Written Answers Nos. 232-241
232. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Irish embassies and or consulate general offices overseas that requested additional funding from her Department in 2025; the reasons the funding request was sought; and if each request was approved or refused by location, in tabular form. [45742/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget setting for each Diplomatic mission is a deliberative process. Budgets are set in partnership with missions with input from key HQ stakeholders in Business Units dealing with policy or operations. The process is not designed as one where bids are made and an approval or refusal follows. The Department asks for inputs from Diplomatic Missions in relation to local circumstances and budgetary pressures. This data is then merged with other sources of data in HQ to arrive at a reasonable overall budget for the Mission within the constraints of the agreed Departmental Budget. There is a formal mid-year review where that process of budgetary review is enhanced, with a view to ensuring well before the end of the budgetary year that all Diplomatic Missions have the necessary budgets to fulfil their remit and, where necessary, resources are redistributed as required. In 2025, for instance, the start of year total budget for all diplomatic Missions was €145.68m; following the mid-year review 2025 this figure increased to €146.66m (an increased allocation of €0.98m).
233. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will confirm her Department has responsibility for Irish trade offices and representations abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45792/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra234. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the location and status of Irish trade offices and representations abroad, including the budget allocated to each and any other agencies involved, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45793/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra235. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any Irish trade office or representation is collocated with an EU trade office or representation; the extent to which Ireland works with, or cooperates with, EU trade offices abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45794/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 233, 234 and 235 together.
Our State Agencies that are responsible for trade – Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland – come under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD. Bord Bia comes under the auspices of the Minister for Agriculture Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. Each agency, of course, has its own Board in place. Information related to the location and status of Irish trade offices and representations, as well as the budget allocated to each should be directed to the parent Departments.
While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not hold responsibility for trade offices and representations, officials in my Department are working across HQ and the mission network to promote Irish economic interests abroad. Officials in Ireland’s mission network work closely with officials in the state agencies to promote Ireland as a trade and investment partner and promoting Ireland as a place to visit. This work is facilitated by structures of local or regional market teams, which facilitate inter-departmental and inter-agency work on trade and investment. In more than 20 locations at present, the agencies and diplomatic mission are co-located in an ‘Ireland House’. Recently opened examples of Ireland House are located in Tokyo and New York.
At all of our locations outside the EU, our diplomatic missions maintain close contacts with the EU representations, including on political, trade, development cooperation and cultural promotion matters.
On 12th May, I published my Department’s new Statement of Strategy which will guide the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over the course of the next three years. There are six primary goals in the Strategy, with Goal number 5 in particular aiming to deepen our global engagement and drive our trade and prosperity.
As referenced above, the Government Action Plan on Market Diversification was developed jointly by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with input from other Government Departments and Agencies. The plan seeks to support Ireland’s businesses in adapting to changing trading environments by striking out into emerging markets and deepening their engagement in existing core markets. There has been significant progress on the plan, with 10 completed early and the majority of medium-term actions well underway.
Specific actions under DFAT’s responsibility that have been completed include the 2026 St Patrick’s Day Programme, the International Sports Diplomacy Strategy, the establishment and meeting of the Joint Economic Commission with the United Arab Emirates (with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment) and an increase in staffing resources for our overseas missions directly linked to diversification as announced in December. The recent Ireland-LAC Trade Horizons Conference was another key action under the plan.
In line with the Action Plan, there was an enhanced focus on trade and investment for the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day ‘Promoting Ireland Programme’. This is also set out in our Statement of Strategy under the promoting Ireland actions. The programmes undertaken by ministers all emphasised trade, investment and tourism to help create jobs in Ireland, strengthen the relationship with key economic partners, and engage with Ireland’s diaspora. My own programme in Boston featured a number of trade promotion engagements with EI, IDA, and Bord Bia.
It is important also to note that the Agencies each have commitments under the Action Plan to review their international footprint this year.
236. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the weekday active and practical steps Ireland has taken to compel the European Commission to commence work on amending the Blocking Statute so that it can be quickly activated in defence of the International Criminal Court and ensuring continuity of its activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45795/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which we view as the cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice. We deeply regret the imposition of US sanctions against eleven ICC elected officials and those who engage with the Court, including a UN Special Rapporteur. Such measures threaten to corrode the international legal order on which all states – but particularly small states like Ireland – depend. We call for all coercive measures against the ICC and UN officials to be withdrawn and for the Court to be allowed to continue its important independent and impartial work.
The Government reiterated its steadfast commitment to the Rome Statute framework during the official visit of ICC Vice President, Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, to Dublin on 9-10 June. During the visit Vice President Aitala discussed the impact of US sanctions with the Attorney General and with the Minister of State for European Affairs, as well as briefing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Government believes that a coordinated EU response is the most effective way to protect the ICC and its officials. Ireland has called on the Commission to commence preparatory work on amending the Blocking Statute so that it can be quickly activated at the most appropriate time, having regard in particular to when its activation will have the greatest impact in defending the Court and ensuring continuity of its activities.
In addition, it's essential to support the ICC in building resilience and encouraging service providers to continue to engage with the Court. Ireland has been actively engaging with fellow EU Member States, the European Commission and service providers to this end.
Ireland will continue to work with the Court, relevant stakeholders and our international partners in support of the ICC and its vital mandate to end impunity.
237. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has plans to appoint an honorary consul in the southern region of Portugal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45800/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Honorary Consul to the Algarve, Ms. Andrea Viegas, was appointed in December 2024. Ms. Viegas, is based in the town of Almancil, and covers the southern region of Portugal and operates under the guidance of our Embassy in Lisbon, led by Ambassador Alma Ní Choigligh. Unlike a career Consul, an Honorary Consul does not engage in the same programme of formal representational activity, but can provide a degree of consular assistance to Irish citizens and assist our Embassy with promotional and outreach activity in the region.
238. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Irish Government has raised with the Moroccan Government and condemned the recent drone attack in Western Sahara which killed three members of the Polisario Front; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45810/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland shares the concerns expressed by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara, Staffan De Mistura, and MINURSO, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Western Sahara, concerning the recent attacks by the Frente Polisario near Smara. We furthermore share the Personal Envoy’s concerns about reports of a drone strike that targeted a Frente Polisario military vehicle in the Mijek area, resulting in three fatalities. I understand that MINURSO is seeking security clearances from the parties to conduct an investigation into the incident. The Personal Envoy has emphasised that this is a time for dialogue and negotiations, not a time for military escalation, recalling that military actions from any side risk jeopardising the progress made towards a lasting, mutually acceptable solution to the conflict.
Ireland's position on Western Sahara has been and continues to be guided by the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Ireland's engagement on this issue will also continue to take account of the role of, and the insights provided by the Personal Envoy. Officials at the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in the mission network continue to be in contact with relevant parties to the dispute in this regard.
Any relevant developments will continue to be kept under close review, including in the context of EU and UN discussions. The United Nations recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law, specifically Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter.
239. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department has engaged with the United Nations Envoy for Western Sahara, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, following his recent visit to the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45811/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 31 October 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2797, extending the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, for one year until 31 October 2026. Ireland is not currently a member of the United Nations Security Council but has taken note of Resolution 2797. Ireland's position on Western Sahara has been and continues to be guided by the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
The United Nations recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law, specifically Chapter XI of the United Nations Charter.
Ireland's engagement on this issue will also continue to take account of the role of, and the insights provided by, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, who visited Algeria this week. Any outcome should be consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, including the fundamental principle in international law of the right of peoples to self-determination. It is in this spirit that Ireland will continue to support UN-led efforts to achieve a solution to this long-standing dispute.
Officials at the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in the mission network continue to be in contact with relevant parties to the dispute in this regard. Any relevant developments will continue to be kept under close review, including in the context of EU and UN discussions.
240. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which a focus can be maintained on a conflict (details supplied) noting that there have been no statements during 2026 in Dáil Éireann on the war and increasingly limited media coverage of these events in Eastern Europe. [45874/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland remains steadfast in our solidarity with Ukraine and we continue to provide political, financial, humanitarian and non-lethal military support in response to its needs.
Ireland’s support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia remains a key focus of my engagements with my EU and international counterparts, both bilaterally and in Brussels.
In the Oireachtas, I was pleased to obtain approval, following separate debates, on two important measures. The first concerns approval of the Dáil for Ireland to participate in an enhanced cooperation initiative at EU level to provide an essential support loan to Ukraine of €90 billion. The second concerns obtaining approval of the Dáil to ratify Ireland’s participation in the Convention of the Council of Europe establishing a Claims Commission in respect of damages in Ukraine. It is important that the measures being proposed in response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine continue to have the engagement and support of the Oireachtas.
I was also pleased to see that following the address last December of President Zelenskiy to a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas that there has been a number of engagements by Ukrainian parliamentarians with their Oireachtas counterparts, including with JCFAT.
At the heart of the Programme for our upcoming Presidency of the EU is a commitment to continue and maintain the Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, by maintaining pressure on Russia and ensuring that Ukraine continues to have access to the support and finance that it needs, including to defend itself.
We will also continue to work with our EU and international partners towards a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on Ukraine’s terms, based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and with justice and accountability at its heart.
241. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review a passport application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45917/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
