Written Answers Nos. 764-783
764. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport for a person (details supplied) that was originally applied for on 10 March 2022 will be issued; if the delay in the process was caused while waiting for a reply for more information from the applicant; the other reasons for the delay with this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43583/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
Supporting documents for this application were received on 11 May 2022. Processing time begins from the date that the supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, not the online registration date.
The Passports Act 2008, as amended, requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister shall be satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen. Documentary evidence proving an applicant's identity and entitlement to citizenship are required in respect of all passport applications. Persons who were born in the State after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside without restriction in the State or in Northern Ireland, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for a passport) only where a parent has a period of reckonable residency in the State for 3 years of the 4 years preceding their birth.
In order to prove the residency period of one of the parents when applying for a passport on behalf of their child, the parent must provide acceptable documentary evidence. The documents required to prove the residency period vary depending on whether the parent was an EU or non-EU citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
The Irish passport was recently ranked 6th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 187 countries. This is something we can all be proud of. However, in order to maintain this ranking and to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, the Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship, as outlined above. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place for first time applications.
In the case of children, it is essential that the Passport Service verifies the consent of the child’s guardians before a passport can issue. This ensures that the Passport Service protects the rights of the child and their guardians.
Due to the intensive analysis and extra measures undertaken by highly trained and experienced staff, first time applications take longer than renewals. In cases of applications for children whose parents are applying on the basis of reckonable residency, the process can sometimes take longer due to the need to ensure that all of the required supporting documentation to prove the child’s entitlement to Irish citizenship is submitted and correct. A dedicated team of experienced staff processes these applications within the Passport Service. Due to the complexity of the documents required to prove entitlement to citizenship, further documentation from the applicant's parents is sometimes requested by the Passport Service which can add to the processing time, as was the case with this application.
While multiple detailed checks are necessary for such applications, once citizenship has been established and a first passport has been issued, all subsequent passport applications are processed as renewal applications.
765. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when two passports for siblings (details supplied) which were originally applied for on 10 May 2022, will issue; if the delay in the process was caused while waiting for a reply for more information from the applicant: the other reasons for the delay with this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43584/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
These applications were made via the paper application channel. The current turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks.
The Passports Act 2008, as amended, requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister shall be satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen. Documentary evidence proving an applicant's identity and entitlement to citizenship are required in respect of all passport applications. Persons who were born in the State after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside without restriction in the State or in Northern Ireland, may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for a passport) only where a parent has a period of reckonable residency in the State for 3 years of the 4 years preceding their birth.
In order to prove the residency period of one of the parents when applying for a passport on behalf of their child, the parent must provide acceptable documentary evidence. The documents required to prove the residency period vary depending on whether the parent was an EU or non-EU citizen at the time of the child’s birth.
The Irish passport was recently ranked 6th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 187 countries. This is something we can all be proud of. However, in order to maintain this ranking and to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, the Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship, as outlined above. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place for first time applications.
In the case of children, it is essential that the Passport Service verifies the consent of the child’s guardians before a passport can issue. This ensures that the Passport Service protects the rights of the child and their guardians.
Due to the intensive analysis and extra measures undertaken by highly trained and experienced staff, first time applications take longer than renewals. In cases of applications for children whose parents are applying on the basis of reckonable residency, the process can sometimes take longer due to the need to ensure that all of the required supporting documentation to prove the child’s entitlement to Irish citizenship is submitted and correct. A dedicated team of experienced staff processes these applications within the Passport Service. Due to the complexity of the documents required to prove entitlement to citizenship, further documentation from the applicant's parents is sometimes requested by the Passport Service which can add to the processing time, as was the case with these applications.
While multiple detailed checks are necessary for such applications, once citizenship has been established and a first passport has been issued, all subsequent passport applications are processed as renewal applications.
766. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that Irish Government is taking to combat the grave human rights violations taking place in Myanmar following the military coup there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43629/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI continue to be gravely concerned by the deteriorating human rights, security, and humanitarian situation in Myanmar. The impacts of the February 2021 coup have been devastating for the people of Myanmar.
Ireland abhors the deliberate targeting and killing of civilians, including women and children, and the use of military weaponry, sexual violence, torture, and the death penalty by the military regime.
Ireland is actively engaged on the crisis in Myanmar in the context of our role on the United Nations Security Council and through the European Union. The situation in Myanmar has been considered nine times by the Security Council since the coup, most recently on 27 May 2022. At that meeting the Council was briefed by UN Special Envoy Noeleen Heyzer and ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn. Ireland highlighted the deterioration of the situation on the ground, pointing to the Tatmadaw’s continued targeting of civilians. Ireland also called for unhindered and unfettered humanitarian access and raised the plight of the Rohingya.
Ireland continues to raise reports of abhorrent human rights violations in Myanmar during sessions of the Human Rights Council, most recently delivering a National Statement on 29 June.
At a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Myanmar on 13 June, Ireland expressed abhorrence on the passing of death sentences, primarily by military courts and without the possibility of appeal.
Following the shocking announcement that four pro-democracy activists in Myanmar had been executed by the military in July, Ireland released a statement reiterating our unequivocal stance against the death penalty and condemning these killings in the strongest terms. In a press statement agreed by all 15 members, the United Nations Security Council also condemned these executions.
Furthermore, Ireland is gravely concerned by the continued arbitrary detention of prisoners on suspected political grounds. On 2 September, the courts sentenced both Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint to a further three years imprisonment with hard labour, on charges of electoral fraud. Cumulatively, Aung San Suu Kyi now faces a total 20-year sentence, with further cases outstanding. Ireland supports the EU's condemnation of these sentences and its call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. Such proceedings appear to be an attempt to exclude Aung San Suu Kyi and democratically elected leaders from future political engagement in Myanmar, contrary to the inclusive approach called for by ASEAN's five-point consensus. Ireland calls for the release of all those detained.
The EU has adopted four sanctions packages against Myanmar since the coup in February 2021, most recently on 21 February 2022. We fully support action against perpetrators of the coup as well as those who sustain them, and welcome consideration of further measures that would be effective in working to restore the democratic path.
Ireland condemns the military regime for violation of human rights and will continue to call for those responsible to be held to account. We are encouraged by international efforts towards ensuring accountability and justice, including the ongoing processes at the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court.
767. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is common procedure for a person to have a different number on their passport book than their passport card if they have both simultaneously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43696/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery Irish passport book and passport card issued has a unique identifying number. The format of these unique numbers is also different for passport books than for passport cards.
An Irish passport book number starts with either the letter P or L, which is immediately followed by a second random letter and 7 digits. This number is located on the top, right-hand side of the data page. Passport books are normally valid for either five or ten years.
An Irish passport card number starts with the letter C, which is followed by 8 digits. The number is located on the front of the card in the top, right-hand corner. The passport card is valid for travel to all EU Member States, the members of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Passport cards are valid for a maximum of five years.
768. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a decision has been made on a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43711/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022.
My Department is currently putting in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year.
The applicant in the case to which the Deputy has referred would be advised to submit a formal letter from their representative body detailing their circumstances, along with any other supporting evidence to Foreign Births Registration, PO Box 13003, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, Ireland. All such requests are considered on their own merits, on a case-by-case basis.
769. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application of a person (details supplied) will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43776/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022.
My Department is currently putting in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year.
Supporting documentation for the application to which the Deputy has referred was received on 24 January 2022, and is being stored in a secure environment as it awaits entitlement checking.
770. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that he is taking in aiding those impacted by the recent flooding in Pakistan. [43797/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am deeply saddened and concerned by ongoing flooding in Pakistan that has devastated many parts of that country, destroying homes, livestock, harvest-ready crops and sources of livelihood. I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and, in particular, to those families who have lost loved ones.
I have committed €500,000 in humanitarian assistance to support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Concern Worldwide. Both are longstanding partners of Irish Aid and are already working in the affected regions to save lives. Ireland is also working with our EU and UN partners to provide emergency assistance to help mitigate the effects of the flooding on the most vulnerable, including through an EU allocation of €2.15 million and an allocation of US$3 million through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund.
On behalf of the Government, I have written to my counterpart in Pakistan to express Ireland's condolences on the loss of life and our solidarity and to outline the steps Ireland has taken to support Pakistan's recovery from this tragedy. Ireland will continue to engage closely with Pakistan at this very difficult time and monitor developments through our Embassy in Ankara and the Honorary Consul in Karachi.
On 7 September 2022, the Government also announced its intention to open a new Embassy in Islamabad. Opening an Embassy in Islamabad will provide Ireland with a presence in a rapidly developing and geopolitically important region. The Embassy will support the strategic objectives of our Global Ireland Asia-Pacific Strategy, promoting Ireland’s values and interests.
771. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application by a person (details supplied) will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43853/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022.
My Department is currently putting in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year.
Supporting documentation for the application to which the Deputy has referred was received on 10 March 2020, and is due to be processed this month. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant in this regard.
772. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that a first passport in respect of a person (details supplied) which was printed on 20 June 2022 and scheduled to be posted and was then withdrawn from the post due to a query on photos was officially disposed of by the Passport Office. [43921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the passport was printed on 8 July 2022 and dispatched to the applicant on the same day. No passport was printed prior to this date.
775. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the provisions that were included in his Department’s statement of strategy and high-level strategic goals to ensure that Ireland would take a more proactive approach to bring about a consensus at European Union level towards a negotiated and lasting peace process in the Middle East in the context of the programme for Government entitled Our Shared Future; the outcomes and performance indicators with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights that were identified in these plans; if the implementation of these goals has been reviewed; the result of such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44157/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs stated in the programme for Government; Our Shared Future, Ireland’s longstanding support for a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will remain an integral aspect of our foreign policy and we will continue to build consensus at EU level to take a more proactive approach in supporting a negotiated two-State solution and lasting peace process
This is reflected in the Department of Foreign Affairs Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, in particular under the High Level Strategic Goal 3, entitled Our Values: To work for a fairer, just, secure and sustainable world. Among the priority outputs identified under this Goal is the “promotion of a strong human rights agenda, with a focus on the most vulnerable, through our membership of the EU, the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other multilateral organisations, as well as in our bilateral dialogues.” In addition, under High-Level Strategic Goal 2 entitled Our Europe: To advance Ireland's interests, influence and values in our shared Europe, a key priority output is “enhanced bilateral cooperation with our partners in Europe by strengthening and leveraging our mission network, deepening new and existing alliances, and maintaining high-level engagement.” An Annual Report is published reflecting the progress achieved in delivering on the strategic priorities set out in the Statement of Strategy, and progress on the delivery of the strategy is regularly reviewed by the Department. Additionally, the Government regularly requests progress updates on the programme for Government.
Ireland plays 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. Ireland engages regularly on these issues in the context of the EU, including through my attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, and regular bilateral contacts with my EU counterparts. Ireland’s engagement has consistently highlighted Israel’s obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, at EU and UN levels.
The Government remains 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.
776. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of United Nations peacekeeping mission Operation MONUSCO; Ireland’s involvement in the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUN peacekeeping Operation MONUSCO is mandated to, among other things, protect civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo in its stabilisation and peace consolidation efforts. As of November 2021, the mission’s personnel consisted of 17,783 personnel.
Demonstrations in Goma at the end of July endangered MONUSCO peacekeepers and UN assets and have further destabilised an already fragile region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am extremely concerned about the situation on the ground and how this will impact MONUSCO’s protection of civilians’ efforts and the mission’s transition.
In August, following the receipt of military advice, I took the decision to withdraw our Defence Forces personnel from MONUSCO. Our deployment to MONUSCO was small, comprising only three officers, and the civil unrest in Goma raised the risk to their security in a way that was unsustainable.
While we have no immediate plans to deploy replacements, the Department of Defence, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, continues to monitor closely the developments in DRC with a view to revisiting the matter in the coming months. Ireland remains a strong supporter of the United Nations, MONUSCO and its engagement in the DRC.
778. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has been made to date on increasing the budget for overseas development aid to 0.7% of GNI, in line with the Programme for Government; if his Department is on-track to meet this target by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44196/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to achieving the UN Official Development Assistance target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2030, as set out in A Better World, Ireland's International Development Policy, and in the Programme for Government.
Ireland's Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2021 represented 0.31% of GNI. Continued and steady annual increases in ODA will be needed to reach the 2030 target. For 2022, the Government allocated €1.044 billion to ODA, a 20% increase on the 2021 allocation. This is the highest ever amount allocated to ODA by any Government. In the context of competing budgetary pressures, achieving this amount was an important statement by the Government of Ireland's solidarity with the developing world.
Ireland's development programme has a strong global reputation. This reputation was confirmed by the OECD in its 2020 Peer Review of Ireland’s Development Assistance. The need to continue to increase the allocation to ODA in GNI percentage terms must also take account of the need to manage responsibly the large increases required, so that the quality of Ireland's programme is maintained.
The increase for 2022 is €176 million or 20.3% of overall ODA and my Department has responded through improved monitoring systems, strengthened inter-Departmental coordination on international development issues, and through continuing engagement with international partners.
779. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that Ireland is participating in a European Union training mission for the Ukrainian military; the issues that were taken into consideration prior to the decision to participate in this mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTogether with our EU partners, Ireland has been clear in our condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and immoral war against Ukraine. The EU stands firmly with Ukraine and has repeatedly underlined that it will continue to provide strong support to the country and its people.
In this context, EU Member States agreed last month at informal meetings of EU Foreign and Defence Ministers in Prague to launch work to define the parameters for an EU CSDP mission to provide military training to Ukraine. Ireland is supportive of this mission and will participate in discussions, along with other Member States, to further develop the proposal. Ireland is open to involvement in the training mission and a decision will be taken once the proposal is fully developed.
Ireland has been a consistent supporter of the EU’s Common, Security and Defence Policy and is an active participant in the EU’s civilian and military CSDP missions and operations. We are currently participating in three of the seven military CSDP missions and eight out of the eleven civilian missions. It remains a matter for each Member State to decide whether or not to participate in any given military or civilian CSDP mission or operation.
780. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of all tangible efforts made by his Department in the past two years at European Union and United Nations levels to oppose further plans by Israel to apply its sovereignty over Palestinian territory; if he considers that persistent breaches of international law by Israel have already occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra781. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals that he has to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international Law in the occupied Palestinian territory including humanitarian and human rights law; if he will provide what he deems as an appropriate response to the further development of illegal settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44266/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 780 and 781 together.
I have been consistently vocal in my opposition to illegal Israeli settlements and their expansion in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Settlement expansion, demolitions, and evictions violate international law, undermine prospects for a two-State solution and are a major obstacle to a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
I have conveyed in the strongest terms my concerns about settlements directly to the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, as well as in EU and UN fora. Ireland’s Embassy in Tel Aviv also raises the issue directly in its regular contacts with the Israeli Government, and Ireland's Representative Office in Ramallah has made a number of visits along with EU colleagues to sensitive sites of concern in the West Bank.
Ireland has been proactive in ensuring that this issue is highlighted at the UN Security Council during our current term. At the most recent monthly Council briefing on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 25 August, Ireland stressed that any settlement activity and advancement by Israel in the E1 area in particular would undermine the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian State and jeopardise the two-State solution.
At the Security Council meeting on 26 May, Ireland condemned the decision of the Israeli authorities to advance plans for the construction of more than 4,000 housing units in the West Bank and urged Israel to reverse this decision. Ireland also expressed concern regarding developments in Masafer Yatta, urging Israel to cease evictions and demolitions, including of donor-funded structures, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law. Following the Council meeting, Ireland issued a joint media statement, along with France, Estonia and Albania, which strongly reiterated our position on these issues.
On 13 May, Ireland released a joint statement with thirteen other European States expressing concern regarding illegal settlement expansion as well as demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem and Area C.
Ireland plays 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. The Government remains 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.
782. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on any changes to catering arrangements for army recruits in recent months, in particular in cases in which recruits are now expected to arrange certain meals outside the barracks in which they are stationed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Military Authorities have advised that there have been no changes to catering arrangements for army recruits in recent months. Individuals who undergo recruit training are provided with a daily allocation of rations, constituting three meals and supplementary food, such as fruit.
This level of rationing is provided to recruits throughout all phases of induction training.
783. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a report in respect of the grounding of aircraft at Baldonnel Airport on 24 July 2022. [42046/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe weekend commencing, Friday 22nd July, saw a number of foreign military aircraft land in Baldonnel to participate in the Bray Air Display and as part of the centenary celebrations of the Irish Air Corps.
On Sunday 24th July, one of the RAF’s Red Arrows Hawk aircraft developed a technical issue while preparing to participate in the air display. The aircraft was unable to be repaired, and remained on the ground in Casement Aerodrome until spare parts could be sourced. Once repaired, the aircraft departed Baldonnel on 27th July.
