Sorca Clarke
Question:191. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding which has been provided for emergency relief in response to the recent humanitarian crises in Palestine and Sudan. [62978/25]
View answerHumanitarian Aid
Questions (191)
Written answers
The increase in Ireland's ODA announced in Budget 2026 will enable us to further strengthen Ireland’s humanitarian assistance for the people of Palestine and Sudan.
Last month, we announced an additional €6 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza as UN and humanitarian agencies worked to scale up assistance following the ceasefire. This new assistance is being provided through trusted partners: €2 million to UNICEF, €2 million to UN OCHA, €1 million to the World Food Programme, and €1 million to the World Health Organisation.
This brings Ireland’s support for the people of Palestine since October 2023 to over €89 million, and support in 2025 to over €35 million. This includes €20 million in core funding to UNRWA for 2025, bringing Ireland’s support to UNRWA to €58 million since the beginning of 2023. Ireland has also provided 177 tonnes of supplies including tents, blankets, water cans and other vital household items to Gaza under the Government's Rapid Response Initiative.
Work is currently under way to plan our support to Gaza and the people of Palestine for next year and to engage with the humanitarian structures for the people of Gaza.
Since April 2023, Ireland has provided €38.6 million to respond to the Sudan crisis, supporting communities in Sudan and those displaced in neighbouring countries. This year, we have provided €14.3 million in humanitarian assistance, including a new package of assistance of €3 million announced in September. Of this, €10.3 million is committed to support humanitarian work in Sudan and €4 million to support the humanitarian response for displaced populations in neighbouring countries. We are channelling our support to Sudan through the UN, including through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, and Irish NGOs, including Goal, Concern, Trócaire and Plan. It is providing food, medical supplies, household supplies and other life-saving aid to those most in need and supporting programmes to tackle malnutrition and sexual and gender-based violence.
The support provided this year is consistent with Ireland’s reputation as a substantial and reliable provider of assistance to the people of Sudan. In 2023 and 2024, Ireland provided €10.3 and €14 million respectively in emergency relief to address the crisis as a result of the conflict in the country. This assistance complements our work internationally to focus attention on the need for political action to end the conflict in Sudan, which has resulted in the most serious humanitarian crisis globally.
Departmental Staff
Questions (192)
George Lawlor
Question:192. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by his Department since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63025/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently employs 33 Principal Officers (POs) including nine POs seconded to this Department to serve in missions abroad.
The table below outlines the number of officers recruited or promoted to fill PO vacancies in this Department across the years 2022 to 2025 from internal and open competitions. There were no PO roles filled via mobility during the period outlined.
|
|
Internal |
Open |
|
2022 |
2 |
0 |
|
2023 |
0 |
1 |
|
2024 |
3 |
0 |
|
2025 |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
6 |
1 |
Since 2010, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has completed six internal PO competitions and one open competition for a fixed term contract at PO level. In addition, an open competition for a permanent role at PO level is currently underway. The Department also recruits for a number of roles equivalent to PO such as Counsellor, Legal Counsellor and Development Specialist Counsellor.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to work with Publicjobs on ensuring an adequate pipeline of staff across all grades.
Foreign Policy
Questions (193)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:193. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the human rights record of the Qatari government; and whether an event organised by the Irish embassy in Abu Dhabi with the Qatari Director of Human Rights is consistent with national policy (details supplied). [63083/25]
View answerWritten answers
Promoting respect for human rights is a core principle of Irish foreign policy. We consistently raise our concerns and promote human rights internationally, including through our Embassy network.
It appropriate that I acknowledge here the positive reforms that Qatar has made especially with respect to workers’ rights, including its engagement with the International Labour Organisation, and the empowerment and economic inclusion of women. Nevertheless we have ongoing human rights concerns with regard to Qatar, including the full implementation of legal reforms regarding labour and women's rights, gender equality and LGBTIQ+ rights, religious freedom and the use of the death penalty. We raise these concerns both in bilateral engagements and through international forums.
Ireland also regularly raises human rights concerns about Qatar through EU mechanisms. The 6th EU-Qatar Human Rights Dialogue, on 25 September 2024 in Brussels, included discussion on topics such as labour rights, women’s rights, vulnerable groups, fundamental freedoms, rule of law including the right to fair trial and the death penalty, digital rights, and freedom of religion.
In 2024, Ireland used the UN Human Rights Council’s mechanism, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), to recommend that Qatar further improves conditions for migrant workers, including by ensuring that the minimum wage established by Law number 17 of 2020 remains in line with inflation, and abolishes the death penalty and replaces it with a penalty that is fair, proportionate and consistent with international human rights standards. At the same time, we used the opportunity to welcome Qatar’s progress, since the previous cycle, on advancing human rights of migrant employees including the introduction of Law 17 2020 on the minimum wage for workers and domestic workers, and Decision 17 of 2021 for the protection of workers from heat stress.
The event to which the Deputy has referred was a screening of a documentary exploring the life and career of our former President and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, followed by a panel discussion. Events such as these provide an opportunity to highlight Ireland’s own relatively recent experience of advancing an inclusive understanding of human rights, to a broader audience. The attendance and engagement of senior host Government representatives at such events should be welcomed as it provides an important possibility for engagement on these issues. In the context of Qatar’s current membership of the UN Human Rights Council, the presence of the Director of Human Rights at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs at this specific event was particularly welcome.
I should also take this opportunity to again commend Qatar for the positive role that it has played and continues to play as a mediator and peace broker in the Middle East, and especially in Gaza.
Question No. 194 answered with Question No. 183.
Overseas Development Aid
Questions (195)
Sorca Clarke
Question:195. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland was represented at the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025, held in Doha; if so, the composition of the Irish delegation; the purpose and outcomes of Ireland's participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63526/25]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland was represented at the Second World Summit for Social Development, with a delegation led by Minister of State for Community and Rural Development, Gaeltacht and Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer, T.D. The delegation also included Ireland’s Ambassador accredited to Qatar, and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The objective of the summit was to agree global actions to address profound social challenges that persist in today’s world, including poverty eradication, promotion of full and productive employment, and social integration. The focus of the summit resonated strongly with the priorities of the Government's international development cooperation policy, A Better World.
Minister Buttimer delivered a national statement on behalf of Ireland, which emphasised the importance of global commitments to progress on social development, citing Ireland’s own social development history and the important role of social protection for social inclusion and equality. The Minister of State also spoke at a high-level round table, highlighting the importance of staying the course on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and of addressing gaps in social protection coverage in order to make further progress on social development globally.
Over the course of the three-day summit, over 250 side events took place at the conference venue. Ireland cosponsored and participated in six events which focused on themes of social protection, decent jobs, gender and social development, food systems, girls education, disability inclusion and humanitarian response.
The World Social Summit outcome document was agreed by consensus at the United Nations. It is an important call to action on the three pillars of social development: poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social integration.
Departmental Legal Cases
Questions (196)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:196. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total legal costs in defending judicial reviews of planning decisions involving his Department and/or agencies within the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63621/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not undertake any property development projects within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade within the state.
Overseas Development Aid
Questions (197)
Carol Nolan
Question:197. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department is aware of any instances where official development aid funding from Ireland has been misappropriated by partner organisations during the period 2020 to date in 2025; if so, to provide details of same; the efforts made to recoup such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63778/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Government's international development programme is delivered through Irish Embassies in developing countries, through civil society and humanitarian organisations, and through multilateral organisations, including the United Nations.
Under the Department’s Counter-Fraud Policy, and as required by the terms and conditions of grant agreements signed, our funding partners are required to report all incidences of fraud and suspicions of fraud immediately. Partners are required to provide the Department with ongoing reports on all investigations into potential fraud.
The table below set out details of incidences of misappropriation of ODA by partner organisations from 2020 to 2024. Any alleged cases reported in 2025 remain under investigation in order to establish whether any fraud has taken place.
Every effort is made to recover any funds lost through fraud. As the following tables demonstrate, almost all incidents of fraud by partner organisations investigated and closed from 2020 and 2024 were fully recovered.
|
Year |
Country |
No. of Frauds |
Misappropriated Amount |
Recovered Amount |
Unrecovered Amount |
|
|
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
2024 |
Bangladesh |
1 |
38 |
38 |
0 |
|
2024 |
Ethiopia |
1 |
8,115 |
8,115 |
0 |
|
2024 |
Kenya |
1 |
170 |
170 |
0 |
|
2024 |
Malawi |
1 |
187 |
187 |
0 |
|
2024 |
Uganda |
1 |
112 |
112 |
0 |
|
2024 |
Zimbabwe |
1 |
3,302 |
3,302 |
0 |
|
2023 |
Ireland |
1 |
240 |
240 |
0 |
|
2023 |
Kenya |
1 |
911 |
911 |
0 |
|
2023 |
Malawi |
2 |
12,912 |
12,912 |
0 |
|
2022 |
Liberia |
1 |
1,440 |
1,440 |
0 |
|
2022 |
Nepal |
1 |
238 |
238 |
0 |
|
2022 |
Sierra Leone |
1 |
100 |
100 |
0 |
|
2022 |
Uganda |
1 |
6,366 |
6,366 |
0 |
|
2021 |
Angola |
1 |
2,370 |
2,370 |
0 |
|
2021 |
CAR |
1 |
92 |
0 |
92 |
|
2021 |
DRC |
1 |
1,700 |
1,700 |
0 |
|
2021 |
Guinea-Bissau |
1 |
4,500 |
4,500 |
0 |
|
2021 |
Liberia |
2 |
90 |
0 |
90 |
|
2021 |
Malawi |
1 |
61,000 |
61,000 |
0 |
|
2021 |
Mozambique |
2 |
654 |
654 |
0 |
|
2021 |
Zambia |
1 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
0 |
|
2021 |
Zimbabwe |
2 |
20,450 |
20,450 |
0 |
|
2020 |
Burundi |
2 |
1,872 |
1,872 |
0 |
|
2020 |
Chad |
1 |
200 |
200 |
0 |
|
2020 |
Liberia |
1 |
127 |
127 |
0 |
|
2020 |
Malawi |
2 |
9,892 |
9,892 |
0 |
|
2020 |
South Sudan |
1 |
132 |
0 |
132 |
|
2020 |
Ethiopia |
1 |
126 |
126 |
0 |
|
2020 |
CAR |
1 |
754 |
754 |
0 |
Passport Services
Questions (198)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:198. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address concerns regarding a passport application appeal, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63794/25]
View answerWritten answers
All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of that Act provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (“the Minister”) to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit evidence to the satisfaction of the Minister, among other things, that that person is an Irish citizen and as such is entitled to a passport. The entitlement of a person to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended (“the 1956 Act”).
Section 12(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that the Minister shall refuse to issue a passport to a person if the Minister is not satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen.
Section 19 of the 2008 Act, provides for a Passport Appeals Officer, to whom a person not satisfied with the decision of the Passport Service in relation to their application may apply and sets out the conditions governing this appeal process.
With regards to the specific matter referred to by the Deputy, I understand the request falls outside the statutory remit of the Passport Appeals Officer as the passport application was withdrawn by the applicant. Furthermore, as outlined in s. 19(1) of the 2008 Act, refusal to issue a passport to a person due to that person not being an Irish citizen is excluded from the remit of the Passport Appeals Officer.
Alternative pathways to citizenship may exist for the individual concerned and further information can be found on the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration's website here - How to become a citizen - Immigration Service Delivery (www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/).
Middle East
Questions (199)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:199. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken to ensure that the €200 million currently earmarked and future moneys under the Horizon Europe's EIC Accelerator for Israeli start-ups is withdrawn; and whether the matter has been raised by him at EU Council meetings. [63979/25]
View answerWritten answers
In July 2025, the European Commission proposed to partially suspend Israel's participation to Horizon Europe. The proposed suspension specifically concerned the participation of entities established in Israel in activities funded under the Accelerator of the European Innovation Council (EIC). This proposed suspension was related to the review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which establishes that human rights obligations constitute an essential part of EU-Israel cooperation under the Agreement, including for bilateral scientific and technological cooperation between the two parties.
In September 2025 the European Commission put forward a number of additional proposals, including the suspension of the trade elements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Ireland welcomed the Commission proposals, including the partial suspension of Israel's participation to Horizon Europe, and encouraged fellow Member States to support them.
Notwithstanding the positive and welcome recent developments with regard to a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, Ireland and a number of other Member States have made clear their view in EU meetings that the EU proposals, including the partial suspension of Israel's participation in Horizon Europe, should remain on the table. In her State of the Union address, the President of the European Commission was clear on the rationale for tabling the package of proposals, all of which remain valid.
Following discussions at the October Foreign Affairs Council, the EU made it clear that the proposals, including the measure relating to Horizon Europe, remain on the table.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (200)
Cathal Crowe
Question:200. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on a foreign birthright application for a person (details supplied). [64013/25]
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, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR, 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. Applications are processed in the order in which they are submitted.
Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, it takes approximately nine months to process a fully competed FBR application that requires no further submissions. Processing time begins when all supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, and applications that require further supporting documentation will take longer to process. When the application’s position in the queue is reached, an Entitlement Officer will be in contact with the applicant should any further clarification be required.
With regard to the applications to which the Deputy is referring, the physical application forms and supporting documents were received in the FBR Unit on 13/05/2025. Therefore, this application is still within the nine month turnaround time for processing.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (201)
Pa Daly
Question:201. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he expects a determination to be made regarding legislation on marine protected areas; if this determination will be made over the Dail Éireann recess period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62777/25]
View answerWritten answers
On 12 November, Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme for the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill which will amend the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. The Bill will provide a legislative basis for the designation and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Irish waters.
This revised approach moves away from creating a third system of spatial designations in Irish waters previously proposed and, instead, aligns the marine protected area designation process with the current regulatory system for marine spatial planning. In this regard, the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill will amend the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 to allow for the designation and effective management of MPAs using the Act’s existing spatial planning tool, termed Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs). This approach will provide for the key elements which will underpin effective marine protection.
Ireland has an obligation under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) to achieve and maintain good environmental status in our maritime area. Among the measures laid down by the MSFD are spatial protection measures, including area-based conservation measures like MPAs that will contribute to the achievement of good status in our marine waters. This decision and its expected legislative outcome will further enable Ireland to meet its target of protecting 30% of the maritime area in an ecologically coherent manner by 2030.
Arts Centres
Questions (202)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:202. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures in place to support theatres, arts centres and other cultural buildings in transitioning to using renewable sources of energy. [62849/25]
View answer
Reply not received from Department.