Written Answers Nos. 254-273
256. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with the American authorities in relation to the detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11874/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on her Department's work to ensure the fair treatment of an Irish citizen (details supplied) regarding their ongoing detention in the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11875/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the diplomatic efforts that have been put in place regarding the detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied) in America; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11876/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that have been made to date to secure the release of a person (details supplied); his plans going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12207/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has been made aware of the detention of an Irish citizen (details supplied); if consular assistance has been offered or is being provided; if she will intervene or engage with the relevant US authorities regarding the circumstances of their detention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12257/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12394/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 256, 257, 258, 269, 272 and 275 together.
I can confirm that officials in my Department, including in the Consulate General in Austin and Embassy in Washington D.C., are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance. The Embassy in Washington has engaged directly with the Department of Homeland Security at a high level in relation to this case.
Since October 2025, the Consulate General of Ireland in Austin has provided ongoing support and consular assistance to this citizen in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. The Consulate General of Ireland in Austin, the Embassy in Washington D.C and Consular officials in Dublin remain in direct contact with the citizen, his lawyer and his family. I can further confirm that staff in the Consulate General in Austin have conducted a welfare visit to this individual. My officials will continue to monitor developments in this case and provide appropriate support.
Where a citizen does request consular assistance in the United States of America, my officials will provide all possible assistance in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. As with all consular cases, where a citizen is facing deportation and requests consular assistance, my officials will review the facts of each case to determine the most appropriate advice and assistance that they can provide. Where a citizen does request consular assistance as a result of an impending deportation, my officials can assist with providing information on the deportation arrangements, contacting family/friends at the request of the citizen and providing a list of lawyers. The aforementioned is not an exhaustive list of the type of assistance my officials can provide. The Deputy can find further information on the type of assistance my Department can provide in deportation cases and other cases categories at this link: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/assistance-abroad/
I want to assure the Deputy that my officials stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad, including in cases such as this.
259. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if further to correspondence (details supplied) she will expedite the foreign birth registration of a child of an Irish citizen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11897/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraForeign Birth Registration (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 FBR service operates a transparent general policy of processing applications in order of receipt except in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents, or stateless persons. With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicant does not meet these criteria.
The supporting documents and application form arrived in the FBR office on 09 January 2026. Therefore this application is within the normal turnaround time of approximately 9 months.
260. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has raised concerns about the imprisonment of a person (details supplied) with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11941/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with the British Foreign Secretary in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11977/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra263. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had with her colleagues on the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11979/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra264. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any engagement she has had at an EU level in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. [11980/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra265. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she proposes to raise the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong at an EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11981/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra266. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any diplomatic work ongoing within her Department in relation to the sentencing of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11983/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra267. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she proposes to meet with the family of Jimmy Lai in relation to his sentencing in Hong Kong; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11985/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266 and 267 together.
Ireland has repeatedly expressed our concerns about human rights in Hong Kong, including the National Security Law, lack of media freedom, and Mr. Lai’s case specifically. Following the sentencing of Mr. Lai to a 20 year prison term on 9 February, I echo the call by the EU and others for Mr. Lai to be immediately released, especially in consideration of his advanced age and health condition. As the EU statement on Mr. Lai’s conviction in December pointed out, developments in the case are emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
Officials in the Consulate General of Ireland in Hong Kong have been following the case of Mr. Jimmy Lai closely, alongside our EU colleagues. The recent developments in this case further strengthen our concerns that the introduction of the National Security Law in June 2020 and the subsequent legislation adopted in March 2023 are having a chilling effect on human rights in Hong Kong.
Ireland has regularly raised human rights issues in China at the UN. Ireland’s national statement at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council reiterated our concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression, and called for the right to freedom of assembly and association to be respected in Hong Kong. Ireland supported the EU’s HRC statement, which specifically highlighted the case of Mr. Lai and called upon the authorities to consider his immediate release in light of his deteriorating health condition. At the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of China at the HRC in 2024, Ireland called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists.
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the Chinese Ambassador since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, Ireland regularly raises human rights issues, including Mr. Lai’s case, with Chinese interlocutors. Most recently, the Taoiseach raised Mr. Lai’s case directly with the senior Chinese leadership during his visit to China in January.
The Foreign Affairs Council does not usually discuss individual cases, but Ireland regularly engages with our EU partners on issues regarding human rights, including in regards to China. For instance we welcomed the resumption of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue last June.
I know that British Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, shares our deep concern about the situation of Jimmy Lai, and our officials have been in contact on it. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also raised this issue at the highest level in China.
Officials from my Department have met on a number of occasions with members of Mr. Lai’s international legal team, most recently, in January this year. Officials have also met with family members of Mr. Lai.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that human rights remains on the agenda with China. We know our EU colleagues and other like-minded partners will do so also. We will continue to raise our concerns with regard to the situation in Hong Kong, and the case of Mr. Lai, both directly in our contacts with China, and in relevant UN fora.
261. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the systems in place to agree performance metrics of Chief Executives of agencies within the aegis of her Department; the way in which these are measured; the person or body that carries out the assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no agencies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
268. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the percentage of staff at the Irish Embassy in Beijing and Consul General offices in China that are fluent in speaking and writing in Mandarin. [12060/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA wide range of skills are required to carry out functions in Ireland's diplomatic missions abroad and, to that end, the staffing profile of our missions include both posted staff and locally-hired staff.
A total of 52 staff, including 18 posted and 34 locally-hired staff, are currently employed by Ireland’s Consulate General in Shanghai and our Embassy to China in Beijing, which includes a Visa Office.
Overall, 65% of the staff members are fluent in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. A further 2 staff members have intermediate or advanced Mandarin Chinese language skills. Remaining staff are at beginner or basic levels.
Where fluency in Mandarin is necessary for any particular role, this is taken into account in the recruitment and appointment process.
270. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number Irish citizens his Department is aware of that have been detained by ICE in the US. [12230/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in light of reports that up to six Irish citizens have been detained in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities for periods of up to five months, and in view of the Taoiseach’s statement in Dáil Éireann that she became aware of one such case only following media reports, if she will address a number of related issues (details supplied) [12422/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the list of Irish citizens currently detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency of the United States, in ammonised form; when their detention was first brought to the attention of the State whether through consular assistance or other contact with her Department or other agencies of the State; if she or her officials are aware of the location of each person, ammonised , in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12505/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 270, 277 and 278 together.
Providing consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad is a cornerstone of the work of my department. Ensuring our citizens receive timely and empathetic support from our Embassies and Consulates worldwide is a priority for me in my role as Minister. Demand for consular assistance worldwide has grown steadily in recent years, with 1,981 new cases recorded by our teams in 2025 - with 205 new cases recorded in the United States alone.
I can confirm that the number of citizens who have requested assistance in relation to deportation from the United States of America in 2025 was 65. This includes both those who have already been deported and those who are still going through the deportation process, which may include being held in detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It is important to note that this figure only relates to cases where a citizen or their family has requested assistance and does not necessarily reflect all deportations to Ireland or all cases of detention by ICE.
The assistance my Department provides on a deportation, like with any other case, will depend on the individual circumstances of that case. Assistance can include, for example, facilitating communication between the citizen and their family, engaging with the relevant local and national authorities, providing a list of lawyers, or sharing information on the deportation process with family members. This is not an exhaustive list and each case is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Consular assistance is provided at the request of the citizen who have an expectation and entitlement to privacy in relation to their cases. For this reason, details of consular cases, are not shared with anyone other than the designated point of contact or next of kin, or Departmental consular officials as appropriate.
My Department, through our Consular officials in HQ and across our mission network deal with almost 2,000 new consular cases a year. These officials are trained and experienced in the delivery of consular assistance, and where escalation is required, including to my office and that of the Taoiseach, this is done so on the basis of the particular circumstances of the case, the type of assistance that is required and on the basis of the consent of the citizen.
This escalation can take many forms and is dependent on the nature and circumstances of the consular case.
Our diplomatic network across the US also works closely with a number of partner organisations and immigration centres supporting Irish immigrants to the US. These organisations are provided with support under the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme. Last year, the Government provided over €4.5 million to Irish organisations in the United States, including for the provision of immigration advice, in the form of trusted information, legal resources and support for those seeking to regularise their immigration status.
I want to reassure the Deputy that my officials stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad.
271. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Budget 2026 allocation for the Irish embassies based in Zagreb and Stockholm, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12243/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2026 budget allocation for Embassy of Ireland, Zagreb and Embassy of Ireland, Stockholm respectively is €0.6m and €1.6m. Embassy of Ireland, Zagreb was opened in 2015 as one of 26 new Diplomatic Missions under the Global Ireland 2025 Strategy.
273. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to meet with any religious groups that have raised specific concerns into how the image of St. Bridget was used in an advert produced by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12329/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's video for our St Brigid’s Day 2026 social media campaign highlighted the achievements of Irish women internationally. The video was published in 19 languages globally. The video was also one element of a broader campaign across the social media channels of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Additional content highlighted the role of St Brigid of Kildare as a key figure in the history of Christianity in Ireland.
No specific feedback has been received directly from any religious groups. As with all information and awareness campaigns undertaken by my Department, feedback received informs future campaigns and opportunities.
More generally, I would note that my Department profiles the outstanding international contributions of Irish religious on a regular basis and this will continue in our global communications over the years ahead. As part of the Department's flagship St Patrick's Day social media campaign in 2025, the vital humanitarian work of Fr Shay Cullen in the Philippines was highlighted in both the video and associated communications. In addition, my Department has profiled the work of Irish religious sisters on www.ireland.ie, the international platform for the Government of Ireland, which has included articles detailing the work of Sr Teresa McKeon in Sierra Leone, Sr Louise Horgan in Thailand and Sr Orla Tracey in South Sudan, among others.
My Department is also proud to support the work of Irish missionaries though Misean Cara, which we helped establish in 2004 as the link between Irish missionary organisations and Ireland's Official Development Assistance programme. In 2023, my Department renewed a four year partnership with Misean Cara, and committed to providing annual funding of €15.5 million in support of its members' vital work globally on education, health, climate resilient agriculture and human rights.
