Thursday, 22 Jan 2026

Written Answers Nos. 273-282

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Trade Agreements

Questions (273)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

273. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is supportive of the EU suspending the present trade agreement negotiations with the United Arab Emirates over its role in the ongoing Sudanese civil war and its link to those perpetrating a humanitarian catastrophe there, including large scale mass killings; if Ireland will advance this position at the Foreign Affairs Committee; her plans to prioritise greater EU action on the situation in Sudan when Ireland assumes the EU Presidency, including efforts to ensure the UAE disengages from the conflict; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5145/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

As an EU Member State, Ireland is part of a growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In April 2025, Commission President von der Leyen announced that the EU had agreed to open negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a Free Trade Agreement. The European Commission, which leads on trade negotiations, has engaged with the UAE on four rounds of negotiations, with a fifth scheduled for February 2026.

For Ireland, delivering a modern and ambitious FTA with the UAE will not only reinforce EU and Irish relations with the UAE, but also support the important goal of market diversification through an expanded set of EU FTAs.

On Sudan, together with our EU partners, Ireland has been very clear that all external engagement in the conflict needs to end. Ireland has raised the UAE’s engagement in Sudan bilaterally at Ministerial and official level. We will continue to engage on all aspects of the situation in Sudan, with the UAE and with other States in the region.

Ireland has encouraged the UAE, and all others with influence, to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and an end to the suffering of civilians. At the May 2025 meeting of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Political Committee, Ireland, speaking on behalf of the EU, stressed the need to use every influence to prevent external actors from providing arms to combatants and to unite in favour of peace.

Specific allegations of violations of the UN embargo and EU sanctions are pursued through UN and EU channels. Ireland continues to call on all parties to comply fully with their obligations and to refrain from any actions that prolong the conflict and fuel further violence.

The Government has committed to advocating for greater attention on the conflict in Sudan. 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 2025 EU Foreign Affairs Council, underlining the immediate need to protect civilians.

The Government will continue to advocate for increased engagement on Sudan when Ireland assumes the EU Presidency in the second half of this year. We will seek to strengthen EU engagement, with a focus on mediation efforts and on humanitarian assistance, including humanitarian access. In 2025, we provided €14.3 million in humanitarian assistance to support people most in need in Sudan and those displaced in neighbouring countries. We are committed to further increasing our assistance this year.

Military Aircraft

Questions (274)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

274. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the US military planes which flew over south Tipperary on the night of the 14 January 2026 were cleared to fly over this territory; if so, what their cargo was; if they were carrying ammunitions, weapons or parts of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5172/26]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Specific arrangements for the US were established in 1959, where overflights of US military aircraft are permitted without prior notification, on the basis that the aircraft are unarmed, carry only cargo and passengers and comply with navigational requirements.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade publishes statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the Department’s website.

Departmental Data

Questions (275)

John Lahart

Question:

275. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current travel advisory for Ecuador, with specific reference to the city of Quito given that the broad “avoid non-essential travel” warning results in Irish travellers being refused insurance coverage for transiting through Quito en route to the Galápagos Islands; if she will clarify the evidence supporting a blanket advisory for the entire country despite the UK and US providing more region-specific guidance; and the reason Irish citizens are subject to stricter advice than travellers from neighbouring jurisdictions, which places Irish travel businesses at a competitive disadvantage. [5198/26]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

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 Deputy will be aware that issues pertaining to insurance are a matter for Irish citizens and the relevant commercial providers.

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 in either the International Airport in Quito or Guayaquil Airport in Guayas Province, including for onward or return travel to the Galapagos Islands, which is considered safe.

The travel advice is based on consultations with our Embassy in Santiago, which is accredited to Ecuador, the relevant local authorities, and other partners, including those with a presence on the ground. As is the case with all travel advice, our guidance for Ecuador is regularly reviewed. 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/.

British-Irish Co-operation

Questions (276)

Brendan Smith

Question:

276. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date in advancing the legacy framework as agreed by the British and Irish Governments in September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5398/26]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The measures announced in the Joint Framework published in September provide a pathway to truth and accountability, and, to the extent possible, justice for those most affected by the violence of the Troubles and represents a clear break with the 2023 UK Legacy Act.

I welcome the speed at which the British government brought forward the Bill, which passed second reading in the House of Commons in November. It demonstrates the seriousness with which the Secretary of State and his colleagues are approaching this essential work.

We also have responsibilities in this jurisdiction. In the Joint Framework we committed to enabling “the fullest possible cooperation of the relevant Irish authorities with the Legacy Commission, once established” and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will publish legislation (the Legacy of the Troubles Bill) to facilitate this once the UK’s legislation is enacted. This legislation will also provide for the establishment of the jointly funded Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR). The Minister for Justice, Migration and Home Affairs has said that he is hopeful that the General Scheme of the Bill will be published in April or May of this year.

Reciprocal cooperation between the two jurisdictions is at the heart of the Joint Framework and this Government will not be found wanting on legacy.

Legacy investigations in this jurisdiction have remained active under An Garda Síochána. That will continue. In addition, a dedicated unit, known as the Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit, has now been established as a central point of contact and coordination within An Garda Síochána for victims and families in relation to Troubles-related investigations.

The Unit will endeavour to answer questions that victims or family members may have in relation to An Garda Síochána Troubles-related investigations and will liaise with Divisional level investigators nationwide in respect of same. It is headed by a Detective Chief Superintendent, who reports into the Assistant Commissioner, Garda Crime & Security Intelligence Service.

The unit can be contacted by phone, email, or written correspondence as follows:

Phone: 01 - 6661322 (dedicated to calls from the public, with voicemail facility);

Email: [e-mail]; and

Address: Troubles Legacy Liaison Unit Floor 1, Walter Scott House, Military Road, Dublin 8 D08 HE2P

We are also committed to a financial contribution of €25 million over three years to include the costs of participation and representation of victims, survivors and next of kin in legacy processes.

To leave the legacy of the Troubles unresolved is to hold back the essential task of reconciliation, and to allow trauma to pass down the generations. The timely and faithful implementation of the Joint Framework, by both Governments, is what is now needed to begin to break this cycle.

Northern Ireland

Questions (277)

Brendan Smith

Question:

277. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of her recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties in Stormont; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5399/26]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I had an introductory call with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, on 19 November, where we discussed legacy issues but also more broadly on ensuring that we can continue to strengthen and evolve relationships North, South, east and west. Further to this initial call, I met with the Secretary of State at the British-Irish Council (BIC) in Wales on 5 December. This was a useful opportunity to discuss in further detail the implementation of the Joint Framework on the legacy of the Troubles, including legislation in both jurisdictions.

I hope to meet with the Secretary of State again in the coming weeks.

In recent weeks I have also had a number of engagements with political parties in Northern Ireland. This was a valuable opportunity for me to hear directly from them on a number of important issues, again with a particular focus on legacy.

On 5 December, at the BIC, I met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and on 7 January in Belfast, I met separately with Alliance Party deputy leader, Eoin Tennyson, then UUP leader and Minister for Health, Mike Nesbitt, SDLP leader of the opposition at Stormont, Matthew O’Toole, and the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Edwin Poots.

These positive and constructive meetings were an important opportunity to discuss their priorities for the year ahead, the shared challenges we face across this island, and to outline key priorities for this Government.

I emphasised the strong commitment across the Government to constructive North-South cooperation, and the positive place this work is in. In particular, I noted the centrality of the North-South Ministerial Council to this work. I also discussed the current political situation in Northern Ireland, including the functioning of the restored Assembly and Executive.

On legacy, I reiterated that the Government is fully committed to implementing our commitments under the Joint Framework and provided an update on the progress that has been made to date. Timely and faithful implementation is what is needed now in order to put in place mechanisms that can provide truth, accountability, and, where possible, justice for victims and survivors.

Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Shared Island Initiative, and the essential work of promoting reconciliation on the island were also discussed.

Recycling Policy

Questions (278)

Tom Brabazon

Question:

278. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of singe use cup levy trials in Killarney and Fingal; and if his Department has plans to introduce a nationwide levy on single use cups. [5147/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I can confirm that I am aware of the single use cup trials in both Killarney and Fingal.

Following on from the success of the Killarney Cup Project, the Department engaged the Munster Technological University (MTU) to conduct a study on the Killarney Cup Project. The aim was to examine how community-led reusable cup systems can operate effectively. The study resulted in a Project Information Kit designed to support other towns and communities across Ireland seeking to replicate this initiative. This toolkit is available at the following link: [www.localprevention.ie/topics/killarneycoffeecupproject/] .

I met with representatives of the Killarney Coffee Cup Project in July last year to hear their experiences and concerns. Departmental officials have also met with representatives from the Fingal Reuse Project to discuss their findings and lessons learned.

The Department continues to monitor the progress and outcomes of these community-led initiatives and this work forms part of the Department’s wider efforts to promote sustainable consumption and reduce reliance on single-use products.

In 2022, the Department commissioned a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on the introduction of a levy on single use cups and a public consultation on draft regulations was undertaken. It was envisaged at the time that a levy might be introduced in a similar way to the plastic bag levy (i.e. at the point of sale in a retail premises).

Following further engagement with the Revenue Commissioners, a different collection model, collecting the levy when cups are first placed on the market by producers or importers, was discussed. Such a revision would require an amendment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. The Department is working with the Revenue Commissioners on designing the provisions required to make this amendment.

Furthermore, in 2025, the Department commissioned an update to the RIA to explore the potential impacts of the revised collection model and any other policy measure to reduce single use cup consumption effectively. That work is close to finalisation and will inform next policy steps.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (279)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

279. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason the minutes of meetings of groups (details supplied) held since September 2023, have not been made publicly available on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5177/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI) was established in November 2020 to provide a formal channel for national angling organisations to contribute to the development of inland fisheries policy. In October 2024, the ACCI was renamed as the Angling Advisory Group (AAG), to better reflect the Group’s advisory role on inland fishery policy matters.

Minutes from meetings of the Group are published on the Department's website once they have been approved at a subsequent meeting of the Group.

Minutes have been published for all meetings held up to and including October 2024 at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/angling-consultative-council-of-ireland/.

The minutes from meetings held in August 2025 and January 2026 have not yet been approved by the Group.

Electricity Generation

Questions (280)

Ciarán Ahern

Question:

280. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the breakdown of new gas fired electricity generation in MWs which has been added to the grid in each year since 2020; the location of each of those new gas fired generators; the individual capacity of each; the gas generation capacity (if any) was decommissioned in each of those years; the additional capacity which is planned for addition in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028; and further the level of temporary emergency generation which is in place and the capacity of that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5205/26]

Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The Government has set a target of having at least 2GW of new flexible gas-fired generation by 2030 in our Climate Action Plans to ensure secure generation of electricity at times of low renewable output and/or high demand. The CRU, EirGrid and my Department are supporting the ongoing delivery of this 2GW of new flexible generation capacity through capacity market auctions.

The operation of the capacity market auctions is undertaken by the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) under the oversight of the Single Electricity Market Committee (SEMC). The CRU is part of the Single Electricity Market Committee (SEMC) which decides on the volumes to be procured in the capacity market, in what regions of the all-island grid, and the resulting costs.

Appendix 9.1 of EirGrid’s All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment 2025-2034 has detailed information regarding the registered capacity of dispatchable generation (gas-fired and other) and interconnectors in Ireland in 2025.

Since 2020, 171MW of derated gas-fired generation capacity, in three sites in the Greater Dublin area, has delivered through the capacity market. In addition, a number of other projects have delivered that will contribute to Ireland's security of supply including storage and the 500MW Greenlink Interconnector project in 2025. No gas-fired generation has been decommissioned in this timeframe.

There are four temporary emergency generation (TEG) units: North Wall and Huntstown (TEG 1); and Shannonbridge and Tarbert (TEG 2). The generation capacities of North Wall and Huntstown are 191 MW and 50 MW respectively, and generation capacities of Shannonbridge and Tarbert are 262 MW and 150 MW respectively. Furthermore, Moneypoint power station (520MW derated capacity), which converted from coal to heavy fuel oil in June 2025, has been contracted to remain open until 2029 as an “out of market” unit to provide power only when required by the system operator for electricity security.

Eirgrid's 'risk adjusted' view of capacity market delivery over the next three years is set out in Table 5.1 of the All Island Adequacy Assessment. This risk adjusted view is based on plant delivering early, delivering late, or not delivering. An updated Adequacy Assessment by Eirgrid with a new forecast around capacity market delivery is expected to be published in the coming weeks.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (281)

Pádraig Rice

Question:

281. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 13 January 2025, if his Department is aware that salmon and smolts are not surviving downstream migration; the discussions that have taken place between his Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland with regard to this issue; if he has concerns on whether this arrangement is compliant with EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5225/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

No discussions have taken place between Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and my Department in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy. The issues are day-to-day operational matters for IFI in which neither I nor my Department have any operational function.

I am advised by IFI that barriers to fish migration, including hydroelectric dams, are recognised as a significant pressure on salmon and other migratory species. IFI engage with ESB’s Sustainable Rivers Team in relation to fish passage works, operational protocols and monitoring, including programmes for smolt migration.

IFI are aware that ESB, under their Sustainability Rivers programme, are actively investigating fish passage constraints at each of their facilities with a view to maximising survival and spawner escapement. These measures are necessary to address overarching objectives in relation to EU Water Framework, Habitats Directives and Water Action Plan 2024.

Environmental Impact Assessments

Questions (282)

Robert O'Donoghue

Question:

282. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated environmental impact of disposable vape products, particularly plastic waste; whether a ban or strict regulation is being considered as part of Ireland’s climate and waste reduction commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5400/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

In order to protect the environment and ensure the recycling of the valuable materials, it is important that electronic vaping devices are disposed of correctly. Proper takeback and disposal are also part of the transition to a circular economy.

The Annual National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report to local authorities found that vape-related litter made up approximately 2% of littered items in 2024.

Ireland uses Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) measures for dealing with waste streams such as batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment. EPR requires producers to fund the collection and appropriate management of vaping devices when they become waste. The compliance schemes with responsibility for WEEE/Batteries, WEEE Ireland and ERP Ireland, facilitate the collective take back of this e-waste for free, recycling via their battery collection network and dedicated battery boxes.

Ultimately, a ban on single-use vapes would very effectively address the issues caused by the incorrect disposal of these devices. I understand that the Minister for Health is progressing the ban on the sale of single-use vapes under the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill. This includes devices which are not refillable, have a battery which cannot be recharged or a coil which cannot be replaced.

• Written Answers Nos. 247-272
• Written Answers Nos. 283-303