Written Answers Nos. 34-53
34. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on meetings and other engagements between Ireland and the Nordic Baltic 8 group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19154/26]
View answerThe Nordic Baltic 8 group or NB8, is a regional cooperation format which, since 1992, has brought together five Nordic and three Baltic states (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) to discuss current issues of regional and international importance in an informal setting. It has no permanent separate structure or organisation. NB8's day-to-day work is coordinated each year by one of the eight partner countries, which sets the priorities and draws up the work programme for its year in the chair. As of 1 January 2026, Estonia took over the chair of NB8 from Denmark.
Ireland's relations with the Nordic-Baltic Region are informed by the Global Ireland Nordic-Baltic Strategy which sets out an ambitious plan for cross-Government engagement with this important group. Ireland, as a close partner and like-minded partner of all the members of NB8, participates by invitation in official level meetings regularly.
The Nordic-Baltic Six (NB6) is the same as the NB8 excluding Iceland and Norway which are not members of the European Union. Ahead of meetings of the European Council, Ireland joins the leaders of the NB6 plus Poland to discuss issues.
My officials keep in very close contact with the embassies of Nordic-Baltic countries here in Dublin and engage with the NB8 EU member states through the Permanent Representation in Brussels. Additionally our Ambassadors in the Nordic-Baltic region engage with the NB8 members in their countries of accreditation.
35. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a breakdown of the cost of the €800 fee for charter flights to evacuate Irish citizens from the Middle East; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19195/26]
View answer36. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the Irish charter flights from Dubai cost €800 per person and the reason that figure is double the €400 per person cost of the UK Government flights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19196/26]
View answer48. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost of the recent repatriation flight from Oman to Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19665/26]
View answer49. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the charge incurred by passengers on the recent repatriation flight was calculated; the reason for the charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19666/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 36, 48 and 49 together.
A very significant consular support operation is ongoing for citizens across the Gulf and the Middle East impacted by the current conflict. This is being led by my Department’s Consular Crisis Team in Dublin, working closely with our missions across the region.
My Department has provided direct consular assistance to more than 2,450 citizens, as well as broader guidance to thousands more, including by providing accurate and timely travel advice, and through proactive messaging.
Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked closely with EU Member States, the European External Action Service, the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre, authorities in host nations, and airlines, with a view to identifying all possible options to support Irish citizens.
My Department's approach to the provision of consular assistance to those who wished to leave the region throughout this period centred on two primary axes. First, to pursue all possible options to facilitate Irish citizens on the limited number of flights still in operation and to request that direct routes to Dublin from the Gulf would resume, as soon as it was safe to do so. And second, in parallel, there was a clear focus on identifying and delivering repatriation options for Irish citizens, both through Government charters and those of our EU partners. I would like to recognise the excellent cooperation we have had with all relevant partners in these efforts.
The Department has organised two repatriation flights, which departed from Muscat on 7 March and from Abu Dhabi on 11 March. These flights assisted the return of 380 Irish citizens and their families to Ireland, with a focus on those must vulnerable or stranded in transit. The Department reached out to hundreds of citizens in both categories, making travel arrangements with enough passengers to fill both planes.
While not all those citizens availed of the repatriation flights, we recognised this as an indicator of gradually increasing availability of commercial flight options. Currently, there are three daily flights from the United Arab Emirates to Dublin and as of Friday 4 flights weekly from Doha. My Department’s advice to citizens that wish to leave the region is that they avail of commercial options.
For both flights, the Department activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM), which made seats available to a number of EU citizens. The EUCPM has proven a valuable addition to our efforts to get our citizens home. Through the mechanism, Ireland continues to facilitate the departure of small groups of Irish citizens on flights organised by EU partners.
As was the case during the COVID crisis, citizens were asked to make a contribution towards the cost of the charter flights, which was initially calculated at half the seat cost, on the basis that all seats were filled by a paying passenger. This contribution was €800 for the flight from Oman, and €500 for the flight from the United Arab Emirates, with no charge for children under 16. In both cases, my Department met more than 50% of the cost of these flights, and, in the case of the flight from Oman, both arranged and paid for transportation, security, medical support and hotel accommodation. My officials also assisted citizens in financial difficulty to make alternative payment arrangements.
Ireland activated the EUCPM for both charter flights, and in line with the framework of the mechanism, Ireland will be eligible to recoup a significant portion of the total cost of each charter. The total cost for each repatriation flight will be made available in due course, including once any contribution from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism is taken into account.
My Department will continue to closely monitor the wider political and security context in the days and weeks ahead. I can assure you that my officials stand ready to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens that request it.
37. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the situation in Cuba; if she has raised the calls of an organisation (details supplied) for de-escalation and constructive dialogue in respect of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19227/26]
View answerI note that the current situation in Cuba was discussed at the recent Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit, where Ireland was represented by our Ambassador to Caricom.
At the Summit, all parties were in agreement that efforts should be made to address the growing crisis in Cuba. Ireland shares these concerns. Our position on the US embargo of Cuba is long-standing; we consider that it serves no constructive purpose and has resulted in significant negative impacts for the Cuban people over many years. Ireland, and the EU, has consistently called for the embargo to be lifted and have voted in favour of UN resolutions calling for the ending of the embargo, most recently last October at the UN General Assembly.
We have also long called for democratisation and political transition in Cuba. The Cuban government imposes severe restrictions on the fundamental rights of Cuban citizens, including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. However, the only way to achieve this is through dialogue and engagement.
We share the recently expressed deep concern of the UN Secretary General in relation to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cuba. Ireland consistently provides humanitarian support to Cuba through our funding of global humanitarian funds, such as the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC DREF). Ireland contributed to the Hurricane Melissa relief fund in 2025 and further prioritises food security through a commitment to the FAO fund for Cuba.
38. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the average processing time for first time passports for infants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19273/26]
View answerFirst-time applications are the most complex to process as they are, in essence, a verification of Irish citizenship. As such, a rigorous process is in place to validate the identity of applicants and to confirm their citizenship status.
The processing time for an online first time passport application is 20 working days. This turnaround time applies to fully complete and correct applications, and begins from the date that supporting documents are received by the Passport Service, not the date the online application is made. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete will take longer to process.
Since 2022, the Passport Service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received by the Passport Service. These applications are then processed within 15 working days.
39. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the delays in processing a first time passport application (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19274/26]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
40. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of people that have applied under the working holiday visa scheme from Argentina; the limit on the number of applications in any given year; whether that has been reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19389/26]
View answerArgentina is one of ten countries worldwide that Ireland has a bilateral working holiday agreement with. The Working Holiday Agreement between Ireland and Argentina allows young Irish and Argentinians, aged 18-35, to live, work, study and travel in each other’s countries for up to a year. The agreement promotes cultural exchange and closer ties between both countries, with Argentina home to the largest Irish diaspora in Latin America, with an estimated 500,000 Argentines of Irish descent.
Each year, 200 working holiday visas are granted under the scheme. In 2025, there were 4,498 applications received from Argentina. 4,970 applications were received in 2024. Applications for 2026 are due to open in June 2026.
41. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department or any body under it’s aegis made a disclosure under Revenue's recent disclosure opportunity to regularise misclassification of self-employment; if so, to provide details of the numbers of workers affected and the amount paid to Revenue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19497/26]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not made a disclosure under Revenue's recent disclosure opportunity to regularise misclassification of self-employment. There are no bodies under the aegis of the Department.
42. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a passport application (details supplied) as the applicants travel date is imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19515/26]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
43. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if inspections of US military planes and planes under the command of the US military have taken place in Shannon Airport this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19604/26]
View answer44. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider not granting authorisation for future stopovers of US military planes and planes under the command of the US military in Shannon Airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19606/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 44 together.
Responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft landing or overflying the State is shared between Departments. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign military and state aircraft, while the Department of Transport leads on the regulation of civil aircraft. The Government is clear with all our international partners, including the United States, on the systems in place for both military and civil aircraft.
Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
Successive governments have made landing facilities available at a number of Irish airports to the United States and other foreign military and state aircraft. This permission is subject to the strict conditions of the diplomatic clearance procedures which are set out above. This policy is well known and fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
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 on a regular basis.
There is a separate system in place for the regulation of civil aircraft and flights, which is managed by the Department of Transport.
50. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department are supporting and assisting Irish citizen residents in the Gulf region, specifically in relation to those who are eager to return to Ireland but are worried in regard to their employment contracts, in terms of repercussions that they can face for ‘breaching’ their contract of employment and leaving the region. [19802/26]
View answerA very significant consular support operation is ongoing for citizens across the Gulf and the Middle East impacted by the current conflict. My Department has provided direct consular assistance to more than 2,450 citizens, as well as broader guidance to thousands more, including by providing accurate and timely travel advice, and through proactive messaging.
Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked closely with EU partners, authorities in host countries, and others, with a view to identifying all possible options to support Irish citizens. This intensive engagement will continue.
My Department is aware of some Irish citizens who are anxious about their employment status in the event that they leave the region. For matters related to employment contracts, citizens are advised to liaise directly with their employers, ideally before leaving the country, and seek local legal advice as appropriate. In line with the [Consular Assistance Charter] , my Department cannot intervene in legal or commercial matters.
I encourage all Irish citizens in the Gulf or surrounding region seeking assistance to contact my Department’s Consular Crisis Team in Dublin directly on 01-4082000 or their nearest Irish Embassy.
51. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will address concerns regarding the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19897/26]
View answerThe deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cuba is of serious concern.
Ireland has consistently provided humanitarian support to Cuba through our funding of global humanitarian funds, such as the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC DREF). Most recently, following Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated €3.3 million for an urgent response. Likewise, the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC DREF) fund allocated €1 million euro.
Ireland also supports Cuba through funding to the World Food Programme. Ireland has also specifically committed €100,000 through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation to assist Cuba in managing food security.
52. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of occasions in 2025 and to-date in 2026 where the Irish Ambassador based in Madrid has met formally with the Mayor of Madrid, in tabular form. [20032/26]
View answerIreland's Ambassador to Spain maintains regular contact with key interlocutors in Madrid, including the Mayor's Office, in line with standard diplomatic practice.
In March 2025, the Ambassador accompanied the Mayor of Madrid at a meeting with the then Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Deputy Colm Brophy, during the Minister's visit to Madrid for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
On 6 February 2026, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Mayor of Madrid. At that meeting, the Ambassador discussed Irish-Spanish bilateral relations, Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and expressed appreciation for the valuable support provided by the Mayor's Office for the annual Ireland Week programme and the Madrid St. Patrick's Day parade.
The Government greatly values Ireland's bilateral relationship with Spain, and our Embassy in Madrid continues to engage actively with national, regional, and municipal authorities to advance Irish interests and strengthen the deep ties between our two countries.
53. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans in relation to passing the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20160/26]
View answerIn June 2025, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill.
The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
Legally, the regulation of external trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods at EU level. There would also be greater complexity when it comes to implementation than is the case with regard to trade in goods.
The Government has received the Attorney General’s advice on the question of whether the inclusion of services in the Bill is permissible under EU law. The advice, which is detailed and extensive, identifies a number of significant legal and practical issues with the regulation by a Member State of trade in services with a country or territory outside the EU. Following detailed consideration by officials in my Department, clarification has been sought from the Attorney General on a number of legal issues.
Any legislation must be legally robust, able to withstand challenge and progress the Government's broader policy agenda.
Work is advancing across a number of strands at official level as well as engagement at EU level.
It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.
