Tuesday, 21 Jun 2022

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (274)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

274. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to hold a referendum on Irish neutrality; and if so, when he intends to hold the referendum. [31934/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland has a longstanding policy of military neutrality, meaning that we do not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. This policy, which has been implemented by successive governments, informs our active approach to peace support operations, crisis management, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. There are no plans to alter this policy at this time and the Government has no plans to hold a referendum on neutrality.

However, it is clear that the security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. The war in Ukraine, the decisions by Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership, and the upcoming response to the recommendations by the Commission on the Defence Forces have all brought security and defence issues to the fore domestically.

In this context, there is undoubtedly a need for debate on security and defence policy in Ireland, to reflect on the security and defence challenges we face as a country and the best way for us to respond to those challenges. The Taoiseach has indicated that the issues involved could potentially be discussed through a Citizens Assembly or a similar framework. It is important that this debate take place in an open and evidence-based way, and at an appropriate time. The Taoiseach has already noted that this could happen during the lifetime of the current Government.

As I have said previously, the Government’s immediate focus in the meantime remains on easing the plight of the Ukrainian people and holding the Russian leadership to account for its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (275)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

275. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views in relation to Ukrainian oligarchs and organised crime in the State given his advocacy for early accession to the European Union.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31777/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

On 17 June, the European Commission published its formal Opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the European Union. As the Opinion states, the aspiration to belong to the European Union has for many years been an important priority for Ukraine, its governments and citizens. It has been an underlying motive for democratic changes over the past decade and a driver of a number of key reforms founded on European values.

The decision in late 2013, of the then-President of Ukraine not to sign, the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, which symbolised for many Ukrainians a path towards the European Union, led to large-scale protests against the authorities. Subsequently, the Russian Federation moved against Ukraine, not accepting the independent choice of the Ukrainian people. While losing control over part of its territory and suffering human and economic losses because of the conflict in the eastern part of the country, Ukraine continued throughout the years as a resilient democracy, gradually aligning with the EU acquis.

Since 2014, the main framework for the EU’s partnership and cooperation with Ukraine was the Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Implementation of reforms by Ukraine, as envisaged in the Association Agreement (AA), has been an core element of Ukraine's EU prospective. Ireland consistently encouraged Ukraine on its reform path.

In September 2021, new de-oligarchisation legislation was passed in Ukraine which allows for the creation of a registry of oligarchs. Those on the registry are forbidden to make contributions in support of political parties or participate in large-scale privatization. Also, persons from this Register have to submit a declaration of income. In addition, civil servants are required to file "declarations of contact" if they have been in contact with the oligarch or their representative. Failure to file such a declaration may result in political or disciplinary action.

Ukraine has approved a Strategy on Combating Organised Crime in 2020; the Action Plan for the Strategy is under development. A government regulation on Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessments (SOCTA) was adopted in 2022 and Regional Organized Crime Threat Assessment Task Forces (ROCTAFs) were launched nation-wide.

My Department is carefully studying the opinion of the European Commission on Ukraine's application for EU membership. The Irish Government hopes for a positive response on Ukraine's application at the European Council meeting of 23-24 June. Ireland will continue to emphasise the importance of reforms in Ukraine, including in the areas of rule of law, good governance and combatting corruption.

Passport Services

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

283. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31836/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

284. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31837/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

288. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the applicant's date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31841/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

290. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31843/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

292. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31845/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

298. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide assistance with a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31889/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

299. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide assistance with a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31890/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

Ceist:

Ceist:

531. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on passport applications which has been showing an expected issue date of 3 June 2022. [32821/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 277, 281, 283, 284, 288, 290, 292, 298, 299, 306, 311, 314, 322, 323, 339, 340, 342, 344, 346, 351, 355, 356, 358, 368, 369, 370, 395, 397, 401, 406, 407, 408, 411, 416, 418, 420, 426, 427, 428, 497, 498, 500, 503, 504, 508, 509, 510, 511, 514, 516, 521, 524, 526 and 531 together.

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

Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 276.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (278, 315, 319, 335, 338, 367, 394, 409, 413, 414, 495, 517, 520)

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

520. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32738/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 315, 319, 335, 338, 367, 394, 409, 413, 414, 495, 517 and 520 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Passport Services

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pa Daly

Ceist:

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280, 286, 293, 294, 296, 302, 303, 305, 310, 312, 325, 327, 329, 334, 354, 359, 362, 374, 380, 382, 391, 393, 400, 410, 412, 419, 506, 512, 513 and 519 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.

Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 276.

Passport Services

448. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passport applications (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32464/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

Ceist:

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 285, 287, 289, 295, 297, 300, 301, 304, 308, 316, 317, 318, 320, 324, 326, 328, 337, 341, 343, 345, 348, 352, 353, 357, 361, 363, 364, 365, 366, 371, 372, 375, 378, 381, 383, 386, 388, 389, 399, 421, 422, 423, 424, 435, 441, 443, 448, 454, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 473, 480, 481, 482, 485, 490 and 491 together.

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

Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 284 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 285 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 286 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 287 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 288 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 289 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 290 answered with Question No. 276.

Passport Services

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 321, 333, 336, 349, 379, 429, 446, 447, 452, 502 and 528 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Question No. 292 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 293 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 294 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 295 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 296 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 297 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 298 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 299 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 300 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 301 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 302 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 303 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 304 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 305 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 306 answered with Question No. 276.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (307)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

307. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that from 13 July 2022, no communication channels were open with the Passport Office, including the helpline for Deputies, a direct phone line, webchat or email; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31924/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

The Passport Service Customer Service Hub is available to respond to customer queries by phone and webchat. The Customer Service Hub has handled over 123,000 queries to date this year and is currently handling an average of 1,200 queries per day. During times of peak demand, there can be delays in getting through to a service agent due to the high volumes of enquiries. The Passport Service webchat at www.dfa.ie/passports is also operational and customers should refresh the page if the icon is grey. A webchat operator is available when the icon is green.

Staff on the Oireachtas Urgent Query Service team continue to work productively under increasing pressure. They are dealing with record numbers of calls and queries every week and have handled over 17,500 queries from Members since the beginning of this year.

On Monday, 13 June, phones and webchats were fully operational in both the Customer Service Hub and on the Oireachtas Urgent Query Service line. The Customer Service Hub handled 800 calls and 400 webchats. The Oireachtas line team handled 430 queries over the course of 150 calls.

The Customer Service Hub is the priority for allocation of new staff from the recent Temporary Clerical Officer competition completed by the Passport Service. Since the week of 23 May, 35 new officers have been assigned to the Customer Service Hub. My Department has been working with the HSE to provide opportunities to contract tracing staff to transfer to the Passport Service. As of Monday, 20 June, these staff have begun to be assigned to the Customer Service Hub, which will further increase the number of staff answering customer queries.

The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance customer experience in the provision of this essential citizen service.

Question No. 308 answered with Question No. 282.

Foreign Birth Registration

Ceisteanna (309)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

309. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration application (details supplied); the timeline for when the application will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31929/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

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, ##applicant's should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of FBR staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service was paused for nearly 15 months across the 2020-2021 period.

The processing of Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) resumed in November 2021. FBR staff have since processed 7,000 FBR applications while also continuing to provide support to Passport services due to the unprecedented levels of passport demand.

The FBR Service provides an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. Such applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly. For other applications, the FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt.

With regard to the application to which the Deputy has referred, this application has been processed and the applicant has now been entered onto the Foreign Birth Register.

The Passport Service has been scaling up resources to deal with anticipated demand for passports and FBRs since June of last year. A major recruitment drive, in partnership with the Public Appointments Service, has been underway over the past several months. This has seen the Passport Service taken on over 400 staff since June 2021.

The unprecedented level of staff currently working in the Passport Service will be maintained in the months ahead. This will allow for the reassignment of additional staff to the processing of FBR applications with the aim of significantly reducing turnaround times for these applications by the end of this y ear.

Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 312 answered with Question No. 279.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (313, 445)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

313. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31946/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

445. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is unable to find the application number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32403/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 445 together.

With regard to the specific case about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Question No. 314 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 315 answered with Question No. 278.

Question No. 316 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 317 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 319 answered with Question No. 278.

Question No. 320 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 321 answered with Question No. 291.

Question No. 322 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 323 answered with Question No. 276.

Question No. 324 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 326 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 279.

Question No. 328 answered with Question No. 282.

Question No. 329 answered with Question No. 279.

Passport Services

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 331, 332, 347, 350, 360, 390, 392, 398, 402, 403, 404, 405, 415, 417, 492, 493, 494, 496, 499, 505, 507, 515, 518, 522, 523, 525 and 529 together.

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

Question No. 331 answered with Question No. 330.

Question No. 332 answered with Question No. 330.

Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 291.