Paul McAuliffe
Question:43. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will be issued for a person (details supplied). [32810/26]
View answerPassport Services
Questions (43)
Written answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (44)
Sorca Clarke
Question:44. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has plans to open a new Irish Consulate General in Muscat, Oman. [32822/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Global Ireland Strategy, the Government committed to doubling Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. Ultimately 27 new diplomatic missions were opened. The Government has committed to a developing a new strategy, Global Ireland 2040, outlining an overarching masterplan for further enhancing our place and influence in international affairs, including ever deeper relationships with our European partners. This will include an expansion of the successful Ireland House concept, where all of our agencies are in one location, maximising impact in host countries and value for Irish taxpayers at home.
The location of new Irish diplomatic missions is based on an analysis of how they might contribute to the promotion of our economic interests, our values in this changing and uncertain international landscape, the promotion of our culture and in building stronger links with our diaspora. No decision has yet been made in respect opening a diplomatic mission in Oman.
Currently, the Embassy of Ireland in Saudi Arabia is accredited to Oman, and my officials there regularly engage with their Omani counterparts.
Ireland enjoys positive bilateral relations with Oman. Ireland and the EU have stood in solidarity and support with Oman, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners, during the current crisis. I spoke to Oman's Foreign Minister by phone in March this year, and thanked him for Oman's assistance with the evacuation of Irish citizens from the region through Muscat airport.
While the current crisis has presented challenges to the region, we remain fully committed to growing trade, investment and tourism links with Oman. My officials continue to work on providing new opportunities for Irish enterprise and progressing key areas of cooperation.
Departmental Programmes
Questions (45, 46)
Ciarán Ahern
Question:45. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the review of Ireland’s 2022 International Climate Finance Roadmap which was due to be updated in advance of 2026; to confirm that the roadmap review is framed in the context of Ireland’s ‘fair share’ of both the New Collective Quantified Goal agreed at COP29 and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32869/26]
View answerCiarán Ahern
Question:46. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether Ireland will make new climate finance pledges this year; whether Ireland’s international climate finance will remain grant-based, non-debt and focussed on least developed countries and small island developing states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32870/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
The Government remains strongly committed to the provision of climate finance in line with global agreements. Ireland’s Climate Finance Roadmap sets out our priorities for this support to 2030. A review of the Roadmap concluded in late 2025 and has been published on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with a Management Response setting out Ireland’s planned actions against the Review's recommendations. The Review captures measurable progress in delivering on the Roadmap and provides welcome guidance for continuing to enhance the quality and impact of Ireland’s international climate finance.
In line with the findings of the Review, we will continue to implement the Roadmap’s objectives for the 2026-30 period. This will include: prioritisation of climate adaptation and resilience building in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States; a strong focus on grants-based finance; and enhanced support for the blue economy, biodiversity and conflict-affected states. To date, Ireland has contributed €25 million to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and this will remain a key area of focus.
In 2024, we succeeded in increasing Ireland's international climate finance to €207.7 million, more than double the level in 2020. We are firmly on track to deliver on our target of providing at least €225 million in climate finance to developing countries annually by 2025, once the figures for last year have been collated and verified. We are committed to maintaining that level in subsequent years. The setting of a new climate finance target is a matter to be taken up across government in the future, informed by global commitments including the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).
In the immediate term, we will consolidate Ireland’s climate finance efforts with a particular focus on points highlighted during the Review, to ensure that our approach remains effective in supporting our developing country partners to pursue their goals for climate action and environmental protection.
Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 45.
International Programmes
Questions (47)
Ciarán Ahern
Question:47. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reasons Ireland is not a member of international initiatives or coalitions that seek to enable just climate transitions based on ‘polluter pays’ and social equity principles, such as those calling for a tax on the super-rich; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32871/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to breaking the link between fossil fuels and economic progress, and will promote and support measures at international level which avoid locking in further long-term fossil fuel consumption. Ireland is on track to provide €225 million annually by 2025 in international climate finance, once the figures for last year have been collated and verified. This grant-based funding is strategically directed toward Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, with the aim of ensuring that the global transition away from fossil fuels promotes climate justice.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works closely to support the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment, which leads on Ireland's climate policy. Just climate transition initiatives based on ‘polluter pays’ is a matter on which the Minister for Climate, Energy and Environment has the lead role in Government.
Ministerial Communications
Questions (48)
Alan Kelly
Question:48. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when she last spoke formally with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland. [33091/26]
View answerWritten answers
I have not yet met formally with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. However officials in my Department engage frequently with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China on a wide range of issues. Equally the Ambassador of Ireland to China and Embassy team in Beijing interact regularly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese officials in Beijing and, as appropriate, with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ireland. The relationship is further supported by the work of my officials in the Consulates General of Ireland in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
At the very beginning of the year, the Taoiseach travelled to China for an official visit, and the Chinese Ambassador was present at a number of the meetings in Beijing. This visit by the Taoiseach was part of the Government’s commitment to build long-term, strategic relationships across the Asia Pacific region. The successful visit was an important opportunity for dialogue, based on our interests and values, across all aspects of our relationship – political, economic, cultural, diplomatic and people-to-people ties.
More recently, my colleague, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, met with the Chinese Ambassador ahead of his travel to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong in March. This visit was part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day programme and included a series of engagements with political, business, civil society, cultural and diaspora leaders.
United Nations
Questions (49)
Cathal Crowe
Question:49. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is advocating for any reforms of United Nations structures, specifically at Security Council level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33284/26]
View answerWritten answers
The UN Charter and the United Nations lie at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy and our engagement with the world. 80 years after the courageous and ambitious establishment of the UN, and 70 years after Ireland joined, the UN remains essential to the promotion of human dignity and well-being and to efforts to resolve and prevent conflict.
It is also nevertheless necessary to acknowledge that the United Nations is an organisation in need of reform and reinvigoration if it is to effectively address the grave challenges facing the world today including poverty, climate change, a growing disregard for international law and threats to democracy and human rights.
It is in this context that Ireland has welcomed and supported the UN80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary General Guterres in March 2025. The initiative is designed to be a system-wide process to reform the organisation across each of the three pillars of the organisation: Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights. Ireland is actively engaging across its missions to the UN and with EU partners in the discussions around the UN80 process.
The election of a new UN Secretary General later this year will take place at a pivotal moment for the UN. The next Secretary General will lead the UN during a time of growing geopolitical challenges, attacks on multilateralism and decreased funding. It is essential that all candidates commit to the delivery of the ongoing UN80 reform process to ensure that the organisation is best placed to meet the challenges ahead.
On the Security Council, Ireland strongly believes that reform is long overdue if we are to ensure the Council can respond to threats to international peace and security in a timely and effective manner.
Ireland believes the use of the veto should be abolished, not expanded.
Ireland has also been clear that reform must address the unjust underrepresentation of Africa and other underrepresented regions on the Council, and safeguard the right of small States, including Small Island Developing States, to serve on the Council. On regional representation, Ireland will support any mechanism that garners sufficient support amongst the cross-regional groups concerning their own nominations and rotations for Council membership.
Ireland is a leading member of the ACT group, a cross-regional group of UN member states launched in 2013, which seeks to improve the accountability, coherence and transparency of the Security Council in its current composition. Ireland stands ready to work with all partners to advance the goal of a more effective, representative, and accountable Security Council, and we remain open to considering any initiative that supports the realisation of this objective.
Defence Forces
Questions (50)
Catherine Callaghan
Question:50. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33341/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any capital projects in Carlow over the past five years.
Departmental Data
Questions (51)
John Brady
Question:51. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in her capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33381/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under section 15 of the Ethics in Public Office Act (1995), gifts presented to office holders valued in excess of €650 are deemed to be gifts to the State and must be recorded accordingly following valuation through the Office of Public Works. The Minister for Foreign Affairs did not receive any such gifts in the period requested.
Defence Forces
Questions (52)
Catherine Callaghan
Question:52. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including Defence Forces infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33458/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any capital projects in Kilkenny over the past five years.
Military Aircraft
Questions (53)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:53. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his attention or the attention of his officials has been drawn to the problem of demand for jet fuel from military activity straining supplies of jet fuel stocks for civilian aviation. [33334/26]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the war in the Middle East, my Department has convened the Oil Security of Supply Group, which consists of relevant Government Departments and Agencies, in addition to Fuels for Ireland and oil companies. This Group meets on a weekly basis (with additional meetings as required). At the meeting of 29 April, industry confirmed that they had secured supply, including jet fuel, into June, which is the standard horizon.
Oil industry representatives have noted they are sourcing jet fuel from alternative sources given ongoing issues with the Strait of Hormuz. The issue referenced by the Deputy has not been raised within this Group.
Solar Energy Guidelines
Questions (54, 55, 56, 89)
Barry Ward
Question:54. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the SEAI solar PV grant scheme; if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the qualifying criteria that prevents homes built after 2021 from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31860/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:55. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on the merits of expanding the SEAI solar PV grant scheme to include all homes including new builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31861/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:56. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on whether the existing policy related to the SEAI solar PV grant scheme that excludes homes built after 2021 is equitable; if this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31862/26]
View answer
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:89. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on the ineligibility of homes built after 2021 for the SEAI grant (details supplied); the reason for this; if there are plans to amend the eligibility criteria in order that owners of homes built after this date can access the grant ensuring that energy and climate objectives are furthered and ensuring that the scheme is fair, effective and fit for purpose in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32485/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55, 56 and 89 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides grant support of up to €1,800 for domestic solar PV installations. Grants are available to support installations to houses built and occupied prior to 2021.
Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in 2022, the scheme has gone strength to strength. 10,000 homes received support in 2022 followed by 22,214 in 2023 and 28,000 in 2024. Last year, over 33,000 installations were supported. This looks likely to continue into 2026 with over 10,000 applications to the end of March, a 65% increase year on year. This high level of demand and delivery indicates that the scheme is working well and that citizens recognise the significant benefits of investing in solar PV.
The current scheme built on the success of a previous pilot version of the grant scheme. As part of the transition between schemes, the eligibility criteria were changed from those houses built prior to 2011, to those built prior to 2021. This increased the number of homes eligible for grant support.
New build homes must follow Part L of the Building Regulations, which relates to the energy performance of buildings requirements. The cost of installing solar PV systems during the new build process is significantly lower than for existing homes.
Targeting the grant scheme at older homes makes the most efficient use of limited Exchequer funding for the scheme. There are no plans to change the building year requirement but grant eligibility is kept under review.
The Deputy may wish to note that new homes can obtain a zero percent VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels. This is a permanent change that came into effect from 1 May 2023. This measure underlines the Government’s commitment to help households save money on their energy bills.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce was formed to?identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households. The Taskforce is now leading the response to the energy shock, and the immediate associated energy affordability challenge. This work includes examining how to support increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades and continued development of the SEAI's schemes in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.
Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 54.
Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 54.
Energy Policy
Questions (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:57. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures in place to ensure that households where a resident is medically dependent on electrically powered equipment, including 24-hour oxygen, are prioritised under the SEAI solar PV scheme vulnerable customer pathway; if such households are considered automatically eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31905/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:58. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether an appeals process exists for applicants refused support under the SEAI solar PV scheme vulnerable customer pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31907/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:59. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will publish the eligibility criteria and decision-making guidance used by SEAI staff when assessing applications under the solar PV scheme vulnerable customer pathway, including any criteria relating to medical dependency on electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31908/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:60. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider introducing a specific fast-track approval route under the SEAI solar PV scheme for households where electricity costs have increased significantly due to the presence of medically essential equipment such as oxygen concentrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31909/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:61. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will review whether the current eligibility criteria for the SEAI solar PV scheme vulnerable customer pathway is fit for purpose given the significant increase in households caring for medically dependent relatives at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31910/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:62. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department engages with the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Health to ensure that households caring for medically dependent persons are protected from excessive electricity costs and supported through targeted energy upgrade grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31911/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 and 62 together.
The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme is a targeted scheme for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for customers/households who are registered on the life support category of the Priority Services Register where their home was built and occupied on or before 31 December 2020.
This register is maintained by the energy suppliers as required by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. The definition of Vulnerable Customers is set out in Regulation 2 of Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 463/2011.
Current best practice as conducted by suppliers allows customers to self-register as ‘priority vulnerable’ (those customers dependent on life protective equipment), or ‘special-services vulnerable’ (those customers who require additional protection from being unduly affected during the Winter months). A supplier may require a customer to demonstrate eligibility for inclusion on their register which may necessitate the provision of medical confirmation of vulnerability.
The Solar PV for Medically Vulnerable Scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in conjunction with energy suppliers, with each energy supplier contacting their own eligible customers directly, in line with the work plans for their solar PV installers. Eligible households can avail of a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system, including survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER.
It is important to note that suppliers, who manage the administrative aspects of the scheme under the SEAI, issue offers to eligible homeowners. Each participating supplier received an allocated amount of funding under their Memorandum of Understanding with the SEAI and contacts eligible households in batches, based on operational capacity.
I am advised that over 470 systems were installed last year with expenditure of €2.4 million. This year will see a major expansion of delivery with an allocation of €11.7 million to support over 1,900 homes.
Government has established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. I chair the Taskforce, and its membership includes representatives of various Government Departments, including the Department of Social Protection and crucial energy sector stakeholders.
In relation to the availability of support under the Additional Needs Payment, operated by the Department of Social Protection, this can be provided in any circumstance where the Community Welfare Service Officer is satisfied that the need exists, and that the person concerned cannot meet that need from their own resources. Additional Needs Payments are designed to help people on low incomes who face difficulty in meeting essential costs, including as a consequence of cost-of-living increases. It includes an emergency facility for people who need help quickly to meet costs of essentials such as energy.
Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 57.
Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 57.
Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 57.
Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 57.
Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 57.
Departmental Data
Questions (63)
Duncan Smith
Question:63. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide detailed information regarding all notices of dispute received by the State under the Energy Charter Treaty; the number of notices received, the subject matter of the disputes, the identities of the potential claimants and the amounts referenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31928/26]
View answerWritten answers
Four notices of dispute have been received under Article 26 of the Energy Charter Treaty. Given the potential for arbitration, it is not appropriate for me to provide any further details at this time.