Micheál Martin
Ceist:109. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he met the Mayor of New York when he visited the city. [30537/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTaoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (109, 112, 120)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:112. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to New York on 1 July 2018; the persons who travelled with him; and the meetings he attended. [30076/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:120. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent trip to the United States of America and the meetings he had there. [30692/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 112 and 120 together.
I travelled to New York on Sunday 1 July to take part in a series of events marking the launch of Ireland’s election campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term.
I was joined at a number of these events by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, Minister of State Kehoe, Minister of State Cannon, and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Mark Mellett.
I was accompanied by a small delegation from my Department which included my Chief of Staff, an Assistant Secretary General, the Assistant Government Press Secretary, my Private Secretary, and a Security Officer from An Garda Síochána.
Since joining the UN in 1955, Ireland has made a sustained contribution to the international community’s efforts to tackle important global challenges like peace and security, human rights, international development, climate change and sustainable development.
We have always sought to be an active and fair member of the international community and we have a responsibility to actively engage with the UN.
Ireland’s candidature for the UN Security Council will deepen our UN engagement. It is central to our international agenda and underpinned by our strategy to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025.
The Government is committed to conducting a vigorous campaign over the next two years, before the election in June 2020.
This will involve intensive engagement with all Member States at UNHQ in New York and in their capitals, to convince them of Ireland’s value as a candidate and what we bring to the UN. The campaign will be premised on three key themes: Empathy, Partnership and Independence, and will be led in the first instance by Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Geraldine Byrne Nason.
On Sunday evening, as part of their support for Ireland’s campaign, U2 hosted international diplomats based at the UN at their concert in Madison Square Garden. The Irish Government delegation was also in attendance.
On Monday morning, I participated in a ceremony to pay tribute to the 88 members of the Defence Forces who have lost their lives during the 60 years of Ireland’s participation on UN peacekeeping operations.
Later that day, I also met with a group of UN African Permanent Representatives to discuss the Ireland-Africa relationship and the need to work together on building greater peace and stability on the continent and developing more economic opportunities.
The official launch event took place on the North Lawn of UN Headquarters on Monday evening. The Tánaiste and I were joined by former President Mary Robinson and U2’s Bono for the event which was attended by over 400 UN diplomats and was a wonderful celebration of Irish food, music, heritage and culture.
While in New York I also participated in a number of other events.
I attended a networking lunch hosted by Ireland’s Consul General in New York with some young Irish people working in the city who are contacts of the Consulate. In extending invitations, the Consulate sought to ensure representation of young Irish and Irish-Americans from a diverse range of sectors, including media, finance, tech and the arts, as well as gender balance.
Before returning home on Tuesday, I visited the New York Stock Exchange where I attended a breakfast meeting with a group of business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs supported by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and had the opportunity to ring the opening bell.
I did not meet with the Mayor of New York on my recent visit.
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Ceisteanna (110)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:110. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee A (Economy) last met. [30538/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The most recent meeting of Cabinet Committee A took place on Monday, 9 July 2018. A date for the next meeting is currently been discussed.
State Visits
Ceisteanna (111)
Clare Daly
Ceist:111. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach the estimated cost to the State of the upcoming visit of Pope Francis in view of the fact that it is a private rather than a State visit. [30033/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While this is not a formal state visit it will be a major event for Ireland, with a high degree of public participation and a high international profile. The involvement of civil authorities and various agencies in the visit and related costs will be as appropriate for an official visit by a Head of State, similar to previous high-profile visits to Ireland. This will include security, public safety, protocol and co-ordination.
The majority of the costs for the visit will be borne by the Office of Public Works.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 109.
Data Protection
Ceisteanna (113)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:113. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the training his Department and agencies under its aegis will receive on GDPR legislation; and when it will be completed. [30077/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as the Contracting Authority has issued a request for tenders in relation to the award of a contract for the provision of service to deliver training for Data Protection Officers in the civil service and bodies across the public sector. It is understood that the tenders submitted have been assessed and that the winning tenderer will be notified shortly. My Department's Data Protection Officer (DPO) will attend that training.
The DPO and a number of other staff have already attended training courses on the GDPR. In addition, the DPO has briefed the various Divisions in my Department on the GDPR and an information note was issued to all staff when the GDPR was coming into effect in May. Training on the GDPR will be extended to more staff in the autumn and it is intended that training will be completed before the end of the year.
Constitutional Convention Agenda
Ceisteanna (114)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:114. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Taoiseach the Departments, legal experts and groups that made presentations to the Constitutional Convention in the context of its consideration of Article 41.2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30150/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Convention on the Constitution considered amending the clause on the role of women in the home at its second plenary meeting of 16-17 February 2013.
Over the course of two days, the Convention considered submissions made by members of the public and heard presentations from a wide range of academics, political scientists, legal experts and advocacy groups. It also held a panel discussion with a number of interest groups and academics.
The outcome of the Convention’s deliberations at the plenary meeting and its recommendations on the issue are set out in its Second Report, as presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas and published in 2013. Details of the plenary meeting schedule and the names of those who gave presentations can be found in the Report. The Report is available on the Convention website.
The Deputy will note that the selection of bodies to present was a matter for the Convention to decide upon as per the Convention’s Rules and Procedures, and in accordance with the terms of the Resolution of the Houses of the Oireachtas of July, 2012.
Constitutional Convention Agenda
Ceisteanna (115)
Clare Daly
Ceist:115. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach if the need for a new Constitution to reflect the values of Ireland today will be addressed; and the process for developing same. [30413/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are no plans for a new Constitution. As stated in the Programme for Government "achieving political and constitutional reform will be the responsibility of every member elected to Dáil Éireann. Reform will require constant pursuit throughout the lifetime of the next parliament".
Ministerial Travel
Ceisteanna (116)
Niall Collins
Ceist:116. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the cost of travel expenses for him and those that travel with him since his appointment. [30518/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost of foreign and domestic travel expenses for me and those who travelled with me on official business since my appointment is as follows:
June 2017 - December 2017 - €118,245.32
January 2018 – end June 2018 - €108,894.43
The figures above include, but are not limited to, expenditure on items such as flights, hotel accommodation, rail tickets, bus and taxi fares, ground transport and subsistence payments. The 2018 figures to date are provisional and may be subject to revision once credit notes/refunds are processed in a small number of cases.
Not all invoices relating to travel undertaken in the first half of 2018 have been received.
I have not made any claims for subsistence allowance while on official travel abroad or within Ireland since my appointment as Taoiseach.
As Taoiseach, I regularly travel to participate in formal and informal meetings of the European Council, in Brussels and elsewhere. Particularly in the context of Brexit, I also place a high importance on engaging actively with fellow Heads of State and Government, both within the EU and more widely, to ensure that Ireland’s interests and concerns are fully appreciated and understood.
In keeping with the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy, I also use international visits to promote Ireland’s trade, culture, investment and enterprise interests, as well as to engage with Irish communities and to hear at first hand their experiences and concerns.
On my visits I am accompanied by a small delegation, comprising senior officials/advisers and members of my private office, according to the particular requirements of the programme. The Minister of State for European Affairs also accompanies me to meetings of the European Council and on other European engagements as appropriate, however her travel expenses are met by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Detailed information on foreign travel costs for myself, my Advisers and senior officials, as well as costs related to the Government Chief Whip and Ministers of State are published on a monthly basis on my Department's website, once finalised.
Freedom of Information Requests
Ceisteanna (117)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:117. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of FOI requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number of refusals; and the number that have been appealed and that are ongoing. [30576/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department received 299 Freedom of Information requests from the start of this year to the end of June. Of these, 187 requests were granted or part granted, 20 requests were refused and no records were held in relation to 38 requests. 10 requests were withdrawn or handled outside FOI, 1 request was transferred and 43 requests were ongoing at the end of June.
There were 12 requests for internal reviews of decisions made by my Department and no appeals have been made to the Office of the Information Commissioner.
Vacancies on State Boards
Ceisteanna (118)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:118. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the number of vacancies on State boards under the remit of his Department. [30593/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are no vacancies on state boards under the remit of my Department.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Ceisteanna (119)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [30691/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister May on the margins of the EU Council in Brussels on June 28.
We discussed the current political situation in Northern Ireland where I emphasised my Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and we re-affirmed the determination of both Governments to secure the effective operation of all its institutions.
In line with this, we agreed that a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place in London on 25 July in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement and which will be co-chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister David Lidington.
We also discussed Brexit and I told Prime Minister May very clearly that there is not much time left if we are to conclude a Withdrawal Agreement and have it operational by the time the UK leaves.
The UK gave clear commitments and guarantees in December and again in March, and we need to see detailed, workable proposals from them to deliver on these commitments. I told the Prime Minister that the EU27 agreed that, if we don’t get agreement on a backstop or on the other outstanding elements, it won’t be possible to finalise the Withdrawal Agreement as a whole, including the transition arrangements.
I have always said that I hope the future relationship between the EU and the UK will be as close and comprehensive as possible, and that it will remove any need for a hard border.
But it will not, in any way, remove the need for a legally robust backstop to apply unless and until better arrangements enter into force, ensuring that there will never be a hard border on this island, whatever circumstances prevail.
While I am hopeful that we will achieve a very close, comprehensive and ambitious future relationship with the UK, the government is of course continuing to plan for the full range of scenarios.
I also spoke with PM May by phone on Saturday 7 July when she briefed me on the outcome of her Cabinet Meeting in Chequers the previous day. I told her I looked forward to seeing greater detail on their proposals which we would discuss with the Barnier Task Force and the other Member States.
Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 109.
Cabinet Committee Meetings
Ceisteanna (121)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:121. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E (Health) last met. [30693/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Cabinet Committee E (Health) last met on 11 April 2018. A date for the next meeting is currently being discussed. In addition to meetings of the Cabinet Committee, Senior Officials meet on a regular basis to advance particular issues.
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (122)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:122. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the number of public sector jobs offered as internal competitions or restricted to existing civil service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018. [31556/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In common with all other government departments, staff in my Department are mainly recruited through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) through open and inter-departmental competitions.
In 2017, one officer in my Department was promoted by way of an internal competition. By comparison, thirty-six officers were appointed to my Department in 2017 by way of PAS competitions, of which twenty-nine were by way of open competitions (including two appointments at Assistant Secretary level).
To date in 2018, three officers in my Department have been promoted by way of an internal competition. Again, by comparison, twenty officers have been appointed to my Department to date in 2018 by way of PAS competitions, of which eleven were by way of open competitions.
Vacancies are also filled through mobility schemes (e.g. Senior Public Service) and secondments from other Government Departments and the public service.
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (123, 124, 125)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:123. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the detail of the recruitment process of the new Maor in the Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:124. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the detail of the recruitment process for the new lands management team in the Curragh plains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30044/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:125. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of persons that have already been recruited to the new lands management team in the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 125, inclusive, together.
The position of the Maor of the Curragh is held by a Civilian Employee engaged by my Department. In accordance with agreed procedures under industrial relations mechanisms for the filling of such posts, the vacant position of Maor of the Curragh was advertised amongst serving eligible civilian staff in the Defence Forces Training Centre in November 2017. Following a selection process the post was filled in April 2018 by the promotion of a serving employee.
In addition to filling the position of Maor, it is intended to fill the lands management positions by way of a competitive process later in the year.
It is also intended to undertake a procurement process in the coming months for a new environmental maintenance contract.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (126)
Colm Brophy
Ceist:126. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has identified laws which are dependent on or in place as a consequence of Article 41.2 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30097/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are no laws relating to the work of my Department which would appear to be relevant in the context of the Deputy's question.