Patrick Costello
Question:61. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the 2023 Irish Aid Annual Report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25164/24]
View answerOverseas Development Aid
Questions (61)
Written answers
Ireland’s policy for international development, A Better World, sets out the priorities and areas for intervention for development assistance across government departments. Supporting countries and communities most seriously in need is the core work of Ireland’s development assistance programme. A Better World, focuses on addressing the needs of countries and communities who are furthest behind. It has a particular emphasis on those in the world’s poorest or climate-exposed regions, especially women and girls.
The Government delivers this support through our bilateral development programme, channelled through Irish Embassies in relevant countries, through civil society and humanitarian organisations and multilateral organisations such as the United Nations. The most important criterion for decisions on which channel to use is the ability of the partner to reach those in need in the most effective way possible.
The Department of Foreign Affairs publishes an annual report on Ireland's Official Development Assistance programme, setting out the details of funding and its impact. The report includes a series of annexes with detailed statistical information on programme expenditure, showing the distribution of aid, the amounts allocated to priority focus areas and amounts provided through different channels and to different countries.
I expect that the 2023 report will be published in October this year. Annual Reports for 2022 and previous years are available on the Irish Aid website.
Overseas Development Aid
Questions (62)
Patrick Costello
Question:62. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the commitment to providing at least €225 million per year in climate finance to developing countries by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25165/24]
View answerWritten answers
International climate finance is a key priority for the Government and for Ireland’s foreign policy. At COP26 in 2021, the Taoiseach announced the target to provide a least €225 million annually in climate finance to developing countries by 2025. Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap, published in 2022, sets out how we will deliver on the target, which represents an increase of 150% from a baseline of just under €90 million in 2020. We remain on track to deliver on this ambition.
The Roadmap sets out our strategy and priorities for this rapid scale-up in funding. It builds on Ireland's positive record on climate finance, maintaining a focus on adaptation in some of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. The Roadmap also expands Ireland’s focus to encompass key related areas including support for the livelihoods of coastal communities, climate and security, and Loss and Damage.
Ireland’s climate finance is channelled through our Embassies, multilateral organisations, and NGO partners. In 2022, Ireland provided €120.8 million in climate finance – an increase of 21% on the previous year. In line with our priorities, 80% of this went to programmes that support adaptation either as a whole or as one component. 84% of our bilateral climate finance in 2022 was channelled to Least Developed Countries.
In 2023, we estimate that Ireland provided at least €147 million in climate finance. A finalised figure for 2023 will be published following verification of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance data by the OECD Development Assistance Committee which is expected later this year.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (63)
Alan Dillon
Question:63. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 2 February 2024 when a person (details supplied) who applied to the foreign birth register will have their application processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25179/24]
View answerWritten answers
My 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 or Naturalisation.
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 9 months from receipt of all required supporting documents, a decrease in turnaround time of 75% from over two and a half years in 2022. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the online application was made and supporting documents received by the Passport Service in May 2023. Further supporting documents for the application were requested from the applicant on 11 February 2024, documents remain outstanding for this application. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
Passport Services
Questions (64)
Pearse Doherty
Question:64. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports for siblings in County Donegal applied for on 22 March 2024 will issue on time for a travel date of 27 June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25362/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for these applications were received on the 5th and 6th June 2024 respectively. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is now used by more than 90% of applicants worldwide.
Passport Services
Questions (65, 73)
John Brady
Question:65. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the status of a passport application for a person (details supplied) given that the applicant's date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25457/24]
View answer
Steven Matthews
Question:73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25617/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 73 together.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputies have enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 29th May 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (66)
Catherine Murphy
Question:66. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a schedule of all contracts they have and/or had with a company in the past 25 years to date (details supplied); the agreed contract cost; the ultimate contract cost including extras, design changes, conciliation, claims etc; project name/title; and the name of the body responsible for the delivery of projects where responsibility has been devolved. [25475/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department's current Financial Management system records payments to suppliers since 2012 and there are no payments from 2012 to date, to the company named by the Deputy.
Passport Services
Questions (67)
James Lawless
Question:67. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to expedite the passport applications of (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25490/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, these are paper applications which were received on 15th April 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. The applications are within the standard turnaround time and have not yet reached their issue by date.
I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is now used by more than 90% of applicants worldwide.
Middle East
Questions (68)
Holly Cairns
Question:68. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to detail funding and resources provided by Ireland to organisations for the maintenance and establishment of field hospitals in Gaza; whether his department has been approached in regards to providing support for the establishment of a field hospital in Al Mawasi; and to detail what support the state can provide to medical professionals in Gaza seeking international assistance for the establishment and running of a field hospital. [25512/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government's response to the crisis in Gaza has included significant humanitarian funding and the provision of in-kind assistance. We have provided €40 million in humanitarian assistance since last October. This includes €20 million provided in February for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) the main agency unpinning all humanitarian efforts in Gaza, and direct funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their response on the ground.
I share the serious concern at the near collapse of the health system in Gaza in recent months. I commend the strong role being played by WHO staff, who have been at the forefront of the international humanitarian response. Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza, 31 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, including the Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex. Other hospitals are operating under severe limitations. Since October 2023, the WHO has recorded a total of 890 attacks on health facilities in the Occupied Territory, 443 in Gaza, and 447 in the West Bank.
No specific request has been received by this Department for the establishment or support of field hospitals. We condemn all attacks on health infrastructure. Healthcare facilities are protected under International Law and must be allowed to operate efficiently and in safety. This is a fundamental principle, which applies to all sides in the conflict. We continue to call for all parties to conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and for full, safe and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid for the civilian populations.
Ireland is also using our partnership with the UN Humanitarian Response Depot to deliver aid supplies to Gaza. Under Ireland’s Rapid Response Initiative, family tents and tarpaulins from Irish stocks worth approximately €250,000 were distributed in Rafah in December. An additional consignment worth approximately €300,000 arrived in Gaza in recent days and is currently being distributed.
For medical professionals seeking to assist in Gaza it should be noted that operating in highly challenging environments demands unique expertise. For these reasons, all major organisations responding to a health emergency now provide rigorous pre-deployment training for volunteers, and usually maintain rosters of trained individuals. For those able to volunteer their services the most direct approach is to offer their services to existing organisations which have the necessary support structures and training programmes in place. These organisations would include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Health Organisation or one of the humanitarian agencies already operational in the region.
Ultimately the situation in Gaza can only be resolved by an end to the conflict and the establishment of a credible political process. We welcome and give our full support to the comprehensive ceasefire proposals set out by President Biden. We urge Israel and Hamas to accept and fulfil the three-phase proposal. It is vital that all parties work towards reviving a political process that can provide a lasting and sustainable peace, based on the two-State solution.
International Sanctions
Questions (69)
Catherine Connolly
Question:69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the value of frozen Russian assets in Ireland and in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25559/24]
View answerWritten answers
The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting in EU history.
Approximately €24.9 billion in assets of individuals and entities listed under sanctions relating to Russia has been frozen across the EU. This includes over €1.9 billion of funds frozen by Irish financial institutions.
EU Member States have also immobilised approximately €210 billion of assets of the Central Bank of Russia as a result of sanctions.
I welcomed the agreement reached at EU level last month providing for the revenue generated from those immobilised Russian sovereign assets to be transferred to support Ukraine. Ireland has repeatedly emphasised that Russia should be held accountable for the appalling damage caused by its illegal invasion in Ukraine.
Irish institutions do not hold any assets of the Central Bank of Russia.
EU Agreements
Questions (70)
Catherine Connolly
Question:70. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the ‘urgent review’ of the EU-Israel Association Agreement requested jointly by Ireland and Spain on 14 February 2024; the response from the Commission to that ‘urgent review’ request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25560/24]
View answerWritten answers
On 14 February 2024, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration of the Council, should it find that Israel is in breach of its obligations.
This request was followed up at senior official level with the Cabinet of President von der Leyen on 12 March. It was also discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 March. It was also raised by the Taoiseach, Simon Harris, when he met with President von der Leyen on 11 April. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 27 May, the Tánaiste called for an urgent convening of an EU-Israel Association Council to review Israel’s compliance with measures of the agreement.
Ireland’s position on the EU-Israel Association Agreement is just one element our efforts to shape EU policy in the context of the current crisis. It is also consistent with our overall approach, which is grounded in respect for international law. I share the assessment that the European Union can and should do much more to use the levers at its disposal to exert pressure on Israel. This will remain a priority for my continuing engagement at EU level.
Passport Services
Questions (71)
James Lawless
Question:71. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25584/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
Passport Services
Questions (72)
James Lawless
Question:72. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25590/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents were received from the applicant on 24 May 2024. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
Question No. 73 answered with Question No. 65.
Ukraine War
Questions (74)
Catherine Connolly
Question:74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for Ireland of the Council decision to use the proceeds from immobilised Russian assets to support Ukraine’s military activities to defend itself and to boost its military capabilities; if he is satisfied that Russian assets immobilised by Ireland will not support or be used for such military activities; if so, how so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25634/24]
View answerWritten answers
Following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, it is estimated that more than €200 billion of immobilised assets of the Central Bank of Russia are now held in the EU as a result of sanctions.
Ireland has been very clear that Russia must be held accountable for the appalling damage caused by its actions. In that context, we have welcomed the recent agreement at EU level to use the extraordinary revenue generated from these assets in order to provide direct support for Ukraine.
Based on Ukraine’s needs, it is anticipated that most of the available net revenue will be channelled through the European Peace Facility and used for military support, while a further proportion of the revenue will be channelled through the EU budget, to help meet reconstruction and other costs.
For our part, Ireland constructively abstained from the relevant Council Decision relating to the financial contribution to the provision of military support through the European Peace Facility. During the negotiations, we also ensured that the funds allocated to the European Peace Facility will specifically take into account the security and defence policies of all Member States.
It should be noted that as Irish institutions do not hold any assets of the Central Bank of Russia, no such assets have been immobilised by Ireland.
Energy Policy
Questions (75)
Catherine Murphy
Question:75. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposed investment for the national grid to support delivery on our renewable energy targets by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24618/24]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not myself as Minister.
The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, distribution, and Eirgrid, transmission. The cost of building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system is recovered by system operators through charges on customers, all of which is overseen and agreed with the CRU.
System operator spending is agreed with the CRU in five year cycles, referred to as Price Reviews. Price Reviews set the level of investment in the grid over a given 5 year period. The current Price Review, PR5, covers the period 2021-2025 and saw the CRU sanction €4 billion euro investment in the grid. The CRU has commenced work on Price Review 6 which will see the CRU approve the investment in the grid spanning the period 2026-2030. While a decision is not expected until late 2025, the CRU have recently published their strategy paper to inform and seek comments on their approach to deciding the funding for the period.
Issues regarding the development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Network. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network. The Transmission and Distribution Networks make up the national electricity grid.
The CRU, Eirgrid and ESB Networks are independent of myself as Minister in the exercise of their functions. The CRU, Eirgrid and ESB Networks have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in the question. In this instance the Deputy should direct their query in the first instance to the CRU.
Departmental Data
Questions (76)
Carol Nolan
Question:76. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide details of any anti-racism or unconscious bias training and presentations made available to staff in his Department during the period 2021 to date; the content of such training and presentations; the provider of any such training and presentations and the costs incurred for each event; if attendance at such training and presentations is mandatory or voluntary for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24668/24]
View answerWritten answers
An outline of the training made available to staff in relation to anti-racism or unconscious bias from 2021-2024 as requested by the Deputy is set out below.
• In 2021, mandatory diversity and inclusion training was provided by Legal Island, costing €5,840. In the same year, voluntary unconscious bias training was rolled out, costing €800.
• In 2022, mandatory unconscious bias training was provided by Legal Island, costing €5,450. In the same year, mandatory training on the importance of conscious inclusion training was rolled out, costing €5,450. Various OneLearning courses were also attended by staff on this topic at a cost of €100.
• In 2023, my Department did not hold any inhouse unconscious bias or anti-racism training pending the publication of its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Interviewer skills training was held which contained topics on unconscious biases, costing €2,200. Various OneLearning courses were also attended by staff on this topic at a cost of €200.
• In 2024, selected staff attended free interviewer skills training on the PAS eLearning hub which contained topics on unconscious biases. Various free OneLearning courses were also attended by staff on Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service.
Please note we are unable to provide details of training content as it remains the property of the training providers.
Legislative Measures
Questions (77)
Carol Nolan
Question:77. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will be prioritising the progression of any specific pieces of legislation prior to the Dáil summer recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24700/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Departments priority legislation is set out in the Government's Summer 2024 Legislation Programme and is available at gov - Government Legislation Programme 2024 (www.gov.ie)
In additional to the priority legislation in the Government's Legislation Programme my Department is also prioritising the publication of the Air Pollution Amendment Bill 2024 which will provide for necessary updates to the Air Pollution Act (1987) to support enhanced enforcement and the implementation of the Clean Air Strategy.
Pension Provisions
Questions (78)
Ivana Bacik
Question:78. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a decision will issue in relation to an appeal (details supplied) [24739/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department is not the competent authority with respect to issuing a decision in the appeal case of the named persons.
My Department carries out a review of documentation submitted regarding appeals of the decisions of the trustees of the Eircom Pension fund and if the relevant documentation has been supplied to my Department, submits the documentation to the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery & Reform for a final decision.
Officials in my Department are currently reviewing our records and will be in contact with the named persons representatives to ascertain the current status of the appeal.
Inland Fisheries
Questions (79)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:79. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason his officials in the inland fisheries division have failed to engage on an issue over an approximate ten-year period (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24771/24]
View answerWritten answers
On the matters relating to the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy, I wish to remind the Deputy, that as previously advised, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in conjunction with my Department is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application.
Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 will be examined and reviewed as part of this exercise. The review process, will, of course, consider relevant legal acts of the European Union including the Habitats Directive and EU Water Framework Directive.
Inland Fisheries
Questions (80)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:80. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his officials in the inland fisheries division fully support the repugnant position of legislatively conserving non-native dace in all Irish freshwater catchments under the Conservation and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse Fish Bye-Law (No. 806) 2006, while the fish is concurrently classed as highly invasive in Ireland under the European Communities - Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 (S. I. No. 477 of 2011); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24772/24]
View answerWritten answers
As conveyed to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 133 of 23 January 2024, No. 42 of 7 February 2024 and No. 149 of 21 May 2024, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 will be examined and reviewed as part of this exercise. The review process will consider relevant legal acts of the European Union including the EU Water Framework Directive.