Niamh Smyth
Question:230. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to expedite an application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29745/26]
View answerDepartmental Functions
Questions (230)
Written answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Departmental Functions
Questions (231)
Niamh Smyth
Question:231. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review the case of a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29747/26]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Air Navigation Orders
Questions (232)
Donna McGettigan
Question:232. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 16 April 2026, to provide details of subsequent or previous inspections conducted of planes, post-clearance, to ensure that national legislation and international legal obligations are being complied with; if evidence has been found of failures to comply with such obligations; if so, the details of same; if such inspections have not taken place, the basis for failing to do so; the basis on which the Government can assert that laws have not been broken in the absence of inspections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29783/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of the relevant national legislation in this area, 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.
Foreign military aircraft which are given permission to land in Ireland are not subject to inspection. Sovereign immunity, a long-standing principle of customary international law, means that a state may not exercise its jurisdiction in respect to another state or its property, including state and military aircraft. This principle applies automatically to foreign state or military aircraft in the same way that it applies to Irish state or military aircraft abroad.
Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 226.
Departmental Staff
Questions (234)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:234. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next first secretary (assistant principal officer) competition will open to applicants. [30078/26]
View answerWritten answers
First Secretary is a key grade within the Irish diplomatic service and my department seeks to recruit First Secretaries who have the necessary personal qualities, skills and attributes to undertake the demanding and varying responsibilities of the position, including representing Ireland abroad.
First Secretaries are appointed from open, interdepartmental and internal competitions.
Publicjobs is the main provider of recruitment services to the Department and to the wider civil service. Open competitions for First Secretary are advertised on the Department's website and on the Publicjobs website which, through an email alert service, notifies potential candidates when jobs of interest to them are advertised. Interdepartmental competitions for First Secretary are circulated by civil service organisations and managed by Publicjobs. Publicjobs currently have a live First Secretary panel which is due to expire on 31 December 2026. It is not expected that Publicjobs will launch another open or interdepartmental First Secretary competition this year.
An internal competition for promotion to First Secretary was launched on 15 April 2026.
Departmental Staff
Questions (235)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:235. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of clerical officers posted to Embassies abroad. [30081/26]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s network of Embassies, Consulates and missions to multilateral organisations work to serve our citizens and strengthen our communities abroad, lead and shape the European agenda, deepen our global engagement and drive our trade and prosperity
All civil servants posted abroad are paid in accordance with civil service salary scales and relevant public service pay agreements.
The current total number of Clerical Officers posted to missions abroad is 61.
Departmental Staff
Questions (236)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:236. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of executive officers posted to Embassies abroad. [30082/26]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s network of Embassies, Consulates and missions to multilateral organisations work to serve our citizens and strengthen our communities abroad, lead and shape the European agenda, deepen our global engagement and drive our trade and prosperity
All civil servants posted abroad are paid in accordance with civil service salary scales and relevant public service pay agreements.
The current total number of Executive Officers posted to missions abroad is 42.
Departmental Staff
Questions (237)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:237. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of higher executive officers posted to Embassies abroad. [30083/26]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s network of Embassies, Consulates and missions to multilateral organisations work to serve our citizens and strengthen our communities abroad, lead and shape the European agenda, deepen our global engagement and drive our trade and prosperity
All civil servants posted abroad are paid in accordance with civil service salary scales and relevant public service pay agreements.
The current total number of Higher Executive Officers posted to missions abroad is 27.
Departmental Staff
Questions (238)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:238. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list all allowances and the amounts paid to clerical, executive and higher executive officer grades posted to Embassies abroad. [30084/26]
View answerWritten answers
In common with other diplomatic services, this Department supports officers who are assigned abroad to serve the State in an official capacity through a system of Foreign Service Allowances (FSA). This is to assist in defraying the additional costs that officers and their families incur in moving and living abroad. These allowances are based on independently sourced data and are reviewed annually.
These Foreign Service Allowances are paid to all civil servants posted to our missions abroad, including Clerical Officers, Executive Officers and Higher Executive Officers, for the duration of their posting to a diplomatic mission. The amounts payable are based on officers’ grades, civil status, family circumstances and location.
The components of the Foreign Service Allowance system are:
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), which is designed defray costs associated with a higher cost of living at the post abroad.
Local Post Allowance (LPA), which provides a contribution to the additional indirect costs arising from the representational role of officers serving abroad. This allowance is payable at all locations abroad.
Children’s Foreign Allowance (CFA), which contributes towards the additional costs incurred with regard to qualifying children of officers posted abroad.
The various components of FSA can increase, decrease or be removed altogether over the course of an officer’s posting, in accordance with changes in cost of living in the posting location and changes in officer’s family circumstances.
During 2025, total expenditure on Foreign Service Allowances to Clerical Officers, Executive Officers and Higher Executive Officers was €2.1 million.
In line with data protection regulations, I have not provided a further breakdown of this information as I am obliged to ensure that the private circumstances of officers and their families cannot be ascertained.
EU Regulations
Questions (239)
Carol Nolan
Question:239. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide details on all open EU infringement proceedings where the subject of the infringement relates to the functions of her Department; the reason the infringement proceedings were initiated; the procedural stage of the infringement proceedings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30268/26]
View answerWritten answers
There are no open infringement proceedings against my Department.
Departmental Functions
Questions (240)
Niamh Smyth
Question:240. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review the case of a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30299/26]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Military Aircraft
Questions (241)
Sinéad Gibney
Question:241. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to commit to closing airspace to US aircrafts involved in the conflict in the Middle East. [30301/26]
View answerWritten answers
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 relevant national legislation in this area, 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.
There is a separate system in place for the regulation of civil aircraft and flights, which is managed by the Department of Transport. Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. The process is informed by advice from my Department on international humanitarian law, Ireland’s international obligations and our wider arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation policy.
Human Rights
Questions (242)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:242. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who is facing deportation from Bulgaria to Saudi Arabia; if she will raise their case with the Bulgarian authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30321/26]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is committed to promoting the fundamental rights of all groups, including asylum seekers. We have a strong track record of supporting fair, effective international asylum procedures that align with international human rights standards.
Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. Ireland urges all States to safeguard the human rights of prisoners and detainees, including provision of healthcare services, as set out in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules.
While I cannot comment on an individual asylum case in another Member State, Ireland's clear position is that all EU member states should align with relevant human rights standards and procedures.
Passport Services
Questions (243)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:243. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport for persons (details supplied) can be expedited. [30332/26]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passports to the applicant.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (244)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:244. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the announcement will be made on the appointment of the next Ambassador of Ireland to the USA. [30402/26]
View answerWritten answers
The legislative framework for diplomatic relations is governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, an international treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic relations between states. The Vienna Convention was ratified by Ireland in 1967 and incorporated into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967.
Ambassadors of Ireland to countries abroad are appointed by the President on the advice of the Government following nomination by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Ireland's current Ambassador to the United States remains in place and a vacancy does not arise at this time.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (245)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:245. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of all staff, by grade currently assigned to the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C., including locally engaged staff employed by the Embassy; and to detail any existing vacancies. [30404/26]
View answerWritten answers
The table below shows the grades of civil servants assigned to the Embassy of Ireland in Washington D.C.:
|
|
|
|
Grade |
Total |
|
Ambassador |
1 |
|
Counsellor/Principal Officer |
3 |
|
First Secretary |
4 |
|
Third Secretary / Administrative Officer |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Garda Liaison Officer |
1 |
There is currently a vacancy for a Garda Liaison Officer, at Superintendent-level.
The table below shows the number of locally engaged staff currently assigned to the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, including vacancies.
|
|
Job title |
No. of Local Staff |
|
Current Local Staff |
Administration |
12 |
|
|
Support Roles |
5 |
|
Vacancies |
Administration |
2 |
|
|
Support role |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
|
20 |
Departmental Regulations
Questions (246)
Roderic O'Gorman
Question:246. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a copy of her Department’s Protocol Guidelines booklet, similar to the protocol guidelines published by other governments and similar to the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (details supplied). [30406/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Protocol Guidelines for the use of Embassies accredited to Ireland and International Organisations based in Ireland can be accessed on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here:www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies-in-ireland/#guidelines-for-diplomatic-missions
These published guidelines provide an overview of the procedures and practices in operation in Ireland in relation to the administration of the privileges and immunities applicable to relevant staff of diplomatic missions.
Additional information and guidance on specific matters may be provided to accredited Embassies and International Organisations on request, as circumstances require.
Departmental Policies
Questions (247)
Emer Currie
Question:247. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30478/26]
View answerWritten answers
Since 22 January 2025, my Department has achieved progress across a broad range of policy areas. I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ 23077/26 provided on 25 March 2026, which outlines the main policy achievements up to that date. In the last month, my Department has continued to deliver on commitments under the Programme for Government and the Department’s Statement of Strategy across a number of policy areas.
Peace and reconciliation on our island is a key policy priority. A new round of the Shared Ireland Civic Society Fund was launched on 20 April 2026. The Fund was developed as part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative and supports grassroots, cross-border projects to strengthen North South links.
We continue to prioritise engagement on the EU agenda and deepening our influence at EU level. My Department has worked to advance Ireland’s policy positions on core EU files ahead of our Presidency of the EU later this year. In this context, I met with my European counterparts at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 21 April and an informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv at the end of March.
Support for the multilateral system and the international legal order, with the UN Charter at its heart, has remained a central focus. Ireland participated in the 61st session of the Human Rights Council last month, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the promotion of human rights as we continue our campaign for election to the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term.
The Government has consistently advocated for the equal right to self-determination, peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike, as well as full adherence to international law and international humanitarian law in the Middle East. Following Ireland's hosting of the eighth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in January, Ireland participated in the ninth meeting this month in Brussels. Ireland also participated in the Third International Conference on Sudan on 15 April, where we pushed for the international community to reengage to secure a comprehensive ceasefire in Sudan. More broadly we continued our response to humanitarian crises around the world.
Earlier this month, I visited Ukraine and participated in the second edition of the Ireland Ukraine Strategic Dialogue with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha, where we discussed shared priorities as we continue to strengthen our partnership. I also met with President Zelenskyy, underlined Ireland’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people and government in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression, and officially opened Ireland’s Embassy in Kyiv.
We have maintained our commitment to driving Ireland’s trade and prosperity. I convened the twelfth meeting of the Government Trade Forum on 22 April, engaging with economic stakeholders to discuss international developments including the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, EU-US trade and tariffs, free trade agreements, market diversification, and the Government’s infrastructure plans and progress. Ireland also participated in the 14th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 26 to 29 March.
Serving our citizens remains a central priority for my Department. So far this year, we have issued over 320,000 passports. We also continue to provide vital consular support and assistance to Irish citizens globally, including those affected by ongoing instability in the Middle East and Gulf.
On 26 March, the Department published its first Departmental Action Plan, which sets out priority actions to be delivered this year under each of the six high-level goals of the Statement of Strategy and acts as a useful overview of many of the Department's main policy priorities this year.