Written Answers Nos. 2-13
2. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the progress of the annexe of actions contained with each annual climate action plan; to provide a breakdown of the actions completed, that are in progress and/or remain outstanding, by year, for the years 2020 to 2024, and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [55844/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra3. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Taoiseach to provide a breakdown of any legacy actions that are yet to be completed, that is, are overdue, in each of the climate actions plans that have been published since 2021, in each of the quarters from Q3 2022 to date; the reasons the action has still not been completed; and to provide an update on when the action is expected to be completed, in tabular form. [55861/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, updates of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) are published on an annual basis. They detail climate policies, measures and actions required to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in pursuit of statutory emissions reduction targets. The CAP and its Annex detail specific actions that Government departments, agencies and public bodies commit to take together with a timeline for the completion of each action.
To track delivery of actions, the Department of the Taoiseach prepares quarterly progress reports, in collaboration with implementing Departments. Detail on every action due in that quarter is published as an Appendix to each report.
Once approved by Government, progress reports are published online. These reports, as well as detailed tables of actions completed and delayed since CAP19, are available online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/.
Six Progress Reports were produced under Climate Action Plan 2019 . These reports show that, overall, 78% of the 500 measures in the Climate Action Plan 2019 due by the end of 2020 were completed.
Four progress reports were produced under Climate Action Plan 2021. Between Quarter 4 2021 and Quarter 4 2022, 79% of the 965 measures due for delivery were completed.
Four progress reports were produced under Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23). These reports show that 65% of the 290 actions due for delivery in 2023 were completed within the year.
In preparation of CAP23, a decision was taken to focus on a smaller number of more significant actions than in previous updates. A legacy exercise was conducted on the 205 outstanding actions that had not been completed by the end of 2022. The more significant of these were retained for reporting under CAP 23. A separate table was published that details how delayed measures from 2022 and actions listed in CAP21 for delivery later than 2022 were accounted for in the preparation of CAP23 or if they were actioned elsewhere.
Two progress reports, providing details on two quarters each, were published under Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24) and show an overall implementation rate for the year of 64%, with 80 of 125 actions completed in 2024. For CAP24, a report on legacy actions, those not completed in 2023, was published alongside the Q4 2023 Progress Report. Delayed actions were retained for progress reporting in Q1 2024 and beyond, until completion, alongside the CAP24 actions.
One progress report has been published to date under Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP25). This report shows that 4 of the 6 new actions due for delivery were complete. Of the 64 delayed CAP23 and CAP24 legacy actions remaining, 10 were completed in Q1 2025.
Publication of the Q2 progress report under CAP25 (including reporting on legacy CAP23 and CAP24 actions) will be combined with results from Q3 which are currently being compiled. Once finalised, this combined Q2/Q3 progress report will be presented to Government for its consideration and approval for publication.
4. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if his Department, or the National Security Analysis Centre has received any briefings from the Defence Forces, the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service or allied intelligence partners regarding Chinese political influence operations in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55946/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra5. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Taoiseach if he will consider establishing a cross-departmental taskforce on foreign interference and influence operations to coordinate national policy in light of growing concerns about Chinese and Russian activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55947/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
Like any other democratic state, Ireland is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security of the State. Our relevant services are very alive to that risk and keep their responses under continuous review in light of ongoing developments.
An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces work closely with other relevant bodies in respect of any threats identified that may have adverse implications for the State and its essential interests. They also work very closely with international counterparts in identifying and managing such threats.
As Taoiseach, I am regularly briefed by the Garda Commissioner, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and by relevant officials on the national and international security situation and on particular threat areas that may be of priority.
Given the nature of those briefings, I am not in a position to comment in any detail on their content. However, what I can say is that the full range of threats and potential threats to our security and vital interests are reflected, including threats in the cyber, hybrid and foreign influence areas.
With regard to political engagement, the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 provides for a Register of Lobbying to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials, including Members of the Oireachtas, on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions.
The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future acknowledges that this is a period characterised by geopolitical upheaval and challenges to democracy, with threats arising from the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape across the world. In this context, the Government committed to the implementation of a number of measures relating to defence, justice and cyber, and improved co-ordination of national security.
As part of this work, I established a new Ministerial Council on National Security which I chair. The membership includes the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for Defence, and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
The Council considers strategic national security developments; reviews progress on delivery of the Government’s national security commitments and measures; and considers reports on the security situation and security threat levels. Targeted, cross-departmental working groups have been established under the National Security Committee in order to enhance the ongoing co-ordination across the system.
6. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department is using agentic AI in the delivery of its services or operations; if it is considering the use of agentic AI, and in what contexts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55698/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s approach to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is aligned to the Government's Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service and guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre
Although the Department is actively exploring the opportunities and policy considerations presented by AI, it has not deployed or considered deployment of agentic AI systems.
7. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has considered the possibility of initiating an Article 259 TFEU case against Hungary specifically regarding the banning of the Budapest Pride Parade in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55903/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland consistently advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Hungary and throughout the world. Our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding, and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, have been regularly raised, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors.
We are closely monitoring the situation in Hungary and continue to engage with the European Commission and EU Member States, including in relation to the banning of the Budapest Pride Parade as well as the Pécs Pride. The Irish Embassy in Budapest was present at both events.
Ireland supports the Commission in Case C-769/22 on the grounds that Hungary's Child Protection Law infringes Article 2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. This case, taken by the Commission as guardian of the Treaties, addresses important legal questions that are of direct relevance to the current, concerning situation in Hungary.
Though little used, Article 259 of the TFEU provides a specific procedure for a Member State which considers that another Member State has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Treaties to bring the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union. However, I believe that the best approach is to work with the suite of instruments available in the EU's Rule of Law toolbox, and I look forward to these being further strengthened.
Ireland remains committed to working constructively with the European Commission and other Member States to ensure that EU law is upheld and that concerns are addressed in accordance with the Treaties.
8. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has conducted any internal review, or received any intelligence briefings, concerning Chinese state-linked influence or lobbying activities involving Irish political representatives or institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55928/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra9. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department maintains a register or record of engagements between Irish public representatives and organisations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department; and if he will outline the Department’s policy on monitoring such contacts. [55929/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra10. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has raised with Chinese diplomatic authorities any concerns regarding the use of the former immigrant investor programme, or other investment mechanisms, as possible vehicles for political influence or intelligence gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55930/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra11. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Irish diplomatic missions in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong have been instructed to report on United Front or other influence activities directed toward Ireland; and if so, when such reporting began. [55931/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 9, 10 and 11 together.
Like any other democratic state, Ireland is not immune from the risk posed by espionage or other activities aimed at compromising the security of the State. An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces work closely with other relevant bodies in respect of these issues. As you will appreciate, the Government does not comment on briefings provided in relation to intelligence matters.
It should be noted that it would be normal for the Embassy of China, as with any Embassy, to maintain a certain level of contact with Irish political representatives as part of their diplomatic engagement, for legitimate purposes, including promoting China’s political and economic priorities.
My Department does not keep a record of engagements by Irish public representatives. However, the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 provides for a Register of Lobbying to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials, including Members of the Oireachtas, on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions.
Ireland’s missions in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong report regularly to my Department on a wide range of topics on which they maintain an awareness. It would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of these reports.
The Department of Justice has responsibility for the Immigrant Investor Programme, which was brought to a close in 2023.
12. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 17 September 2025, for an update on the evacuation process for an individual (details supplied); to outline the progress made in obtaining alternative travel documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55962/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the start of the crisis, the Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and their immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. This Department has also supported the evacuation of other Palestinians seeking support from Ireland, including students, medical evacuation patients, and individuals with work offers in Ireland.
Overall, during this period, the Department has supported and facilitated the travel of more than 200 people from Gaza to Ireland, with further evacuations planned. We continue to explore options to assist individuals in Gaza, but unfortunately travel cannot be guaranteed, even for those that hold valid Irish visas
Facilitating an exit from Gaza is not straightforward. As I know you will appreciate, evacuations from Gaza are complex operations requiring close cooperation, and detailed planning across multiple organisations. Success is dependent on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, receipt of permissions from the relevant authorities. Much of this rests outside the control of the Government of Ireland. I can assure you that where we can exert influence, every effort has been made.
With regard to the actions within the control of the Government of Ireland, this Department facilitated the lodging of visa applications from Gaza, including through the removal of administrative barriers that might otherwise have impeded this process. The Department of Justice has also facilitated the expedited processing of these applications. This includes the granting of visas in this particular case.
Unfortunately, it is the case that while officials from my Department have granted several family groups all the necessary permissions to travel to Ireland, including long-stay visas, some have still been unable to leave due to absence of required permissions or travel documents from third countries. As I am sure you will appreciate, this is outside the control of the Government of Ireland.
The challenge for the person in question relates to the issuing of a new Palestinian passport. I note that it remains possible to secure travel documents for those in Gaza. Indeed, so far this year, approximately 40 individuals seeking to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland have secured reissued Palestinian passports. With this in mind, I would advise anyone wishing to leave Gaza, but does not have the necessary travel documents to take the issue up with the Palestinian Authorities via the Embassy of Palestine in Dublin.
I fully appreciate the appalling conditions on the ground in Gaza, and how difficult a time this continues to be for those separated from their families.
I would urge the rest of the family to reconsider the decision not to exit Gaza, especially in the case of the young Irish citizen.
As we welcome the ceasefire, I fully appreciate conditions on the ground in Gaza remain dire. This continues to be an extremely difficult a time for those separated from their families. On 13 October, I announced a further €6 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to fund food, medical care and other vital aid. Ireland will continue to work together with international partners towards a path to peace leading to the implementation of the two-State solution.
