Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:121. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions in which he engaged at the Munich Security Conference. [6888/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (121)
Freagraí scríofa
I attended the Munich Security Conference from 14-15 February. The Munich Security Conference continues to be one of the world’s leading platforms for debate and policy exchange on international security and foreign policy. Key issues discussed at this year's conference were Russia’s ongoing illegal war in Ukraine and its impact on European and global security, the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East, and transatlantic relations.
The Munich Security Conference is an important opportunity for Ireland to remain at the centre of global conversations on foreign and security policy choices. This year both the Taoiseach and I represented the Government for the second time.
I met with a range of global leaders, decision-makers and policy-thinkers including; the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Palestine, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, the Foreign Minister of Jordan, the Foreign Minister of Egypt, the Foreign Minister of Norway, the Foreign and Defence Minister of Iceland, the Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, the Minister of Defence of Lithuania, US Senators Chris Van Hollen and Dan Sullivan, and the Commissioner General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini.
I addressed the conference at events focused on support of the UN Development System, and on solidarity and support for Ukraine, key foreign policy priorities for Ireland. In many of my conversations, I took the opportunity to highlight the importance transatlantic relations and trade.
Participation in the Munich Security Conference, particularly in times of conflict and geopolitical uncertainty, is more important than ever and ensures that Ireland’s voice was heard in the discussions on critical foreign and security policy issues underway globally.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (122)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:122. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of adult and children passport renewals currently being processed by the Passport Office in 2025, as of 31 January 2025. [6855/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Passport Service issued 72,702 passport renewals in January, with 63,250 adult renewals and 9,452 child renewals.
2025 is expected to be another busy year for the Passport Service and my Department is in an excellent position to meet the demand forecasted for this year. To date in 2025, the Passport Service has issued over 138,000 passports.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to apply for a passport.
Economic Data
Ceisteanna (123)
James Geoghegan
Ceist:123. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of Ireland’s bilateral economic relationship with China for each year over the past five years with relevant updated statistics in terms of jobs, exports, imports, companies; the total number of staff, in the embassy of Ireland, Shanghai consulate general of Ireland, Hong Kong Consulate General of Ireland, Enterprise Ireland in China, IDA in China, Bord Bia in China, Tourism Ireland in China, by grade and office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7099/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland and China share an overall constructive relationship, marked by significant growth in economic ties and expanding people-to-people contacts over the last decade. Ireland takes a holistic approach to the relationship: trade with China: the economic relationship is not considered separately from our values and other priorities. We are interested in strengthening engagement with China where it is in our interests to do so. In 2023, China was Ireland's sixth-largest export market for goods and fourth-largest source of imports.
The Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to exports and imports. The latest data available shows that Ireland’s goods exports to China in 2024 were valued at €10.068 billion and goods imports at €11.843 billion. Figures for services are not available.
In 2023, Ireland exported goods to China to the value of €9.5 billion and services to the value of €10.8 billion. Ireland also imported goods and services worth €16.3 billion from China in 2023.
In 2022, Ireland exported goods to China to the value of €13.9 billion and services to the value of €10.6 billion. Ireland also imported goods and services worth €21.6 billion from China in 2022.
In 2021, Ireland exported goods to China to the value of €12 billion and services to the value of €10.2 billion. Ireland also imported goods and services worth €14.2 billion from China in 2021.
In 2020, Ireland exported goods to China to the value of €11 billion and services to the value of €8 billion. Ireland also imported goods and services worth €11.8 billion from China in 2020.
Over the last 5 years, employment in Chinese companies in Ireland increased by 115% from 2,350 people in 2020 to 5056 in 2024. There are currently 36 client operations with Chinese origin in IDA Ireland’s client portfolio. There were at least 214 Enterprise Ireland supported companies exporting from Ireland to China in 2023, these companies had exports of over €763 million according to the most recent data from 2023, making China the seventh largest export market for Enterprise Ireland-supported companies.
The Department of Foreign Affairs currently has 21 staff members posted in China. There are 15 posted staff in our Embassy in Beijing, which includes the Department of Justice Visa Office. These comprise 1 staff member at A/Sec grade, 1 staff member at PO grade, 3 staff members at AP grades, 1 staff member at HEO grade, 3 staff members at AO grades, 3 staff members at Executive Officer grade, and 3 staff members at Clerical Officer grade. Staff posted to our Consulate General in Shanghai comprise one staff member at AP grade, one at AO grade, and one at Clerical Officer grade. Staff posted to our Consulate General in Hong Kong comprise one staff member at AP grade, one at AO grade, and one at Clerical Officer grade. The Embassy and Consulates also employ staff locally to support the civil servants assigned there. In January 2025, the Embassy in Beijing employed 30 people on local contracts, the Consulate General in Shanghai employed 6 people on local contracts and the Consulate General in Hong Kong employed 3 people on local contracts.
Information on numbers of staff based in China has been sought from the relevant Government Departments in respect of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland, and will be provided once received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.
Enterprise Ireland currently has four posted staff in China – 1 APAC Regional Director and 1 Manager Level, as well as 2 employees on the International Graduate Programme. Enterprise Ireland also employ 5 member of staff on local contacts.
IDA Ireland currently has six people employed on local contracts in China. 1 at Level B, 1 at Level C, 3 at Level E and 1 at Level E.
There is one member of Bord Bia staff posted in China, and 4 members of staff on local contracts.
Tourism Ireland currently has one member of staff in China.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (124)
Mark Wall
Ceist:124. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position with an application for an Irish passport for a person in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7112/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was cancelled at the request of the applicant's guardian on 25 June 2024. Subsequently, the Passport Service refunded the passport fee on 9 August 2024.
Bord na Móna
Ceisteanna (125)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:125. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to clarify the Government’s plans to sell Bord na Móna Recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7032/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
To ask the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications to clarify the Government’s plans to sell Bord na Móna Recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Bord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, established under the Turf Development Act 1998. Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department. The Board and management of Bord na Móna are accountable for the strategic direction and management of the organisation. My Department is responsible for the corporate governance oversight of Bord na Móna, including the provision of consent relating to certain activities.
In relation to Bord na Móna Recycling, the Department was made aware in 2024 that Bord na Móna was undertaking a strategic review of this business. Bord na Móna informed my Department on 7 February 2025 that after conducting this strategic review, it proposes to sell its shares in Bord na Móna Recycling Limited to Irish recycling provider KWD Recycling, a waste collection, recycling and recovery operator in the southwest of Ireland. Bord na Móna has stated that the proposed sale aligns with its strategic focus as a renewable energy business, committed to helping Ireland achieve its green energy target by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
Any proposal to sell part of Bord na Móna’s business is subject to regulatory approval, including Ministerial consent and will be carefully considered by my Department.
Bord na Móna has stated that employees will continue to work for the recycling business with no change to their contractual terms and conditions of employment on handover.
Bord na Móna Recycling has further stated that it will continue to provide services as usual for its household and business customers pending regulatory approval of the proposed transaction.
My Department continues to engage in dialogue on all governance related matters, including the aforementioned, with Bord na Móna. My Department understands that Bord na Móna has submitted documents to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on 7 February 2025 as part of the proposed sale process.
Natural Gas Grid
Ceisteanna (126)
Ciarán Ahern
Ceist:126. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the potential use of liquefied natural gas as an energy source in Ireland; if he envisions the construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal in Ireland in the future; if he intends to ban the use of liquefied natural gas as an energy source in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7038/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to taking decisive action to radically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
In the Programme for Government we also set out our commitment to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 and to take all necessary action to ensure and protect Ireland’s energy security.
It is through delivering on this commitment that we will deliver a secure and sustainable energy future.
The commitment to a secure energy future builds upon the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report approved by the previous Government and published in November 2023. Specifically in relation to Natural Gas this report concluded that Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our sub-sea gas imports pipelines and does not currently meet minimum EU standards in this area.
It is in this context only that a state-led Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve in the form of a Floating Storage and Regassification Unit (FSRU) was recommended in the Report.
A state-led strategic gas emergency reserve, operating on a non-commercial basis for use only in the event of an emergency, would provide resilience to the gas system and mitigate against the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise from a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.
In parallel my Department are developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure that a strategic reserve provides the resilience to our energy system in a manner that:
• does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market and
• is compatible with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act
This work is at an advanced stage in my Department in consultation with Gas Network Ireland, the Attorney General's Office and other Departments. I have requested my officials to finalise their work as a matter of priority so that I am in a position to bring forward a recommendation to Government in the near future on the optimal approach to ensure and protect Ireland's energy security.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (127)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:127. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the monetary value of PhD stipends (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6839/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the outcome of the independent “National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers”, directed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) announced in 2023 that the eligible research stipend budget contribution for SEAI-funded PhD students was increasing from €18,500 to €25,000 per annum effective from 1 January 2024. This was applied immediately to the 2023 call of the SEAI Research, Development and Demonstration Programme which, together with co-funding partners, awarded €20m in Government funding to 40 new research projects.
Prior year grantees (pre-2023) were also advised to accommodate the stipend increase. This approach has worked for most grantees, but the SEAI received feedback from a small number of grant holders where the stipend increase had not yet been allocated. The SEAI has now engaged with the relevant universities to quantify the outstanding commitments and is currently working through a solution for these cases, with the intent to pay the increase effective from 1 January 2024.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (128)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his awareness or otherwise as to whether An Post has complied with Ministerial authorisations on pension increases, as required under Rule 13 (details supplied). [6894/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Rule 13 of the An Post Superannuation Scheme states the Company may grant such increases in pensions and preserved pensions under the Scheme as may be authorised from time to time by the parent Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, I, as Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (MPENDR), approve any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both myself and MPENDR to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. An Post have accordingly sought approvals for granting increases.
The operation of the schemes, is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
Postal Services
Ceisteanna (129)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:129. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the delegated authority given to An Post in May 1989 to approve the payment of pension increases to pensioners of the company was withdrawn; the instructions that replaced it; if these are still enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6902/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The arrangements for Ministerial approval of the An Post Superannuation Scheme are provided for under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. I, as Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (MPENDR) approve any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.
Authority to implement pension increases was delegated to An Post by my Department on 26 May 1989. I am advised that this delegated authority was withdrawn in January 2008.
In accordance with the act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both MECC and MPENDR to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme.
Postal Services
Ceisteanna (130)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:130. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department was requested by An Post in 2013 to approve the pensions accord introduced by the company; if not, if the new procedure to control pension costs was an operational matter for An Post and the trustees of the superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6903/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, I, as Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approve any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.
I am advised that on 17 February 2014, An Post wrote to my Department seeking approval for proposed benefits and rule changes following the Company and Trustees of the Scheme concluding an agreement with a group of unions. Ministerial consent was granted with the concurrence of the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The operation of the schemes, including the ‘pension accord’, is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (131)
John Paul O'Shea
Ceist:131. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the guidelines in place for community engagement when a biomethane plant is proposed in an area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6971/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Biomethane Strategy, published in May 2024, outlines the necessary supports and structures required to achieve Government’s target of 5.7 TWh of indigenous biomethane production by 2030. One area of importance identified within the strategy is the need for community engagement, which is directly linked to actions requiring the development of a Communications Strategy and Online Information Hub. To meet the ambition of the 5.7 TWh target, the number of Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities in Ireland will need to increase, and my Department is committed to ensuring community engagement to offer information and support in relation to this developing industry.
The Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, is developing a Communications Strategy to help educate communities on the benefits of biomethane and the measures which will be taken to ensure sustainable production. The online Information Hub will promote the sharing of accurate information and will be easily accessible to all key stakeholders, including members of the public.
The Biomethane Sustainability Charter, due to be published shortly, will also transparently outline the key principles to guide AD developers in relation to plant operation, management, sustainability and local engagement.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (132)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:132. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will amend the Climate Action Plan 2025 to ensure that the actions outlined will meet a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030, as required by law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7033/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP25), which is currently in the process of being submitted to Government, builds upon the actions, measures, policies and plans set out in Climate Action Plan 2024. A process to update and refine the plan in the context of the latest reports from the Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Change Advisory Council and Climate Action Plan progress reports was coordinated by my Department to deliver a multi-stakeholder approach to Climate Action Plan 2025’s development.
As the final Climate Action Plan of the first carbon budget period, CAP25 sets out a roadmap of actions which specifies the full range of measures to meet the first carbon budget, In accordance with the Climate Act. As per the Act, CAP25 also sets out an overview of the policies and measures which will be required to meet the second carbon budget (which corresponds to the target of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030).
Beginning with CAP26, the Climate Action Plans for the second carbon budget period will set out a greater level of detail with respect to that budget, including the full range of sector-specific actions to support the achievement of our 2030 target. These plans will continue to take account of the latest data, including reports from the EPA and CCAC, to reflect Ireland's performance against our emissions reduction targets on an ongoing basis, and will allow for the introduction of further actions to accelerate abatement where required.