Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of diplomatic staff currently accredited to the Russian embassy in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40316/24]
View answerThere are currently 15 officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation who have been notified to my Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations – 6 Diplomatic and 9 Administrative and Technical staff.
Despite our fundamental opposition to Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, the Government's view is that diplomatic channels should remain open. This is in the interests of our own citizens, both in Russia and the five Central Asian Republics to which Ireland is accredited from our Embassy in Moscow. It also allows us to continue to formally convey the Government's strong objection to the illegal and unwarranted war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.
43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which European institutions are aware of a visible drawing away from the principles and freedoms of Europe as previously established and endorsed by the various people throughout the European Union with a view to ensuring continuation of the benefits of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40588/24]
View answerRespect for the rule of law and other EU fundamental values is enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU). It is a primary responsibility of each EU Member State to uphold these values. Not only is the EU a union of values, respect for the rule of law and good governance are cornerstones for the proper functioning of the internal market and for a healthy business environment. Issues in one Member State have an impact on other Member States and on the EU as a whole. The Union has a shared interest and a role to play in resolving rule of law issues wherever they arise.
It is vital that the EU has the tools needed to monitor the rule of law across EU Member States and to respond effectively to challenges where they arise. Ireland has consistently supported the development of a robust range of instruments available to the European Commission to ensure that Member States adhere to rule of law obligations. These instruments include the annual rule of law reporting process, Article 7 proceedings and infringement proceedings.
The European Commission attaches particular importance to respect for the rule of law as a fundamental EU value. This was again clear from President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath announcing his appointment to the Democracy, Justice and Rule of Law portfolio. In the mission letter, President von der Leyen stressed that “Europe’s democracy and economy relies on justice and the rule of law.” In his new position, Commissioner-Designate McGrath will play a vital and influential role in upholding the fundamental values of the Union.
Overall, Ireland encourages the EU to use all the tools at its disposal to respond to rule of law challenges among Member States. Likewise, we urge all Member States to engage effectively with the EU’s multifaceted response to addressing internal rule of law challenges.
44. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports issued to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40337/24]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports. So far in 2024, the Passport Service has issued over 883,000 passports. Forecasts indicate that the Passport Service will issue over 1 million passports this year.
Thanks to significant investment by the Government and the work of the Passport Service staff, virtually all complete passport applications are processed within or before advertised turnaround times with the majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days.
The turnaround times for passport applications are:
• 10 working days for simple online adult renewals
• 15 working days for complex or child online renewals
• 20 working days for first time online applications
• 8 weeks for post passport or paper applications
The Customer Service Hub of the Passport Service is available between 9am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday. The Hub has handled over 345,000 calls and 95,000 webchats from our citizens to date this year.
The Passport Service offers Urgent Appointments for applicants who need to renew their passport urgently in time for travel. The Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment Service for renewal applicants.
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 four times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications.
Over 90% of passport applications are made through Passport Online, which is now available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.
The Passport Service continues to be in an excellent position to meet the demand forecast for the remainder of this year.
I encourage citizens to apply for their passports online, well in advance of any planned travel, for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
46. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department supports the enactment of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40646/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government’s legal advice is that the Occupied Territories Bill is not compatible with EU law, as the EU has exclusive competence for external trade.
A key pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy is our strong commitment to international law and our promotion of respect for international law. To adopt an approach that runs contrary to legal advice would undermine Ireland’s clear and principled stance in this regard.
Rather than focusing on unilateral measures and symbolic gestures, the Government has been focused on moving the dial forward in a meaningful way at international level.
I welcome the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July. The Opinion of the Court largely confirmed the Government’s legal analysis, which was outlined in Ireland’s written and oral submissions, and presented by the Attorney General to the Court back in February 2024.
Ireland cosponsored and voted for the Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 September last, setting out follow-up to the ICJ Advisory Opinion and which had 124 votes in favour.
It is now incumbent upon the international community, including the European Union, to give careful consideration to the Advisory Opinion. This is a point that I have underlined very clearly to my EU counterparts, including at our recent informal meetings in August and September.
50. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his engagement with the United Kingdom government in relation to its commitment to repeal and replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40309/24]
View answerDeveloping an agreed approach on legacy which responds to the needs of victims is essential to progressing the vital work of reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Legacy issues, both specific cases, and the wider approach, feature in all of my engagements with my UK counterparts.
I welcome the British Government's stated intention to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. I have noted the Secretary of State’s intention to retain the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
I discussed legacy with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on his first day in office. At every engagement with him since, including at the British-Irish Association Conference on 6 September, the primary focus of our conversation has been on what "repeal and replace" means in practice and how this work can be taken forward.
In all of my engagements I have made clear that any approach needs to command the support of victims and families. Achieving this will require a robust, thorough, and ambitious process, involving root and branch reform of the ICRIR. It will only be effective if it is advanced in partnership between the two governments.
The Government is committed to working with the British Government to explore whether and how we can develop an agreed approach on this fundamentally important issue. Conversations to date have been constructive, but more work is needed. Fundamental and meaningful reform of this deeply flawed legislation must be at the heart of our efforts. As we take this work forward, the needs of victims and the obligation to ensure a framework compatible with the European Convention of Human Rights will remain central to this Government’s approach.
51. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to the Republic of Maldives Article 63 declaration to intervene in the case of South Africa v Israel before the International Court of Justice, taken under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, if he will file such a declaration and support the efforts of South Africa to uphold international law. [40495/24]
View answerAs I have previously confirmed, the Government intends to file a declaration of intervention in these proceedings before the International Court of Justice once South Africa has filed its memorial.
On 5 April 2024, the Court fixed the time limits for the filing of written proceedings in this case. South Africa is required to file its memorial by 28 October 2024, while Israel is required to file its counter memorial on 28 July 2025.
As such, the Government intends to file a declaration of intervention in these proceedings before the end of the year.
52. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will commit to a referendum on enshrining neutrality in the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40654/24]
View answerOur policy of military neutrality, as practised by successive Governments over many decades, means Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements.
As I have said in this House on many previous occasions, the Government has no plans to alter our long-standing policy of military neutrality, join a military alliance or enter into a mutual defence arrangement. As such, a referendum enshrining Ireland’s neutrality in the Constitution is not necessary or appropriate.
Furthermore, the Constitution already establishes the framework within which Ireland conducts its international relations. Article 29.1 provides that "Ireland affirms its devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality."
Article 29.4.9 sets out that the State “shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union where that common defence would include the State”.
In the context of an increasingly challenging international security environment, a referendum enshrining Ireland’s neutrality in the Constitution would significantly constrain the Executive’s ability to exercise its policy-making authority in respect of the conduct of external relations, as outlined in Article 29 of the Constitution.
Accordingly, the Government has no plans to bring forward legislation to hold a constitutional referendum on neutrality.
53. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures being taken to ensure safe passage of Irish citizens from Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40483/24]
View answerI want to thank the Deputy for his question regarding the situation of Irish citizens in Lebanon.
Throughout the current crisis, my Department, including through our Embassy in Cairo, has remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in Lebanon. As part of ongoing consular coordination amongst states, we worked closely with our EU, UK and other partners to exchange information and coordinate our consular response to the situation in Lebanon, including for assisted departures.
As a result of this cooperation, 26 Irish citizens were assisted to depart Lebanon on flights operated by partners since last Friday. The citizens departed on flights operated by Ireland’s international partners.
This is an excellent example of the importance of international cooperation. I would like to record my thanks to the governments of The Netherlands, Canada, and the UK, who organised flights on which Irish citizens were accommodated. Let me also note here the work of our consular response teams in Cairo, Dublin, and across the Middle East who continue to support Irish citizens in the region.
Many Irish citizens in Lebanon are deeply rooted in the country, with family, work, and other links. While we have been able to assist almost all Irish citizens who have expressed a wish to leave, understandably a number have decided to remain.
The Department is continuing to monitor the situation and will remain in close contact with all citizens still in Lebanon over the days and weeks ahead. If further Irish citizens contact us seeking to leave, we will engage directly with them on options that are available at that time.
55. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the situation in Lebanon; the discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40572/24]
View answer60. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to his Lebanese counterpart and offered Ireland’s support. [40574/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 60 together.
I am deeply concerned about the surge of violence in Lebanon in recent days, including continuing Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel, Israel's massive aerial bombardments and ground incursions across the Blue Line by the Israeli Defence Forces.
Recent developments in Lebanon represent a further dangerous escalation in an already tense and fragile region. I call for an immediate ceasefire, and urge all who have influence to use this positively to that end. We need to see urgent de-escalation and a surge in humanitarian assistance in Lebanon.
The safety of Irish personnel serving in UNIFIL is a priority for the Government. I am in regular contact with the Chief of Staff regarding the situation on the ground. Irish soldiers continue to take shelter in secured positions, and all are currently safe and accounted for. I have spoken on a number of occasions with UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, to underline the Government's concerns including regarding the activity of the Israeli Defence Forces in the vicinity of Irish outposts. The Taoiseach has discussed the situation with UN Secretary General Guterres. I welcome the news that the IDF has moved from its previous position and are currently not located near the Irish UNIFIL outposts.
Since 8th October 2023, over 2,000 people have died in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The humanitarian impacts in Lebanon are severe. The country was already in a fragile situation and ill-equipped to respond to this. I remain concerned about the threat to UN staff and medical workers who take exceptional risks to provide vital aid, and who should be protected.
The level of destruction and displacement in Lebanon is shocking. Current estimates are that over 1 million people have been displaced, further exacerbating already acute humanitarian needs. This is an extraordinarily challenging time for the Lebanese people.
I last met Foreign Minister Bou Habib in May when I visited Lebanon. At that time I reassured him of Ireland's support for his country. I announced an additional €1 million in support of humanitarian relief in Lebanon at the end of September. This brings Irish support to €5 million in 2024 alone and €33 million since 2018. While it was not possible to meet Minister Habib last month when I was in New York at the UN, I addressed the UN Security Council on the crisis on the Middle East including the situation in Lebanon.
Since the beginning of this crisis, I have been in regular contact with my counterparts in European Union Member States and the EU institutions, pressing the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian assistance at scale. Last week, I participated in an emergency meeting of EU Foreign Ministers by video conference on the situation in Lebanon. HRVP Borrell issued a press statement after the meeting which focused on support measures to Lebanon.
I will continue my intensive engagement with EU partners to take concrete steps which demonstrate the Union’s commitment to de-escalation in the region and a diplomatic solution, including at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council next week.
56. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking in the context of the particularly horrific impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine on women and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40320/24]
View answerRussia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine continues to cause devastating consequences for the Ukrainian people. Recognising the disproportionate impact of the war on women and children, Ireland will continue to prioritise the protection of all vulnerable groups and the prevention of sexual and gender based violence. Ireland also supports a gender-responsive and inclusive recovery effort in Ukraine.
Approximately 20,000 children have been identified by Ukraine as having been forcibly deported from their homes. The European Council has strongly condemned these actions. At the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, the Taoiseach joined calls for their return. As a member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, we are engaging in discussions on how we can support its important work. Ireland is committed to working with partners, such as UNICEF and the ICRC, who play a key role in supporting the re-integration of children and wider family reunification. In 2024 Ireland is providing €23.5 million in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, including €5 million to the ICRC, €3 million to the UNFPA and €2 million to UNICEF.
Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions against Russia in response to its aggression in Ukraine, including a range of measures targeting individuals and entities involved in the forced transfer, deportation, and military indoctrination of children.
I note that such alleged crimes are the subject of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. Ireland has raised this issue in multilateral forums, in our national capacity and as part of the EU. We co-sponsored a resolution of Human Rights Council establishing a commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights, and violations of international humanitarian law in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. We will continue to support accountability for Russia’s crimes in Ukraine.
59. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the gross human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40565/24]
View answerI have repeatedly condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities.
In August 2024, on the third anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, I issued a statement strongly condemning the gross human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban and called for the full reversal of the Taliban’s discriminatory and draconian decrees. I was clear in my reaffirmation of Ireland’s commitment and support to the people of Afghanistan and calling on those responsible for gross and widespread human rights abuses to be held accountable for their actions.
The appalling restrictions and measures imposed by the Taliban curtailing the basic rights of Afghan women and girls are a particular concern. During my recent attendance at the UN General Assembly High Level Week, I was honoured to co-host an event entitled ‘The Inclusion of Women in the Future of Afghanistan’, alongside Indonesia, Switzerland and Qatar, and in partnership with the Women’s Forum on Afghanistan. The event was extremely successful in highlighting how the fundamental human rights of women and girls are under appalling and unprecedented attack since the Taliban regained power and urging intensified international efforts to redress this situation. In my address, I pledged continued support for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and made clear that Ireland will work to ensure that the issue remains a priority on the international agenda.
Ireland regularly raises the human rights situation in Afghanistan at the UN Human Rights Council, including at its most recent session where we delivered a statement denouncing the continued enforcement of restrictive decrees that curtail the human rights of women and girls. Ireland also called for the rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to which Afghanistan is a State Party, to be upheld. During the Universal Periodic Review of Afghanistan on 29 April 2024, we repeated our calls for those responsible for all abuses of human rights in Afghanistan to be held accountable for their actions.
Ireland will continue to urge effective international action to address the unacceptable human rights situation within Afghanistan. I will also ensure that Ireland continues to do all it can, through our diplomatic efforts, to amplify the voices of Afghan women, including those inside Afghanistan.
