Written Answers Nos. 70-84
70. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; and the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form. [23475/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 2019 to date in 2024, the Department of the Taoiseach incurred total expenditure of €2,769,053 for advertisements online and on digital media platforms. The bulk of the expenditure from 2020-2022, €2,738,055, related to the dissemination of information related to the COVID-19 pandemic with public information campaigns on a range of online platforms including Google, X (formerly Twitter), Meta (Instagram and Facebook), LinkedIn, Tiktok, Snapchat and Youtube.
The remaining expenditure in this period, of approximately €31,000, relates to campaigns to raise awareness of national weather events, climate action and Budget initiatives as well as public consultations relating to the Future of Media Commission, the Well-being Framework for Ireland and the Department’s Irish Language Scheme. The Department of the Taoiseach engages a media buying company who advise on the media spread across online platforms as appropriate.
71. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach the payments made or due to be made to advisers and staff of the former Taoiseach who left office on his resignation, in tabular form. [23794/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if staff who left on the resignation of the former Taoiseach or any other Minister and who were subsequently appointed to adviser roles by the current Taoiseach or other current Ministers are entitled to receive severance or termination payments; and if so, if any such were made or are scheduled to be made. [23795/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
Ministerial personal staff employed on temporary contracts are entitled to severance/ex-gratia payments, including statutory redundancy, when such contracts are terminated, including following a change of Government. The severance terms are set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and are calculated based on salary, aligned to civil service pay scales, and years’ service. All such severance/ex-gratia payments under these terms are calculated and paid out by the National Shared Services Office and published in the Department’s Appropriation Account. Severance is not payable to staff on secondment from the public service nor to staff who are appointed to another such position across Government within a short space of time.
Following the change of Government on the 9th April 2024, a number of ministerial personal staff at the Department of the Taoiseach had their contracts terminated. The associated severance/ex-gratia payments, including statutory redundancy, are currently being processed by the National Shared Services Office. Details of the final amounts paid will be published in the Department’s 2024 Appropriation Account.
73. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [24030/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland was created on 10 April 2024 and will oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments and ongoing developments related to Northern Ireland.
It is expected to meet during the coming weeks.
A previous Cabinet Committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland met four times since June 2020, on the following dates:
• 29th October 2020
• 4th March 2021
• 27th June 2022
• 23rd November 2023
74. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 14 May 2024, to list previous occasions where the State has recognised a new state in circumstances where the recognised governing body of that state does not have de facto governing authority over its entire territory. [23792/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to list all previous instances where the State has recognised a new state in circumstances where that state had not first been recognised by, and admitted to membership of, the United Nations. [23791/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 87 together.
In international law, the basic characteristics of a State are a governing structure exercising independent and effective control over a human community within a defined territory. However, these are indicative criteria and ultimately the recognition of a State is a political act. For this reason it is not uncommon for a State to be recognised by other States in circumstances where not all of these criteria are clearly or fully satisfied, and a State does not lose recognition should it cease to fulfil one or more of them. For instance, the government of a State under military occupation is unlikely to be able to exercise independent and effective control throughout its territory but a State under occupation does not cease to be one for that reason.
Membership of the United Nations is not a criterion for statehood under international law, and it is not the function of the UN to recognise States. Rather, States are admitted to the UN on request, following a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.
Membership of the United Nations has grown from the 51 ‘original Members’ that signed the UN Charter in 1945 to 193 Member States at present. In fact, many States existed, and enjoyed diplomatic relations with other States, long before becoming UN Member States. For example, Switzerland only became a UN Member State in 2002. Indeed Ireland itself only became a member of the UN in 1955.
In the time available it has not been possible to draw up a full and comprehensive list of all States that Ireland has formally recognised since the foundation of our own State. However, in the last 20 years and excluding the recent recognition of the State of Palestine, there are two examples of particular note. Ireland formally recognised Kosovo as a State on 28 February 2008 and South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
In both instances the exact territory of the State was under some dispute, with the effect that the governing authority in each did not have de facto control over all of the territory claimed by it. Neither State had, at the point that Ireland decided formally to recognise it, become a Member State of the UN. Kosovo is still not a UN Member State, despite having diplomatic relations with over half of the UN’s Member States. South Sudan became a UN Member State on 14 July 2011.
75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review a passport application (details supplied) and expedite same. [23532/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited. [23535/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 17 May 2024. Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days.
77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited. [23536/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue to passport applicants in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for these applications were received on 1 May 2024. A passport has issued to one applicant and the second application is within the current turnaround times and has not yet reached its issue by date.
79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to review a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23600/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland and Iran maintain diplomatic relations. As I have indicated to the Dáil, there are many problems in relations with Iran, but we have always maintained an open dialogue with the Iranian authorities on these issues. As an important state in the Middle East, Iran has significant influence across multiple policy areas. We would hope that Iran would use that influence in a positive manner.
I had a number of conversations in recent months with the late Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, who was killed in an accident on 19 May. We discussed issues connected with the conflict in Gaza, and also tensions and risks of escalation in the wider region. At official level, my Department is in regular contact with the Iranian Embassy here in Dublin. Officials of my Department travelled to Tehran in May 2023 for political consultations on a wide range of current issues. My Department will host a further round of consultations in the near future.
Our engagement with Iran has been enhanced by the reopening of Ireland's Embassy in Tehran. The Embassy is now in operation, in space helpfully provided by the Embassy of Germany. I am awaiting the agrément of the Iranian Government to appoint the Irish Ambassador, which I hope to be able to do soon, and subject to practical issues we plan to open the new Embassy premises early next year.
81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the French government; if he has discussed current civil unrest in New Caledonia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23646/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraProtests and demonstrations, linked to political status and governance issues, led to an outbreak of violence and unrest on the island of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the South Pacific, on 13 May. Since the outbreak of violence, six people have sadly lost their lives and the island is currently under a state of emergency, with the international airport closed. President Macron visited the island on 23 May for discussions, accompanied by Interior Minister Darmanin.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, via Ireland’s embassies in Paris, Wellington and Canberra, are providing consular assistance to Irish citizens in New Caledonia. The Embassy has been notified of eight Irish citizens in New Caledonia since 14 May. Of the eight, one was able to leave on 21 May while consular assistance is being extended to those of the remaining seven citizens who have requested it.
The Department has been proactive in promoting awareness of the situation; travel advice for New Caledonia has been updated on a regular basis since the start of the crisis with information on airport closures a particular focus. As of Wednesday 22 May, while the situation in New Caledonia has calmed, the territory remains in a state of emergency. There is no confirmation as to when commercial flights will resume from La Tontouta International Airport. Flights chartered by France are scheduled to bring tourists out of New Caledonia over the coming days.
Our Embassy in Paris is in close contact with the French authorities to facilitate the departure, at the earliest opportunity, of those Irish citizens seeking to leave New Caledonia. The Embassy in Paris also remains in contact with the French High Commission in New Caledonia, as well as with the French Interior and Foreign Ministries. Given the geographical location of New Caledonia, the Irish Embassies in Wellington and Canberra are also monitoring events closely and liaising with interlocutors on this matter.
82. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23647/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on his Department's engagements and general relations between Ireland and Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23953/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 91 together.
My EU colleagues and I regularly engage with our Georgian counterparts on a range of issues, including bilateral relations, Georgia’s EU membership perspective and, more recently, our concerns regarding increased democratic backsliding in the country.
The Georgian Foreign Minister, Ilia Darchiashivili, visited Dublin on 13-16 September last. I hosted a working lunch for the Minister on 14 September, and we discussed issues of common interest and concern. Our meeting was primarily focused on Georgia’s EU membership aspirations. We also signed a Memorandum of Understanding enhancing Georgia-Ireland relations across a range of areas.
I reaffirmed to Minister Darchiashvili that the European Union is a union of values, and emphasised that the best way to secure Georgia’s progress towards EU membership is by demonstrating genuine commitment to European values and to the human rights of all citizens.
Foreign Minister Darchiashvili also had meetings with the Minister of State for European Affairs, Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, as well as with parliamentarians.
The Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister, Teimuraz Janjalia, subsequently visited Dublin on 5-6 December. He had meetings with Minister of State for European Affairs Peter Burke, and met separately with parliamentarians. The focus of the visit was on Georgia’s progress towards EU accession. A Georgian parliamentary delegation also visited Dublin in December to discuss diaspora issues with Minister of State Fleming.
Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs travelled to Tblisi in January this year for comprehensive bilateral political consultations, led by the Deputy Foreign Minister, Teimuraz Janjalia on the Georgian side, with a focus on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as Georgia’s EU membership aspirations.
Ireland will continue to engage with Georgian counterparts, particularly to emphasize that EU accession is a merit-based process, and to highlight our concerns regarding democratic backsliding. The adoption of legislation on the “transparency of foreign influence” by the Georgian parliament, in the face of strong international criticism, and the disproportionate use of force against those protesting the legislation, are not in line with fundamental EU values and norms. I have made this clear in my public statements and we continue to urge the Georgian government to withdraw the legislation.
83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Moldova; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23648/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland enjoys warm bilateral relations with Moldova, and I and my colleagues in Government regularly engage with our Moldovan counterparts on issues of importance.
In December, Ireland supported the European Council decision to open accession negotiations with Moldova, with the negotiating framework to be adopted once Moldova had met certain key outstanding requirements. This was in recognition of the significant progress that Moldova has made in implementing the required reforms.
I reiterated this support when I met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Moldova Mihail Popsoi in February at the Munich Security Conference. I spoke of the transformational effect EU membership has had on Ireland and my wish for the Moldovan people to share in a similar transformation.
The Taoiseach met with Prime Minister Dorin Recean in January at Davos, and further emphasised Ireland’s support for Moldova, particularly in the context of the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Moldova.
Then Minister of State for European Affairs, Peter Burke TD, attended the 4th meeting of the Moldova Support Platform in Chisinau on 17 October 2023, where he announced €2 million in funding for Moldova, to be channelled through a World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund. This followed an earlier commitment in December 2022 of €5M to the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Moldova. Minister Burke also had a series of bilateral engagements, including with then Moldovan State Secretary for EU Affairs Stela Leuca, with whom he discussed Moldova’s progress towards EU accession.
Minister Carroll MacNeill also recently met with Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov in the margins of the April General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, and discussed Ireland’s support for Moldova’s European membership aspirations and ongoing reform process.
The recent Government decision to open a resident Embassy in Chisinau is a sign of our deepening bilateral ties, and a signal of Ireland’s support to Moldova, particularly in the context of Moldova seeking EU membership.
Ireland will continue to engage with the Government of Moldova in the context of its EU accession process, the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and on issues of bilateral importance.
84. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications received in 2023 and to date in 2024, by month; the number of applications whereby a witness was unavailable and as a result the Passport Service required a new witness form to be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23649/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service has issued over half a million passports to date in 2024. The Customer Service Hub has responded to over 200,000 queries this year and is now handling up to 16,000 queries per week.
The Passport Service is well staffed with a total of 845 staff currently, and is in an excellent position to deliver the level of demand forecasted for this year, even with the busy summer season underway.
The total number of applications received by the Passport Service in 2023 and to date in 2024, by month are outlined below in tabular form.
|
Month |
Applications Received |
|
Jan-23 |
146,768 |
|
Feb-23 |
114,557 |
|
Mar-23 |
113,799 |
|
Apr-23 |
111,066 |
|
May-23 |
104,394 |
|
Jun-23 |
85,790 |
|
Jul-23 |
77,697 |
|
Aug-23 |
68,806 |
|
Sep-23 |
58,535 |
|
Oct-23 |
57,288 |
|
Nov-23 |
55,289 |
|
Dec-23 |
42,723 |
|
Total |
1,036,712 |
|
Month |
Applications Received |
|
Jan-24 |
132,160 |
|
Feb-24 |
117,914 |
|
Mar-24 |
108,584 |
|
Apr-24 |
111,298 |
|
May-24 (up to 22nd) |
69,297 |
|
Total |
539,253 |
The witnessing of relevant passport application forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the passport application form. In the case of children's applications, it also ensures that the consent of guardians is verified. Since 2017, an adult applicant renewing their passport through the Online channel is not required to have a form witnessed.
There are a number of reasons why a witnessed Identity form for a First Time adult applicant or a witnessed Identity and Consent form for a child might need to be resubmitted by the applicant. These include the witness or the guardians completing the form incorrectly, the correct guardians not being present when a child's form is being witnessed, the witness being unsuitable or the witness not being available to verify their signature when the Passport Service seeks verification. It is Passport Service policy to contact the witness three times before an application is rejected due to the witness being unavailable. In the case of Garda witnesses, the Passport Service contacts the relevant Superintendent’s Office to verify the details if the Garda Station cannot be contacted by phone after three attempts. This system is working well.
The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 2nd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship of applicants.
It is not possible to provide the information the Deputy has requested, as the Passport Service does not separately track passport applications that fall under the parameters of the judgment to which the Deputy refers.
It is not possible to provide the numbers of applications rejected because of the witness being unavailable, as the Passport Service does not track the numbers of rejections based on that specific criterion.
