered with Question No. 543.

Question No. 597 answered with Question No. 542.