Written Answers Nos. 145-164
145. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans to pass the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025, in full, in 2025; and if not, the way in which she will justify the continued trade of goods and services with illegally occupied lands, that are being ethnically cleansed by an apartheid state. [68535/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill. The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade held a number of hearings on the General Scheme, and received submissions representing a range of views and perspectives.
Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is an important part of the legislative process and the Tánaiste has thanked the Committee for its report on receipt. Detailed work to analyse the report and its recommendations is well underway.
The Regulatory Impact Assessment is currently being finalised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and will be available on the Department’s website when completed.
The next steps in the process, including the timeline for the progress of the Bill, are being considered by Government.
The General Scheme fulfils the commitment in the Programme for Government to prohibit the import of goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. Trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods and there remains considerable legal uncertainty as to whether the inclusion of services is permissible under EU law. Legal clarity is needed on this point.
We must also take account of practical issues with regard to implementation should services be included in the scope of the Bill.
It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.
In this context, Ireland has welcomed the announcements by the Dutch, Slovenian, and Belgian Governments regarding the banning of the importation of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, and the introduction of legislation by the Spanish government
At the EU level, the primary right now is ensuring the success of the ceasefire and peace deal and of making a contribution to international efforts in this regard.
146. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider providing diplomatic assistance or engagement to assist in securing the safe return of children and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic primary and secondary schools in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria (details supplied); if she could outline any assistance provided to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68599/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); the diplomatic action that her Department have taken in response of this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68661/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 148 together.
I am deeply concerned by the horrific abduction of children and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State in Nigeria on 21 November. The Government joins all calls for the swift and safe release of the children and staff. We condemn all abductions including others that have taken place in recent weeks in Nigeria.
Many parts of Nigeria, particularly rural and semi-urban areas, do not have a significant police presence, making the task of providing security to populations and coordinating security responses challenging. Ireland, bilaterally and as a Member State of the EU, works with the Nigerian authorities and with UN and international partners to promote peace and security in areas affected by armed groups and insecurity. I understand that all efforts are being made to locate and secure the release of the abducted students and staff of St Mary's School.
The gravity of the recent abduction at St. Mary’s School and the sharp escalation in violent attacks and mass kidnappings in Nigeria over recent weeks have been recognised by the Government of Nigeria. Following President Tinubu’s decision not to attend the G20 and African Union-European Union Summits in order to focus on a response to the security situation, a nationwide security emergency was declared in Nigeria on 26 November and President Tinubu has ordered the recruitment of additional police and army personnel. On 1 December, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser visited St. Mary’s School community and underlined the Nigerian government’s strong commitment to securing the safe return of all abducted students and staff.
Our Ambassador to Nigeria and officials at our Embassy in Abuja, in cooperation with the EU, are monitoring the situation very closely and engaging with Nigerian authorities on developments. I have also asked our Embassy to keep in contact with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, the order managing the school in the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also liaising with the Embassy of Nigeria in Ireland.
Ireland has a long history in Nigeria, not least through the work of many Irish missionaries. St. Mary's School has close links to Irish missionaries. Through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland provides some €2.5 million annually for humanitarian and development projects in Nigeria, implemented by missionaries and other partners on the ground. We will continue to prioritise the strengthening of peace and security in Nigeria and the broader region, as well as addressing persistent poverty levels. We will also continue work with all relevant partners in the country to support St Mary's School and all those affected by this terrible situation.
147. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consideration to a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68608/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for raising this case. My Department is aware of the case and of the recent developments regarding the upcoming Court of Appeal date on 4 December on the Greek island of Lesvos.
As the individual concerned is a German citizen, consular assistance is being provided by the German Embassy in Athens, and has been since 2018. I note that there are very strong ties to Ireland in this case, however, and for that reason, Irish officials have previously been in contact with the individual, his family and the German Embassy in Athens regarding this case, in the event that additional support was required.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of Ireland in Athens, will continue to follow any developments as they arise.
149. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been brought to the case of a person facing charges for organising a Pride march in Hungary (details supplied); the steps she is taking at European Union level to prevent this direct attack on fundamental freedoms; if she will call for infringement procedures and interim measures to be taken to ensure that this case does not go ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68668/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland continually raised concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We are closely monitoring the situation and continue to engage with the European Commission and EU Member States, including in relation to the banning of Budapest Pride as well as Pécs Pride.
I am aware that the organiser of Pécs Pride was summoned for police questioning during which he was made aware of the potential charges on suspicion of having committed a criminal offence for organising the parade despite the police ban. Following the interview, a recommendation to press charges from the Police Department was submitted to the Prosecutor's Office, which has one year, extendable by six months, to decide whether to suspend or terminate the proceedings, or to formalise charges. Together with other likeminded Embassies in Budapest, the Irish Embassy, which sent a representative to the Pécs event, remains in ongoing contact with the organiser.
Our Ambassador to Hungary has also spoken with the Mayor of Pécs and expressed appreciation for the latter’s engagement at the Pride event.
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. 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. However, we will keep all available actions under review.
150. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has completed any internal legal analysis on how voluntary cooperation under the European Democracy Shield could create de-facto obligations for Ireland in the areas of monitoring, reporting or data-sharing; and to provide the conclusions of that analysis. [68726/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department will publish Ireland's negotiating position, briefing papers or submissions provided to the European Commission during the development of the European Democracy Shield, specifically regarding the protection of national competence in electoral regulation and political debate. [68727/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of any risk register entries maintained by her Department since 1 September 2025 relating to the European Democracy Shield, including political, legal, operational or data governance risks. [68728/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the criteria her Department will apply when deciding whether to participate in any voluntary monitoring or information-sharing mechanisms proposed under the European Democracy Shield. [68729/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has sought written, formal confirmation from the European Commission that Ireland will not be required to participate in any EU-level system for reviewing or classifying domestic political content; and if she will provide copies of any such correspondence. [68730/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 151, 152, 153 and 154 together.
The European Commission published the Communication on the European Democracy Shield (EDS) on 12 November 2025. This Communication provides for enhanced voluntary co-operation between Member States in areas such as electoral integrity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference. The Communication does not suggest that Ireland will have an obligation to participate in any EU-level system for reviewing or classifying domestic political content, beyond voluntary increased collaboration under frameworks such as the European Co-operation Network on Elections (ECNE), in which Ireland is already engaged. The voluntary nature of the proposed co-operation mechanisms under the EDS is clearly established in the Commission's Communication, which emphasises respect for Member State competence in electoral regulation and media governance. Consequently, the question of written confirmation does not arise.
The Department has not undertaken a formal legal analysis for voluntary co-operation to create de facto obligations, as the voluntary nature of the proposed frameworks under the EDS does not give rise to binding legal commitments beyond those to which Ireland is already party through existing EU co-operation mechanisms. The Department will continue to monitor developments as the initiative evolves to ensure that Ireland's participation in any voluntary mechanisms remains consistent with respect for national competences.
In considering participation in any voluntary mechanisms that may be proposed under the EDS, the Department will apply criteria that assess respect for Member State competency in electoral regulations and media governance; the voluntary nature of participation and the absence of de facto obligations, the practical benefits to Ireland's existing democratic resilience framework and resource and operational implications. These criteria reflect Ireland's national position that the EDS should complement and enhance national efforts rather than replace them.
Ireland's non-paper submission to the Commission, which was submitted in August 2025, outlines our position on protecting national competence in electoral regulation and political debate, and emphasises Ireland's rights-centred approach to the EDS. This approach is grounded in the EU's founding values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The non-paper stresses that EDS measures must respect Member State competence in relation to countering hybrid activity, including electoral administration and media regulation. This document forms part of ongoing policy development at EU level and it will not be published at this time.
While no risk register entries specific to the EDS have been recorded to date, the Department maintains ongoing monitoring of the legal, political and operational implications of this non-legislative initiative as it develops. Ireland will continue to engage constructively in Council discussions while ensuring that any EDS measures respect Member State competence, fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, and Ireland's rights-centred approach to democratic resilience.
155. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has conducted any sector-by-sector analysis of exposure for exporters in the Cork Port region arising from possible UK regulatory divergence under the Windsor Framework; and to provide the findings of that analysis. [68731/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Cork-based exporters or logistics operators who have contacted her Department since 1 September 2025 regarding concerns about UK divergence; and to summarise the issues raised. [68732/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has prepared contingency measures for exporters in the Cork Port region in the event of unilateral UK changes affecting regulatory alignment or market access; and to outline those measures in detail. [68734/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has conducted any assessment of the impact of dual regulatory regimes on SME exporters using the Port of Cork, including effects on haulage costs, customs clearance times and supply chain reliability; and to provide the results of that assessment. [68735/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155, 156, 158 and 159 together.
The Windsor Framework, an agreement reached between the EU and UK in 2023, acknowledges the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland within the context of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU in 2016. Through it, the gains of the Good Friday Agreement have been protected, while also providing certainty and clarity for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland. The agreed upon safeguards and facilitations contained within the Windsor Framework ensure that Northern Ireland, while remaining part of the United Kingdom’s internal market, also retains access to the EU’s single market for goods. Crucially, this avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland and protects the all-island economy.
My Department has not conducted a specific assessment of the impact of dual regulatory regimes on SME exporters using the Port of Cork, nor has it conducted a formal sector-by-sector analysis into the exposure for exporters in the Cork Port region arising from potential regulatory divergence between the EU and UK. My Department has also not been contacted by Cork-based exporters or logistics operators on this matter since 1 September 2025. As the Deputy will be aware, however, officials in my Department and across Government engage regularly with stakeholders on a wide variety of issues, including within the context of the post-Brexit trading environment.
As recently as 29 September 2025, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Mr Simon Harris TD, in his former role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, chaired a meeting of the Brexit Stakeholders’ Forum, which provided a welcome opportunity to hear directly from organisations and representative groups on matters affecting them. The Government Trade Forum, which meets on a regular basis, similarly brings together a diversity of stakeholders and provides an opportunity to discuss a broad range of matters. From a customs formalities and procedures perspective, I am aware that Revenue also continues to have a strong stakeholder engagement and communications programme, including through its Customs Consultative Committee. Such engagements continue to provide a valuable platform to engage with stakeholders and to hear directly from them on any issues they may be experiencing.
Ireland has always supported the strongest possible relationship between the EU and UK. To that end, I very much welcome the outcome of the EU-UK summit in May which has opened a positive new chapter in EU-UK relations. This positive new chapter has seen a commitment to reach agreements in a number of areas which will underpin and support trade between our two islands. I am particularly pleased that negotiations are now underway to secure agreements on SPS and ETS, both of which will be important in supporting trade between the EU and UK, and with Ireland.
As these negotiations continue, my officials and I will continue to stress the importance of the full, timely and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework in our engagements with EU and UK counterparts, recognising that it is crucial in providing certainty and clarity for people and businesses across the island of Ireland. I wish to assure the Deputy that I will continue to advocate strongly for Ireland’s interests across all EU forums.
157. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a summary of Ireland's interventions at each meeting of the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework since 1 September 2025, including concerns raised, requests made and any written submissions tabled. [68733/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the 1 September 2025, the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework, which is co-chaired by the EU and UK, has met on 2 October 2025 and 3 December 2025. At each meeting of the Specialised Committee, Ireland is afforded the opportunity to deliver an oral intervention in recognition of the unique circumstances that exist on the island of Ireland as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
With each of these interventions at the October and December meeting, my officials have stressed the importance of the full, timely, and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework, recognising that it is crucial in providing certainty and clarity for people and businesses across the island of Ireland. Moreover, my officials emphasised the extent to which the Windsor Framework is central to protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement, avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, protecting the all-island economy, and ensuring the integrity of the EU Single Market. On each occasion, Ireland has also welcomed and supported the ongoing engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders as set out in the Windsor Framework and called for further progress on implementation of outstanding Windsor Framework safeguards.
I wish to assure the Deputy that my officials and I will continue to closely monitor developments and advocate strongly for Ireland’s interests, including through these interventions, both within the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework and other EU forums.
160. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement her Department has had with the Polisario Front regarding the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68876/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) upheld the ruling of the General Court of 29 September 2021 annulling the Council Decision on the conclusion of the 2018 Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco. This decision required a negotiation of a new agreement between the EU and Morocco. The Court set a deadline of 4 October 2025, in that it maintained the effects of the existing Council Decision until that date.
The EU and Morocco signed the amended EU-Morocco Agreement on 3 October and its provisional application began.
The process to conclude the Council Decision concerning the opening of negotiations on the amendment of the 2018 Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco is nearing its conclusion.
Throughout the process, Ireland has made clear our view that the compatibility of the agreement with the fundamental principle in international law of the right of peoples to self-determination should be paramount in the implementation of this agreement.
Ireland’s position on Western Sahara continues to be guided by the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Officials at HQ and in the Mission network continue to be in contact with relevant parties in support of efforts to achieve a solution to this long-standing dispute. This includes representatives of the Polisario Front, with whom my officials recently met in October and November. During both of these engagements the subject of Western Sahara was discussed.
161. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department has raised concerns regarding the European Commission's negotiation of a trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates, given the well-documented role of that country in supplying weapons to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68878/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs an EU Member State, Ireland is part of a growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In April 2025, European Commission President von der Leyen announced that the EU had agreed to open negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a Free Trade Agreement. The European Commission, which leads on trade negotiations, has engaged with the UAE on three rounds of negotiations, with a fourth scheduled for early December.
For Ireland, delivering a modern and ambitious FTA with the UAE will not only reinforce EU and Irish relations with the UAE, but also support the important goal of market diversification via an expanded set of EU FTAs.
Our support for enhanced trading relationships does not mean that we avoid difficult issues. Ireland has discussed the engagement of the UAE in Sudan bilaterally with the UAE at Ministerial and official level. The UAE has consistently denied the allegations. We will continue to engage with the UAE on all aspects of the situation in Sudan.
Together with our EU partners, Ireland has been very clear that external engagement in the conflict must end. At the May 2025 meeting of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Political Committee, Ireland, speaking on behalf of the EU, stressed the need to use every influence to prevent external actors from providing arms to combatants and to unite in favour of peace.
In a November statement by the High Representative, the EU reiterated the messages set out in October’s Council Conclusions on Sudan. The EU calls on all external actors to take the necessary measures to end the sale or supply of arms and related material to all parties, in accordance with the UN arms embargo. The EU will continue to advocate for the expansion of the arms embargo to the whole territory of Sudan.
Specific allegations of violations of the UN embargo and EU sanctions are pursued through UN and EU channels. Ireland continues to call on all parties to comply fully with their obligations and to refrain from any actions that prolong the conflict and fuel further violence.
162. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of preparations for the expected visit of President Zelenskyy; and the date and time on which her Department was given notice as to whether the visit would go ahead or not. [68879/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis week’s visit to Ireland by President Zelenskyy resulted from a longstanding invitation from the Taoiseach. Consistent with the nature of inward high-level visits in general, as well as security and other considerations arising specifically in relation to Ukraine, formal confirmation of the visit was only received via diplomatic channels on the evening of Thursday 27 November.
Since costs relating to the visit in question are still being compiled, it is not yet possible to answer this aspect of the Deputy’s question at this stage. Relevant information will be communicated by my officials directly to the Deputy’s office as soon as possible over the coming weeks.
163. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to expedite a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68886/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application, the passport has been dispatched.
164. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans in respect of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68893/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill.
The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
Legally, the regulation of external trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods at EU level. There would also be greater complexity when it comes to implementation than is the case with regard to trade in goods.
The Government has now received legal advice from the Attorney General. We are closely studying this and reflecting on next steps, including consultation with relevant Departments.
Work is advancing across a number of strands at official level as well as engagement at EU level.
It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.
Any legislation must be legally robust and able to withstand challenge.
