Niamh Smyth
Ceist:120. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expedite passport applications (details supplied) [22406/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassport Services
Ceisteanna (120)
Freagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for two of the applications were received on 9th May 2024. Further supporting documents for the final application was received on the 26th April 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. The applications are within the turnaround time and have not yet reached their issue by dates.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (121)
James Lawless
Ceist:121. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22413/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (122, 130, 136)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:122. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure the processing of a passport renewal for a child, who is due to take part in a football tournament in Spain (details supplied), will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22417/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Pa Daly
Ceist:130. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application can be expedited (details supplied). [22651/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJames Lawless
Ceist:136. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22814/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 130 and 136 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.
The public offices of the Passport Service in Dublin 2 and in Cork operate a four-day Urgent Appointment service for renewal applicants. The Dublin office also offers a one-day Urgent Appointment service. Applicants who have already submitted a passport application can book an urgent appointment and visit the Passport Service office to apply for a passport. Once a passport has been issued, their original application will be cancelled and the fee will be refunded. Further information on the Urgent Appointment service is available at: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/urgent-appointment/
I strongly encourage the Deputies to advise their constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is now used by more than 90% of applicants worldwide.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (123, 144)
James Lawless
Ceist:123. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will examine an issue regarding a passport application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22419/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Joe Flaherty
Ceist:144. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update regarding a delay in issuing a business passport (details supplied). [22969/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 144 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (124, 125)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of, and supports, Ireland's signature of a statement (details supplied); if the position outlined in same is reflective of official policy of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22525/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:125. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Irish Embassy in Israel sought political direction from his Department prior to signing or issuing particular statements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22548/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.
The Israeli Government is in no doubt as to where Ireland stands on the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv continue to make an important and significant contribution in this regard, and constantly engage with all parts of the Israeli government and administration to communicate Ireland’s position.
It is entirely appropriate that our public diplomacy efforts should reflect our policy position on the right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. This includes marking the occasion of Israeli National Day.
Regarding the local EU Statement on Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, this statement was issued locally by EU Embassies in Tel Aviv, with the awareness of the Department of Foreign Affairs. All EU Embassies participated. Its purpose was to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Israel. The Government is strongly committed to holocaust remembrance and to combatting antisemitism.
Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 124.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (126)
James Lawless
Ceist:126. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22582/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 13 May 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
Foreign Birth Registration
Ceisteanna (127)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:127. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22609/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service will review the application and will contact the applicant directly.
Humanitarian Aid
Ceisteanna (128)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the catastrophic flooding, due to never-seen-before levels of rain, that has been devastating the south Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul (details supplied); and the actions the Government is taking to provide support to those affected by this crisis. [22644/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries resulting from the recent flooding in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, and am aware of the many difficulties that the floods have caused, and continue to cause, for those in the region. I want to take this opportunity to extend my sympathies to all of those affected.
To ensure a quick and effective response to crises such as this, Ireland provides funding to pooled humanitarian funds which can quickly disburse funding to organisations on the ground. In 2024, this includes €14 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, €1.4 million to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and €1.4 million to the START Fund, which provides rapid humanitarian funding to non-governmental organisations. In response to the flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, the DREF has allocated US$1 million to the Brazilian Red Cross, which is supporting affected people across the region. The START Fund has allocated €225,000 to the non-governmental organisation CAFOD, which will provide water and cash assistance to affected communities.
Ireland also provides significant development assistance through the European Union. I welcome the recent approval of €1 million of EU humanitarian funding for this crisis, as well as the activation of the EU Copernicus Emergency Management Service, which provides flood and damage assessment mapping.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (129)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:129. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) can be expedited. [22649/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a First Time Application and supporting documents for this application were received on April 29 2024. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
Question No. 130 answered with Question No. 122.
Consular Services
Ceisteanna (131)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:131. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if urgent assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied); if he will ensure their safe return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22660/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I appreciate that the circumstances of this case have been very difficult for the family and the citizen concerned.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of Ireland, Ankara, provided consular assistance to the citizen and their family and I am happy to inform the Deputy that the citizen has now returned to Ireland.
I would like to wish the citizen a full and speedy recovery.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (132)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:132. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the findings of the 2024 UNFPA State of World Population Report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22665/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland is a strong supporter of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The State of the World Population is its annual flagship Report, analysing developments and trends in population and demographics at global and national level. The Tánaiste launched this year's report, with senior representatives of UNFPA and the Chair of the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Dublin on 18 April 2024. The theme of the report was the role racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination play in blocking gains in SRHR for women and girls.
The Report highlights the progress made since the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, which adopted a Programme of Action that recognised clearly that reproductive health, women's empowerment and gender equality are vital for sustainable development.
Nevertheless, we share the concern at setbacks in some areas. Although maternal mortality rates have declined by almost one third globally, progress is uneven and has stalled in many fragile and low-income countries. Between 2016 and 2020, the global annual reduction in maternal death was effectively zero.
It is clear that barriers to healthcare have fallen faster for women of high socioeconomic status. Serious inequalities persist, and still constrain people’s choices in life. The root causes of these systemic inequalities must be addressed, economically, socially and politically to ensure those the furthest behind have full access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to work with UNFPA and other key partners in line with the Government's international development policy, A Better World, which places gender equality at its core and includes firm commitments on sexual and reproductive rights. The policy frames our commitments in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and, in particular, their commitment to reach the furthest behind first.