Written Answers Nos. 32-51
32. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he gave approval for the flyover over Dublin of three US military Osprey aircraft on 26 August 2022; whether his Department carried out a safety assessment in advance of this flyover; if such approvals will be reviewed considering subsequent high-profile fatal crashes involving similar Osprey aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34296/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Permission for foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, to fly over Ireland or land at Irish airports, is governed by strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs not to disclose details relating to these requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality. However, I can confirm that three US military Osprey aircraft were granted diplomatic clearance to enter Irish sovereign airspace and land in Ireland in late August 2023, and that the conditions above were met in full in each case. This information is provided on the basis that it was to August 2023 that the Deputy intended to refer to in his question.
33. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if approval has been sought for a US military aircraft flyover over Dublin in conjunction with US college football matches to be played on 23, 24 and 28 August 2024; the procedure for dealing with such requests; whether a safety assessment forms part of such procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34297/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs did not receive any requests for foreign military aircraft to fly over Dublin in conjunction with the College Football Classic in August 2024.
Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
34. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what engagement his Department has had with the Kingdom of Morocco in the past 12 months regarding the continued occupation of Western Sahara; the work is his Department undertaking to advance the long-awaited referendum on self-determination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34346/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute.
UN Security Council Resolution 2703, adopted on 30 October 2023, extended the mandate of the MINURSO Mission by one year, until 31 October 2024. As per this, and previous Resolutions, I have called on all parties to the dispute, and on the wider international community, to support and assist the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara as he continues his engagements with the parties to the dispute. I welcome the visits and consultations he has undertaken to the region over the past year.
I also support the call in the UNSC Resolution on all parties to cooperate fully with MINURSO in carrying out its important mandate.
My officials, at HQ and in our Mission network, continue to be in ongoing contact with all relevant and interested parties in support of efforts to achieve a solution to this long-standing dispute.
35. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application (details supplied). [34364/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicants Guardian was contacted directly and this application was cancelled on 16 August 2024. The Passport Service refunded the passport fee on the same date.
36. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the foreign births register application for a person (details supplied) and when will a decision be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34424/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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, supporting documents were received for the application on 22 January 2024. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant's parent should any further clarification be required.
39. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth registration application (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34466/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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, supporting documents were received for the application on 25 July 2023. The Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 15 May 2024 which were subsequently received on 17 May 2024. These documents are currently being processed.
40. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish Consul General based in Miami has met formally with the mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, to date in 2024. [34479/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOngoing and strategic political engagement with the United States is a priority for the Government and a key objective under Ireland's 'Strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025'.
There is regular engagement between our respective administrations on a range of issues through our respective Embassies in Washington and Dublin. There is also significant engagement by our network of eight Consulates across the United States with state level officials such as mayors of important cities.
We opened our newest Consulate in the US in October 2022 in Miami, Florida. Since then, staff of the Consulate, including the Consul General, have engaged at all political levels across the state of Florida.
The Consul General in Miami met Mayor Donna Deegan, the Mayor of Jacksonville, in the margins of the Aspen Ideas Climate Summit which took place in Miami in March 2024. Minister of State Carroll MacNeill addressed the summit on behalf of the Government.
41. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to draft articles for a treaty on crimes against humanity submitted by the International Law Commission to the United Nation's Sixth Committee for consideration; if he supports the inclusion of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34527/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt its forthcoming 79th session this autumn, the UN Sixth Committee (Legal Affairs) will further examine the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. The Sixth Committee will consider once again the ILC’s 2019 recommendation to elaborate an international convention on the basis of the Draft Articles, and is due to take a decision on this matter this autumn. The ILC Draft Articles on Crimes Against Humanity have been on the Sixth Committee agenda as a stand-alone item since 2020 and have also been discussed at two ‘resumed sessions’ of the Sixth Committee, dedicated to discussing the Draft Articles in detail, which took place in April 2023 and April 2024.
Ireland participated and engaged in the dedicated resumed sessions, and has made statements during previous Sixth Committee discussions on the ILC Draft Articles.
Ireland is, therefore, actively engaged in the work of the Sixth Committee on this important topic, and our overall position is clear. We strongly support the elaboration of a convention on the basis of the Draft Articles. Unlike other core international crimes, namely genocide and war crimes, there currently exists no stand-alone international convention dedicated to preventing and punishing crimes against humanity. We see a convention as necessary to close a significant gap in the international treaty law framework, and a gap in the fight against impunity more broadly. Although the majority of UN Member States share our view, the current priority is on convincing the remainder of the necessity of elaborating a new convention; agreement on this has not yet been forthcoming.
A key argument in bringing states on board has been the guarantee that any new convention will not represent a departure from the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, and which in its Article 7 includes a definition of crimes against humanity. Proposals to add to the list of crimes against humanity, before agreement has been reached on the basic premise of the need for a new convention, is therefore likely to distract from the core issue and ultimately frustrate efforts to elaborate a convention to plug this significant accountability gap.
In any event, it should be noted that the Rome Statute definition of crimes against humanity encompasses the crime of persecution on the basis of gender, which is mirrored in the ILC’s Draft Article 2. It does not appear, therefore, that there is a specific impunity gap with regard to gender persecution in the current Crimes Against Humanity Draft Articles. We would, however, be willing to consider this further in the context of dedicated negotiations on a crimes against humanity convention, once there is agreement to begin negotiations.
All crimes against humanity, including persecution on the basis of gender, are abhorrent and among the most serious of international crimes. A dedicated convention is the most important step in creating an international framework that prevents the commission of such crimes and punishes the perpetrators. Until that point has been reached, achieving agreement to begin negotiations on such a convention will remain the Government's priority.
42. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the average processing time for applications to the foreign birth register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34530/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
To date this year, the Passport Service has processed over 19,000 Foreign Birth Registration applications.
Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, it takes approximately 9 months to process a fully completed Foreign Birth Registration application that requires no further submissions. The processing time begins when the application form and supporting documents are received by the Foreign Birth Registration Unit. An Entitlement Officer will contact the applicant should any further information be required.
The Passport Service provides an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents or stateless persons. Such applicants may contact the Passport Service directly. All other applications are processed in order of date of receipt.
43. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will consider the introduction of an emergency passport appointment system, similar to what is available in the UK, for first-time passport applicants or for renewal applicants whose previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34660/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 3rd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries.
In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, when processing a first time application, the Passport Service must validate the identity of the applicant and confirm their entitlement to Irish citizenship. In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be checked. This ensures that the Passport Service protects the rights of the child and their guardians. Due to the rigorous checking process in place, the processing time for first time applications is currently 20 working days.
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. Section 8 of the Act provides for the processing of personal data by the Passport Service as required for the issuance of passports and the maintenance of the integrity of the Passport Service system.
In order to comply with its obligations under data protection legislation, the Department will hold data which has been collected for the purposes of processing an application only as long as there is a business need to do so in line with the purposes for which it was collected.
In the case of passport issuance, the data is held by the Passport Service for 15 years after the date of issuance, i.e. the validity of the passport plus five years, as stated in the Passport Service's Data Privacy Notice. After this time the data is marked for destruction and will be destroyed in line with internal guidelines and guidelines for destruction received from the National Archives. A minimum amount of personal data is held beyond this period for the purpose of fraud prevention in order to maintain the integrity of the Passport Service system.
Therefore an adult whose passport has expired more than five years ago and a child whose passport has expired more than 10 years ago will need to apply for their next passport as a first time applicant if their expired passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
In cases of genuine emergency, applicants can contact the dedicated travel emergency team that work to expedite passport applications in cases such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad.
44. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he authorised the overflight of Israeli cargo plane (registration 4X-ICA) on its flight from Nevatim air base (VTM) to Fairfield Travis Air force Base (SUU) on 14 August 2024; if he authorised the same plane in its flight from Tel Aviv (TVV) to Fairfield Travis Air force Base (SUU); if he is aware that this is an aircraft that is regularly used to transport munitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34737/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. As the flights referred to were civil aircraft, there was no requirement to obtain diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to enter Irish sovereign airspace.
Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport.
In considering any application for such an exemption in respect of munitions of war, the Department of Transport consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice on applications to determine if there are foreign policy or security considerations to take into account.
The process is robust and includes advice from my Department in respect of international humanitarian law, Ireland’s international obligations and our wider arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation policy.
In 2023, and to date in 2024, no applications have been received or exemptions granted for the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft to a point in Israel.
45. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of flights he has taken to or from Shannon Airport, Cork Airport and Knock Airport since assuming office. [34757/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince assuming office in 2021, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has undertaken 6 flights to or from Cork and Knock Airports. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has not travelled via Shannon Airport during this period. The details are outlined in the table below.
|
Airport |
Number of flights since assuming Office |
|
Shannon |
0 |
|
Cork |
4 |
|
Knock |
2 |
46. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34807/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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, supporting documents were received for the application on 23 February 2024. A member of the FBR team will be in contact with the applicant's parent should any further clarification be required.
47. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the Shared Island Civic Society Fund; to provide the total allocation; the expenditure to date; the amount that is contained with expenditure ceilings laid out in the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement and the amount that will have to come from additional funding; the date the project was started; and the projected date of completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34814/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the Shared Island Civic Society Fund in June 2023 with the aim of supporting practical North South cooperation and engagement between civic society and community organisations, fostering new cross-border links and deepening existing ones.
In the first round, a total of €500,000 was disbursed between twenty cross-border projects. The very positive response to that first round resulted in a doubling of funding available to a total of €1 million in the second round, which was then disbursed between thirty thirty-five projects.
Details of the successful projects in both funding rounds are published on my Department's website and are also detailed below in tabular form.
I subsequently launched the third round of the Shared Island Civic Society Fund on 20 June last, with a further €1.5 million being made available. The closing date for this round was 2 August and officials in my Department are currently assessing the applications we have received.
Overview:
|
Round |
Funding amount |
Applications received |
Successful applicants |
|
1 |
€500,000 |
160 |
20 |
|
2 |
€1 million |
80 |
35 |
|
3 |
€1.5 million |
112 |
TBC |
Shared Island Civic Society Fund Round 1 Organisations
|
Applicant |
Partner |
Project title |
Amount |
|
Active Disability Ireland |
Disability Sport NI |
Shared Island collaborations to supporting active and healthy lifestyles for people with disabilities |
€24,000 |
|
Angel Eyes NI |
FEACH |
Education Access in Ireland |
€9,988 |
|
Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AVEA) |
N/A |
Creating an All-Island Forum to Develop Expertise amongst the Visitor Experience and Attractions Sector, North and South |
€4,500 |
|
AwakenHub |
N/A |
The Awakening – AwakenHub’s inaugural in person all island of Ireland Summit & Launch of 'AwakenTribe' Community Platform |
€35,500 |
|
Axis Ballymun |
East Belfast Mission |
Rising Tide: Ballymun & East Belfast |
€25,000 |
|
Burrenbeo Trust |
Nature Friendly Farming Network |
Farming for Nature Ambassadors Northern Ireland |
€25,100 |
|
County Down Rural Community Network |
Irish Men’s Shed Association |
Shared Learning – Men’s Shed project |
€25,000 |
|
Fórsa |
Unison NI |
North-South Health and Social Care Professionals Conference |
€25,000 |
|
Irish Environmental Network |
Northern Ireland Environment Link |
Linking the Environment North and South (LENS): All-island Civil Society Forum on the Environment |
€34,950 |
|
Irish Heritage Trust |
Newpoint Players |
Shared Island Heritage Forum: North and South |
€19,520 |
|
Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark Project (Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo) |
Newry Mourne and Down District Council (Mourne Gullion Strangford) |
Growing Our Shared Island Geoparks |
€17,320 |
|
LGBT Support and Advocacy Network Ireland |
Rainbow Health |
All Ireland LGBTQIA+ Forum |
€25,000 |
|
Linking Generations NI |
Fingal County Council |
Removing Barriers of Geography and Age |
€9,920 |
|
Midlands Science |
Goliath Trust |
Sharing Accessible Science Outreach |
€25,000 |
|
National Women’s Council of Ireland |
Women’s Aid Federation NI |
Practical North South Cooperation to tackle Violence Against Women from a Civic Society Perspective |
€37,790 |
|
Newry Credit Union |
Crossmaglen, Dundalk, and |
MY-CU Financial Education Program |
€24,000 |
|
|
Lurgan Credit Unions |
|
|
|
Rural Action |
Irish Rural Link |
Synergy Rural Collaboration Project |
€37,385 |
|
Spraoi agus Spórt Family Centre |
Sólás |
Families Reaching Out Group |
€20,251 |
|
The Wheel |
NICVA |
iCommunity: Continuing the Conversation |
€49,872 |
|
Volunteer Ireland |
Volunteer Now |
Building Better Systems: Leadership Innovation Lab |
€24,850 |
Shared Island Civic Society Fund Round 2 Organisations
|
Applicant |
Partner(s) |
Project title |
Amount |
|
Accidental Theatre |
Smock Alley Theatre & An Grianán Theatre |
Shared Cultures Across Borders |
€50,000.00 |
|
All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care |
Foyle Hospice & Irish Hospice Foundation |
Compassionate Communities in Palliative and End of Life Care – inaugural in person island of Ireland community-centred conference |
€26,698.00 |
|
Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) |
Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) |
Importance of Leadership at Local Level and Civility In Public Life |
€15,000.00 |
|
Centre for Democracy and Peace Building |
IMMA |
Arts and Culture Collaboration Lab |
€15,250.00 |
|
Common Purpose Ireland |
Common Purpose Charitable Trust |
All-island Legacy |
€49,994.00 |
|
Compass Advocacy Network Ltd (CAN) |
Ability West |
Best Buddies Beyond Borders |
€9,000.00 |
|
Cooley Connect Well |
Yellow Road Wellbeing Centre and Social Farm & New Town Together Mens Shed |
Growing Social Garden for Nature / Gardening South Gardening North: |
€14,500.00 |
|
Cooperation Ireland |
N/A |
Connecting for Change: Promoting Sustainable Community Engagement on an All-Island Basis |
€21,485.00 |
|
County Donegal Railway Restoration CLG |
North West Learning Disability Centre |
Railway Connections |
€8,100.00 |
|
Create |
ArtsEkta |
Intercultural Dialogues |
€25,000.00 |
|
Development Trusts NI |
Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups |
Community: Enterprise, Ownership, Wealth Building & Well-Being in Ireland (North & South) |
€50,000.00 |
|
Falls Community Council |
Youth Work Ireland |
Civic Visions: Inspiring North-South Cooperation |
€28,508.00 |
|
Falls Women's Centre |
Ronanstown Women’s Community |
Constitutional Challenges: A Voice for Grassroots Women (pilot project) |
€9,663.00 |
|
Feasta |
North West Play Resource Centre T/A The Playhouse |
Cultural Creatives - Transformation Catalysts for a Well-being Economy |
€25,000.00 |
|
Football Association of Ireland |
NI Football League |
2024 All-Island Cup |
€50,000.00 |
|
Girl's Allowed |
Belturbet Hens' Shed |
Women on the Border |
€10,000.00 |
|
Humanist Association of Ireland |
Northern Ireland Humanists |
Shared Island Humanist Conference |
€9,000.00 |
|
Inishowen Development Partnership |
The Rural Area Partnership in Derry |
Networking Community Collaboration for Environmental Stewardship |
€24,000.00 |
|
Irish Association for Cultural, Economic and Social Relations |
N/A |
A Vision for the Future of North South Cooperation |
€30,000.00 |
|
Irish Youth Opera (t/a Opera Collective Ireland) |
Newry Chamber Music |
The Walk from the Garden by Jonathan Dove- A Church Opera in One Act |
€42,800.00 |
|
Lifestyle Development Group CLG |
Rural Health Partnership |
SHARED ROOTS and ROUTES |
€31,075.00 |
|
Meitheal an Iarthair |
Dún Uladh |
Ceol na nÓg Folk Orchestra |
€9,990.00 |
|
Mother Tongues |
ArtsEkta |
Exchanging intercultural practices: a journey for change |
€25,000.00 |
|
National Forum of Family Resource Centres |
Healthy Living Centre Alliance |
Suicide Prevention and Chronic Pain Knowledge, Skills and Leadership Exchange |
€31,050.00 |
|
Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment |
Kare |
Mind the Gap - Employment Gap of Disabled People on the Island of Ireland |
€48,550.00 |
|
Portlaoise Family Resource Centre |
Colin Neighbourhood Partnership |
Stepping Stones to Resilience |
€44,900.00 |
|
Redemptorist Community |
Scala |
Justice and Peace Animators |
€15,250.00 |
|
Royal British Legion ROI District |
Royal British Legion NI District |
The RBL 'Battle of Somme' Ceremony is a highlight of the Irish commemorative year. A shared-island event. |
€6,000.00 |
|
Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) |
Social Enterprise NI |
Capacity Building for Income Generation (CBIG) |
€25,000.00 |
|
St. Patrick’s Festival |
Belfast Summer School of traditional music t/a Belfast TradFest |
Belfast – Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival Partnership |
€50,000.00 |
|
The John Hewitt Society |
Irish PEN |
Freedom to write |
€33,240.00 |
|
The Nerve Centre |
Spraoi Agus Sport |
Film Skills NW |
€47,950.00 |
|
The Wheel |
NICVA |
iCommunity Amplifying Youth Voices and New Partnerships for a Shared Future |
€49,886.00 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
Queens University |
Shared Island Innovation Challenge |
€25,000.00 |
|
University College Dublin |
Queens University |
A Shared Island Forum for Nurturing Secure Climate Futures through Cybersecurity and Environmental Resilience Education |
€25,000.00 |
49. 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. [34903/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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, supporting documents were received for the application on 28 July 2023. The Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 28 May 2024 which were subsequently received on 11 July 2024. These documents are currently being processed.
50. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34914/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra51. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of the names of each special adviser employed by his Department since 2020; the Minister and Minister of State whom each adviser is associated with, and their respective salaries, in tabular form; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
The following advisers have been employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs over the period 2020 to present:
|
- |
Special Adviser |
Minister |
Salary Scale |
|
2020 – 2022 |
Chris Donoghue |
Minister Simon Coveney |
Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2020 – 2022 |
Laura McGonigle |
Minister Simon Coveney |
Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2020 |
Paul Fox |
Minister of State Helen McEntee |
Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2020 - 2022 |
Charlotte Simpson |
Minister of State Thomas Byrne |
Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2020 – 2020 |
Noel Lynch |
Minister of State Thomas Byrne |
Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2020 – 2021 (Temporary basis) |
Marguerite O’Loughlin |
Minister of State Thomas Byrne |
Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2022 - 2022 |
Daniel Griffin |
Minister of State Thomas Byrne |
Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2022 – present |
Gráinne Weld |
Tánaiste and Minister Micheál Martin |
Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2023 – present |
Sharon McGowan |
Tánaiste and Minister Micheál Martin |
Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2022 – 2024 |
Laura Mannion |
Minister of State Peter Burke |
Assistant Principal Officer PPC Standard Scale |
|
2023 – present |
Eoin Delaney |
Minister of State Sean Fleming |
Assistant Principal PPC Scale |
|
2024 – present |
Stephen Foley |
Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill |
Assistant Principal PPC Scale |
The Special Advisers working in the Department of Foreign Affairs engage on a wide range of policy matters as well as performing other functions as directed from time to time. They also liaise with Special Advisers in other Government Department. The appointment of Special Advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and are subject to Government approval.
In addition, staff as set out in the table that follows have been seconded or appointed to work in the Department of Foreign Affairs in the period in question. Appointments are made in line with civil service guidelines on Ministerial appointments.
Ministers’ Offices
|
Year |
Role |
Minister |
Salary Scale |
|
2020 – present |
Private Secretary (Seconded from Department of Education) |
Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora |
Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale and Private Secretary Allowance |
|
2022 – present |
Constituency Office Manager |
Constituency Officer of Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin |
Higher Executive Officer Standard Scale |
Civilian Drivers
|
Minister of State |
Number of civilian drivers employed |
Salary Scale |
|
Minister of State Ciaran Cannon |
2 |
Civilian Driver PPC |
|
Minister of State Helen McEntee |
2 |
Civilian Driver PPC |
|
Minister of State Thomas Byrne |
2 |
Civilian Driver PPC |
|
Minister of State Colm Brophy |
3 |
Civilian Driver PPC |
|
Minister of State Peter Burke |
2 |
Civilian Driver PPC |
|
Minister of State Sean Fleming |
2 |
Civilian Driver PPC |
|
Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill |
2 |
Civilian Driver PPC |
