Written Answers Nos. 266-277
266. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average waiting time for a person applying via the standard online replacement application following a lost or stolen passport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70930/25]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times and the majority of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days.
Renewal applications following a lost or stolen passport are categorised as complex adult renewals. The current advertised turnaround time for this type of online application is 15 working days.
It is important to note that processing times for complex adult applications, first time applications and all types of child applications only begin once the Passport Office receives all supporting documentation required to process the application. Processing times for these types of applications do not begin when the applicant applies online.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage her constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to apply for a passport. The Passport Online service allows citizens to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Passport Online is an award-winning, user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to four times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. Passport Online is available to 100% of all applicants globally.
267. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department, and agencies under the Department’s remit, purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms; if so, the reasons for purchasing such data; the amount spent in 2024 and 2025 year to date on such expenditure, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70865/25]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users. Therefore, no expenditure has been incurred in this respect in 2024 and 2025.
268. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the absence of reciprocal driving licensing agreements between Ireland, America and Canada (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70878/25]
View answerWorking to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of representatives of key government departments and Irish NGOs working with the diaspora and provides a valuable forum for addressing a number of the administrative hurdles facing returning emigrants.
In relation to Irish driving licenses, Ireland now has 21 reciprocal driving license agreements including with Australia and seven Canadian provinces, with the technical assessment for an agreement under way at present with Nova Scotia.
In the case of the US, exchange agreements have to be agreed at the State level. We have already engaged with some US states and I am working closely with Minister O'Brien on the matter. Our focus initially will be on those states with a significant Irish population. New York is the first state for consideration, as it has the highest Irish-born population, and the Road Safety Authority is engaging with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles in a review process.
269. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts her Department is making to raise the issue with the Russian authorities of the incarceration of an Irish citizen (details supplied), in a pre-trial detention facility in Chelyabinsk, Russia, for over two months without charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71028/25]
View answerWhile my department does not have an automatic entitlement to provide consular assistance to the person referred to by the Deputy, I can confirm that officials in my Department, including in the relevant Irish mission, are aware of this case and are providing consular assistance to this individual who holds dual Irish and Russian citizenship
As with all consular cases, a dedicated consular officer has been assigned to the family of the Irish citizen who has been detained and they remain in contact. The consular officer has provided support and advice to the citizen and their family in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter.
I wish to assure the Deputy that officials in my Department will continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance to the citizen.
270. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the plans to expand Ireland's diplomatic and trade footprint in Latin America. [71038/25]
View answerThere has been a significant step-up in recent years of Ireland's diplomatic and trade presence within the thirty-three countries across Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean guided by the Global Ireland Strategy and ambitious regional 'Global Ireland Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025'. The implementation of the global and regional strategies includes strategic objectives across the areas of political engagement, trade and economic relations, culture, sustainable development goals and people to people links.
In Latin America, this work has included the opening of two new Embassies in Santiago de Chile and Bogotá in 2019, and Offices for Central America, and the Caribbean in 2021 and 2024 respectively. We have also deepened our presence across Ireland's six diplomatic Missions in Latin America to include a number of regional roles such as a regional Agriculture and Cultural Attaché based in Mexico City, and a regional Garda Liaison Officer based in Bogotá. This increase in presence and resources to the region has already delivered a marked enhancement in our engagements, strengthening relationships developed at official and political level.
Under the Global Ireland Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean 2022 to 2025, Ireland has deepened our economic and trade relations across Latin America. One of the five key objectives of the Strategy is to commit to pursuing mutually beneficial economic partnerships across the region.
To date, Ireland has developed new trade initiatives, including the inaugural Latin America and Caribbean Business and Economic Forum which occurred in November 2023, with 250 participants including Irish and Latin American and Caribbean Ministers, trade agencies and private sector representatives. The second iteration of the Forum is due to be held in May 2026 in Dublin.
In tandem, the Government Action Plan on Market Diversification commits to continue investment in Ireland’s trading relationships in new and emerging markets, including Latin America, and avail of opportunities they offer to businesses in Ireland.
My Department, working closely with relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, will continue to implement Ireland’s strategic aims regionally in the context of the successor to the Global Ireland Strategy agreed in the Programme for Government.
271. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has taken or will take action concerning the decision of the Government of Mali to recriminalise homosexuality; and if she will express the Irish Government's concern. [71087/25]
View answerI am concerned at the law passed in October by the transitional parliament in Mali that criminalised homosexuality. The promotion and protection of human rights is a domestic and foreign policy priority for the Government, underpinned by our commitment to universal human rights. We recognise that LGBTQI+ people continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systemic discrimination in many countries, and we are active in advocating for LGBTQI+ rights.
Ireland strongly supports efforts internationally to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, including through the European Union, the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly. We have engaged actively with the UN Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, including at the June 2025 Human Rights Council. Ireland has also made defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons one of our top priorities in the campaign for election to the Human Rights Council.
At the most recent Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Mali in May 2023, Ireland called upon the Malian authorities to bring to justice all perpetrators of violations and abuses of human rights. We expressed concern about constraints on freedom of expression and the documented increase in gender-based violence in Mali. Ireland also encouraged the incorporation of the prohibition and punishment of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence into future legislation.
Ireland will continue to advocate in international fora for the promotion and protection of human rights, paying particular attention to the rights of LGBTQI+ people in the face of systemic discrimination.
The Government's international development cooperation programme, Irish Aid, is providing support for civil society organisations and human rights defenders working to defend LGBTQI+ rights in developing countries. We have remained steadfast in our commitment to international development, and to the promotion and protection of human rights globally. We will continue to support our partners working at the frontlines to promote human rights and accountability.
272. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has taken or will take action concerning legislative proposals in Ghana to recriminalise homosexuality; and if she will express the Irish Government's concern. [71088/25]
View answerThe Government shares the concern at a proposed bill in Ghana, which would criminalise identification as LGBTQI+. We are very concerned that the proposed bill would broaden the scope of criminal sanctions against LGBTQI+ persons in Ghana and prohibit LGBTQI+ organisations. The promotion and protection of human rights is a domestic and foreign policy priority for the Government, underpinned by our commitment to universal human rights. We recognise that LGBTQI+ people continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systemic discrimination in many countries, and we are active in advocating for LGBTQI+ rights.
Ireland strongly supports efforts internationally to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, including through the EU, the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly. We have engaged actively with the UN Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, including at the June 2025 Human Rights Council. Ireland has also made defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons one of our top priorities in the campaign for election to the Human Rights Council.
At the most recent Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Ghana in January 2023, Ireland expressed concern about a previous draft bill that would marginalise LGBTI+ persons, and urged Ghana to take into account its international human rights obligations. We raised Ireland's concern about such legislation at political level with Ghana’s Deputy Foreign Minister in 2024. We will continue to advocate internationally for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Ghana.
The Government's international development cooperation programme, Irish Aid, provides support for civil society organisations and human rights defenders working to defend LGBTQI+ rights in developing countries. We have remained steadfast in our commitment to international development, and to the promotion and protection of human rights globally. We will continue to support our partners working at the frontlines to promote human rights and accountability.
273. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has taken or will take action about restrictions on expression of faith in China, including by Christians; and if she will express the Irish Government's concern. [71089/25]
View answerThe protection and promotion of human rights, including the freedom of religion and belief, is a core pillar of Ireland's approach to foreign policy. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. This would include situations where Christians face persecution for exercising the right to practice their faith.
The Government regularly raises concerns regarding human rights with China in bilateral meetings and in appropriate international fora. Ireland consistently raises issues relating to restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in China at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), including in our most recent Item 4 statement at the 60th session in September 2025. Ireland also joined the European Union (EU) statement at the 60th session of the HRC, which reiterated the rights of persons belonging to religious groups in China to conduct their basic affairs without interference.
In addition to our bilateral engagement, Ireland also addresses human rights in China as a member of the EU. At the 40th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue in June 2025, the EU expressed its concerns for the particularly vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities in China.
Ireland will continue to address issues relating to restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and other human rights concerns with China, both bilaterally and as a member of the EU, through our contacts in Dublin and Beijing, and in the relevant multilateral fora.
274. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on Ireland's position on the way in which the United Nations will be reformed to operate more effectively and to be more reflective of today's world; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71090/25]
View answerAs we prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland's membership of the United Nations, it is appropriate to reflect on all the UN has achieved, and the important contribution Ireland has made to the UN, not least through the service of our peacekeepers. The UN and the Charter of the United Nations lie at the heart of Ireland's foreign policy.
It is also the case that, eighty years since the UN's creation, the institution needs to continue to grow and adapt to ensure that it is able to respond effectively to the myriad of challenges our world faces.
I welcome the UN80 reform initiative that was announced by the UN Secretary General in March this year which aims to develop a more agile, effective and responsive organisation. Ireland wants to see a UN that is accountable, eliminates duplication, strengthens cooperation; and most importantly delivers on the ground for those most in need.
Ireland supports the work of the UN80 initiative and is actively engaging across all work streams. Ireland is also clear that reform cannot come at the cost of UN core values. The work of the UN on important issues such as human rights, gender equality and climate action must be protected and advanced in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Ireland will continue to invest in multilateralism, a rules-based international order, and a healthy United Nations to lead it. There is no other path to underpin our security, prosperity and well-being.
275. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of engagement between her Department and the Government of Barbados in 2024 and to-date in 2025. [71280/25]
View answerRelations between Ireland and Barbados have strengthened through the ongoing implementation of the Global Ireland strategies for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and for Partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Under both strategies, Ireland has increased our engagement with Barbados in terms of diplomatic relations, political engagement, and values-based cooperation, particularly in the areas of climate, education and cultural exchanges.
Ireland has deepened diplomatic engagement with Barbados following the opening of Ireland’s first Office of the Caribbean in February 2024. The Office, based at the Consulate of Ireland in Miami, is working to strengthen Ireland’s relations across the Caribbean, including Barbados. In May 2024, Barbados opened their first resident Embassy in Ireland while in June 2024, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne-Nason presented credentials becoming the first Irish non-resident Ambassador to Barbados.
In November 2025, Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, met with the Foreign Minister of Barbados, Kerrie Symmonds, at the EU-CELAC Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia. In June 2025, Taoiseach Michael Martin TD, met with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, en marge of the UN Oceans Conference. Former President Higgins also met with Prime Minister Mia Mottley on the margins of the UN Summit of the Future, in New York in September 2024.
There is also strong engagement between Ireland and Barbados on climate, education and cultural activities. Barbados is an active partner in Irish Aid’s (€4.2 million) ocean innovation programme with SIDS - Our Shared Ocean - which is managed by the Marine Institute and supports joint research initiatives between Irish and SIDS institutions. As part of the SIDS strategy, early and mid-career professionals from Barbados are also eligible to participate in the Ireland Fellows Programme for SIDS, which offers scholarships for fully-funded one-year Master’s level programmes at Higher Education Institutions in Ireland. In October 2024, the Entangled Islands exhibition, which charts the historical connections between Ireland and Barbados was launched by former President of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason, at the Barbados Museum & Historical Society following a collaboration between the EPIC museum and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
My Department, working closely with relevant Government Departments and State Agencies, will continue working to further our engagements with Barbados in line with both the Global Ireland strategies for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and for Partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
276. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the list of Irish Embassies and Consulate General offices worldwide that currently have a housekeeper post filled, in tabular form; and if those post holders are sourced from local recruitment agencies. [71281/25]
View answerHousekeepers are employed in a number of diplomatic missions to undertake duties associated with managing official properties and ensuring that they are kept in good condition. Official properties are used for representational work such as dinners, lunches, receptions, seminars, and cultural events with the aim of advancing Ireland’s values and interests.
Housekeepers are recruited through open competitions run by the diplomatic mission concerned. At the present time, no housekeepers are employed through local recruitment agencies.
The list of housekeeper posts filled is set out in the following table.
|
Mission |
Type of Mission |
Housekeeper |
|
Abu Dhabi |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Addis Ababa |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Amman |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Ankara |
Embassy |
2, one full-time and one part-time |
|
Armagh |
North/South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat |
1 |
|
Athens |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Bangkok |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Beijing |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Berlin |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Berne |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Bogotá |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Brasilia |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Bratislava |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Brussels |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Brussels (3 locations) |
Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU |
3 |
|
Bucharest |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Budapest |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Buenos Aires |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Cairo |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Copenhagen |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Dar es Salaam |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Freetown |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Geneva |
Permanent Mission to the UN |
1 |
|
Hanoi |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Helsinki |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Holy See |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Islamabad |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Jakarta |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Kampala |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Kuala Lumpur |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Kyiv |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Lilongwe |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Lisbon |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Ljubljana |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Lusaka |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Madrid |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Mexico |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Moscow |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Nairobi |
Embassy |
1 |
|
New York |
Permanent Mission to the UN |
1 |
|
Nicosia |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Oslo |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Ottawa |
Embassy |
2 |
|
Paris |
Embassy |
1 part-time |
|
Pretoria |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Rabat |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Ramallah |
Representative Office of Ireland |
1 part-time |
|
Riga |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Riyadh |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Rome |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Santiago de Chile |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Seoul |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Singapore |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Sofia |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Stockholm |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Strasbourg |
Permanent Representative to Council of Europe |
1 |
|
Tallinn |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Tel Aviv |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Tehran |
Embassy |
1 |
|
The Hague |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Tokyo |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Valletta |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Vienna |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Vienna OSCE |
Permanent Mission |
1 |
|
Vilnius |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Warsaw |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Washington |
Embassy |
1 |
|
Zagreb |
Embassy |
1 |
277. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an additional passport printer will be provided at the Passport Office in Dublin. [71282/25]
View answerThe Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens.
Over 93% of all passport applications are now made through Passport Online which is available to 100% of all applicants globally.
The PPS is successfully meeting high demand for passports with turnaround times at, or well ahead of, target for virtually all application types. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days.
The public passport offices in Cork and Dublin 2 operate an Urgent Appointment service for renewal applications. Passport Service records show that 0.84% of passports issued this year were issued through the one-day Urgent Appointment service in Dublin.
The Passport Service operates three passport book printing machines: two are located in the main production facility at the Balbriggan campus and the third machine is located in the Dublin 2 office. The printing and dispatching of passports is a highly automated process in what is, essentially, an industrial production system.
The Passport Service estimates the initial capital cost of purchasing and installing new printer and mailing machine to be approximately €5.3 million. In addition to the capital investment, these highly sophisticated machines require expert engineers to be on-site while the machines are in operation to maintain and service the machines and repair them when necessary. The running and maintenance costs alone are estimated to be €600,000 per year.
I am satisfied that the three current printers are sufficient to meet the level of demand for passports for the foreseeable future and a business case cannot currently be made to invest the required level of funds to facilitate an additional passport printer in Dublin.
