Written Answers Nos. 261-270
262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to engage with the British Prime Minister and United Kingdom authorities in order to resolve difficulties caused by Brexit and alleviated by the Northern Ireland Protocol. [30958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he continues to bring further pressure on the British Government to fully honour the international agreement on Brexit; and if he continues to use the urgent need for the restoration of the Northern Assembly through all channels in this regard. [27717/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 310 together.
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was designed and agreed by the UK and EU to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions and to mitigate the inevitable disruption arising for the island of Ireland from Brexit.
I spoke last week to Foreign Secretary Truss and speak on an ongoing basis with Secretary of State Brandon Lewis regarding both the Protocol and NI Executive formation, while the Taoiseach remains in contact with Prime Minister Johnson. I also maintain ongoing contact with the parties and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland, as well as with Commission Vice-President Šefcovic, EU counterparts, and a range of US partners.
In contacts with the British Government, I have underlined the Irish Government’s deep disappointment at their decision to table legislation to unilaterally disapply parts of the Protocol. Such unilateral action would, if enacted, breach international law. It damages relationships within Northern Ireland, across our islands, between our governments, and between the UK and the EU.
I underlined that people in Northern Ireland do not support this legislation. We have seen that 52 MLAs have written to PM Johnson expressing “in the strongest possible terms” their objection to it. Northern Ireland business is clear that they need certainty and stability and that this requires a negotiated settlement.
Both the Irish Government and European Commission have engaged consistently with Northern Ireland stakeholders, including the Unionist community, to understand their concerns. In October, the Commission presented proposals directly addressing these concerns, but the UK has not seriously engaged with them. Last week, in addition to relaunching infringement proceedings following the UK’s actions on the Protocol, the Commission outlined further detail for these proposals. Only joint solutions can provide long-term legal certainty and predictability to Northern Ireland. The UK needs to reciprocate the flexibility shown by the EU. I strongly urge the British Government to engage constructively with the EU.
It is also important that we continue to work to support all the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, and the ongoing work of the peace process. The election on 5 May brought with it significant democratic change. It is, first and foremost, a matter for the parties now, and those representatives elected in good faith, to come together to establish an Executive to deliver for all the people of Northern Ireland on the basis of election result, and in a spirit of partnership, equality and mutual respect.
I hope, as we all do, that we will see those institutions up and running as soon as possible. I will continue to engage with the Secretary of State, other British Government counterparts, and the parties in Northern Ireland, in support of the functioning of all of the Good Friday Agreement institutions and a peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland.
263. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if this Government is committed to the policy of military neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23757/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality has been implemented by successive Governments, and is characterised by non-membership of military alliances. This policy informs our active approach to peace support operations, crisis management, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. There are no plans to alter this policy.
We must recognise however that the world has changed significantly in recent years, and the security and defence challenges we face as a country are not the same as those we faced in previous decades. Cyber and hybrid threats, for example, have emerged as a serious and on-going threat to global, regional, and national security.
In this context, I believe that a national debate on security and defence policy is needed. We must reflect on the security and defence challenges we face as a country and on ways 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.
However, it is important that this debate should take place in an open and evidence-based way, and at an appropriate time. As I have said on many occasions, the immediate focus remains on easing the plight of the Ukrainian people and holding the Russian leadership to account.
264. 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. [33273/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. 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. [33278/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra270. 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. [33279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. 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. [33283/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that they are due to travel on Monday 20 June 2022.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33304/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicants as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.
265. 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. [33274/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. 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. [33275/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra267. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the applicants date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33276/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. 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. [33284/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when supporting documents received by the Passport Office on 18 May 2022 will be attached to an application (details supplied) in order that it can progress; when this passport will be dispatched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33355/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application of a person (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33385/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application of a person (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33389/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications and progressed as appropriate.
268. 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. [33277/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. 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. [33280/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. 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. [33281/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. 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. [33289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. 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. [33290/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33301/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that they are due to travel abroad on Tuesday 21 June 2022.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33303/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application of a person (details supplied) given that they were advised that original paperwork was outstanding but they claim that all requested original documents were submitted with the application.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33306/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied). [33307/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied). [33308/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that it was due to issue on 17 June 2022. [33309/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that they are due to travel 24 June 2022. [33310/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied). [33311/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33381/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra299. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33383/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33384/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33386/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33387/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application of a person (details supplied) given that the target issue date has been exceeded and the date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33424/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33455/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport will issue on time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33456/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33458/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33460/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy David Cullinane 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 the travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) given that that they applied for their passport on 16 March 2022 and they have imminent travel plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 271, 272, 280, 281, 284, 285, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 298, 299, 300, 301, 303, 304, 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 316 and 317 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
