Brendan Smith
Question:183. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [36907/25]
View answerTrade Agreements
Questions (183)
Written answers
In response to concerns regarding the situation in Gaza, on 20 May the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland and Spain called for this step in February 2024. This is a position that I reiterated in a letter to the High Representative in advance of the May Foreign Affairs Council, alongside my counterparts from Spain, Slovenia and Luxembourg.
I welcome that the review of Israel’s compliance with its obligations under Article 2 has now been finalised. It is clear from the review that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations. This is a significant finding. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June, the High Representative said she will communicate this clearly to Israel. The High Representative also briefed the European Council on the outcome of the review at its meeting on 26 June. I was clear with my EU counterparts at the June Foreign Affairs Council that there must now be concrete options for follow-up action to this review, which will be discussed at this month’s meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 July. Last month, I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing a letter to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ. This review will now be taken forward in parallel to the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Northern Ireland
Questions (184)
Brendan Smith
Question:184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to North-South issues. [36908/25]
View answerWritten answers
Since the restoration of the Good Friday Agreement institutions last year, there have been three plenary meetings of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), most recently on 20 June last. The meeting was hosted by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in the NSMC Secretariat offices in Armagh.
This was the first meeting of the NSMC in plenary format since the new Government took office and since the publication of both the Government's and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programmes for Government.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Ministers to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and concern, including business and trade matters, infrastructure and investment cooperation, Mother and Baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses, and tackling gender based violence on the island.
The outcomes of the meeting are detailed in the Joint Communiqué issued after the meeting and published on the NSMC website, at the link below
Twenty Ninth Plenary Joint Communiqué - 20 June 2025 | North South Ministerial Council.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (185, 186)
Conor D McGuinness
Question:185. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department’s expenditure on hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming and general cosmetic expenses, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [36995/25]
View answerConor D McGuinness
Question:186. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37014/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
My Department has carried out a full review of expenditure between 2015-2015 (to date) to identify expenditure on the services listed and the information is set out in the table below. These transactions did not involve retainer fee.
|
Period |
Amount |
Description |
Location |
|
2015 |
- |
||
|
2016 |
- |
||
|
2017 |
- |
||
|
2018 |
- |
||
|
2019 |
- |
||
|
2020 |
€115 |
Make-up for performer in Bloomsday production |
Riga |
|
2021 |
- |
||
|
2022 |
- |
||
|
2023 |
- |
||
|
2024 |
€440 |
Make-up/Hairstyling for performers at "Zeitgeist Irland 24" Cultural Event |
Berlin |
|
2025 |
- |
Question No. 186 answered with Question No. 185.
Departmental Advertising
Questions (187)
Conor D McGuinness
Question:187. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his expenditure on advertising, detailing the objective, duration, media platforms, advertising agency or agencies, and cost of each advertising campaign, in each of the years 2015 to 2025. [37032/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade uses public awareness campaigns and advertising to promote essential services to citizens at home and abroad, such as passport and consular services, and to promote Irish interests and values internationally. In recent years, public awareness campaigns in relation to passports, COVID-19 travel restrictions and Brexit have formed a significant part of advertising costs. Successfully communicating Ireland’s values and interests to global audiences, including through a range of online and social media channels, is integral to implementing our foreign policy objectives as set out in the Programme for Government and the Department’s Statement of Strategy.
The Department’s expenditure on advertising campaigns between 2015 and 2025 to date is outlined below. Table 1 includes details from 2020 to 2025 (to date):
Table 1
|
Year |
Main campaigns (objectives, duration and platforms) |
Agency/agencies |
Expenditure |
|
2020 |
St Brigid’s Day – To celebrate internationally the achievements of Irish women. Dates: February 2020. Platform: Digital. St Patrick’s Day - To promote Ireland around the world as a location to invest, visit, study and do business. Dates: March 2020. Platform: Digital. Get Ireland Brexit Ready – To raise awareness around the Government’s Brexit preparedness plans, urging people and businesses to get Brexit ready. Dates: Q1 and Q2 2020. Platforms: TV, Radio, Digital, National and regional press ads, social media. Passports – To promote awareness of the Online Passport Service for Irish adults and children. Dates: Q1 and Q2 2020. Platforms: Social media, print, broadcast media and outdoor advertising. Samhain – To promote Ireland as the home of Halloween. Dates: October/November 2020. Platform: Digital. Global Irish Diaspora “To be Irish” – To recognise and celebrate those of Irish descent worldwide. Dates: Throughout 2020. Platform: Digital. |
PHD Media |
582,077 |
|
2021 |
St Brigid’s Day – To celebrate internationally the achievements of Irish women. Dates: February 2020. Platform: Digital. St Patrick’s Day - To promote Ireland around the world as a location to invest, visit, study and do business. Dates: March 2021. Platform: Digital. Get Ireland Brexit Ready – To raise awareness around the Government’s Brexit preparedness plans and urging people and businesses to be Brexit ready. Dates: October 2020 and January 2021. Platforms: TV, Radio, Digital, National and regional press ads, social media. Passports – To promote awareness of the Online Passport Service for Irish adults and children. Dates: Q1 and Q2 2021. Platforms: Social media, print, broadcast media and outdoor advertising. Consular Covid-19 Campaign – To raise awareness of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Dates: Throughout 2021. Platforms: Press, digital, radio. Bloomsday – To highlight the positive impact of James Joyce and his writing around the world. Dates: June 2021. Platforms: Digital. Samhain – To promote Ireland as the home of Halloween. Dates: October/November 2021. Platform: Digital. Global Irish Diaspora “To be Irish” – To recognise and celebrate those of Irish descent worldwide. Dates: Throughout 2021. Platform: Digital. |
PHD Media |
1,464,673 |
|
2022 |
St Patrick’s Day - To promote Ireland around the world as a location to invest, visit, study and do business. Dates: March 2022. Platform: Digital. Passports – To educate the Irish public about the passport application process and provide reassurance to citizens that we are continuing to work, despite Covid-19 restrictions. Dates: Q1 – Q3 2022. Platforms: Print and Digital. Ireland at Expo Dubai- To promote Ireland’s participation at World Expo in Dubai. Dates: Q1 2022. Platform: Digital. Consular - To reduce the number of consular incidents impacting Irish people overseas. Dates: Q2. Platforms: Press, digital, radio. Bloomsday – To highlight the positive impact of James Joyce and his writing around the world. Dates: June 2022. Platform: Digital. Europe Day – To celebrate Ireland’s membership of the European Union. Dates: May 2022. Platform: Digital. Samhain – To promote Ireland as the home of Halloween. Dates: October/November 2022. Platform: Digital. |
PHD Media |
725,747 |
|
2023 |
Passports - To encourage citizens to check their passports before booking travel. Dates: Q1 and Q2 2023. St Patrick’s Day - To promote Ireland around the world as a location to invest, visit, study and do business. Dates: March 2023. Platforms: Digital. Consular - To reduce the number of consular incidents impacting Irish people overseas. Dates: Q2 2023. Platforms: Digital, display and audio. Rugby World Cup - Build awareness of passport and consular issues among Irish fans travelling to France. Dates: August 14th – October 22nd 2023. Platforms: Digital. Brexit (Exporter) - To inform Irish exporters of new UK Border Target Operating Model import controls. Dates: Three phases - August 2023 – February 2024. Platforms: National Press, Regional Press and Radio and Social Media Campaign on Facebook/ Twitter/ LinkedIn. Launch of Ireland.ie - Promotion of new whole-of-government Digital Ireland House website. Dates: October 26th – November 22nd 2023. Platforms: Digital. EU Jobs - To generate awareness and encourage third level students and graduates in Ireland to apply for jobs in the EU. Dates: September 25th – November 3rd 2023. Platforms: Digital. |
PHD Media |
586,308 |
|
2024 |
Passports - To encourage citizens to check their passports before booking travel. Dates: December 26th 2023 – 24th March 2024. Platforms: Radio, Press and Digital. St Patrick’s Day - To promote Ireland around the world as a location to invest, visit, study and do business. Dates: 14th – 19th March 2024. Platform: Digital. Consular - To reduce the number of consular incidents impacting Irish people overseas. Dates: 27th May – 30th June 2024. Platforms: Digital, display and audio. Olympics and Paralympics - To engage the Irish diaspora and highlight Irish values to international and French audiences. Dates: 23rd July – 1st August 2024. Platforms: Digital. Ireland at Expo - To promote Ireland’s participation at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Dates: August 1st-8th 2024. Platform: Digital. Ireland/US 100 years – To mark the hundred-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States. Dates: 10 – 15 October. Platform: Digital. UN High-level week – To promote Ireland’s presence and participation at UN High-level week. Dates: 20 – 25 September. Platform: Digital. Irish Aid annual report – To increase awareness of the 2023 Irish Aid Annual Report. Dates: October 2nd - 9th 2024. Platform: Digital. EU Jobs - To generate awareness and encourage third level students and graduates in Ireland to apply for jobs in the EU. Dates: Throughout 2024. Platform: Digital. |
PHD Media |
462,677 |
|
2025 (to date) |
Passports (‘Don’t Be That Person’) - To encourage citizens to check their passports before booking travel. Dates: Q1 2025. Platforms: Digital. St Brigid’s Day – To celebrate internationally the achievements of Irish women. Dates: February 2025. Platform: Digital. St Patrick’s Day - To promote Ireland around the world as a location to invest, visit, study and do business. Dates: March 2025. Platform: Digital. Consular (‘Make the Right Memories’ and ‘Travel Wise’) - To reduce the number of consular incidents impacting Irish people overseas. Dates: May 2025. Platforms: Digital, display and audio. Marriage Equality Anniversary – To highlight the 10 year anniversary of Ireland as the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. Dates: May 20 – 25, 2025. Platform: Digital. Bloomsday and Beyond – To promote Ireland as ‘The Island of Writers’ to a global audience in conjunction with Bloomsday. Dates: June 11 – 17, 2025. Platform: Digital. EU Jobs - To generate awareness and encourage third level students and graduates in Ireland to apply for jobs in the EU. Dates: Ongoing. Platform: Digital. |
Spark Foundry |
267,953 |
For available information from 2015 to 2019, please see Table 2:
Table 2
|
Years |
Main campaigns (objectives, duration and platforms) |
Agency/Agencies |
Expenditure |
|
2015 - 2019 |
Campaigns included: St Patrick’s Day – To engage with the Irish diaspora community and promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas. ‘Get Ireland Brexit Ready’ and Civic Dialogue on Brexit – To highlight the implications of Brexit for the people and businesses of Ireland. Passport Service – To highlight the Online Renewals Service as a fast and secure way for adults and children to renew their passports. To promote the Online Passport Renewals Service. Ireland’s Campaign for Election to the UN Security Council – To promote Ireland’s campaign to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Global Ireland – To promote the Government’s Global Ireland Strategy, including regional strategies. Rugby World Cup 2019 Consular Awareness – To promote the Department’s travel advice, as well as information on what measures to take in the event of a consular emergency or crisis while in Japan. |
PHD Media, Outsource Media, Mediavest. |
43,121 (2015) 27,989 (2016) 213,182 (2017) 63,653 (2018) 2,511,718 (2019) Total: 2,859,663 |
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (188)
Conor D McGuinness
Question:188. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's expenditure on media training in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the firms contracted to provide training; and the position or grade of those availing of training, for example, Minister, Secretary General, principal officer and so on. [37049/25]
View answerWritten answers
Effective communication is essential for delivering on the goals of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As part of our learning and development offering, we invest in communication training, which includes media training.
In 2024, the Department worked with NUI Galway to provide a Professional Diploma in Communication course (Level 9) for five First Secretaries/Assistant Principal Officers, eleven Third Secretaries/Higher Executive Officers/Administrative Officers and nine members of Embassy local staff. The fee paid to NUI Galway was €85,000.
In 2023, the Department worked with the Communications Clinic to provide two sessions of Press Officer training to colleagues in Communications Unit at a total cost of €3,750. Nine Third Secretaries/Higher Executive Officers, eight First Secretaries/Assistant Principal Officers and one Principal Officer/Counsellor attended the course.
Also in 2023, the Department worked with the Communications Clinic to provide communication training for colleagues working elsewhere in the Department. Six Third Secretary/Higher Executive Officer/Administrative Officers, and six First Secretaries/Assistant Principal Officers attended the course which was delivered at a cost of €2,500.
In 2022, the Communications Clinic provided media training to a Counsellor/PO at a cost of €562.
From 2016 to 2020, the Communications Clinic provided newly assigned Ambassadors and Consul Generals with Communication training at a cost of €18,593 over this period.
From 2015 to 2017, EMCO Cumarsáid Teo provided Media Skills Training as part of the Department's training programme to officers being posted abroad. This programme of training cost €25,500 over this period.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (189)
Conor D McGuinness
Question:189. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's expenditure on media consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the consultancy firms involved; and the nature of each contract, in tabular form. [37067/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade communications team manages press relations, citizen awareness campaigns, public diplomacy, multimedia and digital content for gov.ie/dfa and Ireland.ie. The Department at Headquarters does not engage media consultants to deal with public relations or to provide advice around external communications.
Human Rights
Questions (190, 191, 192, 193, 194)
Barry Ward
Question:190. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the release of Belarus opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky after five years. [37105/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:191. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the state of human rights and personal freedoms in Belarus. [37106/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:192. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take at European Council level to continue to apply pressure on the Lukashenko regime in Belarus to promote respect for, and compliance with, human rights and international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37107/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:193. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens currently resident in Belarus; if any are currently incarcerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37108/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:194. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the direct contact Ireland has had with the Lukashenko government in Belarus in the past year, or five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37109/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 194, inclusive, together.
Belarus continues to live under the shadow of repression. I remain extremely concerned at the ongoing erosion of human rights and democracy in Belarus.
I am deeply conscious that the people of Belarus have been continually denied access to free and fair elections and a real voice in the governing of their country. The so-called presidential election of January 2025, like that of 2020, cannot be considered to have been free or fair.
The Lukashenko regime’s relentless and unprecedented repression of human rights, restrictions on political participation and access to independent media is intended to stifle opposition voices and shore up its own illegitimate authoritarianism.I welcome the recent release of several political prisoners, including former Presidential candidate, Mr Sergei Tsikhanouski, husband of exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Days after his release Mr. Tsikhanouski addressed the UN Human Rights Council and outlined the inhumane and degrading conditions endured by political prisoners in Belarusian detention facilities and called on the UN to intervene to save these lives. I commend his courage and commitment to the values of freedom and the wellbeing of his fellow Belarusians.
I share Mr. Tsikhanouski’s grave concerns about the treatment of the estimated 1,160 political prisoners in Belarus and reports of their systemic, habitual and widespread mistreatment. Shockingly, since May 2021, at least eight political prisoners have died in the regime’s captivity.
I reiterate Ireland’s longstanding position that all political prisoners must be released and that the regime must end its repressions against the Belarusian people.
Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 190.
Question No. 192 answered with Question No. 190.
Question No. 193 answered with Question No. 190.
Question No. 194 answered with Question No. 190.
Election Monitoring Missions
Questions (195, 196)
Barry Ward
Question:195. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to allegations of election impropriety in Albania by some international observers; the actions he will take to engage with officials in that country in relation to these allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37198/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:196. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he will take at a European Council level to discuss the recent election results in Albania; if allegations of election impropriety from some international observers is on the agenda for the next Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37199/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
Parliamentary elections were held in Albania on 11 May 2025, which resulted in a fourth consecutive victory for the Socialist Party, led by Prime Minster Edi Rama. At this time, a discussion on the conduct of the election is not scheduled to take place at the European Council.
The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights established an Election Observation Mission following an invitation from Albanian authorities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers Ireland’s Election Observation Roster, members of which play an important role in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. In this instance, Ireland seconded thirteen Roster members to support this OSCE Election Observation Mission.
A final report of this Electoral Observation Mission is yet to be published. However, the OSCE released a statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions immediately following the elections on 12 May. This statement notes that the election on 11 May 2025 was competitive and professionally conducted, that candidates were generally able to campaign freely, and that the electoral administration process was managed in an inclusive and transparent manner. However, this statement also refers to allegations of pressure on public employees, cases of intimidation of opposition supporters, and the misuse of patronage networks. The statement also confirms that key recommendations from previous OSCE and Venice Commission reports relating to conduct of elections in Albania remain unaddressed.
As an EU candidate country, Albania has undertaken significant internal reforms across government in order to align with EU accession criteria. The accession criteria are the essential conditions all candidate countries must satisfy to become an EU member state. These criteria include a requirement for the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities.
Ireland supports and recognises the steps that Albania has taken with regard to internal reforms. Through our bilateral contacts and engagement at EU level, we will continue to call on Albania to align with all EU accession criteria and implement OSCE and Venice Commission electoral recommendations.
Question No. 196 answered with Question No. 195.