Written Answers Nos. 242-257
242. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to comments made at an event (details supplied), if there has been any further correspondence from the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism addressing this matter since last year. [9001/26]
View answerMy Department has not received any correspondence from the Special Rapporteur on Racism at the United Nations on this matter in the past year. I am aware of the Report of the former Special Rapporteur, E. Tendayi Achiume, in 2022 on contemporary forms of racism.
Ireland has been a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) since 2011. Since the adoption of the non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism by the IHRA plenary in 2016, my Department has kept the question of our endorsement of the organization’s working definition of antisemitism under review, including with regard to adoption of the definition by other EU Member States.
The European Commission Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030) calls on Member States to adopt and use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. A series of EU Council Conclusions and Declarations have also encouraged use of the IHRA definition by EU Member States as a tool to counter antisemitism. Most recently, the October 2024 EU Council Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and Combatting Antisemitism, which Ireland was a strong proponent of, again invited EU Member States to use the IHRA definition as useful guidance for education and training purposes.
The decision to endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism followed detailed consideration within the Department of Foreign Affairs, and consultation with other relevant Departments. Ireland’s endorsement was announced by then Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, on 16th January 2025, ahead of the significant 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The decision to endorse the definition was taken following careful consideration, including of alternative definitions, in the context of Ireland’s longstanding commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination, and against the background of a well-documented global rise in antisemitism.
The adoption of the definition was supported by the EU, the European Commission, the IHRA, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. While the views of these institutions are important, the views of Ireland’s Jewish communities were also a key factor in reaching a decision to endorse the definition.
243. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to comments made at an event (details supplied), if he will provide details of how the IHRA Definition was ‘formally adopted’ by the Government in January 2025; if this decision was approved by Cabinet; if so, if he will provide the date of the Cabinet meeting which decided same. [9000/26]
View answerIreland has been a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) since 2011. Since the adoption of the non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism by the IHRA plenary in 2016, my Department has kept the question of adoption of the IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism under review.
The European Commission Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030) calls on EU Member States to adopt and use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. A series of EU Council Conclusions and Declarations have also encouraged use of the IHRA definition as a tool to counter antisemitism. Most recently, the October 2024 EU Council Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and Combatting Antisemitism, which Ireland was a strong proponent of, again invited EU Member States to use the IHRA definition as useful guidance for education and training purposes. All EUMS have now adopted the IHRA definition.
The decision to endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism followed detailed consideration within the Department of Foreign Affairs, and consultation with other relevant Departments. Ireland’s endorsement was announced by then Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, on 16th January 2025, ahead of the significant 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Most importantly, this decision was also taken in response to concerns raised by Ireland’s Jewish communities, in the context of a well-documented and concerning rise in antisemitism, holocaust denial and distortion, which has been taking place globally, both offline and online.
The Programme for Government adopted by the new Government in January 2025 subsequently included a commitment to give effect to the endorsement of the IHRA definition and to implement the EU Council Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and combatting antisemitism. The inclusion of these elements in the Programme for Government is a strong signal of this Government’s commitment to tackle all forms of discrimination and provide reassurance and support for Ireland’s Jewish community at a concerning and challenging time.
244. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to introduce a reduced rate for pensioners or the option to apply for a three year or five year passport, as currently people in receipt of a pension must pay full price and apply for a 10-year passport regardless of their age, with a cost upwards of €75; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9882/26]
View answerThe standard Irish passport issued to adults is valid for 10 years, which is a common validity period for adult passports worldwide. Passport fees were last updated in June 2019 and are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 259/2019 - Diplomatic and Consular Fees. At that time the fee for adult passports applied for through the Passport Online service was reduced from €80 to €75.
I am satisfied that, at a cost of €75 for an online application, which breaks down to €7.50 per year, the Irish passport fee compares favourably with the services offered elsewhere. There are currently no plans to offer the option of a passport with a shorter period of validity at a reduced cost.
245. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her Department’s position on a matter (details provided); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9211/26]
View answerIreland’s diplomatic network in the US, which consists of the Embassy in Washington DC and eight consulates across the US, provides consular support to Irish citizens who are affected by deportation. Any Irish citizen seeking assistance can make contact with the Embassy or their nearest Consulate General at any time.
In addition, we work closely with and support the network of Irish immigration centres across the U.S.. Central to their work is the provision of accurate information, support and assistance to our citizens, this includes individuals seeking to regularise their immigration status.
246. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will give a clear and unambiguous commitment to the House that Ireland will stand by its position regarding the EU–Mercosur trade agreement (details supplied); and if she will confirm that the Government recognises the wider significance of this case for other EU trade agreements, including CETA, where Ireland was given explicit assurances on sovereignty, democratic consent, and constitutional limits. [8871/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government, published in January 2025, stated that the Government would work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal.
On 9 January 2026, EU Member States voted on the EU-Mercosur Agreement. That vote was carried by a qualified majority. Ireland voted, clearly and unambiguously, against the approval of the Agreement.
Furthermore, I and other Government Ministers – including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Minister for European Affairs and Defence, among others – along with officials have engaged extensively at EU level to voice our concerns with the Agreement. That engagement was sustained over time and took place across multiple forums and in both formal and informal settings, with fellow EU Member States and with the European Commission.
We take note of the decision of the European Parliament to refer the EU-Mercosur Agreement to the European Court of Justice. The Government will continue to engage with the Commission and with other EU Member States in the time ahead to ensure the full implementation of the commitments obtained from the Commission to address our concerns with the Agreement, should the Agreement be implemented.
Recent developments in the international trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification, including by finalising a number of Free Trade Agreements. The EU’s network of Free Trade Agreements support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, and support better environmental and human rights standards around the world.
Regarding the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), in response to the findings of the Supreme Court the Government is moving ahead with changes to the Arbitration Act 2010, which will enable the ratification of CETA. The Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is currently progressing through the Dáil, will provide a new procedure in Irish law for the enforcement of awards made by tribunals established under international agreements containing investment dispute resolution provisions to fully address concerns identified by the Supreme Court in the Costello judgments.
Once enacted, the Government intends to bring forward the ratification of CETA, in line with constitutional requirements and parliamentary processes.
It is important to note that the EU-Mercosur Agreement does not contain investment dispute resolution provisions and therefore the constitutional implications for Ireland arising from CETA do not apply in this case.
247. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff directly responsible for cybersecurity, as distinct from IT, within her Department; if a threat analyst, vulnerability manager and a cyber infrastructure engineer are employed; if not in-house, if this work is outsourced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9431/26]
View answerMy Department has a dedicated cybersecurity team lead by a Director of cybersecurity with overall responsibility for cybersecurity risk, threat analysis, vulnerability management and cybersecurity infrastructure.
For reasons of operational and national security it is not appropriate to disclose further details of my Department’s Cyber Security arrangements.
248. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which her Department examines third party supply chain vulnerability when it comes to cybersecurity. [9449/26]
View answerThird party suppliers to my Department are managed in line with a third party management framework and a third party management policy.
All third party suppliers of ICT are appropriately managed via a third party management lifecycle which includes: screening, onboarding, ongoing management and monitoring, risk assessment and mitigation and termination.
249. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on and her plans to engage in further awareness raising of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine noting that the 24 February 2026 will mark the fourth anniversary of the 2022 invasion. [9468/26]
View answerLater this month, we will mark a dark anniversary – four years since Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
I and all my colleagues in Government use all opportunities domestically and internationally to maintain a focus on this issue. The Deputy will be aware of the frequent debates in the Oireachtas on Ukraine and on Russia, where there is bipartisan support for the people of Ukraine and awareness of the issue remains high.
As we approach the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, there will be a programme of events and communications designed to reaffirm our support to Ukraine and to maintain pressure on Russia as it continues its war of aggression.
I have asked that the exterior of Iveagh House be illuminated in Ukraine’s national colours and I hope the same can be done elsewhere. As on other occasions, Irish Embassies and Consulates, where appropriate to do so, will fly the Ukrainian flag at the time of the anniversary in order to show solidarity with Ukraine.
As we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, it is important that we maintain our support for Ukraine and it is important that we continue to seek a resolution of this terrible conflict.
250. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if sanctions have been implemented against any Irish citizen, company or entity as a result of their support for the Russian government since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9469/26]
View answerIreland implements EU and UN sanctions legislation. The targeted sanctions, also referred to as “restrictive measures”, adopted by the EU in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Ireland has supported these measures. An unprecedented range of sectoral measures against Russia have been adopted, including measures targeting the financial, energy, technology, defence, media and transport sectors with a view to limiting Russia’s ability to wage its illegal war in Ukraine and access battlefield goods and technology. These measures are having an impact, making it harder for Russia to access battlefield goods and revenue.
Since the commencement of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the criteria to list individuals and entities under the Ukraine Territorial Integrity Sanctions regime was broadened to cover persons and entities supporting and benefiting from the Government of the Russian Federation, as well as persons and entities providing a substantial source of revenue to it. Over 2,700 individuals and entities are now subject to EU restrictive measures under this regime.
Proposals for listing are considered by EU Member States, having regard to the applicable criteria for listing, a robust evidence base and the efficacy of the proposal. To date, no Irish citizen, company or entity has been listed under EU restrictive measures. EU sanctions regulations have direct effect in Irish law, meaning that they must be complied with in the same way as domestic Irish legislation.
251. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recommendations of the Draghi Report on EU Competitiveness which fall within her remit; to specify which of those recommendations have been implemented to date, including concrete examples of actions taken; and the further measures planned or under consideration by her Department to advance competitiveness in line with the report. [9616/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for their question. The Government strongly supports the EU’s competitiveness agenda. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade holds horizontal responsibility for EU Policy across government, including coordination of our response to the Draghi Report. However, I must stress this is a whole of government effort, with the domestic implementation of any agreed measures in Brussels resting with the relevant Government Departments.
With the publication of the wide ranging report, Ireland identified a number of policy priorities for early progress which are the focus of our response and being taken forward across government. These are:
• Revitalising and strengthening the Single Market, particularly in services, through the new Single Market Strategy and through application of rigorous competition policy and robust state aid rules;
• Focussing on SMEs and supporting them in scaling up in Europe, which will facilitate them in expanding into global markets;
• Supporting measures on simplification and reduction of the regulatory burden, while maintaining high ambition in terms of environmental protection standards;
• Prioritising an EU wide approach to deployment and investment in grid infrastructure.
Actions taken on the reports recommendations are being driven at EU level. Since the report’s publication, the Commission has published its Competitiveness Compass, Single Market Strategy, and many draft proposals across a multitude of sectors based on the report’s recommendations. These include the ongoing discussions on the Grids Package, Savings and Investment Union, Clean Industrial Deal, Critical Medicines Act, European Bio-tech Act, and the European Business Wallet. We are actively engaging in these discussions in Brussels, with comprehensive coordination ongoing across departments to ensure our priorities are well represented.
A new Single Market Roadmap is also due from the Commission shortly. Informed by both the Draghi and Letta Reports, this will deal with the wider Single Market agenda and areas such as capital, services, energy, telecoms, a 28th regime (a single harmonised set of rules for innovative companies throughout the EU) and creation of a fifth freedom for knowledge and innovation.
With a view to upcoming proposals, we have sought to play a constructive role in the design of the 28th Regime. Minister Burke presented a well-received non-paper at the December COMPET which set out what we consider to be key principles for the 28th Regime which includes restricting the proposal within the confines of company law. The 28th Regime is the subject of intense political interest, and it is hoped our non-paper will help inform the proposal, due in March.
The Simplification agenda is also a key component of the competitiveness agenda. Both the Letta and Draghi reports underlined the need to reduce the regulatory and administrative burden on EU companies, particularly SMEs, and boost the competitiveness of the Single Market, while maintaining high ambition in terms of environmental and other standards. The European Commission put forward ten simplification Omnibus packages in 2025. Each package usually contains several legislative proposals relevant to multiple Government Departments across. We have identified a number of national priorities for the simplification agenda for the period ahead. In particular, measures that can support the delivery of affordable housing and critical infrastructure domestically are a top priority for the Government. My Department has been coordinating Ireland’s approach across Government to these packages.
Similarly, as part of the ongoing negotiations on the future EU’s long term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) aims to simplify and accelerate EU funding and catalyse private and public investment in strategic technologies, as recommended in the Letta and Draghi Reports. This alongside proposed investments in the Connecting Europe Facility and Horizon Europe Programme rethinks how the EU budget funds competitiveness while becoming simpler, policy-driven and delivering more impact. The overall Irish position on the MFF is coordinated by my Department and the Department of Finance, in consultation with key Departments, and will feature prominently in our Presidency.
As we approach our EU Presidency, we have a unique opportunity to influence the Competitiveness agenda for the years ahead. With Competitiveness as one of the central priorities for our presidency, we will endeavour to progress on delivering the full potential of the Single Market and the simplification agenda.
Though the recommendations of the Draghi Report are focused on EU level actions, underlining our commitment to ensuring Ireland’s competitiveness, the Government published a whole of Government Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity in September 2025. This aims to address the challenges facing Ireland across six themes which fall within our domestic sphere of influence:
• embracing research, innovation and skills
• boosting FDI and exports and influencing at EU level
• creating and scaling more SMEs
• regulating for growth and controlling costs
• increasing the State’s capacity to deliver infrastructure
• growing sustainable Irish businesses and boosting regional development
These actions will coordinated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
252. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he will raise the case of a political prisoner in Iran with the Government and embassy of that country, or with his international counterparts (details supplied). [9810/26]
View answer255. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the allegations in relation to the treatment of a political prisoner (details supplied) in Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9891/26]
View answer256. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions she will take to raise the case of a political prisoner in Iran (details supplied) at an EU Council level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9892/26]
View answer257. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions she will take to raise the case of a political prisoner in Iran (details supplied) at an international level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9893/26]
View answer258. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with the Irish Ambassador in Iran in relation to the case of a political prisoner in Iran (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9894/26]
View answer259. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with the Iranian Embassy in Ireland in relation to the case of a political prisoner in Iran (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9895/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 255, 256, 257, 258 and 259 together.
Ireland has clearly condemned the recent violence, killing and brutal repression of protestors by the authorities in Iran. I reiterated this condemnation most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January, and officials in my Department have also conveyed it directly to the Iranian authorities, through their Embassy in Dublin.
I am deeply concerned by the mass arrests of protestors as a means of suppressing political dissent and human rights activism in Iran. While accurate reports as to the numbers killed, injured and detained during and following the recent protests still remain sparse due to the continuing communication blockages by the Iranian authorities, it is clear that many thousands have been killed, with the final toll understood to be over 10,000. We also understand that many more have been injured, and over 50,000 imprisoned. I am also concerned about reports regarding the treatment of those in custody.
Ireland continues to raise our concerns about Iran’s human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora such as the Human Rights Council and the United Nations Third Committee on Human Rights. We, along with our EU partners, will continue to call for all individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights during the recent protests to be released.
The significant scale of the killings and arrests, and the continuing communication blockages in Iran, limits the extent to which we can monitor or verify individual cases, including the case raised by the Deputies. We will however continue to share among EU and other likeminded partners such information as we can obtain on specific cases and consider appropriate action, including raising them with the Iranian authorities.
I regret that there is at present very little sign of Iran responding positively in relation to these cases, and there may be instances where raising an individual case could endanger rather than assist that person.
At the Foreign Affairs Council last week, the EU adopted sanctions against some of those responsible for responsible for human rights violations in following the repression of the protests, including the Minister of the Interior. Ireland also joined in calling for a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 23 January. The resolution adopted at that session, and the EU and Irish national statements to the session, clearly state our views on the current situation in Iran and their ongoing violation of human rights. The Council also renewed for two years the mandate of the Independent Fact Finding Mission on Iran, set up by the HRC with Ireland's support in 2022, and charged it to investigate the recent and continuing events.
253. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to complaints in relation to the use of the imagery of St. Bridget in the recent campaign led by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9885/26]
View answer254. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the way in which the campaign led by her Department (details supplied) was designed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9886/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has managed international programming and messaging related to St. Brigid’s Day on an annual basis since 2017, with a special focus on celebrating the achievements of Irish women internationally. This year sees the broadest diplomatic support by our Embassy and Consulate network to date for this uniquely Irish celebration. Events organised by DFAT Missions globally for St. Brigid’s Day are often held in partnership with local cultural institutions, artists, academics, civil society organisations and Irish diaspora communities, with most taking place across the month of February.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade uses social media and online platforms to communicate public awareness campaigns, to promote essential services to citizens and to highlight Irish positions and values internationally. Our social media and online platforms are also utilised, in conjunction with Team Ireland partners, to promote Ireland as a place to trade, invest, visit and study. This approach towards content on social media aligns to the approach of other Foreign Ministries in communicating key messages to international audiences. Over the last number of years, multimedia digital content campaigns have amassed tens of millions of views internationally, resulting also in traffic to key Government of Ireland platforms, including Ireland.ie.
My Department's video for the 2026 St. Brigid’s Day social media campaign, highlighting the achievements of Irish women internationally, issued in 19 languages globally and received a range of feedback, much of which was positive or constructive. As in all such instances, feedback received, including constructively critical feedback, will help to inform future digital campaigns and opportunities to deliver key messages about Ireland to international audiences.
