Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:87. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what preparation his Department has undertaken for a united Ireland or a united Ireland referendum. [50585/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Policies
Ceisteanna (87)
Freagraí scríofa
The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland are fundamental elements of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South.
The Government's approach in relation to unity is guided by Article 3 of the Constitution, as amended by the people in 1998. Putting this constitutional choice to the people was part of the finely balanced settlement reached as part of the Good Friday Agreement negotiations. It was both a concrete and highly symbolic expression of our commitment to a creating a new path for politics on this island. A path that, after decades of horrifying violence, would be characterised exclusively by peaceful and democratic means of pursuing our constitutional ambitions. The holding of a referendum on unity in this jurisdiction is connected with the calling of a poll, under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, in Northern Ireland. Under the Good Friday Agreement, the decision to hold such a poll in Northern Ireland rests with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
In the event of a future referendum within the constitutional provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government would make all necessary preparations in accordance with the terms of the Constitution and the principles and procedures of the Agreement.
The Government respects and affirms everyone’s right on the island to make the case for the constitutional future for Northern Ireland they wish to see, whether they are nationalist, unionist, or do not identify with either tradition. I have been on the record many times, both in this House and elsewhere, on the future that I wish to work towards.
The Government’s immediate focus at this time is on getting the full range of the Good Friday institutions up and running, across all three strands. It is deeply disappointing that 18 months on from the last Assembly elections, Northern Ireland's power-sharing institutions remain blocked, and as a result the North-South Ministerial Council is also prevented from fulfilling the responsibilities mandated to it by the Good Friday Agreement. An improved spirit of partnership is needed if the Agreement's potential is to be fulfilled and genuine reconciliation is to be achieved.
Any consideration of the constitutional future of this island must include reconciliation. I believe that we must urgently focus our efforts to address this incomplete work of reconciliation. We should rightly be proud of the enduring peace that the Agreement secured but we must also frankly recognise that while there has been immense progress, clearly the vision for a reconciliation of all communities and traditions has not yet been achieved. This is a challenge that all leaders must rise to meet.
It is also why I was proud to establish the Government’s Shared Island initiative. At a recent Shared Island Dialogue event on the question of ‘identity’, I observed that there has never been sufficient, sustained focus on tackling entrenched sectarianism and disadvantage in Northern Ireland, and that we need to do more to understand one another. Through dialogue, research, and practical cooperation, I believe that the Shared Island initiative will continue to play an important role in driving forward this work of reconciliation.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (88)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:88. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of any Irish citizens, or family members of Irish citizens, who have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50630/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the situation in Gaza is critical and the high number of civilian casualties is deeply shocking. We urgently need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and a significant scaling up of humanitarian access and supplies to get vital aid to civilians.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been notified of the death of one Irish citizen and the death of an immediate family member of a second Irish citizen.
Out of respect for the individuals concerned it would not be appropriate to comment further. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Department of Foreign Affairs has provided appropriate consular assistance.
Foreign Birth Registration
Ceisteanna (89)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:89. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50730/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Demand for Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) 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 in 2022.Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of all required supporting documents. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, an application was made online October 2020. The application form and supporting documents were submitted by the applicant in November 2022. Further supporting documents for the application were requested from the applicant August 2023. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
Foreign Policy
Ceisteanna (90, 91)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:90. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has ever made a referral in respect of the Genocide Convention to the International Court of Justice or to the UN in respect of allegations of acts of genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50785/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatt Carthy
Ceist:91. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered making a referral in respect of the Genocide Convention to the International Court of Justice or to the UN in respect of allegations of acts of Genocide committed by Israel in the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50786/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together.
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted at Paris on 9 December 1948. It has been ratified or acceded to by 153 states. Article IX of the Convention provides that disputes between parties about its interpretation, application or fulfilment may be submitted to the International Court of Justice.
The general practice in the settlement of disputes under multilateral conventions is that where one party to a convention considers that another party is failing to meet its obligations to it under that convention, it is in the first instance for the injured party to initiate the dispute resolution process against the other party under the relevant provisions of the convention.
Ireland has never submitted a dispute to the ICJ under the Genocide Convention.
However, Ireland has participated as a third party in ICJ proceedings initiated by an affected party under the Genocide Convention on one occasion. In February 2022, Ukraine initiated a case against Russia, contending that Russia relied on false claims of genocide to justify its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine, and in so doing violated its obligations to it under the Genocide Convention. Ireland submitted a Declaration of Intervention to the Court as a Contracting Party to the Genocide Convention, as did a number of other states. The intervening states this year filed written observations and participated in oral proceedings on the question of the Court’s jurisdiction. Ireland's participation sought to assist the Court in the interpretation of an important jurisdictional question in Ukraine's dispute with the Russian Federation.
The events of recent weeks in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel are, without doubt, shocking and horrifying. They have raised serious questions of compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law (IHL). The Government has made clear that we fully support impartial and independent investigations into any and all breaches of IHL and other relevant branches of international law by the appropriate authorities.
Question No. 91 answered with Question No. 90.
Cybersecurity Policy
Ceisteanna (92)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:92. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how many staff members in his Department have received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50798/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Staff working in my Department are provided with mandatory cyber security awareness training and regular communications on cyber security matters. The most recent mandatory training programme was launched earlier this month. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (93)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:93. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided [50816/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department’s approach to cyber security is multi-dimensional and is in line with the advice of the National Cyber Security Centre, with whom we have a deep partnership.
The expenditure on cyber security defence in my Department is integrated within overall ICT costs. Details of total expenditure on ICT for the years 2020 - 2022 are as follows:
2020 €12,858,109
2021 €13,609,894
2022 €12,607,665
Outlay for 2023 will be available later this year.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (94)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:94. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50834/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to support cyber security and receives regular advice on these matters from the National Cyber Security Centre. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.
Cybersecurity Policy
Ceisteanna (95)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:95. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50852/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department implements a “defence in depth” approach to cyber security, that is multiple layers of security are in place to protect our systems. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (96)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:96. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a passport (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50864/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (97)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to seek EU consensus to apply tough sanctions on the leadership of Hamas. [50950/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland implements UN sanctions and EU sanctions adopted as part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
EU sanctions seek to bring about a change in the policy and/or behaviour of the target of the restrictive measures. They are used as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to the pursuit of EU foreign policy objectives, along with political dialogue and other complementary efforts and instruments. EU sanctions are always targeted and comply with obligations under international law, including international human rights and international humanitarian law.
The EU Counter Terror regime targets persons and groups involved in terrorist acts, including through asset freezes and travel bans. Hamas as a group has been listed under this sanctions regime since 2003. The designations are reviewed at regular intervals and at least every six months.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (98)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:98. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport will issue on time for an online renewal applicant (details supplied); the reason additional documentation was requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50956/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested further documentation for the application. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (99, 100)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51045/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:100. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51063/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
Engagement with third countries is a central part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Ireland maintains bilateral relations with Israel. Within this context, both I and my officials maintain frequent and ongoing engagement with the Government of Israel. Such engagement is particularly important in the context of the crisis that is currently unfolding in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland is represented at an official level to Israel through our Embassy in Tel Aviv and to the Palestinian Authority through our Representative Office in Ramallah. The Department of Foreign Affairs operates the usual contractual arrangements to ensure their effective operation. Ireland also maintains contracts with entities based in Israel by supporting non-governmental organisations engaging in peacebuilding activities.
Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 99.