Written Answers Nos. 288-307
290. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the guidance, codes, circulars or directions that govern the payment of legal costs by her Department, and bodies under its aegis, in employment-related disputes, including any requirements under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or Departmental sanction arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2075/26]
View answer293. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether arrangements to fund legal costs in employment disputes involving her Department, or bodies under its aegis, require the prior approval of her Department or the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2129/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 293 together.
With regard to the payment of legal costs in employment-related disputes, my Department is governed by relevant Codes and Guidelines, including the Civil Service and Public Sector Codes of Practice, www.sipo.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.sipo.ie/media/283037/57840bc8-d3de-4037-b3d5-5d57b884799a.pdf; and circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2013/05.pdf - Procurement of Legal Services and Managing Legal Costs.
My Department does not have any Body under its aegis.
294. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to highlight with her counterpart in Israel a demolition order in the occupied West bank (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2186/26]
View answerWhile international attention is understandably focused on preserving the ceasefire in Gaza and the need to urgently scale up humanitarian access, Ireland has not lost sight of the situation in the West Bank. Unprecedented Israeli military operations have caused widespread displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure and homes. Such operations have also included, as the Deputy has pointed out, demolition orders imposed on important community and recreational facilities, such as the football pitch at Aida Refugee Camp.
I am deeply concerned by these orders and by the illegal settlement construction. I am also concerned about increasing and escalating extremist settler violence, which continues in an environment of impunity, restricting life for Palestinians across the West Bank. The number of settlement plans and tenders advanced by Israel in 2023 and 2024 represents a 250% increase over a period of seven years since 2018.
Ireland, alongside our EU partners, is strongly opposed to Israel’s settlement policy and activities, including in and around East Jerusalem. Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law. This is the longstanding position of the European Union. Ireland has repeatedly called on Israel to immediately halt these activities and welcomes strong US statements clearly opposing annexation of the West Bank.
Ireland has strongly supported the sanctions adopted by the EU against both individuals and entities involved in settler violence. Ireland welcomes further proposals from the European Commission to sanction extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers.
In December, I co-signed a statement with thirteen of my counterparts condemning the approval by the Israeli security cabinet of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Such unilateral actions not only violate international law but also risk fueling instability. We call on Israel to reverse this decision, as well as the expansion of settlements, in line with UNSC Resolution 2334.
The West Bank must be centrally considered as work to implement the next phase of the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza progresses, given its centrality to a durable peace plan with the implementation of the two-State solution as its central goal. Ireland continues to advocate for this at EU and international level. Ireland was active in preparing the UN High-level Conference on the Two-State Solution, held in New York from 28 - 30 July and the outcome document from the meeting – the New York Declaration – has been endorsed by 142 countries. Ireland is also an active member of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and will host a meeting of the Global Alliance in Ireland later this month, where we will share elements of our own experience of a successful peace process in Northern Ireland.
295. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department is using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the Department are affected. [2247/26]
View answer296. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any agencies or other bodies under her remit are using artificial intelligence tools for any graphic design or similar work in place of artists, designers or videographers; and if so, to outline which projects or units of the organisation are affected. [2265/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
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 does not use specific AI tools for graphic design or similar projects. There are no agencies or other bodies under the aegis of the Department.
297. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application can be expedited (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2304/26]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the 2008 Act”). Under Section 14(1) of the Act, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport.
In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and the rights of the child and their guardian(s), it is important that the Child Identity and Consent form is correctly completed, witnessed and validated by the Passport Service for both first time and renewal applications for children. Guardians must be present to the person acting as a witness.
In cases where further supporting documents are required from the applicant, every effort is made to let the applicant know as soon as possible. The Passport Service has a system whereby applications do not go to the back of the queue following a request for further documents. When the Passport Service receives the required additional documentation from the applicant, the application is prioritised for checking.
With regard to the Deputy's query, the supporting documents for this application was received by the Passport Service on 15 December 2025. Another Child Identity and Consent form was requested by the Passport Service on 24 December 2025. This was received by the Passport Service on 31 December 2025. The application is currently queuing to be re-examined by the Passport Entitlement team. Therefore, this application is within the turnaround time.
I would ask the Deputy to encourage their constituents to apply online, well in advance of their travel date, for the quickest, cheapest and most efficient service.
298. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on her Department’s input to the development of the national security strategy; when the strategy is likely to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2393/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, sets out a number of commitments relating to national security and defence, and work to give effect to these is well under way.
The establishment of a Ministerial Council on National Security is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and it will function to enhance central co-ordination of the Department of the Taoiseach on strategic national security matters.
The preparation of a draft National Security Strategy, as set out in the Programme for Government, is ongoing by the Department of the Taoiseach, and will cover the range of national security issues that are being considered by the Ministerial Council, which include the deteriorating security situation in Europe given Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine and the growth in cyber and hybrid threats to Europe.
The work will integrate inputs from a range of relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Defence; Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; An Garda Síochána; the National Cyber Security Centre and the Defence Forces.
Alongside other stakeholders, my Department will be fully engaged in the preparation of the Strategy.
299. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of the top ten capital or programme projects delivered by her Department or its agencies over the past three years which were completed on time and within the originally approved budget; the project name, location, delivery timeframe, original approved budget, final outturn cost, and delivery body, for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2429/26]
View answer301. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list, for each of the past three years of the top ten projects per annum delivered by her Department or its agencies which were completed late and over the originally approved budget; the project name, location, original approved completion date, actual completion date, original approved budget, final outturn cost, cost overrun expressed in euro and percentage terms, and the delivery body for each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2465/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 301 together.
The table below sets out the top ten capital projects completed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2023-2025. All of these are properties located overseas as part of the Ireland's Diplomatic Mission network. The Department is currently managing a number of property projects as part of its commitment to realise the ambition of the Government's Global Ireland strategy. These include new missions and Ireland Houses as well as key strategic projects identified in the National Development Plan. The projects are being developed to deliver a mission network of high quality, safe, secure, sustainable workplaces to double Ireland’s global impact and influence to 2025 and beyond.
|
Project Name |
Location |
Original Completion Date |
Actual Completion Date |
Original Budget (€ ,000,000) |
Final Outturn Cost (€ ,000,000) |
|
Ireland House, Tokyo |
Tokyo |
Q4 2024 |
Q1 2025 |
€29.90 |
€27.50 |
|
New Residence, Washington |
Washington |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2023 |
€13.50 |
€11.51 |
|
Ireland House, New York |
New York |
Q4 2024 |
Q3 2024 |
€11.90 |
€9.5* |
|
New Chancery, Abuja |
Abuja |
Q4 2024 |
Q2 2025 |
€10.26 |
Final figures pending |
|
Residence Purchase, PMUN |
New York |
Q3 2024 |
Q3 2024 |
€7.76 |
€7.76 |
|
New Chancery, Washington |
Washington |
Q2 2025 |
Q3 2025 |
€5.70 |
Final figures pending |
|
New Chancery, Frankfurt |
Frankfurt |
Q4 2024 |
Q2 2025 |
€4.35 |
Final figures pending |
|
Ireland House, Chicago |
Chicago |
Q4 2024 |
Q1 2025 |
€3.30 |
€2.8** |
|
New Residence, Bogota |
Bogota |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2023 |
€2.75 |
€2.75 |
|
New Chancery, Ottawa |
Ottawa |
Q2 2024 |
Q2 2024 |
€2.68 |
€2.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Net cost to DFAT: €3.1m |
|
|
|
|
|
|
** Net cost to DFAT: €1.5m |
300. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail the annual spend on external consultants by her Department and its agencies in each of the past three years; the number of consultancy contracts, the largest individual consultancy engagements by value, and whether internal capacity-building or cost-benefit assessments were undertaken prior to engaging external consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2447/26]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation).
My Department commissions external expertise where specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement, these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department.
Expenditure includes reports on Ireland’s international development programme (Irish Aid). This programme is managed by the Development Cooperation and Africa Division (DCAD), coordinating with our missions abroad implementing bilateral development programmes, predominantly in Africa, but also in Latin America and South East Asia, including with other Government Departments. It is shaped by the whole-of-government policy, A Better World, adopted in 2019 and framed by commitment to Agenda 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
External expertise has informed, and continues to inform my Department's strategies and policies and the effective delivery of our programme in a transparent and accountable manner representing value for money, allowing for a more targeted use of resources and greater accountability in the allocation of budgets.
These services are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objectives.
Please find a table below for 2023-2025, which provides the details requested by the Deputy:
|
Year |
Expenditure € |
Number |
|
2023 |
1,028,614 |
36 |
|
2024 |
1,052,858 |
44 |
|
2025 |
745,734 |
31 |
The largest engagements in this period, by value, are as follows:
|
Year |
Supplier |
Expenditure € |
|
2024 |
Gartner |
179,175 |
|
2023 |
Gartner |
143,172 |
|
2023 |
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
114,525 |
|
2024 |
International Organisation Development |
111,836 |
|
2024 |
Gumfoot Consultancy Ltd |
108,761 |
302. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding her Department’s travel advisory for Irish citizens against travel to Ecuador; the basis for this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2489/26]
View answer303. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding her Department’s travel advisory for Irish citizens against travel to Ecuador; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the knock on effect means travel to the Galapagos Islands is advised against as a part of Ecuadorian territory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2490/26]
View answer304. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the contrary position of the UK Government in relation to advisory on travel to the Galapagos Islands; the basis for this difference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2491/26]
View answer305. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the contrary position of the US Government in relation to advisory on travel to the Galapagos Islands; the basis for this difference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2492/26]
View answer306. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the contrary position of other EU countries in relation to advisory on travel to the Galapagos Islands; the basis for this difference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2493/26]
View answer307. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); the actions she will take to respond and engage on the substantive issues raised in relation to travel advisories from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2494/26]
View answer308. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with the travel agency sector in relation to specific Departmental travel advisory related to the Galapagos Islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2495/26]
View answer309. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention have been drawn to the concerns of businesses within the travel agency sector in relation to the impact that specific Departmental travel advisory related to the Galapagos Islands is having on their business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2496/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 to 309, inclusive, together.
My Department publishes advice for outward travel in respect of more than 200 countries and territories. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks Irish citizens could face while travelling, working, or living overseas, with a view to helping them make informed decisions.
The advice is based on consultation with our embassies and consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country, as well as other partners as appropriate. Our Travel Advice remains under regular review.
While my Department’s travel advice pages set out a security rating associated with travel to specific locations, any decision to travel is the citizen’s responsibility.
On the Deputy’s specific concerns, my Department’s travel advice clearly states that it only applies to those intending to travel within Ecuador, not to airside transit within Guayaquil Airport in Guayas Province, including for onward or return travel to the Galapagos Islands, which is considered safe.
The Deputy can find further information on my Department's travel advice and security ratings at this link: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/know-before-you-go/security-ratings/
