Tuesday, 13 Jan 2026

Written Answers Nos. 227-247

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Middle East

Questions (227)

Carol Nolan

Question:

227. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list the postal codes located in the so-called "occupied Palestinian territory", including East Jerusalem, which she and her Department are giving consideration to prescribing as such under the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025; to state or estimate the total imports to Ireland from these post codes in 2024; and to give a breakdown between goods and services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73919/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The General Scheme of the Bill proposes to use the system currently employed by the European Union for the purposes of ensuring that importers are aware of which locations are not eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Under this system, the postal codes of those areas in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are listed under a technical arrangement concluded between the EU and the Government of Israel concerning implementation of Protocol 4 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The most recent version of this list was published on 27 October 2025 on the European Commission website concerning taxation and customs – the link to which is set out below:

taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/eu-israel-technical-arrangement_en

The CSO currently does not collect data on the value or categories of goods specifically from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory entering Ireland.

There are also no reliable data at EU or national level on the volume of trade in services with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, as the current method of data collection (based on Eurostat requirements) simply records the value against an overall country code, i.e. Israel.

Human Rights

Questions (228)

Malcolm Byrne

Question:

228. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74003/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the situation in Hong Kong since the introduction of the National Security Law in June 2020, including the specific case of Jimmy Lai.

The most recent developments in the case strengthen our concerns that the introduction of the National Security Law and the subsequent Safeguarding National Security Ordinance are having a chilling effect on human rights in Hong Kong. As the EU’s statement of 15 December 2025 noted, the recent developments are emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong and underline confidence in its legal system. Ireland shares the view that a free and independent media is vital for resilient societies and ensuring government accountability.

In addition to the recent developments, I am deeply concerned about reports Mr Lai’s deteriorating health condition and the possibility that the charges against him could carry a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life.

The Department of Foreign Affairs have been following the matter with concern since Mr Lai’s arrest in August 2020. Officials at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations met with Mr. Lai’s international legal team in November 2024 and again March 2025 in relation to the case. Officials at the Consulate General of Ireland in Hong Kong have been observing the trial, alongside EU colleagues, since its beginning.

The Government continues to raise our concerns with regard to the situation in Hong Kong at the bilateral level with Chinese officials, including during the visit to Ireland by the Chinese Foreign Minister in February 2025 and during the visit to China by the Taoiseach earlier this month.

At the multilateral level, Ireland’s national statement at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in September 2025 highlighted our concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression, and called for the right to freedom of assembly and association to be respected in Hong Kong. Our National Statement at the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of China in 2024 called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists. Furthermore, Ireland supported the EU statement at the most recent session of the HRC, which specifically highlighted the case of Mr. Lai and called upon the authorities to consider his immediate release in light of his deteriorating health condition.

As a member of the Media Freedom Coalition, Ireland has also expressed its concern regarding the suppression of media freedom in Hong Kong.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that human rights remains on the agenda with China, and we will continue to raise our concerns with regard to the situation in Hong Kong, at both the bilateral and multilateral level.

Legislative Measures

Questions (229)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

229. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement there has been with the European Union on progressing the Israeli settlements (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025; the engagement there has been with the EU in relation to the inclusion of services in the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74045/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Helen McEntee)

Ireland has had regular engagement with the EU on the issue of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including on our national legislation.

The Government has repeatedly engaged with the European Commission in regards to how it assesses the impact of the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 2024 on the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Together with eight other Ministers, the Tánaiste in his then capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote to High Representative Kallas in advance of the June 2025 Foreign Affairs Council on this issue.

The High Representative responded to this letter on 17 October 2025, indicating the Commission’s view that the EU’s approach is in line with the spirit and letter of the ICJ Advisory Opinion, and that the ICJ Advisory Opinion does not oblige States to ban the trade of goods from the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory.

Ireland’s assessment is different. It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (230, 231, 232)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

230. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a detailed breakdown of monies allocated towards climate finance in 2026; if she will provide a final estimate of the total allocation, from all sources, which is expected to be made in 2026; if she will commit to reaching the annual €225m in climate finance target made by the previous Government in Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74109/25]

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

231. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide an itemised breakdown of allocations towards climate finance in 2025; indicating the source of each financial allocation; the way in which monies were administered by her Department; the way in which monies were allocated; which specific projects were supported, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74110/25]

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

232. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has undertaken a review of Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap 2022 as committed to by the previous Government by the end of 2025; if so, will she publish this review; if not, has the review commenced and when it is expected to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74111/25]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 to 232, inclusive, together.

The provision of climate finance to developing countries is an important element of Ireland’s foreign policy, and especially our international development cooperation.

At COP26, held in Glasgow in November 2021, the Taoiseach announced that Ireland would provide at least €225 million in international climate finance to developing countries annually, by 2025. The target represents a more than doubling of our climate finance from 2020 levels.

Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap (2022) sets out our strategy and priorities for this scale-up in funding. It builds on Ireland's positive record on climate finance, maintaining a focus on adaptation in some of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. It also expands our focus in key areas including ocean protection, biodiversity, and Loss and Damage.

The Government is committed to delivering on the Roadmap and has steadily increased our annual international climate-related expenditure. In 2023, the last year for which complete, verified data is available, Ireland provided €159.2 million in international climate finance. We are fully on track to reach the €225 million target for 2025.

To calculate the total amount reportable as international climate finance spending, all of Ireland’s ODA is assessed for climate-relevance following verification by the OECD Development Assistance Committee. This verification process for 2024 data has now been concluded and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will publish the final details of Ireland's Climate and Environmental Finance Report for 2024 later this year.

An external review of the 2022 Climate Finance Roadmap was completed in 2025, and it will be used to inform climate finance expenditure in the period 2026-2030. A management response to the review by the Department will be published on the Department's website in February 2026.

Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 230.

Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 230.

Artificial Intelligence

Questions (233)

Sinéad Gibney

Question:

233. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of AI pilot projects which have taken place in her Department within the past 12 months; the expenditure associated with those projects; and whether they are still ongoing, in tabular form. [74134/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department’s approach to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is aligned to the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service and guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre

The Department is engaging in research on internally hosted Large Language Models (LLM). This research has been conducted using the Department’s business data with a view to enhancing efficiency, productivity and knowledge management. Existing technical infrastructure is used for this purpose. This work is ongoing.

The first implementation of a LLM for business use is a digital assistant which is integrated into the passport processing system. This allows officials of the Passport Service to query a departmental knowledge base for passport issuing guidelines and legislation. This digital assistant was implemented in late 2025.

The cost of server enhancements for hosting AI models was approximately €30,000 in 2025.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (234)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

234. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether standards or service-level targets exist for her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department, in responding to correspondence from members of local authorities; if compliance with such standards is monitored; the reasons for delays or failures to respond to correspondence from elected members; and the measures being taken to ensure more consistent and timely communication going forward. [74265/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department attaches the highest importance to the quality and standard of its engagement with the public and with elected representatives. This applies across all areas of our work, including the delivery of consular and passport services to Irish citizens at home and abroad, as well as in responding to correspondence from members of the public, local authorities, and the Oireachtas.

A number of policies underpin this commitment to high-quality customer service. Engagement with members of the public, local authorities, and the Oireachtas is primarily governed by my Department’s Customer Service Charter, which sets out our commitment to:

• responding to correspondence in a professional and timely manner;

• treating all individuals fairly and impartially;

• using clear and accessible language in all communications;

• handling enquiries efficiently; and

• safeguarding personal data and respecting confidentiality.

Further detail on service standards is provided in the Department’s Customer Service Action Plan. This Plan states that the Department aims to acknowledge all correspondence, whether from a member of the public, local authorities or the Oireachtas, and whether solicited or unsolicited, within ten working days.

In addition, my Department has an Unreasonable Customer Communication Policy. This policy reaffirms our commitment to high standards of customer service, while also setting out clearly the types of behaviour that are unacceptable and the procedures to be followed in managing such communications.

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (235)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

235. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures her Department is taking with respect to ongoing violence in Sudan and in particular, to protect civilians; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74365/25]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government remains deeply concerned by the conflict in Sudan, which has led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Since the outbreak of the war, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to protect civilians and maintain humanitarian access, drawing attention to the levels of acute hunger and famine, large-scale displacement, and the impact of the conflict on women and girls.

Ireland has condemned the targeting of civilians by both parties to the conflict, the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher and the escalating violence in North Darfur and the Kordofans. These actions are unconscionable and must stop.

All parties to the conflict are obstructing aid and conducting attacks on aid convoys, resulting in untold suffering for the civilian population. Last year, I joined a statement by 30 countries condemning attacks on aid convoys in June and an Australian-led declaration on the protection of humanitarian workers at the UN General Assembly in New York in September.

We have consistently worked to ensure that Sudan remains on the international agenda, notably at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. We ensured Sudan was discussed at the November Foreign Affairs Council underlining the immediate need to protect civilians. We emphasised the urgent necessity for safe passage for those fleeing violence and the protection of women and girls, in view of the grave risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Ireland has continued to support the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, including her work to protect critical infrastructure. Ireland has also taken a leading role within the EU on the establishment of the EU sanctions regime.

Ireland successfully pressed for the adoption of a resolution on the situation in El Fasher at a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on 14 November 2025. The resolution requests the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan to conduct an urgent inquiry into the violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law committed in and around El Fasher.

The Government is also providing vital humanitarian assistance. In 2025, we provided €14.3 million in humanitarian assistance to support people most in need in Sudan and those displaced in neighbouring countries. This assistance is channelled through trusted UN, Red Cross, Irish NGO and local partners. We are committed to further increasing our funding in 2026.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (236)

Grace Boland

Question:

236. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the office rental costs per annum for staff in her Department and for each agency or organisation under her remit, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74449/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not own or lease any properties 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.

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Questions (237, 238, 239, 240, 241)

Barry Ward

Question:

237. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to allegations in relation to the mistreatment of an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74494/25]

Barry Ward

Question:

238. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to allegations that medication has been withheld from an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74495/25]

Barry Ward

Question:

239. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to allegations that an Irish citizen (details supplied) has been denied visitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74496/25]

Barry Ward

Question:

240. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to allegations that Irish citizen (details supplied) has been denied phone access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74497/25]

Barry Ward

Question:

241. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans to meet with the family of Irish citizen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74498/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 to 241, inclusive, together.

I can confirm that officials in my Department, including in the Consulate General in Munich, are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance.

A dedicated consular officer in the Consulate has been assigned to support the family of this citizen and they remain in close contact. The consular officer has provided support and advice to the citizen and his family in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. I can further confirm that staff in the Consulate General in Munich, including the Consul General and Deputy Consul General, have undertaken consular visits to the citizen. I understand that the conditions of detention of this citizen are the same as those of any other person in his situation. In the course of their consular visits no complaints have been raised by the citizen with the staff of the Consulate General in relation to his treatment or conditions as raised by the Deputy.

I wish to assure the Deputy that officials in my Department will continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance to the citizen.

As laid out in the Consular Assistance Charter, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassies and Consulates, are precluded from intervening in the judicial and legal processes of another country.

Question No. 238 answered with Question No. 237.

Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 237.

Question No. 240 answered with Question No. 237.

Question No. 241 answered with Question No. 237.

Question No. 242 answered with Question No. 226.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (243)

Naoise Ó Muirí

Question:

243. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the payroll cost of her Department and of each organisation or agency under its remit individually, in 2015 to 2025, by year, in tabular form. [74627/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had payroll costs from 2015-2025 as set out in the Table below. The Department does not have any organisation or agency under its aegis.

Year	€, 000
2015	91,853
2016	93,396
2017	99,691
2018	107,017
2019	122,152
2020	120,920
2021	130,021
2022	150,007
2023	161,174
2024	179,172
2025*	183,706

* Estimated figure.

Human Rights

Questions (244)

Barry Ward

Question:

244. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action Ireland is taking to protest the deportation of a person (details supplied) who documented the repression of the Uyghur people in China, by the United States to Uganda; if she will raise the matter with her American counterpart; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74773/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Decisions regarding deportation from the U.S. and other related immigration issues are a matter for the relevant authorities in the U.S. My officials engage with their American counterparts on a wide range of immigration related issues, particularly where there is an impact on Irish citizens.

My understanding is that latest reports indicate that the possible deportation of the individual mentioned is no longer planned.

The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's approach to foreign policy. It forms an important part of our dialogue with all of our partners.

Ireland has consistently raised our concerns about human rights issues in China, including about the situation in Xinjiang, both in meetings with Chinese officials and in relevant international fora.

Middle East

Questions (245)

Duncan Smith

Question:

245. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on whether the resolution 2803 is delivering the adequate humanitarian response required in Gaza in conjunction with the 10 October 2025 ceasefire agreement; and if resolution 2803 will provide a path for Palestinian statehood and self-determination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74854/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

On 17 November, the UN Security Council voted to adopt resolution 2803 (2025) endorsing the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. The resolution was adopted with 13 votes in favour, with two permanent members of the council, Russia and China, abstaining.

Ireland considers adoption of the resolution by the Security Council as a further step towards the implementation of the Plan. The text provides some additional clarity on how the next stages of the Plan will be taken forward, including the creation of a temporary International Stabilisation Force. It also calls on all parties to implement the Plan in its entirety, including maintenance of the ceasefire.

I commend the efforts of the US and other members of the international community in securing this much-needed ceasefire agreement and Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza Conflict. We are now at a point where we must assess progress on key phase one issues. In advance of the January Foreign Affairs Council meeting, I wrote to EU HRVP Kaja Kallas along with five of my EU counterparts to formally convey our growing concern about the lack of progress on addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The people of Gaza continue to endure the most appalling conditions. The improvements in humanitarian access have not materialised to the extent set out in the Comprehensive Plan. At this moment, the people of Gaza do not have enough to eat, they do not have adequate shelter from the winter weather, they do not have sufficient access to medicines and they do not have access to sanitation. The volume of aid entering Gaza is nowhere near sufficient and Israel’s highly-restrictive controls continue to obstruct an effective humanitarian response.

Ireland welcomes the inclusion of a reference to Palestinian self-determination and statehood in the final text of the resolution. We also note the statement by the State of Palestine welcoming a joint statement issued by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan, and Türkiye during the drafting of the resolution.

Ireland stands ready to play our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the realisation of the two-State solution. We reaffirm that implementation of the resolution must be carried out in full compliance with international law, and that humanitarian aid and reconstruction must be directed throughout all parts of the Gaza Strip.

Ireland is a core member of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and I am pleased that we will host the next meeting of the Alliance in Dublin on 28 January, during which we will share Ireland’s experience of a successful peace process in Northern Ireland.

It is Ireland's long-standing view that Palestinians should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state, including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security, and our recognition of the State of Palestine is a concrete expression of this view.

Passport Services

Questions (246)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

246. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an EU citizen applying for an Irish-born child’s first time passport is required to provide a P60 or similar Revenue Commissioners documentation to prove residency before the birth of a child; if not, if documentation from social protection showing residency for the required period is, along with other documentation such as bank statements, sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74864/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008 ("the 2008 Act"), as amended. The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person.

Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 ("the 1956 Act"), as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation. The 1956 Act is under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.

When processing a first time application, the Passport Service must validate the identity of the applicant and confirm their entitlement to Irish citizenship.

With regard to the Deputy's query regarding a child born in the State, on or after 1 January 2005, to a EU/EEA/Swiss national parent, the aforementioned child may be an Irish citizen if one of their parents resided in Ireland for at least 36 of the 48 months (1,095 days) immediately prior to the applicant’s birth.

Proof of residency of the parent in Ireland, for at least 36 of the 48 months, prior to the child’s birth should be submitted when the passport application is made. Proof of residency can be tax documents (P60, P45, P21), bank statements, payslips, or certain social welfare payments.

Passport Online provides an award-winning customer experience for all applicants, including first time applicants. When using Passport Online, the information provided by first time applicants is used to generate a custom coversheet that will provide the applicant with a bespoke list, in plain English, of the documents that they must submit as part of their application.

I would ask the Deputy to encourage applicants with specific queries to contact the Passport Service for guidance and support. Applicants with any queries can contact the Customer Service Hub for assistance at [phone], or via the webchat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice/

Agents are available from Monday to Friday, 9a.m. to 4.30p.m.

Data Protection

Questions (247)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

247. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of data breaches recorded by her Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74896/25]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department documents personal data breaches that have occurred in accordance with Article 33(5) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In 2025, this Department reported 123 data breaches in respect of which this Department bore principle responsibility to the Office of the Data Protection Commission (DPC).

In addition to these data breaches, and in accordance with advice sought and received from the Office of the DPC, my Department further notifies that Office of cases of what are described as postal carrier breaches, that is the loss or mis-delivery of documentation in the postal system. This includes consignments that have been correctly addressed and dispatched by my Department to the intended recipient, often resident abroad, but subsequently lost or mis-delivered by a postal provider.

Where a consignment containing a passport is correctly dispatched but is lost in the postal system, my Department takes responsibility for cancelling the lost or compromised passport and reissues a new passport as standard practice. Similarly, the Passport Service provides assistance to individuals whose supporting documents are lost when being returned to an applicant through the postal system. My Department regularly engages with the postal provider to highlight the issue and monitors global postal issues arising which may impact the dispatch and safe receipt of documents issued or returned by the Department.

• Written Answers Nos. 209-226
• Written Answers Nos. 248-267