Michael Cahill
Ceist:162. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23314/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (162)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is currently progressing the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Dáil Éireann as part of ongoing efforts to take forward ratification of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and other international agreements containing similar investment dispute resolution provisions, including those with Chile, Mexico, Singapore and Vietnam.
The Bill will amend the Arbitration Act 2010, providing a new procedure in Irish law for the enforcement of awards made by tribunals established under international agreements containing investment dispute resolution provisions to address concerns identified by the Supreme Court in the Costello judgments.
It is important to note that the EU’s new approach to investment protection includes CETA’s Investment Court System (ICS), which will replace the long-standing Investor-State Dispute Settlement or ISDS mechanism. The EU and its Member States are keenly aware of the criticisms of the ISDS system. To overcome the shortcomings attributed to the ISDS system, the EU and its Member States have put forward reforms addressing these concerns head-on. This new, progressive system contains investment protection provisions that are balanced against a State’s right to regulate in the public interest.
These international agreements also provide that investment protection provisions shall not be interpreted as a commitment from governments that their legal frameworks will remain unchanged. The agreements further clarify that the fact that a measure may negatively affect an investment or affect an investor’s expectations of profits is not sufficient to say that the measure is inconsistent with the agreement.
On 1 December 2025, the Bill was published to the Oireachtas website. On 9 December, the Bill passed Second Stage debate in Dáil Éireann. The Bill is currently being debated at Committee Stage in the Dáil.
Humanitarian Aid
Ceisteanna (163)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:163. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the impending humanitarian crisis in Cuba and the efforts that they are being undertaken at EU and UN level to avoid a deepening of the food, fuel and medicine shortages facing the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23146/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Cuba is of serious concern and Ireland echoes the recently expressed deep concern of the UN Secretary General in relation to the escalating crisis.
Ireland has consistently provided humanitarian support to Cuba through our funding of global humanitarian funds, such as the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC DREF). Most recently, following Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated €3.3 million for an urgent response. Likewise, the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC DREF) fund allocated €1 million euro.
Ireland also supports Cuba through funding to the World Food Programme and we have committed €100,000 through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation to assist Cuba in managing food security.
Likewise, the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has earmarked €4 million of funding to the Caribbean, with a particular focus on the humanitarian situation in Cuba in 2026.
Ireland will continue to constructively engage on Cuba related issues at multilateral level, including European Union and UN fora.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (164)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:164. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the current conflict in Lebanon and the increasingly destructive campaign being waged by Israel that has displaced over one million people; if they feel that the UNIFIL mission’s planned ending is premature; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23139/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am deeply concerned by the expansion of conflict into Lebanon following Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, which Ireland condemns. Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel at the behest of Iran must stop.
Ireland also condemns Israel’s wholly disproportionate response. Israel’s aerial bombardment, ground action and widespread evacuation orders in both southern Lebanon and suburbs of Beirut, not only undermines the fragile progress made in Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, it has resulted in over 1,000 people, including over one hundred children, being killed and over a million people being displaced. These actions are in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
It is deeply disturbing to see Israel’s Defence Minister say that the objective is to treat south Lebanese villages and their population in the same way as Gaza and that the intention is to deny the possibility for displaced populations to return.
Ireland urges Israel to halt its military operations and allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to assert their role in providing security for Lebanon. I commend the Lebanese government for its decision to ban all Hezbollah military activity, as well as its efforts before the conflict to disarm Hezbollah and increase Lebanese army presence south of the Litani river. The constant bombardment and ground operations by Israel undermine these efforts.
We support calls for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. The Lebanese people have too long lived under the threat of Israeli action and the presence of Hezbollah.
Ireland has been a long-term supporter of Lebanon and the need to for peace and stability, which I reaffirmed to Foreign Minister Ragii in my call with him on 5 March. I was pleased to be able to announce €3 million in humanitarian support earlier this month to support those directly impacted by the current conflict.
The Irish Government remains firmly committed to sustaining the Defence Forces contribution to UNIFIL through to the end of the mission’s mandate in December 2026.
It is essential that all partners maintain their support to the Government and people of Lebanon during this period. We continue to engage with the UN and other partners on plans for the implementation of Resolution 1701 after UNIFIL’s withdrawal.
I recently spoke with Jean Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, about the situation in UNIFIL and the security of peacekeepers. I emphasised that attacks on UN peacekeepers must be met with full accountability. On 19 March, the European Council reaffirmed its unwavering support for UNIFIL and its fundamental stabilisation role.
Attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a grave violation of international law, are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately. All Irish peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL are safe and accounted for, but operating in a difficult and challenging environment.
Ireland is proud of its long standing commitment to UNIFIL, which is making an essential contribution to the safety and security of Lebanon and the region.
Illegal Israeli Imports
Ceisteanna (165)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:165. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23214/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In June 2025, 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 received the Attorney General’s advice on the question of whether the inclusion of services in the Bill is permissible under EU law. The advice, which is detailed and extensive, identifies a number of significant legal and practical issues with the regulation by a Member State of trade in services with a country or territory outside the EU. Following detailed consideration by officials in my Department, clarification has been sought from the Attorney General on a number of legal issues.
Any legislation must be legally robust, able to withstand challenge and progress the Government's broader policy agenda.
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.
EU Programmes
Ceisteanna (166)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:166. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has contributed financially to the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE); the precise amount; and if anyone from Ireland has been appointed to the CoE. [23257/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland believes that a capable, effective and responsive civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is essential to solving Europe’s security challenges as part of an integrated approach that tackles the root causes of conflict. We will continue to champion the value of the instrument, including during our upcoming Presidency of the European Union. Through my Department, Ireland currently seconds 22 civilian experts across eight of the 12 civilian CSDP missions.
Ireland is a founding member of the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE), which is based in Berlin. The CoE was established in February 2020 and operates with a focus on enhancing capabilities to strengthen civilian crisis management in the framework of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). 25 EU Member States are currently members of the Centre. Engagement with the Centre is led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ireland pays an annual membership fee of €20,000 to the CoE from the budget of that depart.
Ireland was appointed to the CoE’s Advisory Board in January 2026 for the first time. The Advisory Board facilitates regular exchange between the CoE and its members, and provides strategic and political guidance to the CoE Executive.
As a service provider, the CoE supports its members to build capacity in order to fulfil commitments made under the EU's Civilian CSDP Compact. Ireland has benefited from ongoing practical, in-depth support and guidance that it provides in relation to refining and improving our own approach to civilian CSDP governance and secondments.
EU Presidency
Ceisteanna (167)
Roderic O'Gorman
Ceist:167. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs her plans for the Council of Europe during the EU Council presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23258/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union will provide us with an opportunity to further the fundamental values that we share with both the Council of Europe and the European Union – respect for Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy. The promotion of these shared values will be an element of one of the key cross-cutting priorities of our 2026 Presidency, and we will strive to ensure that they are reflected in the decisions and outcomes of relevant high-level political engagements held during our Presidency.
In line with our longstanding policy, Ireland will also work to ensure that negotiations on the accession of the EU to the European Convention on Human Rights are advanced during our Presidency. EU accession to the Convention will allow for greater cooperation between the two institutions and will strengthen the multilateral legal order that underpins human rights protections in Europe.
Ireland has welcomed the Council of Europe’s strong support for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression. During our Presidency, a key area of work for the EU will be securing peace based on justice for Ukraine. In this regard, Ireland will ensure that the EU continues to support the valuable work being done by the Council of Europe to secure accountability for Ukraine, including through the ongoing work on the establishment of a Claims Commission and a Special Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine.
The Government has implemented a policy of heightened political engagement with the European Parliament in Strasbourg in the run-up to the Irish Presidency. Where possible and beneficial to our objectives, Ministers have availed of the time in Strasbourg to engage with the institutions of the Council of Europe. I expect that this practice will continue for the duration of our Presidency. Additionally, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe has traditionally participated in the meetings of the European Political Community, and I look forward to welcoming Secretary-General Berset to the EPC Summit that Ireland will host in November.
Our Permanent Representation in Strasbourg will also avail of the opportunity presented by our EU Presidency to promote Irish culture and heritage, as well as Ireland’s distinctive contribution to the furtherance of human rights, rule of law and democracy throughout our 75 years of membership of the Council of Europe.
Election Monitoring Missions
Ceisteanna (168)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:168. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will examine options to enable Ireland to deploy Irish roster election observers to significant elections in developed democracies, including in EU member states such as Hungary and Bulgaria, the United States and Canada; if she will consider providing a small supplementary allocation under Vote 28 or establishing a formal cross departmental funding mechanism to support such missions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23335/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is strongly committed to the promotion of democratisation, the protection of human rights, and the advancement of the rule of law, as core pillars of Ireland’s foreign policy. Support for international election observation represents an important element of this commitment. Ireland has contributed observers to such missions since the 1990s.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a dedicated roster to facilitate participation in election observation missions organised by the OSCE and the European Union. The current five year roster, which commenced on 1 January 2024, has 169 members.
The budget for the roster was increased by 50%, last year, from €200,000 in 2024 to €300,000 in 2025. The majority of the 116 members who have participated across 29 missions since the start of the current roster cycle have been supported through this budget. It is, however, limited to supporting nominations to missions in countries eligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA), as classified by the OECD.
Where missions take place in countries which are not eligible for ODA, financial support may be provided from other Department budget lines to allow for Irish representation and participation, as was the case for the US Presidential Elections in 2024, the Romanian Presidential Elections in 2025, and for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections in Hungary. Decisions in relation to participation in missions for countries which are not eligible for ODA are taken on a case by case basis.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (169)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:169. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of an Irish passport application (details supplied) for a child; the reason for the delay in processing same, particularly where all documentation had been submitted and subsequently additional documentation was requested at a late stage in the process; whether expedited processing can be facilitated in this case given imminent travel plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23347/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 ("the Act"). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.
First-time applications are the most complex to process as they are, in essence, a verification of Irish citizenship. As such, a rigorous process is in place to validate the identity of applicants and to confirm their citizenship status.
The processing time for a first time passport application is 20 working days. Turnaround time applies to applications that are fully complete and correct, and begins from the date that supporting documents are received by the Passport Service. The turnaround time does not begin from the date the online application is made. Applications that are incorrect or incomplete will take longer to process.
Since 2022, the Passport Service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received by the Passport Service. These applications are then processed within 15 working days.
With regard to this specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents were received by the Passport Service on 16th February. However, not all required documents were submitted. Additional supporting documents were received on 20th March. Therefore, this application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
EU Membership
Ceisteanna (170)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:170. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland's position on Ukraine's accession to EU membership. [23389/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ukraine was granted EU candidate country status in June 2022, with negotiations opening in December 2023. The European Commission’s 2025 Enlargement report detailed the reforms being implemented by Ukraine in order to adhere to EU standards. The European Commission has also confirmed that Ukraine has met the necessary standards in order to open all negotiating clusters, which is a demonstration of the scale of these reforms. However, despite Ukraine meeting the necessary criteria, Hungary continues to block the opening of the first negotiating cluster for both Ukraine and Moldova. Ireland supports a merit-based EU accession process and has raised at political level our serious concern and frustration at this blockage. In the meantime, we support the technical so-called “frontloading” of work for Ukraine and Moldova’s candidacies, which continues to be advanced by the Cypriot Presidency.
Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s EU perspective is steadfast and remains a key focus of my engagements with my EU counterparts including at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. We will continue to encourage Ukraine to continue implementing the necessary reforms needed to progress towards EU membership, including on the Rule of Law and anti-corruption measures. Progressing EU Enlargement and individual candidacies, including for Ukraine, will be a key focus of Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU. In addition to political support, Ireland will also continue to provide practical support to assist Ukraine’s EU accession path. Last year Ireland made a contribution of €1.5 million towards the “Ukraine2EU”, a programme supporting Ukraine’s EU accession path. This initiative supports Ukraine in coordinating and monitoring its accession process, and ensuring the harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with EU Law. My department is also supporting the provision of capacity building supports for candidate countries, including for Ukraine, to align with EU acquis.
The European Commission’s 2025 Special Eurobarometer Survey on Enlargement and Perception surveys in candidate and potential candidate countries confirmed that over 70% of Ukrainian’s support EU membership. Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union and Ireland will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts towards EU membership.