Written Answers Nos. 126-146
126. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade as to whether Ireland supports the right of the Tibetan people to select and appoint their own religious leaders, including the next Dalai Lama; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35609/25]
View answerThe protection and promotion of universal human rights is one of Ireland’s core foreign policy priorities. This includes the right to religious, linguistic and cultural freedom.
The Government regularly raises concerns regarding human rights with China, both in bilateral meetings as well as in the appropriate international fora. I raised Ireland’s long-held concerns about Tibet and other human rights matters when I met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to Dublin in February.
In our national Item 4 statement at the March 2025 session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland reiterated our concerns regarding the treatment of religious groups in China, including Tibetans. Ireland also joined the EU Statement, which expressed concern about the human rights situation in Tibet and called for China to respect the rights of persons belonging to religious groups to conduct their basic affairs without interference and to freely choose their religious leaders. The issue of freedom of religion and belief was also raised during the most recent EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, held in Brussels on 13 June. The EU noted the particularly vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities across China and underlined that the selection of religious leaders should happen without government interference and in accordance with religious norms, including for the succession of the Dalai Lama.
Ireland will continue to address human rights concerns with China, both bilaterally and as a member of the EU, and through the relevant multilateral channels.
127. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will indicate if Ireland has raised the ongoing abuses of the Tibetan people by the Chinese Communist Party at any multilateral for a since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35610/25]
View answerThe protection and promotion of our human rights remains a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy. Ireland regularly discusses human rights concerns, including in respect of Tibet, with the Chinese authorities in bilateral meetings and in the appropriate multilateral fora, including with regard to the treatment of ethnic minorities. Both the Taoiseach and I raised our long-held concerns in relation to human rights in China with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to Ireland in February this year.
As part of its submission to the Universal Periodic Review of China at the Human Rights Council in January 2024, Ireland highlighted the treatment of ethnic and religious groups, including in Tibet. More recently, at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2025, Ireland reiterated our concerns over restrictions on civic space in China and about the treatment of Tibetans in our national Item 4 Statement.
At the same session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland also joined EU Member States in a group statement, which expressed concerns about the human rights situation in China and specifically included reference to the situation in Tibet including, inter alia, the ill treatment and unlawful detention of human rights defenders. China was urged to abide by its obligations under national and international law to respect, protect and fulfil the rule of law and human rights for all, including Uyghurs, Tibetans and other persons belonging to national or ethnic, linguistic, religious or other groups and minorities across China.
At the most recent EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which took place in Brussels on 13 June, the EU expressed concern about the particularly vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities in China, and noted in particular the cases of a number of activists, writers and religious leaders in Tibet.
Ireland will continue to address human rights concerns with China, both bilaterally and as a member of the EU, through our contacts in Dublin and Beijing, and through the relevant multilateral channels.
128. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when his Department intends to evacuate from the occupied Palestinian territories persons who have been granted visas for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/25]
View answerMy Department, including through our Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of its Consular Assistance Charter.
Since the start of this crisis my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and accompanying dependants, who have expressed a wish to leave. To date, 142 eligible persons have been supported by the Department to leave Gaza.
We continue to advocate with the authorities in relation to those Irish citizens and dependants who have not yet been permitted to leave. Unfortunately, we are very limited in our ability to provide consular assistance to individuals that are not Irish citizens.
Ireland remains fully engaged on the situation in Gaza where we are continuing to witness appalling scenes. Israel’s continued military offensive and plans to establish full control of the Strip are extremely alarming. We are alarmed by ongoing mass casualty incidents near distribution centres run by private contractors under the new Israeli-approved model. We strongly urge Israeli authorities to exercise restraint. We need an urgent end to hostilities.
129. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on a passport application (details supplied) as the applicants’ travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35719/25]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application has been approved and the passport will be issued to the applicant today.
130. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he can assist a couple in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35747/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question, and I can confirm my Department has been in direct contact with the couple to provide assistance.
132. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether there is any mechanism for a non-binary person to be identified as such on their passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35821/25]
View answer134. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he would support the introduction of an ‘X’ marker on passports for people who identify with a non-binary gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36095/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 134 together.
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the 2008 Act”). Section 38 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 ("the 2015 Act") amended section 11 of the 2008 Act to provide for the issuing of a passport in a new gender and, if applicable, in a new name.
The 2015 Act comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, and was commenced by the Minister for Social Protection in September 2015.
I was advised by the Department of Social Protection that the report of the Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act under section 7 of the Act included, at recommendation 2A, that legal recognition should be made available to people who are non-binary. This recommendation will, in part, be informed by an impact assessment on existing legislation that would arise by providing for a new, non-binary, category of gender.
I am further advised by the Department of Social Protection that the setting up of an interdepartmental working group to facilitate this impact assessment will include all Government departments.
133. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 22 May 2025, if he examine documents and correspondence (details supplied); to advise in context of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35980/25]
View answerA Certificat de Coutume is a document which is required by the civil authorities in certain foreign jurisdictions before a non-national is permitted to marry in the jurisdiction in question. It is issued by the relevant authorities in the person's own country. In this country it is issued under my seal as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and signed on my behalf by an authorised officer of my Department. The Certificat states that the person is not bound by the ties of a valid marriage under the laws of Ireland and is therefore free to contract a marriage with a named intended spouse.
An applicant for a Certificat de Coutume must complete a questionnaire and provide evidence, normally in the form of a statutory declaration, that he or she is free to marry. If the applicant has been married previously, but has been divorced abroad subsequent to the coming into force of the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorce Act, 1986, then he or she must produce evidence that the application is covered by the terms of that Act and in particular that either the applicant or the previous spouse was domiciled in the relevant jurisdiction on the date of the institution of the divorce proceedings.
In the case to which the Deputy refers, this evidence has not yet been satisfactorily produced.
When such evidence is received the application will be dealt with as a matter of priority.
135. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the complex passport application (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure that this issue is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36127/25]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the 2008 Act”), which provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.
Under Section 14 of the 2008 Act, the Passport Service requires the consent of guardians before issuing a passport for a child under 18 years of age. Section 14 of the 2008 Act also sets out a number of exceptions in relation to consent. Section 14 provides that a passport may be issued to a child without the consent of a guardian of the child, if a court in the State makes an order directing that a passport may be issued to the child without the consent of that guardian.
It is important to reiterate that each application involving complex matters relating to guardianship and dispensing with the consent of a child's guardians, is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and considerable engagement is necessary between the applicant and the Passport Service to ensure all necessary requirements are met. Such applications are dealt with by experienced staff trained in this area to ensure that they are processed correctly.
It is imperative that the Passport Service strictly adheres to the direction of the Court, by ensuring the consent of guardians, as appointed by the Court, is obtained before a passport can issue. Each passport application is assessed and evaluated on its own merits to ensure the provisions of the 2008 Act have been met.
Further guidance in relation to guardian consent can be found on my Department's website here - www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/first-child-passport/#Guardian%20consent%20for%20children's%20passport%20applications.
136. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Austria, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36187/25]
View answer137. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Belgium, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36188/25]
View answer138. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Bulgaria, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36189/25]
View answer139. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Croatia, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36190/25]
View answer140. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Cyprus, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36191/25]
View answer141. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Czechia, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36192/25]
View answer142. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Denmark, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36193/25]
View answer143. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Estonia, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36194/25]
View answer144. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Finland, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36195/25]
View answer145. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in France, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36196/25]
View answer146. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Germany, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36197/25]
View answer147. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Greece, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36198/25]
View answer148. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Hungary, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36199/25]
View answer149. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Latvia, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36200/25]
View answer150. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Lithuania, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36201/25]
View answer151. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Luxembourg, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36202/25]
View answer152. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Malta, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36203/25]
View answer153. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in the Netherlands, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36204/25]
View answer154. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Poland, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36205/25]
View answer155. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Portugal, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36206/25]
View answer156. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Romania, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36207/25]
View answer157. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Slovakia, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36208/25]
View answer158. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Slovenia, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36209/25]
View answer159. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Spain, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36210/25]
View answer160. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an activity report on the Embassy of Ireland in Sweden, including the number of staff employed, when it was established, the number of consulates general it has, and the number of honorary consuls it has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36211/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159 and 160 together.
Ireland’s Mission network in Europe plays an important role in supporting our citizens abroad, enhancing our bilateral cooperation with European partners and in shaping the EU agenda. Under the Global Ireland strategy, Ireland has deepened and widened its impact across Europe by strengthening and leveraging our mission network, deepening both new and existing alliances. Through specific targeted strategies, including for France, Germany and the Nordic Baltic region, as well as through increased focused and prioritisation goals, our European missions have been critical to the success of the Government’s Global Ireland strategy.
The information requested is set out in the table below:
|
Country |
Number of Staff employed at Embassy |
Year Established |
No. of Consulates General |
No. of Honorary Consuls (Consular) |
|
Austria |
10 |
1974 |
||
|
Belgium |
8 |
1932 |
1 |
|
|
Bulgaria |
8 |
2005 |
||
|
Croatia |
6 |
2015 |
1 |
|
|
Cyprus |
6 |
2001 |
||
|
Czechia |
7 |
1995 |
||
|
Denmark |
8 |
1962 |
||
|
Estonia |
5 |
2001 |
||
|
Finland |
7 |
1992 |
||
|
France |
29 |
1929 |
1 |
3 |
|
Germany |
24 |
1929 |
2 |
3 |
|
Greece |
8 |
1977 |
4 |
|
|
Hungary |
8 |
1995 |
||
|
Latvia |
6 |
2005 |
||
|
Lithuania |
7 |
2005 |
||
|
Luxembourg |
7 |
1973 |
||
|
Malta |
6 |
2005 |
||
|
Netherlands |
12 |
1950 |
||
|
Poland |
15 |
1990 |
1 |
|
|
Portugal |
10 |
1942 |
1 |
|
|
Romania |
7 |
2005 |
2 |
|
|
Slovakia |
7 |
2001 |
||
|
Slovenia |
6 |
2001 |
||
|
Spain |
21 |
1935 |
9 |
|
|
Sweden |
10 |
1946 |
1 |
