Written Answers Nos. 136-140
136. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 22 January 2025, if he will provide a list of acceptable test providers for the examination of DNA evidence in support of a passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14665/25]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. To meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement when making a first time passport application.
As advised in my previous response to the Deputy, entitlement to Irish citizenship should be established via the presentation of relevant official documents. DNA evidence is only considered in certain exceptional circumstances, where the applicant has verified that they have exhausted all avenues in terms of providing official or civil documentary evidence of their citizenship entitlement and there are reasonable grounds to believe that DNA evidence may be able to establish citizenship entitlement.
The Passport Service does not maintain a list of recommended or acceptable DNA testing providers. However, if an applicant wishes to pursue DNA testing, they should contact the Passport Service for guidance in advance. The onus is on the applicant to select and engage a provider, but any testing laboratory must meet the ISO/IEC17025 accreditation standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
It is important to reiterate that each application involving DNA evidence is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and considerable engagement is necessary between the applicant and the Passport Service to ensure all requirements are met.
137. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Ireland’s obligations to comply with international law with regard to the ongoing genocide in Palestine, particularly with regard to the Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 and the use of Shannon Airport for transporting military aid for Israel; the steps he is taking to meet these obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14720/25]
View answerThe situation in Israel and Palestine is a priority for this Government.
The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. I condemn the resumption of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the new ground offensive, which have brought fresh suffering to the people of Gaza and have breached the ceasefire. A return to hostilities is disastrous for the people of Gaza, and for the hostages and their families. Our focus must also be on the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza at scale, and the release of the remaining hostages.
Ireland's response to this dreadful conflict is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and unwavering support for the two-State solution.
Re-affirming this commitment to international law and the UN Charter, Ireland filed a Declaration of Intervention at the International Court of Justice in South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention on 6 January. Ireland also filed a Declaration of Intervention in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar on 20 December 2024. Ireland has also both bilaterally and at multilateral level, repeatedly called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law.
In light of the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the ICJ Advisory Opinion.
It is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. The system of exemptions is operated under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, by the Department of Transport. In 2023, 2024, and to date in 2025, no applications have been received or exemptions granted for the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft to a point in Israel.
Since October 2023, diplomatic clearance has been granted on a small number of occasions for US military aircraft to land in Shannon for the specific purpose of transporting senior officials travelling from the United States to the Middle East. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
138. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of actual and attempted cyberattacks on his Department during each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the countries of origin of those attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14691/25]
View answerMy 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.
139. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total sum spent on cybersecurity measures within his Department during each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. [14673/25]
View answerMy Department’s approach to cybersecurity is multi-dimensional and in line with the advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. The expenditure on cybersecurity is integrated within overall ICT costs. Details of total expenditure on ICT for the years 2022 - 2024 are as follows:
2022: €12,607,665
2023: €14,279,238
2024: €14,026,902
140. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 would include a ban on trade in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14759/25]
View answerIn light of the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill.
The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures.
The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory.
In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the ICJ Advisory Opinion.
