Written Answers Nos. 318-365
320. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that the applicants date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31574/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
357. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that Ireland is taking to combat the ongoing religiously motivated persecution of Christians and Catholics in Nigeria; if his attention has been drawn to the massacre that took place recently (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31651/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI condemn the 5 June attack on innocent civilians attending St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria, in a diocese with links to Irish missionaries. This atrocious attack resulted in multiple deaths, reportedly at least 40, and many others wounded. I would like to express my deepest condolences to all of the families affected.
The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja, Nigeria, is monitoring developments in the investigation.
This deadly attack is the latest incident in Nigeria in recent years. The deteriorating security situation has many complex and interwoven drivers provoking tensions within and between groups. Increased violence against civilians is a tragic consequence of these tensions, which can also have a sectarian dimension.
I condemn all attacks on civilians in Nigeria, and elsewhere, irrespective of who the perpetrators of such violence are, and their purported motives. There is no justification for acts of violence or discrimination based on religion or beliefs.
The Embassy of Ireland in Abuja advocates for the protection of human rights, including the free expression of thought, conscience and religion including through the Irish Aid programme, working closely with government authorities, civil society organisations, and our EU and UN partners. As an elected member of the UN Security Council, Ireland works with UN partners to promote peace and security in areas affected by insecurity.
The humanitarian situation in Nigeria, arising from the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast of the country, affecting millions of people is also of deep concern. Ireland is a member of the International Support Group; a donor forum to coordinate support for Boko Haram-affected areas around Lake Chad. In 2021, Ireland provided €1 million to the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, which is managed by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and provides life-saving assistance to communities affected by the conflict in the north east of the country.
358. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of his recent discussions with British Labour Party Leader, Mr Starmer, in relation to the British Government proposals concerning legacy issues, the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol and the need to have the political institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31653/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with the Leader of the Official Opposition in the UK, Keir Starmer MP, and the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Kyle MP, on 9 June 2022. At the meeting we discussed a broad range of issues including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, the legacy of the Troubles, and the impact of recent British Government decisions on Northern Ireland.
I underlined the Irish Government’s deep disappointment at the British Government’s intention to table legislation which would allow British ministers to unilaterally dis-apply elements of the Protocol. Such unilateral action would represent a serious breach of international law. I emphasised the damage that such action on the Protocol would do to relationships within Northern Ireland, across our islands, between our governments, and between the UK and the EU and its member states. It would also clearly damage the international reputation of the UK.
I also emphasised that we have listened and take very seriously all sincerely held concerns about the Protocol. The EU has also consistently engaged with the perspectives of everyone in Northern Ireland and last October produced a package of proposals to directly address these concerns.
We agreed that only joint solutions can provide the long-term legal certainty and predictability which people and businesses in Northern Ireland need, and that there are solutions to practical issues which have arisen with regard to certain aspects of implementation of the Protocol.
We also discussed the UK Government’s decision to unilaterally introduce legislation on legacy cases in Northern Ireland, which moves away from the process agreed in the Stormont House Agreement, and in a direction that does not have the support of victims or any political party in Northern Ireland. I expressed my real concerns with both the process and substance of the draft legislation that has been introduced. These include concerns about the independence and effectiveness of the proposed review system, and its compliance with international human rights obligations.
359. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has outlined to the British Government that it’s recent proposals in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol are unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31655/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI spoke by phone to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Monday, 13 June. During the call, I made it clear to Secretary Truss that publishing legislation would breach the UK’s commitments under international law, the Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, would be deeply damaging to relationships on these islands and between the UK and EU. Minister of State Byrne spoke with his UK counterpart James Cleverly MP on 13 June also reiterating these same points.
This phone call followed a number of contacts I have had with UK Foreign Secretary Truss, including a meeting on 20 May where I have repeatedly outlined Ireland’s views on the British Government’s approach.
On 13 June, I also spoke with European Commission Vice-President Šefcovic and am in ongoing intensive contact with our partners across the EU. Opposition to the UK’s illegal unilateral approach is uniform across the Union. Support for the Commission approach and for minimising disruption in Northern Ireland remains steadfast among EU member states.
The tabling of this legislation marks a particular low point in the UK’s approach to Brexit. Brexit and in particular the hard Brexit chosen by the UK Government is the root cause of the uncertainty in Northern Ireland. The Protocol is the solution, jointly designed and freely chosen by the British Government to mitigate the challenges posed by their preferred version of Brexit.
Arguing that the Good Friday Agreement and the Protocol are incompatible is disingenuous and irresponsible. The Protocol was specifically designed by the UK and EU to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement. Taken together, they are a powerful expression of what negotiation and partnership can achieve. Only a jointly agreed solution will consolidate these achievements and bring real stability and opportunities for Northern Ireland.
Despite this act of bad faith, the EU is still fully committed to addressing issues of concern to people in Northern Ireland and remains open to talks with the UK Government. I continue to urge the British Government to return to the table. No solution can be found through the repudiation of our agreement – an action that could have wider consequences, in terms of the reputation and the standing of the UK internationally. Reaching a solution requires partnership. It requires the UK Government to engage in good faith, with seriousness and commitment.
364. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that operate in direct contact with members of the public have policies in place for members of the public to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur on the property of his Department or each public body and agency under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra365. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place for employees to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur involving other employees or members of the public or on the property of his Department or each public body and agency that operate under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs examines all formal complaints made to its HR Unit notwithstanding the category they fall under. Complaints in relation sexual harassment and assault are addressed under the Dignity at Work: An Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Irish Civil Service policy, which is available on gov.ie.
Additionally, the Department has a Safeguarding Policy which outlines the principles, expectations and requirements of DFA staff and DFA partners in relation to safeguarding in the delivery of DFA business regarding child safeguarding as well as the prevention, mitigation and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. It also sets out the steps to be taken if a staff member, a partner, a service-user or a member of the public has a safeguarding concern. This policy is available on the Department’s intranet site.
The Department does not have any public bodies or agencies under its remit.
