Written Answers Nos. 1-20
1. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Taoiseach if a schedule of contracts will be provided that his Department and bodies under his aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and/or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40426/26]
View answerNeither the Department of the Taoiseach nor the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of the Department - have awarded contracts to the organisation in question.
2. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the priorities the Government has identified for Ireland's upcoming EU presidency; and which of these measures will be aimed specifically at reducing the cost of energy. [39679/26]
View answerIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December of this year. The Presidency will be an opportunity for Ireland to play an important role in leading and shaping the EU’s policy and legislative agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026.
As Presidency, Ireland will take forward an ambitious agenda, seeking to serve the Union’s collective interests and respond to Europe’s most pressing and urgent needs, while preparing the Union to face the challenges of the future.
Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are well underway, both here in Ireland and in Brussels. Our priorities and policy programme for the Presidency are now being finalised and will be published in mid-June.
The Strategic Agenda for the Union for the period up to 2029 has provided the principal backdrop for the development of our Presidency priorities which have also been informed by extensive consultation with partners across Europe.
Ireland will set out an agenda which we believe reflects a shared understanding of the issues and objectives that will require the attention of the Council in the coming months, to allow us to deliver in a meaningful way for our citizens across the Union.
Bearing this in mind, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also undertaken a process of public consultation to help inform the development of Ireland's priorities. An open call for public submissions was launched in late 2025, allowing all stakeholders and interested parties the opportunity to have their say on the development of Ireland’s EU Presidency policy programme. The 484 written submissions received have helped to inform the development of our Presidency priorities.
Reflecting all of this, the Irish Presidency will focus its work on three thematic pillars: the areas of competitiveness, values and security. These core themes are mutually reinforcing, and will guide all aspects of the Irish Presidency’s work. Specific measures to address the energy challenges we face, including objectives noted in the recently-published One Europe, One Market Roadmap, will be central to the competitiveness agenda and to our overall priorities.
Ireland has a proud record of success from our previous Presidency terms and we are confident that with the support of our partners we will again be able to make a significant and positive contribution to the EU through our 2026 Presidency.
3. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to seek the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement during Ireland's EU Presidency, considering Israel's ongoing crimes against humanity; if the Government will enact the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40382/26]
View answer10. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the efforts the Government has made to suspend the EU-Israeli Association Trade Agreement since January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40650/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 10 together.
Ireland has consistently called for concrete EU action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles.
In February 2024, Ireland was the first EU Member State, together with Spain, to call for a review of Israel’s compliance with its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. In subsequent meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, Ireland repeatedly called for an urgent review of Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Agreement. It is clear from the now finalised review that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations under the Agreement.
In September 2025, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a package of measures in response to Israel’s human rights violations and other breaches of international law. Ireland has been clear that these measures should be kept on the table and has raised these issues at successive meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council.
In advance of the April 2026 Foreign Affairs Council, the Foreign Ministers of Ireland, Spain and Slovenia wrote to the HR/VP requesting a discussion of the EU-Israel Association Agreement at the next meeting of Ministers. The Ministers of all three countries called for the suspension of the Association Agreement at that time, and called for action on the proposal by the European Commission to suspend the trade elements of the Association Agreement if agreement cannot be reached on suspension of the Association Agreement as a whole.
At the Foreign Affairs Council on 11 May, I again called on EU partners to re-consider the proposal to suspend the trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement. I also requested that the Commission bring forward a proposal to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements on the basis of EU Common Commercial Policy, and for decision at the June Foreign Affairs Council.
At this meeting, political agreement was also reached on the imposition of sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers and entities.
On 21 May, I attended the Trade configuration of the Foreign Affairs Council where I reiterated my call on the Commission to immediately bring forward proposals to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
On 26 May, the Government approved the text of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026. 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. Once the Bill is enacted and commenced, the importation of goods originating in the settlements into Ireland will be an offence under section 14 of the Customs Act 2015.
It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level. This will have greater impact. The Government will continue to actively pursue this.
4. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a schedule of contracts will be provided that her Department and bodies under her aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and/or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40418/26]
View answerMy Department has had no contractual arrangements with the company mentioned. There are no bodies or agencies under my aegis.
5. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to expedite a passport application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40433/26]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
6. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is a requirement for same-sex parents of children born prior to 2020, to submit court orders to the Passport Office justifying the presence of both parents on a birth certificate when provided as supporting documentation for a child's first time passport application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40449/26]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act”). Section 7(1)(a) of that Act provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for a passport to be issued. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit evidence that they are an Irish citizen and, as such, are entitled to a passport. Section 12(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that the Minister shall refuse to issue a passport to a person if the Minister is not satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen.
Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 ("the 1956 Act"), as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation. The 1956 Act is under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
Additionally, section 14 of the 2008 Act sets out who must consent to the issuing of a passport to a child and the circumstances in which that consent can be dispensed with. It is necessary in the case of every passport application for a child to establish who the relevant guardians are for the purposes of the 2008 Act.
In order to protect the integrity of the passport system, first time passport application for a child require careful consideration, having regard to the individual circumstances of each case and the applicable legislation, in order to determine the child’s entitlement to a passport. Applications involving Donor Assisted Human Reproduction or other complex matters relating to citizenship and guardianship may require additional supporting documents in this regard.
With regards to the specific cases to which, I understand, the Deputy is referring, passports have issued to the applicants.
7. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to expedite a passport to accommodate visa requirements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40454/26]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
8. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement she has had with American officials on the possibility of Donald Trump attending the Irish Open this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40501/26]
View answerAt the time of writing, no confirmation of attendance by President Trump at this September's Irish Open has been received.
Officials in my Department engage with their U.S. counterparts on an ongoing basis across all areas of our bilateral relationship, including on the planning of high-level political visits.
9. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of engagements she has had with American officials in 2026; the number of times the topic of sanctioning the state of Israel was raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40502/26]
View answerAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I engage extensively with a wide range of officials from the United States. In addition to meetings with U.S. representatives in Ireland, I visited Washington DC in February and undertook a St. Patrick’s Day programme in Boston in March. These conversations cover a wide range of Irish interests, including setting out Irish positions on the Middle East.
11. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40666/26]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
12. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if a schedule of contracts will be provided that his Department and bodies under his aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and/or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40412/26]
View answerMy Department has no record of any contracts with the company in question. In relation to its subsidiaries, my Department does not hold information on the company’s corporate structure. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency and as such the Deputy may wish to contact those agencies directly. Contact details are set out in the table for ease of reference.
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List of Agencies under the aegis of Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment |
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Bord na Móna |
oireachtas@brm.ie |
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CRU |
oireachtas@cru.ie |
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Eirgrid |
oireachtas@eirgrid.com |
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EPA |
oireachtasqueries@epa.ie |
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ESB |
oireachtas@esb.ie |
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IFI |
oireachtas@fisheries.ie |
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INPC |
enquiries@nora.ie |
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Loughs Agency |
oireachtasqueries@loughs-agency.org |
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MARA |
oireachtas@mara.gov.ie |
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NORA |
enquiries@nora.ie |
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SEAI |
oireachtas@seai.ie |
13. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Defence if a schedule of contracts will be provided that her Department and bodies under her aegis have had with an organisation (details supplied) and/or its subsidiaries; the value of each; the type and/or name of each project; if any project has been abandoned, paused, put on hold and completed; if any projects over ran on cost and delivery; and if so, the details of same. [40414/26]
View answerI am advised by the Defence Forces that the following payments have been made to Indra Group companies since 2015. These payments represent low value one-off purchases, and do not form part of a contract.
No contracts have been awarded to the Indra Group or its subsidiaries in this timeframe.
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Date |
Name |
Amount € |
Description |
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06/05/2020 |
Indra Navia AS |
711.00 |
Irish Air Corps - power supply equipment including freight |
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12/02/2015 |
Indra Navia AS |
979.00 |
Irish Air Corps - power supply equipment including freight |
14. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Defence her plans to improve the working and living conditions of cadets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40486/26]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Improving the working and living conditions of personnel, including cadets, remains a key priority for me as Minister for Defence. Significant progress has been made in recent years through sustained investment in Defence Forces infrastructure and personnel supports.
Under the revised National Development Plan, a total capital allocation of €1.7 billion has been secured for the Defence Vote to 2030, representing a 55% increase on the previous baseline, with the 2026 allocation increasing to €300 million. This enhanced investment includes support to a wide range of infrastructure developments aimed at improving living conditions across military installations.
Since the launch of the Infrastructure Development Plan in 2020, 13 accommodation projects have been completed at a cost of approximately €49 million, delivering 775 beds across locations including the Curragh, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Haulbowline and Gormanston. Further projects are planned and underway, including refurbishment works in Collins Barracks, Stephens Barracks, Cathal Brugha Barracks and the Curragh, as well as modular accommodation in Haulbowline.
In addition, wider infrastructural improvements such as a new Cadet Training School, new dining halls, gymnasiums and a medical facility at Casement Aerodrome, will further enhance the daily living and working environment for personnel.
In terms of conditions, cadets currently receive accommodation and meals free of charge for the duration of their training, as part of their overall package. Pay and conditions for cadets remain under active consideration. I have engaged with the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers on the issue of cadet pay, which is currently being examined under the Conciliation and Arbitration process. There are also mechanisms within the Public Service Pay Agreement, including the Local Bargaining process, which provide opportunities to address pay and conditions into the future.
Overall, continued investment in infrastructure, together with ongoing engagement on pay and conditions, reflects my commitment to improving the working and living environment for cadets and all Defence Forces personnel.
15. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence to outline the justification for the maximum limit of 100 days in a calendar year for reservists undertaking supplemental military service (SMS) in support of Permanent Defence Force or Reserve Defence Force activities; the reason the SMS limit is capped at 100 days rather than permitting service of up to 365 days in a calendar year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40527/26]
View answer16. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence the way in which a reservist undertaking supplemental military service (SMS) can be deployed overseas for a period of six months, interoperating with the Permanent Defence Force, when SMS is currently limited to a maximum of 100 days in a calendar year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40528/26]
View answer17. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence the way in which reservists undertaking supplemental military service (SMS) can effectively support the Permanent Defence Force during Ireland’s EU Presidency when the maximum period of SMS service available between 1 June 2026 and 31 December 2026 is limited to 58 days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40529/26]
View answer18. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence to outline whether under the new Department of Defence guidance governing supplemental military service (SMS), a reservist must now voluntarily apply for SMS and obtain prior Ministerial approval in order to undertake Reserve Defence Force (RDF) recruitment activities, RDF administrative activities or to instruct on RDF training activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40530/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 16, 17 and 18 together.
The Defence Amendment Act 2021 provides for Voluntary Supplemental Military Service (SMS), to allow Reserve Defence Force (RDF) members to undertake activities to support the Permanent Defence Force (PDF).
The Act provides that members of the RDF may notify their availability to deploy to undertake Defence Forces tasks and, where it is determined that there is a particular deficiency in skills or expertise in the PDF or it is otherwise in the best interests of the Defence Forces, Ministerial approval may be provided for such activity.
The Act further provides that SMS activity will not exceed the prescribed number of days within a 12-month period and Defence Force Regulation R5 sets the prescribed number of days at 100. I have sought, and am awaiting, legal advice from the Attorney General on this limit. In the interim, the 100 days maximum has been applied, on a pro rata basis, for 2026 i.e. 58 days SMS can be undertaken between 1 June to 31 December 2026.
Recently, the Defence Forces distributed, to all RDF members, the Guidance Instruction on the administration requirements of SMS which included the relevant categories of RDF activity and the application forms. It is anticipated that the Defence Forces will be submitting the initial consolidated 2026 applications for Ministerial approval in the coming days.
This is a positive and transformational initiative that will codify the broad spectrum of activities that can be undertaken by the RDF and ensure that the professional skills of members of the Reserve are fully utilised.
19. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any equipment, software, avionics, communications systems, sensor systems, mission systems, cybersecurity systems, electronic warfare components, or other defence-related technologies currently in operational use within the Defence Forces were manufactured, developed, licensed, or supplied by companies headquartered in Israel or by subsidiaries of Israeli defence or technology firms; and if she will provide a category-level breakdown of such systems. [40580/26]
View answer20. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any assessment has been undertaken by her Department or the Defence Forces regarding the procurement, operational use, maintenance, licensing, or integration of Israeli-origin defence technologies or software within Defence Forces platforms or systems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40581/26]
View answer22. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department maintains any policy, guidance framework, procurement restriction, ethical screening mechanism, or due diligence process relating to the acquisition or use of defence-related systems, software, or technologies originating from jurisdictions subject to significant international controversy or armed conflict; and if she will provide details. [40583/26]
View answer23. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Defence Forces or her Department maintain a register, inventory classification, or procurement record identifying the country of origin of major defence-related software, avionics, communications systems, sensors, or mission-critical technologies currently in use across Defence Forces platforms. [40584/26]
View answer24. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any third-party systems integrators, subcontractors, or original equipment manufacturers involved in Defence Forces procurement programmes utilise Israeli-developed software, firmware, avionics architecture, cybersecurity tools, sensor technology, or communications systems as part of integrated defence platforms supplied to the State. [40585/26]
View answer25. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Department or Defence Forces require prime defence contractors to disclose the origin country of embedded software, avionics systems, communications architecture, sensors, mission systems, or cybersecurity components supplied under State defence procurement contracts. [40586/26]
View answer26. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any review has been undertaken of the extent to which foreign-origin defence software, firmware, avionics systems, communications systems, or mission-critical technologies used by the Defence Forces are dependent on ongoing licensing, remote servicing, software support, or update agreements with external suppliers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40587/26]
View answer27. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any contractual provisions exist permitting the State to restrict, remove, replace, or refuse embedded defence technologies originating from specific jurisdictions within Defence Forces procurement programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40588/26]
View answer28. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether any legal, procurement, export-control, sanctions-compliance, ethical, or strategic-risk assessment was carried out before entering into contracts involving defence platforms or systems which may contain embedded technologies originating from third-country defence manufacturers or subcontractors; and if she will provide details of the framework applied. [40589/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 together.
The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces for the acquisition of goods and services. This is an EU law requirement and is in accordance with the Defence and Security Directive.
Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders following advertising of the tender competition on the e-tenders site and on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), where appropriate.
Trade policy and market access are largely EU competencies, and such tender competitions are open to any company or country, subject to the terms of all UN, OSCE and EU arms embargoes or restrictions. The Department of Defence is required to deal impartially with all companies that are entitled to enter tender competitions and tenders must be evaluated on the basis of objective criteria. EU procurement rules direct that defensive equipment contracts be awarded on a merit based system having regard to selection and award criteria published in the competition concerned.
The ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 has made it clear that all States must abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the occupied Palestinian territory that may entrench its unlawful presence there.
Directive 2009/81/EC sets out European rules for public procurement in the fields of defence and security and applies in principle to all contracts for the procurement of military equipment, works and services as well as procurement of sensitive supplies, works and services for security purposes. This Directive allows for certain exclusions or restrictions to access to tender competitions by third country bidders.
Since the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, the Department has included provisions in its tender documentation regarding the right to reject offers from third countries, which includes Israel, on defence and security grounds, in line with the Commission guidance on the procurement of defensive equipment under Directive 2009/18/EU.
There is currently no intention to purchase military equipment from Israel.
