Tuesday, 24 Jun 2025

Written Answers Nos. 187-213

• Díospóireachtaí
• Aimsigh díospóireacht
  • Díospóireachtaí na Dála
  • Díospóireachtaí an tSeanaid
  • Díospóireachtaí Coiste
• Aimsigh vótáil
  • Vótálacha na Dála
  • Vótálacha an tSeanaid
  • Vótálacha Coiste
• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
  • Ceisteanna scríofa
  • Ceisteanna ó bhéal
• Leideanna cuardaigh
• Nuair a bhíonn tionchar tromchúiseach ag aithrisí

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (187)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

187. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach for a full list of all documents, reports, strategies, and resources that have been “unpublished” by his Department over the past ten years (details supplied), including all such materials that have been “unpublished” by divisions, sections and units of his Department that became part of the Minister’s Department following a transfer of functions; and who “unpublished” the materials under a different Minister or Department. [33815/25]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The article the Deputy has supplied refers to a technical issue affecting some links on Gov.ie, resulting from a major system upgrade completed in April 2025.The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) manages Gov.ie and completed the system upgrade.

During the migration of content to the new system, a small number of links became broken and were replaced with placeholder text, “Item has been unpublished or removed”, rather than returning an error. The items were not in fact ‘unpublished’.

I can assure the deputy that the Department of the Taoiseach does not systematically ‘unpublish’ documents, reports, strategies or resources. The Department is committed to the open publication of government information and is working to ensure that all affected links on the Gov.ie pages it manages are restored and working correctly.

Departmental Communications

Ceisteanna (188)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

188. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach the list of all methods of communication his Department uses to discuss policy development. [33836/25]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Policy development is concerned with the enactment of Government priorities to deliver valued outcomes for the public through the provision of high-quality advice and a steadfast focus on implementation.

The development of policy derives in the first instance from the Programme for Government.

My Department supports the Cabinet Committee structure to provide for the discussion of key policies developed by individual Ministers. This process is supported, in turn, by Senior Officials' Groups, chaired by officials from the Department.

Communication and engagement is also structured formally through our social dialogue processes, such as the Labour Employment Economic Forum (LEEF) and the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and other sectoral stakeholders we also engage frequently with.

The Department also arranges ad hoc events such as the Housing Summit and the Child Poverty Summit to open up dialogue on priority topics.

Officials in my Department network on an ongoing basis with colleagues regarding policy development projects. They actively participate and assist colleagues where there are cross-government aspects to be managed.

The main policy development work is completed in line Departments who undertake their own direct communications and public engagement sectorally through a variety of methods, including gov.ie. Their work is also supported centrally by the Government Information Service.

Taoiseach's Communications

Ceisteanna (189)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

189. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if any agreements or lists have been made or exchanged with independent TDs who now support the Government to include projects in their constituencies in the future National Development plan and/or the HSE Capital plan; and if so, if there are documents, notes, messages of any kind that relate to this between him and/or his advisers, staff, party workers and any of those TDs or their advisers, staff and party workers. [33860/25]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

There are no agreements or lists, made or exchanged, to include projects in any constituency in the future National Development Plan and or the HSE Capital plan. The Programme for Government was agreed and entails all of the Governments priorities. In the coming weeks, a review of the National Development Plan will be published. A public consultation process was recently launched by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and any Deputy in the House can make a submission to same.

Departmental Projects

Ceisteanna (190)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

190. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget. [34100/25]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Department of the Taoiseach does not oversee any infrastructure projects and has no capital allocation in its 2025 Revised Estimate.

Anti-Racism Measures

Ceisteanna (191)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

191. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with respect to his responsibility for anti-racism policy if it remains the position of the Government that the explanatory examples given as part of the IHRA definition of antisemitism are not an integral part of the definition (details supplied) and therefore that the Government has not adopted them as part of its adoption of the definition. [33844/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The decision to endorse the IHRA working definition of antisemitism was a result of careful consideration, taking into account a range of developments and initiatives at EU and at global level, in particular the alarming rise in recent times of both online and offline antisemitism. Most recently the General Affairs Council, in October 2024, adopted a Declaration which invited EU Member States to use the IHRA definition as useful guidance for education and training purposes

The IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism as adopted by the IHRA plenary in Bucharest on the 26 May 2016 states:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

As the IHRA notes, the purpose of the non-legally binding illustrative examples, which accompany the working definition, is to guide the organisation in its work, such as its core mandate of addressing contemporary challenges related to the Holocaust. Ireland acknowledges the examples as useful guidance, including in the context of the commitment made in the Programme for Government. It should be remembered that even within this context criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.

EU Presidency

Ceisteanna (192, 201, 205)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Ceist:

192. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider Kilkenny city as a host town for meetings of the Presidency of the European Union in 2026. [33341/25]

Liam Quaide

Ceist:

201. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to bring some of the high-level meetings during Ireland's EU presidency to east Cork to ensure County Cork benefits from the profile the presidency brings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33870/25]

Michael Cahill

Ceist:

205. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to give favourable consideration to Killarney as a suitable destination for the heads of states meetings and functions during Ireland’s EU Presidency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34205/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Harris)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 201 and 205 together.

Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. During the six-month Presidency, Ireland will be responsible for driving the EU policy agenda and advancing work on EU legislative and policy initiatives. Irish Ministers and officials will chair most meetings in the framework of the Council of Ministers, and will represent the Council in its relations with other EU institutions, notably the European Parliament.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency, and indicates that the Government will seek to bring some of the high-level meetings of our Presidency to cities and counties across Ireland, ensuring the entire country benefits from the profile the Presidency brings.

Ireland will host a meeting of the European Political Community and an informal meeting of the European Council in Dublin during our Presidency term. We will also host a programme of up to 22 informal Ministerial meetings in Ireland. Several of these Ministerial meetings, as well as a range of high-level conferences and other significant Presidency events, are expected to be hosted in locations outside Dublin.

My Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and other relevant Departments and agencies across Government to plan the range of meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland during the Presidency. This planning work includes assessment of the suitability of a wide range of locations as possible venues for Presidency meetings and events, taking account of specific criteria.

Final decisions on the full list of Presidency meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland, and the locations for those events, will be made in the coming period.

Official Engagements

Ceisteanna (193)

Conor Sheehan

Ceist:

193. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the US Secretary of State in the past two months. [33520/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My most recent call with Secretary Rubio was on 4 March when we discussed bilateral relations, the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the US, and a range of pressing issues of shared concern, including Ukraine and the Middle East.

Since then I have also had engagements with Commerce Secretary Lutnick and most recently with US Trade Representative, Ambassador Greer earlier this month.

I look forward to further engagements with Secretary Rubio and his colleagues in the future. Developing Ireland’s many rich political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links with the US remains an important priority for me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, just as it is for this Government.

Trade Relations

Ceisteanna (194)

John Lahart

Ceist:

194. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that are being taken to ensure that critical medicines for rare disease patients do not become embroiled in any trade tensions given the significant pharmaceutical manufacturing presence here; the steps that have been taken to ensure that this is being communicated at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33598/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland’s consistent position remains that we need a substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue on trade with the United States. A mutually beneficial agreement that works for both sides is the objective. The Government welcomes the intensification of EU trade negotiations with the US in recent weeks.

While most Irish exporters are currently subject to additional 10% tariffs, exporters of pharmaceutical products are not. However, we must be up front that, while the negotiations between the EU and US are underway, there are still risks of further sectoral tariffs, including on the pharmaceutical industry. The Deputy will be aware that a US Section 232 national security investigation into imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients is ongoing. This may lead to further actions being taken by the US Administration on imports of pharmaceuticals.

I have on several occasions raised the mutually beneficial and interconnected nature of the Irish, European and American pharmaceutical industry with the US Administration, including with Commerce Secretary Lutnick in April and most recently with US Trade Representative, Ambassador Greer earlier this month.

I have also conveyed our sensitivities regarding this industry to the European Commission, including during my call last week with Trade Commissioner Šefcovic. I believe that the strategic importance of the pharmaceutical industry to the EU as a whole is well understood.

Furthermore, my officials and I have also engaged intensively with stakeholders, including through the Government Trade Forum, to understand the potential impacts on the industry of US tariffs and EU re-balancing measures, if they were to be put in place.

Foreign Policy

Ceisteanna (195)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

195. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 12 June 2025, his views on whether the “deferrals” in relation to the question of right to return for Palestinians, agreed as part of the Oslo Accords, remain applicable in a context where Israel has failed to honour its commitments as agreed as part of the same accords. [33628/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I refer the Deputy to Ireland's long-standing position on the two-State solution as set out last week in PQ 31646/25.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (196)

Albert Dolan

Ceist:

196. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under his Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33641/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department’s Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Secretary General has overall responsibility for the Department’s procurement function.

The Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Secretary General is supported by the Director of Finance and eight staff assigned to the Department’s central procurement function.

There are no agencies or public bodies under the Department’s remit.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (197)

Albert Dolan

Ceist:

197. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff within his Department and its agencies who hold a formal procurement qualification or certification (for example, CIPS, NFQ Level 6 or higher in procurement, EU public procurement training), broken down by organisation, in tabular form. [33659/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

In addition to the Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Secretary General and the Director of Finance, there are eight staff assigned to the Department’s central procurement function.

The Department actively supports a policy of continuous professional development for all staff working in central public procurement to meet the demand for a capable, technically skilled procurement team with the capacity to work in multidisciplinary teams that deliver fit-for-purpose procurement results. Procurement training is an element of a broader professional development framework for all the procurement team under PMDS.

All procurement staff members in the Department have undergone certified procurement training with external professional procurement contractors. Procurement staff development involves formal training programs, on-the-job learning, mentorship, seminar attendance and other methods to improve technical capability. Areas covered include procurement directives interpretation, overview of the infrastructure guidelines, e-procurement, principles of good procurement, value for money, tender planning and preparation, green procurement, tender evaluation and contract award, contract preparation and the remedies legislation.

The Department operates in close collaboration with the OGP by utilising central arrangements and also directly procures compliant contracts where necessary.

There are no agencies under the Department’s remit.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (198)

Albert Dolan

Ceist:

198. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated. [33677/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department’s Contract Register is a platform to assist all business units to record, review, and manage their contracts and framework procurement agreements for goods, services and works. The Register is accessible to all staff through the Department’s intranet. The Register is reviewed on periodic basis to ensure that it is up to date and that all relevant contracts are documented. There are no agencies or public bodies under the Department’s remit.

Consular Services

Ceisteanna (199)

Cathy Bennett

Ceist:

199. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of funding raised through the work of honorary consuls; the amount expended in support of their work, by country and by year, for the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33708/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Harris)

Ireland currently has 94 Honorary Consuls operating in 55 countries across the globe. Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers vital support to the Government across a range of priorities, including providing a means of meeting the needs of Irish citizens in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission.

The functions, privileges and immunities of Honorary Consuls are set out in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963. The Diplomatic and Consular Relations Act, 1967 gave the Convention the force of law in the State and enabled Ireland to ratify the Convention the same year.

The position of Irish Honorary Consuls is covered under Irish law by the www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1993/act/33/enacted/en/html.

The services provided by the network include responding to enquiries in relation to passports, visas and travel to Ireland, as well as providing vital assistance in emergency consular assistance cases. Our Honorary Consuls also have an important role in promoting the broader interests of the State overseas. They support Irish diplomatic missions and the relevant State Agencies in establishing connections to key local stakeholders, in areas such as business, politics, culture and education. Honorary Consuls are an important investment in Citizen Services and provide a critical role in supporting and connecting our diaspora.

The position of an Honorary Consul is honorary in nature - unsalaried and non-pensionable.

Honorary Consuls receive an annual honorarium of €1,125 and are entitled to claim for some limited communication expenses incurred as part of their service delivery and retain 50% of Consular fees received (up to certain limits).

An appointment to the role is generally made upon the recommendation of the relevant accredited diplomatic mission, for an initial period of 3 years, with the potential for renewal thereafter.

The Department of Foreign Affairs operates a comprehensive and robust system for managing appointments to Ireland’s Honorary Consul network. In order to identify a pool of potential candidates, expressions of interest are sought through public advertising of the position, before a selection process is undertaken to find the most suitable candidate to fill the role. Once the successful candidate has been identified, the agreement of the host country must be obtained before the new Honorary Consul can be officially appointed.

In certain instances, providing the data relating to the specific amounts received in consular fees could cause security issues Honorary Consuls or members of their staff. When assessing this decision the Department must consider the overall security of the mission network and the adverse impact the release of this material would have on the overall safety and security of individuals.

The table below lists the funding raised through the work of Irish Honorary Consuls abroad and the amount expended in support of their work by region and by year, for the years 2019 to date.

Expense Totals
Region	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total Expense:
Africa	€27,625.01	€21,450.52	€20,775.44	€27,839.27	€7,221.04	€9,882.97	€2,811.33	€117,605.58
Asia and Pacific	€213,491.03	€274,433.52	€174,258.61	€112,532.08	€74,508.67	€71,109.95	€42,867.24	€963,201.10
Europe	€126,217.62	€110,882.30	€129,334.44	€104,352.30	€114,926.02	€134,240.77	€56,523.92	€776,477.37
Latin America and the Caribbean	€33,518.30	€12,786.54	€11,903.37	€12,785.46	€23,438.01	€8,625.09	€1,142.17	€104,198.94
Middle East and North Africa	€59,832.77	€58,227.81	€62,443.28	€91,251.44	€80,560.90	€91,909.25	€37,962.78	€482,188.23
USA and Canada	€18,590.01	€14,523.90	€17,329.08	€14,999.44	€22,697.22	€18,822.60	€1,298.18	€108,260.43
Total	€479,274.74	€492,304.59	€416,044.22	€363,759.99	€323,351.86	€334,590.63	€142,605.62	€2,552,040.65
Funding Raised Totals:
Region	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total Income:
Africa	€45,185.80	€20,792.44	€16,878.24	€55,932.30	€1,619.50	€317.62	€226.56	€140,952.46
Asia and Pacific	€332,809.42	€179,568.22	€119,322.73	€232,467.67	€278,102.67	€406,181.33	€101,490.45	€1,649,942.49
Europe	€169,222.82	€81,698.40	€19,961.67	€30,075.94	€37,450.61	€36,111.07	€3,265.58	€377,786.09
Latin America and the Caribbean	€43,122.98	€829.31	€291.39	€2,154.93	€5,490.87	€9,005.53	€95.00	€60,990.01
Middle East and North Africa	€99,915.32	€35,338.43	€37,749.63	€100,905.62	€86,741.31	€50,054.36	€3,546.76	€414,251.43
USA and Canada	€503.72	€452.58	€220.53	€813.10	€699.12	€638.27	€48.49	€3,375.81
Total	€690,760.06	€318,679.38	€194,424.19	€422,349.56	€410,104.08	€502,308.18	€108,672.84	€2,647,407.29

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (200)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a full list of all documents, reports, strategies, and resources that have been “unpublished” by his Department over the past ten years (details supplied), including all such materials that have been “unpublished” by divisions, sections and units of his Department that became part of the Minister’s Department following a transfer of functions; and who “unpublished” the materials under a different Minister or Department. [33807/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

As the Deputy will be aware, the gov.ie website is a key source of information on government and public services. It is a trusted platform for Government communications, handling approximately 75 million page views in 2024 and was the key communications tool and information resource for the public during Covid-19 in particular.

My Department also manages www.ireland.ie, the Government's international website, providing vital services for citizens currently abroad or planning to go abroad, including passport information, travel advice, and consular services through Ireland's mission network. The website also showcases Irish culture and Ireland as a place to visit, study and do business to a global audience, with approximately 41 million total page views on Ireland.ie in 2024.

The Gov.ie website underwent a major system upgrade in April 2025 with 183,707 pages migrated, along with 9,737 images and 133,925 documents. While some broken links inevitably occur in such a significant transfer of website content, an audit of Gov.ie conducted post-migration did not uncover any pages published by my Department that were affected by broken links.

My Department is committed to the open publication of government information.

Question No. 201 answered with Question No.192.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (202)

George Lawlor

Ceist:

202. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that a passport will be processed urgently by his Department for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33907/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this passport has been approved and dispatched.

International Agreements

Ceisteanna (203)

Barry Ward

Ceist:

203. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the absence of reciprocal driving licensing agreements between Ireland, America and Canada (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33916/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government remains committed to reducing barriers for emigrants who wish to return to Ireland, including the commitment under the Programme for Government to establish reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada.

Ireland currently has 21 reciprocal driving licence agreements including with Australia and seven Canadian provinces.

In the case of the US, exchange agreements have to be agreed at the State level. In conjunction with the Department of Transport, preparatory work is underway ahead of engaging with US states on this matter. Our focus initially will be on those states with a significant Irish population.

The Deputy will also wish to note that Irish driving licences are issued for up to ten years and can be renewed at any time up to ten years after expiring.

Departmental Projects

Ceisteanna (204)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

204. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34092/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department is currently managing a number of construction/fit out capital projects to realise the ambition of the Global Ireland initiative to enhance Ireland’s global impact and influence to 2025 and beyond

These construction/fit out projects are running broadly on programme. In relation to Ireland House London, the Department has completed the technical design stage of the project, however handover of the building has not yet taken place to the Department due to a delay to the landlord’s extensive refurbishment works. The Department is ready to commence the fit out stage once the building is handed over and Ireland House London is expected to be operational in summer 2027. All construction/fit out projects are actively managed within their allocated budgets to ensure value for money.

Question No. 205 answered with Question No.192.

Diplomatic Representation

Ceisteanna (206)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

206. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of embassies and consulates operated by his Department; the total WTE staff, and cost of each, by state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34223/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department has 102 diplomatic missions, including Embassies, Consulates as well as missions to multilateral organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations.  These missions are staffed by posted Irish civil servants and locally recruited staff.

On civil servants posted to Ireland’s diplomatic missions abroad, the table below reports on WTE figures as of 31 May 2025. Included in these figures are seconded officers from other Departments that are on my Department’s payroll, and does not include seconded officers whose remain on the payroll of their parent Department.

The table also includes WTE locally recruited staff numbers employed and the costs in respect of them that are charged to my Department’s administration budget.  These colleagues play an invaluable role in supporting the delivery of the Department's goals and objectives and work principally on issues such as consular and visa services, administration responsibilities, supporting trade, cultural and public diplomacy targets and events and working on Ireland's development assistance programme. 

WTE staff and cost Irish Embassies

State	WTE Staff 31 May 2025	Cost €m Year to date (19 June 2025)
Argentina	10	0.3
Australia	17.21	0.7
Austria	10	0.4
Belgium	10	0.4
Brazil	13	0.4
Britain	74.6	3.1
Bulgaria	8	0.2
Canada	25	0.7
Chile	10	0.3
China	44.5	1.1
Colombia	17	0.3
Croatia	6	0.1
Cyprus	6	0.2
Czech Republic	6.5	0.2
Denmark	7	0.3
Egypt	16	0.4
Estonia	4.71	0.2
Ethiopia	70	0.5
Finland	6.6	0.3
France	32.71	1.6
Germany	32.51	1.3
Greece	8	0.3
Hong Kong	6	0.2
Hungary	8	0.2
India	49	0.5
Indonesia	11	0.2
Iran	9	0.3
Israel	9	0.4
Italy	22.13	0.7
Japan	22	0.7
Jordan	11	0.3
Kenya	19	0.3
Latvia	6	0.2
Liberia	11	0.2
Lithuania	7	0.2
Luxembourg	6.5	0.2
Malawi	29	0.2
Malaysia	9	0.2
Malta	6	0.1
Mexico	17.8	0.4
Morocco	8	0.2
Mozambique	42	0.4
Netherlands	11.7	0.6
New Zealand	7.5	0.2
Nigeria	26	0.2
Norway	7	0.3
Pakistan	4	0.2
Palestine	10.02	0.3
Philippines	14	0.2
Poland	14.5	0.4
Portugal	10	0.3
Romania	6.5	0.2
Russia	14	0.3
Saudi Arabia	13	0.5
Senegal	8	0.2
Sierra Leone	24	0.3
Singapore	10.5	0.3
Slovakia	6	0.2
Slovenia	6	0.2
South Africa	34	0.4
South Korea	8.4	0.3
Spain	20.5	0.6
Sweden	9.5	0.4
Switzerland	7	0.4
Tanzania	34	0.4
Thailand	13	0.3
Turkey	13	0.3
Uganda	40	0.3
Ukraine	9	0.3
United Arab Emirates	20	0.5
United States	89.625	4.3
Vatican City	6.46	0.2
Vietnam	21	0.3
Zambia	26	0.2

State	Multilateral Mission	WTE Staff 31 May 2025	Cost €m Year to date (19 June 2025)
Austria	Permanent Mission to OSCE	5.7	0.3
Belgium	Permanent Representation to the EU	114.8	5.4
France	Permanent Representation to the OECD and UNESCO	9.5	0.1
France	Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe	6.5	0.3
Switzerland	Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva	14	0.9
United States	Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York	27	1.7

 

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (207, 208, 209, 210)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

207. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff in the Passport Service, by role and by year for the years 2020 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34242/25]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

208. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenditure on staffing of the Passport Service in the years 2020 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34243/25]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

209. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost associated with increasing staffing levels in the Passport Service by 10, 50 and 100 WTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34244/25]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

210. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the WTE equivalent within the Passport Service, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34245/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 208, 209 and 210 together.

The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 532,000 passports this year to date.

My Department engages in comprehensive workforce planning annually, based on forecasted passport demand. Staffing requirements for the upcoming year are formally approved by the Department’s Management Board on a yearly basis. As a result of this proactive approach, the Passport Service is well-positioned to meet forecasted demand for the remainder of the year.

Adequate staffing of the Passport Service to respond to demand continues to be a priority for the Department in 2025 and is an issue that is kept under constant review. To address the increased demand typically experienced during the busy spring and summer period, 133 TCOs have been assigned to the Passport Service since November 2024, ensuring adequate staffing levels.

My Department is implementing this year's staffing plan so that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand and is continuing to work to increase resources within the service.

The payroll costs incurred by the Department in relation to staffing in the Passport Service for the years 2020 to 31 May 2025 are outlined in Table 1 below.

Table 1 – Payroll Costs for Passport Service

Year	Amount
2020	€19,882,953
2021	€18,508,734
2022	€28,726,609
2023	€30,869,253
2024	€32,876,278
2025	€17,470,773

Table 2 below outlines the annual number of staff by grade from 2020 to present. The 2025 figure is correct as of 31 May 2025.

Table 2 -Passport Service Staff by Grade and Location 2020-Present

Grade	31-Dec-20	31-Dec-21	31-Dec-22	31-Dec-23	31-Dec-24	31-May-25
PO and Equiv.	0	2	2	2	2	2
AP and Equiv.	8	11	11	12	11	12
AO and Equiv.	2	3	3	1	2	2
HEO	23	21	28	34	33	34
EO	76	80	77	108	105	100
CO	358	351	354	444	466	465
SVO	1	1	1	1	1	1
TCO	0	148	266	190	180	241
Total	468	617	742	792	800	857

With regard to the Deputy's question relating to increasing staffing levels in the passport service by increments of 10, 50 and 100, the costs are outlined in Table 3 below. These costs are based on the salary costs associated with Clerical Officers (COs), Executive Officers (EOs), and Higher Executive Officers (HEOs) on the mid-point of the scale and include the employer's PRSI contribution costs. The management structure outlined in the table correlates to the ratio of managers to staff typical in the Passport Service. These costs do not include additional costs that would be incurred by an increase in staff including accommodation, utilities and equipment costs.

Table 3 – Estimated Salary and PRSI Costs of Additional Staff

Number of Additional Staff	Salary and PRSI Costs
10 (9 COs, 1EO)	€448,018.08
50 (43 COs, 6 EOs, 1 HEO)	€2,280,236.17
100 (86 COs, 12 EO, 2 HEOs)	€4,560,472.34

Finally, Table 4 shows the WTE equivalent within the Passport Service, by the three locations of the Passport Offices: Balbriggan; Cork; and Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Table 4 - Passport Service WTE equivalent by location

Office	Total
Balbriggan	476
Cork	120
Mount St, Dublin2	261
Total	857

Question No. 208 answered with Question No. 207.

Question No. 209 answered with Question No. 207.

Question No. 210 answered with Question No. 207.

Diplomatic Representation

Ceisteanna (211)

Barry Ward

Ceist:

211. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new measures his Department had put in place to ensure the safety of Irish diplomats serving abroad, particularly in Israel, Palestine and Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34439/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The safety and security of the staff of my Department is an absolute priority for me.

My Department has been closely engaged on the concerning situation in Iran and the continuing conflict between Israel and Iran.

In relation to our diplomats in Iran, I became increasingly concerned about the operational environment for our Embassy there, and the ability of our diplomatic staff to perform their functions safely. In light of the deteriorating situation, following consultations with my officials and in close consultation and coordination with EU partners, I decided to temporarily relocate our personnel from Tehran.

This was not a decision that I took lightly. Arrangements are in place for the Embassy to continue its operations from Dublin. Staff at my Department's headquarters have assumed the Embassy's consular functions and remain in contact with the small number of Irish citizens remaining in Iran. These arrangements will continue until it is possible for our personnel to return to Iran.

We have significantly enhanced our security capacity and arrangements in light of threat assessments in various locations. For operational security reasons I do not propose to outline the detail of these measures.

International Agreements

Ceisteanna (212)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

212. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position which Ireland will take on the upcoming renewal of the memorandum of understanding between the European Union, Egypt and Israel on natural gas, specifically due to the lack of a territorial clause explicitly excluding the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34484/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has policy responsibility, including at EU level, for Ireland’s energy security, and communicates views in this area. The then Minister of State addressed this topic in the Dáil in November 2023.

My understanding is that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation related to Trade, Transport, and Export of Natural Gas between the European Union, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel was signed in Cairo on 15 June 2022.

As you will be aware, the wider question of bilateral relations between the EU and Israel is a particular focus for discussions within the EU currently, including through the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Middle East

Ceisteanna (213)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

213. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether, in the course of the special EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 16 June 2025, he raised the unacceptable nature of the public comments of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following her phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34485/25]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and welcomed the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council on Tuesday 17 June to discuss the issue.

At that meeting, I outlined Ireland’s position on the need for urgent de-escalation by both sides and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve this crisis. I highlighted our concern about the disproportionate impact on civilians, that targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure by either side is a violation of International Humanitarian Law, and the potential risks of radiation leakage from the Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities. Ireland, among other EU partners, called for coherent and consistent messaging from the EU including on breaches of International Humanitarian Law.

EU partners were in agreement that the conflict places the region at risk and that there is an urgent need to return to negotiations to solve the issue. It was agreed that Iran should not be able to develop a nuclear device, but this should be pursued through diplomacy and negotiation. It is welcome that the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, together with the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom will meet the Foreign Minister of Iran in Geneva for talks on 20 June.

• Written Answers Nos. 167-186
• Written Answers Nos. 214-244