Written Answers Nos. 73-89
73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he can directly, or through the EU and/or UN, influence colleagues throughout Europe and the developed world and raise awareness of the vulnerability of refugees, particularly women and children, who are very often at the mercy of traffickers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50502/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland maintains a consistent focus internationally on issues relating to refugees and displaced persons. We continue to raise these issues in UN and EU meetings, highlighting in particular the plight of the most vulnerable, including women and children.
We fully support EU efforts to adopt a comprehensive approach to migration, including through resettlement and increased legal pathways for migration, addressing root causes of forced migration and reforming the Common European Asylum System. We welcome the current emphasis on external aspects of migration, including work on co-operation and mutually beneficial partnerships with countries of origin and transit which are key to preventing irregular migration.
Next month, I will attend the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. This event, the world’s largest international gathering of refugees, is an important opportunity to refocus attention on the situation of refugees around the world and to hear first hand from the refugee community. This event is co-hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR is mandated to lead and coordinate the international response to the assistance and protection needs of refugees. Its 2023 Global Appeal estimates the number of refugees internationally at 117 million, an increase of some 14 million people since last year. Ireland has a strategically important partnership with UNHCR. Our support of over €22 million to date in 2023 included €11.5 million of core funding for the agency. This multi-annual funding agreement aims to ensure predictable financing to aid UNHCR in its longer term planning. This year we also provided funding for UNHCR's response to specific crises, in Jordan, Bangladesh, Venezuela and Afghanistan.
74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the processing of passports has been upgraded to meet the requirements of applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50503/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 880,000 passports to date in 2023. Between 2,000 and 3,000 passports are being issued every day. All turnaround times are at or ahead of target and there are no backlogs. More than half of simple adult renewals issue within two working days or less.
The Passport Online service offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is a user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to 4 times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
In April 2023, the Passport Service carried out a number of upgrades to the Passport Online portal to improve the user experience for citizens.
These enhancements allow for the information provided by first time online applicants to generate a custom coversheet that will provide them with a bespoke list, in plain English, of the documents that they must submit as part of their application. This has resulted in a 25% decrease in the number of first time applications rejected because they did not include all required documents.
Another feature of the upgrade allows the Passport Service to access General Register Office (GRO) birth records. This integration benefits a significant cohort of first time child applicants who are born in Ireland. These applicants are no longer required to submit a physical birth certificate as these are now received digitally from GRO. This reduces errors, increases security and creates efficiencies for both the PPS and the citizen.
An Eircode look-up tool has been added to the Passport Online portal. This has streamlined user experience when inputting applicant’s mailing address and helped to minimise the potential for address-related errors.
The Passport Service has been shortlisted for an Irish CX Impact Award 2023 for the ‘Online Enhancements’ project in the Government and Public Sector category. These awards recognise achievements in measuring and managing Customer Experience excellence.
Passport Online has been rolled out for first time applicants to an additional 170 countries in 2023. This means that Passport Online can now be used by 99.9% of all passport applicants worldwide. Over 90% of citizens now apply online.
Currently, 100% of calls to the Customer Service Hub are being answered and customers can easily access the information they need through the Hub. The Customer Service Hub responds to an average of 10,000 queries per week.
The Passport Service was recently placed 18th out of 150 public-facing organisations in a survey conducted by the Customer Experience (CX) group. This ranking recognised the Passport Service as the best customer service brand in the public sector.
The Customer Service Hub in the Passport Service was shortlisted for the “Best Customer Service Team” award at the 2023 Customer Experience Awards. The nomination recognised the ability of the Passport Service to deal with the high volume of calls and webchats received to date in 2023, while also ensuring high levels of customer service.
The number of same-day public counter appointments in Mount Street, Dublin 2 has increased by 50% since 2022 to 165 appointments available weekly during peak times.
The Passport Service continues to be in an excellent position to meet the demand forecast for the remainder of this year. I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply online for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the European Union is alert to the threats to the security of the Union and possible future members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50504/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRussia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally altered the security situation in Europe. It has also demonstrated the need for Ireland and our European Union partners to work closely together to deal with the serious security challenges that we face.
In this context, work is continuing at EU level to further strengthen the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), in particular through the Strategic Compass, adopted in March of last year. This important policy document outlines the way forward for the EU in the field of security and defence, with particular focus on cybersecurity and hybrid threats, maritime security and emerging and developing technologies. The Strategic Compass also reflects the major shifts in the EU’s strategic environment, and is aimed at ensuring that it remains a relevant, strong and coherent political actor, upholding the values and principles that underpin our democracies.
The EU has also committed, in the context of the Strategic Compass, to strengthen security and defence cooperation with its partners, with a view to enhancing their resilience, including against hybrid attacks and cyber threats.
A good example of this support to possible future members was the rapid establishment of a CSDP Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova) earlier this year. The objective of this civilian mission is to enhance the resilience of Moldova’s security sector in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference.
At domestic level, in light of the growing focus on security and defence issues across Europe, the Tánaiste convened a national Consultative Forum on International Security Policy in June of this year. The aim of the Forum was to provide an opportunity for a serious and honest conversation about the international security policy options available to the State, and the implications of each of these. The Chairperson of the Forum, Louise Richardson, prepared a report of the Forum which provides a summary and analysis of the four days of discussions and submissions to the public consultation. On 17 October, the Tánaiste published the report and presented it to Government, and a Dáil debate is scheduled on the report is also scheduled for the coming weeks.
76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which enlargement of the European Union continues, the action taken to encourage applicant countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50505/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries.
On 08 November 2023, the European Commission published its annual package of enlargement reports, which assess the progress made by candidate countries to date in readiness for EU membership. The Commission has recommended that the Council opens accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, grants Georgia the status of a candidate country on the understanding that a number of steps are taken, and opens accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved.
While these recommendations carry significant influence, the decision to advance the candidacies of Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia Herzegovina and Georgia must be taken unanimously by all 27 Member States. It is expected that Council Conclusions on enlargement will be endorsed at the European Council meeting in December.
The EU accession process requires all Western Balkans states to demonstrate their ability to align with EU values, as well as with the EU acquis. Many Western Balkans countries have made good progress in this endeavour. This should be recognised and encouraged. We welcome the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which envisages a €6 billion investment to bring the countries of the Western Balkans closer to the EU, accelerate accession-related reforms, and boost economic growth. The New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans will work in addition to the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. In order to benefit from the New Growth Plan, Western Balkans countries will be required to implement specific reforms, related to the accession fundamentals and CFSP alignment. We encourage our Western Balkans partners to accelerate reforms accordingly, to fully seize this transformative opportunity.
Ireland also participates in the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), which is the EU’s primary support tool to assist states in the implementation of reforms. Regional cooperation, good-neighbourly relations and reconciliation efforts to overcome open bilateral issues and the legacy of the past are priority objectives for the instrument which, for the period 2021-2027, has a budgetary envelope of over €14 billion.
Ireland will continue to support strongly the enlargement process and offer any practical assistance it can to candidate countries engaged in accession negotiations to the EU.
77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has issued a condemnation of Israel in respect of its recent military assault in Gaza broadly and, specifically, in respect of: the targeting and killing of thousands of civilians, including children; the targeting and bombing of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and mosques; the mass forced displacement of civilians; and the denial of water, food, fuel and other essential supplies to the civilian population. [50508/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been clear from the start that any response by Israel to the brutal attacks of 7 October must comply fully with International Humanitarian Law. This means that the response must comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
I issued statements on 9, 15, 18 of October and 1 November, expressing my deep concern at the situation in Gaza and underlining the need for respect for international humanitarian law.
On 24 October, Ireland made a statement at the United Nations Security Council open debate on the current crisis. We called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and welcomed the initial supply of aid noting that far more was needed. Essential goods including fuel, food, water, medical and energy supplies must urgently be restored. We urgently need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and a significant scaling up of humanitarian access and supplies to get vital aid to civilians.
All potential violations of International Humanitarian Law should be investigated. On November 12, I issued a further statement on the investigation by the International Criminal Court into the situation in Palestine. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan has confirmed that the ICC has jurisdiction in relation to atrocity crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territory.
78. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his efforts to build a consensus at EU level to call for ceasefires in the Middle East, and if these efforts included: challenging the presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament for their provocative visit to Israel, in which they appeared to give unequivocal support to Israeli actions; meeting his counterparts from states that have yet to call for a ceasefire in order to encourage them to do so and striving to include the demand for a ceasefire in any joint communique issued by EU states and/or the European Council. [50509/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have had regular engagements with my EU counterparts since the beginning of the current crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Immediately following attack by Hamas, I attended an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on 10 October, alongside my EU counterparts and the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, to discuss the ongoing violence on the ground in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I underlined the importance of principled and collective action by the EU and its Member States and the need for the EU to act for the protection of civilians and adherence to international law.
At the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 23 October, I insisted that any review of the European Union's development cooperation funding should take place rapidly and in coordination with Member States. I welcomed the confirmation that EU humanitarian aid to Palestinians will continue uninterrupted, and for as long as needed. On 1 November, I spoke bilaterally to the EU High Representative and discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
I attended the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 13 November and expressed my serious concerns about the situation in Gaza. I again underlined the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire to allow for the establishment of humanitarian corridors.
I have recently held bilateral meetings with several of my EU counterparts including Finland, Spain, Sweden and Italy. Ireland continues to advocate for a clear position from the EU, which emphasises the protection of civilians, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the need for a humanitarian ceasefire.
79. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his actions in response to the positing on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the Deputy Head of Mission at the Israeli embassy in Dublin, which alleged that Ireland funded Hamas tunnels in Gaza [50510/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has regular contact with the Israeli Embassy in Dublin on a range of issues. The Department raises issues of concern directly with the Embassy where appropriate.
In relation to the comments made by an Israeli Embassy official on social media, I understand that they were deleted and a clarification was issued by the Embassy noting that the comments did not represent the position of the Embassy or the Government of Israel.It is essential that we maintain open channels of communication through Embassies and Ambassadors during times of conflict.
80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeframe in which the Government intends to decide whether to take legal action to the European Court of Human Rights in response to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill adopted by the British Parliament. [50511/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe British Government's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received Royal Assent on 18 September.
How the Act will impact on the fundamental work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland, and its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights, are of serious concern. The incorporation of the Convention into Northern Ireland law was an explicit requirement of the Good Friday Agreement.
This Act will not draw a line under legacy issues, but will instead ensure that it remains a source of contention, suspicion and mistrust, undermining the reconciliation which we have worked so hard to progress. It is a matter of deep regret this is the space in which we find ourselves.
The Government sought legal advice from the Attorney General on the possibility of Ireland initiating an interstate case at the European Court of Human Rights to test the compatibility of the British Legacy Act with the European Convention on Human Rights. Detailed and comprehensive legal advice has now been received, an essential contribution to our consideration of whether or not to take an interstate case. We are carefully studying that advice and considering next steps.
I must emphasise that the initiation of an interstate case would be significant and would have to be done on solid legal grounds. It is not a decision which could, or should, be taken lightly.
The Government will look at the broader implications of such a decision in the round, including on the bilateral relationship with the UK as well as broader political and civic concerns in Northern Ireland on legacy issues. We will also take account of the opposition to this Act which has been expressed over the last eighteen months in this House and by victims’ groups and families across this island. The Government are fully aware of relevant timelines initiating a case to the European Court of Human Rights and the need to make a timely decision on this matter.
At all times, the Government will be guided by the best interests of victims and their families.
82. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he has taken to secure the release of Irish hostages in Gaza and to facilitate the exit of Irish citizens from Gaza. [50513/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the case of an Irish citizen believed to be held hostage in Gaza and is providing extensive consular assistance to the citizen's family. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for me to comment further at this time as it would not be helpful to do so. I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages currently being held in Gaza.
There are many thousands of foreign and dual nationals and immediate dependents in Gaza who are seeking to leave. Their departure, through the Rafah Border crossing, is being managed by the relevant authorities, country by country, on a phased basis.
Amongst this group, there are a number of Irish citizens and their dependants. My Department is in daily phone contact with these families. Let me assure you that we have been providing extensive consular assistance to the Irish citizens concerned and will continue to do so.
The names of all Irish citizens in Gaza who have asked to be included on the list of those planning to leave have been submitted to the relevant authorities.
Our Embassies in Cairo and Tel Aviv are in constant communication with the authorities in Egypt and Israel to press for our citizens to be allowed to leave as soon as possible.
I am continuing to consult widely with regional partners on these issues, including in meetings during my visit to the region this week.
My Department will continue to directly update Irish citizens in Gaza as we have confirmed information.
83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his position on maintaining the requirement for unanimity on European Council Foreign Policy decisions; and if he intends to oppose efforts to undermine that requirement. [50514/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is open to looking at ways to improve the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). We believe it is important that we continue to explore ways to make the EU run as effectively as possible, delivering benefits for all its citizens.
Article 31 (3) of the Treaty on European Union (commonly referred to as the passarelle clause) states that the extension of the use of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in matters of EU Common Foreign and Security Policy would have to be agreed unanimously by the European Council. In certain limited circumstances, as outlined in Article 31 (2) of the Treaty on European Union, there is already scope for the Council to act by QMV in matters of EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. We can see the value of using QMV for decision-making in certain limited circumstances where it would make decision-making more efficient and where the treaties make allowance for it.
However, we also see great value in the single, united voice of the EU 27, in particular in terms of projecting a coherent voice on the international stage. Above all, it is crucial that QMV is not be seen as a way to avoid debating issues where there is no consensus. It is important that we continue to work to foster solidarity and unanimity among all Member States.
84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline what increases in emissions reduction targets will be included in the next Climate Action Plan, given the failure to reach previous years' targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50289/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in greenhouse emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The introduction and adoption, in 2022, of economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings has provided more urgent and sector-specific emissions reduction targets set over the 5-year budgetary periods.
The latest emissions reports from the EPA highlight the challenge Ireland faces in meeting its highly ambitious climate objectives and legally-binding emissions targets. While the EPA’s projections show that greenhouse gas emissions are expected to decrease in almost all sectors, it is clear that we still have work to do.
Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), published in December 2022, contained actions and measures which reflected the emissions reduction pathways set out by the budgets and ceilings. The next annual update of the Plan, Climate Climate Action 2024, will build upon CAP23 with updated policies, measures and actions that reflect the latest reports regarding Ireland's emissions.
85. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline he and his Department's engagement with the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the Climate, Infrastructure and Nature Fund announced in Budget 2024; how that fund could be used to ramp up annual climate adaptation projects nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50290/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund is one of two new funds provided for by the Future Ireland Fund, Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill announced by the Minister for Finance as part of Budget 2024.
The General Scheme for the Bill has been published by the Minister for Finance, who is leading on the development of this legislation in consultation with other relevant Ministers. My Department is engaging with the Department of Finance on the preparation of the Bill.
The General Scheme of the Bill sets out that the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund will provide additional capital funding of up to €3.15 billion for projects that will assist the State in meeting its climate, biodiversity and water quality obligations in the period to 2030. The identification and prioritisation of projects will be subject to criteria to be developed by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as well as approval by the Government.
In relation to adaptation projects, observations show that Ireland’s climate is changing in terms of increases in average temperature, changes in precipitation patterns, and weather extremes. Climate change is expected to have diverse and wide-ranging impacts on Ireland’s environment, society, and economic development, including on the built environment, managed and natural ecosystems, water resources, agriculture and food security, human health, and coastal zones. Ireland will need to adapt to these impacts, including flood risk, over time.
My Department leads and coordinates national climate adaptation policy, primarily through the development and implementation of the National Adaptation Framework. The Framework outlines a whole of Government and society approach to climate adaptation in Ireland to improve the enabling environment for adaptation through ongoing engagement with key sectors, along with civil society, the private sector, and the research community. The key objectives of the National Adaptation Framework are implemented through policies and investments at sectoral, regional and local levels. Departments and Agencies are responsible for implementing adaptation measures through the Sectoral Adaptation Plans under their remit. In line with other areas of capital investment funded by the Exchequer, relevant sectors with such plans are expected to fund those plans from their own Departmental Votes.
I am currently updating the National Adaptation Framework (NAF). A draft is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, on which a public consultation will be held in early 2024. Following this, the new NAF will be submitted for Government approval. A process will then commence to update the current Sectoral Adaptation Plans.
86. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline his Government's aims, goals and targets for the upcoming COP28 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50291/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOP28, the annual UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, will take place in Dubai, from 30 November to 12 December. Mitigation of, and adaptation to, the impacts of climate change, climate finance for adaptation and mitigation, and Loss and Damage will be priorities for Ireland during the conference. While public finance remains key, other more innovative sources of finance must also be identified including from the fossil fuel sector in order to support the most vulnerable countries in mitigating and building resilience against climate change.
In particular, Ireland recognises the first Global Stocktake (GST), a process that will assess Parties’ collective progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and identify areas for future improvements, as the main focus for COP28. Ireland looks forward to continuing the ongoing work on the Mitigation Work Programme, the Global Goal on Adaptation and climate finance.
Ireland has been heavily engaged on Loss and Damage discussions since COP27, including through a shared seat on the Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage with Germany. The Transitional Committee has met intensively since March and after a difficult process, there is now a text on the table that is to be formally approved at COP28. Ireland and the EU encourage endorsement by all parties at COP28 of this text.
87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on Ireland's position on the Loss and Damage Fund, which will be discussed at COP28; if Ireland will commit at least €500 million in new money, in the form of grants, to a Loss and Damage Fund at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50292/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThroughout this year, Ireland has been committed to delivering recommendations on a Loss and Damage fund that will serve the most vulnerable countries and communities. The Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage, on which Ireland was represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs, has met intensively since March. After a difficult process, there is now a text on the table that is to be formally approved at COP28. Ireland and the EU encourage endorsement by all parties at COP28 of this text.
This text provides details for a new fund, and funding arrangements to assist developing countries to respond to Loss and Damage. It includes a guaranteed allocation of resources for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Ireland’s work on the Committee has been focused on delivering for vulnerable countries and communities and we are pleased to see these elements reflected in the text.
Ireland is firmly committed to mobilising further finance for Loss and Damage, including through this new Fund, pending formal agreement of the text at COP. We are working with our partners in the EU to coordinate in this regard. Any contribution by Ireland will be in grant-form.
More broadly, we are in the process of more than doubling Ireland’s climate finance, to reach at least €225 million per year to developing countries by 2025.
88. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his engagement with his counterparts in the EU and other international governments ahead of the COP28 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50294/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOP28, the annual UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, will take place in Dubai, from 30 November to 12 December. Ireland has worked intensively alongside our EU colleagues through active participation in EU expert groups in preparation for the COP28 negotiations. Through these expert groups, Ireland has fed into EU level negotiation priorities and will participate in several EU negotiation teams on various issues of importance to Ireland at COP28, including on funding to avert, minimise and address Loss and Damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.
Following on from COP27, Ireland has shared a seat on the Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage with Germany. The Transitional Committee has met intensively since March and after a difficult process, there is now a text on the table that is to be formally approved at COP28. Ireland and the EU encourage endorsement by all parties at COP28 of this text.
I played an active role in the negotiations of the EU Environment Council Conclusions on COP28, including through the addition of language on innovative sources of climate finance. I have also attended several international climate change meetings in preparation for COP28, including during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, the Africa Climate Summit and Pre-COP28.
I have used these opportunities to hold a number of bilateral engagements including with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, a range of EU and international counterparts and with the COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan al-Jaber. During my meeting with Dr. Sultan al-Jaber I highlighted mitigation of, and adaptation to, the impacts of climate change, climate finance for adaptation and mitigation, and Loss and Damage, as the main areas of priority for Ireland in advance of COP28. We agreed that making concrete progress on these issues is crucial for building climate resilience in developing countries and for delivering on the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.
89. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures he proposes to reduce the impact of air pollution on the high levels of asthma and COPD in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50295/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAir pollution is a significant issue across Europe, which is why Ireland is working closely with the Commission and other Member States to ensure that the most ambitious measures are introduced in the revised Clean Air for Europe Directive as committed to in the national Clean Air Strategy which was published in April this year and is available at gov.ie - Clean Air Strategy (www.gov.ie).
As outlined in the recent Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality in Ireland Report 2022, while the quality of the air that we breathe is generally good, there are localised issues which need to be addressed. This is recognised in the Clean Air Strategy which highlights that each year, an estimated 1,410 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution, with the majority of fatalities resulting from inhaling particulate matter from solid fuel burning.
The Government is committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through a suite of measures as outlined in the strategy, and through the implementation of enhanced regulation of all solid fuels.
In addition, air pollution, elevated as a result of high traffic levels is being addressed across Dublin through the Dublin Region Air Quality Management Plan 2021, in conjunction with other key stakeholders who have primary responsibility for developing measures to reduce traffic congestion.
The Urban Transport Related Air Pollution Working Group (UTRAP) was formed in Autumn 2019 to consider and address rising concerns about the level of transport-generated air pollution. Reports from the work of the group can be found online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/3f634-urban-transport-related-air-pollution-utrap-working-group/ . The group continues to meet as a forum for ongoing engagement between the key transport stakeholders.
