Written Answers Nos. 82-102
82. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will undertake a feasibility study relating to the exhumation of 'The Invincibles', buried at Kilmainham Gaol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51535/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraKilmainham Gaol is a National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works. My responsibilities in relation to the site arise under the National Monuments Acts and relate to its maintenance, conservation and presentation to the public.
The Office of Public Works does not have the statutory authority to initiate or design exhumation schemes or to grant a licence for the exhumation of human remains. Accordingly, I have no plans to undertake a feasibility study relating to the exhumation of those believed to be buried at Kilmainham Gaol.
As I have outlined previously in response to Parliamentary Questions on this matter, proposals of this nature raise a range of complex legal, historical, archaeological, ethical and governance issues that extend well beyond the statutory remit of the Office of Public Works.
Kilmainham Gaol occupies a unique place in Ireland's history. Opened in 1796 as the County Gaol for Dublin, it remained in operation until 1924. It is closely associated with many of the defining events in the history of the State, includingthe Easter Rising of 1916. Today, it is one of the State's most significant National Monuments and is preserved and presented by the Office of Public Works for the benefit of the public.
While the general area in which burials are believed to have taken place is broadly understood, there are no definitive records identifying the precise location of individual remains. Any proposal involving exhumation would therefore involve significant practical and archaeological challenges in addition to the wider legal and ethical considerations.
As the Office of Public Works does not have the statutory authority to initiate or manage such a process, it would not be appropriate for the OPW to undertake such a study. Any consideration of proposals of this nature would be a matter for Government and would have to take place within the appropriate statutory and governance frameworks, with the involvement of all relevant authorities.
In the meantime, the Office of Public Works will continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities by conserving, maintaining and presenting Kilmainham Gaol as one of Ireland's most important National Monuments, ensuring that its complex and significant history is protected for future generations.
83. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Taoiseach the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025. [50810/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince January 2025, the Department of the Taoiseach has been working across Government, including through the system of Cabinet Committees and associated Senior Officials' Groups, to progress the implementation of policy objectives in the Programme for Government.
Achievements to date include
• Finalising and commencing implementation of the new National Housing Plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness, 2025-2030’, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030; support of working groups related to new Housing Plan.
• Supporting the preparation and implementation of 'Accelerating Infrastructure', the report and action plan to help drive the efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland, and associated sectoral infrastructure plans.
• Establishing a stand-alone Cabinet Committee on Disability and a Disability Unit within the Department of the Taoiseach, to oversee cross-government collaboration to improve the lives of disabled people, and the launch, in September 2025, of the 'National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030'. The first meeting of the Delivery and Monitoring Committee for this Strategy took place on 8 December 2025, and the Strategy’s First Programme Plan of Action, covering 2025 and 2026, has been published.
• Implementing the Child Poverty and Well Being Unit's Programme Plan to reduce child poverty and promote well-being, including: developing a dashboard of indicators to accompany the Government’s new ambitious Child Poverty Target; developing the new Child and Family Homelessness Action Plan; publishing the second Progress Update on child poverty; and planning the third child poverty summit which will take place in September 2026.
• Establishing the Ministerial Council on National Security.
• Renewing and strengthening the British-Irish bilateral relationship, including delivering on the commitment to a series of annual UK-Ireland Summits; the second of which was hosted by Ireland in March 2026; and the British Irish Council Summit meetings, held in Northern Ireland in June and in Wales in December 2025.
• Progressing a new phase of the Shared Island Initiative, including allocations of €490m from the Shared Island Fund to commence a range of new all-island investment projects and programmes, working with the Executive and through the North South Ministerial Council, with the UK Government, and with Local Authority, Education and Civil Society partners across the island.
• Publishing a new national digital & AI strategy, 'Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future', in February. It sets out the Government’s ambition to 2030 to strengthen Ireland’s position as a digital leader and a global hub for applied AI innovation; and builds on our strengths to ensure Ireland's economy reaps the benefits of digital and AI for growth and competitiveness, enhancing public service delivery, and empowering our people to thrive in a digital society. Implementation is being driven from the centre of Government, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, reporting to the Cabinet Committee on the Economy, Trade and Competitiveness, and will be informed by regular stakeholder engagement.
• Supporting the new Government Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and implementing a series of pro-enterprise decisions in Budget 2026 to invest in Ireland’s enterprise base, support job creation, regional development, innovation, tourism and long-term competitiveness. This includes reducing the VAT rate for Food, Catering and Hairdressers to 9%, with effect from 1 July 2026; increasing R&D Tax Credits from 30% to 35%; enhancing the existing Capital Gains Tax Revised Entrepreneur Relief by increasing the lifetime limit on gains to which the relief applies, from €1 million to €1.5 million; increasing the National Minimum Wage by €0.65 per hour; extending SARP, the Special Assignee Relief Programme, and extending Relief on Foreign Earnings to the end of 2030 to assist indigenous exporting companies and their employees overseas.
• Introducing temporary, targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses, with additional supports for key sectors of the Irish economy, in response to the increased financial pressure on households and businesses arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
• Supporting implementation of the 'Action Plan for Insurance Reform'.
• Engaging at EU and international level to pursue our foreign policy objectives and meet our international commitments, and engaging with EU leaders to advance high-level objectives in the Programme for Government, in particular economic and competitiveness issues; energy security; EU-UK relations; external relations including response to the situation in the Middle East; as well as continuing our strong, collective EU response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Implementation of the 'Global Ireland 2025' strategy in accordance with commitments in the Programme for Government.
• In close consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, planning and preparing for Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council which began on 1 July 2026.
• Supporting the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action, Environment, and Energy, which oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the environment, climate action, energy, and emergency planning, including meetings on severe weather/flooding preparedness, response and adaptation.
• Supporting the Cabinet Committee on Water Quality, which oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the range of issues affecting Ireland’s water system, including securing an extension to the derogation for Ireland from certain aspects of the EU Nitrates Directive.
• Hosting a Government Industry Forum on Offshore Renewable Energy and subsequently establishing a Clearing House on Offshore Wind Energy to address identified impediments to the timely delivery of a vibrant offshore renewable energy sector.
• Monitoring the implementation of the Climate Action Plan which contains key measures to help Ireland transition to a zero-carbon economy and society, and supporting the Taoiseach’s attendance at the COP30 Leader’s Summit in Belém, Brazil.
• Supporting the Cabinet Committee on Health, which oversees the implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to health, health reforms including Sláintecare and public health, health system preparedness for future health threats, mental health and drugs policy.
• Implementing the Well-Being Framework for Ireland and driving its whole of Government integration in policy making and budgetary systems.
• Establishing the COVID-19 Evaluation to assess Ireland’s management and experience of the pandemic to learn for the future.
• Promoting and supporting civic engagement, including through the work of the National Economic and Social Development Office; the Labour Employer Economic Forum; and exchanging ideas on an agenda and working methods for a structured dialogue between Government and churches, philosophical and non-confessional bodies.
• Supporting the work of the North-East Inner City Initiative to deliver on their new Strategic Plan.
• Supporting implementation of the Dublin City Taskforce Report 'Capital City', through the Roadmap for Delivery, published in June 2025.
• Establishing the Cork City Futures Group to guide the future development of Cork City with a view to unlocking the city’s full economic, cultural and academic potential.
• Advancing the Government’s Legislation Programme. Since this Government took office in 2025, 39 bills have been enacted and a further 35 Bills are at various stages in the Oireachtas.
84. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a date for the meeting he recently committed to with the families and survivors of the Creeslough explosion. [51172/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Office are currently working to coordinate diary availability for me to meet with the families and survivors of the Creeslough explosion. A date will be confirmed once a suitable time has been agreed.
85. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Taoiseach if he will establish a working group tasked with reviewing mental health services for people with intellectual disabilities within his Department’s Disability Unit. [50449/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Unit has been established to bring a renewed focus, urgency and weight to disability issues across Government. The Unit’s first Programme Plan, published in September 2025, outlines the Unit’s initial priorities including how it will complement and contribute to the delivery of the Government’s new national disability strategy over the following two years, as well as supporting the Cabinet Committee on Disability. It is not intended that the Unit cuts across or duplicates work of Ministers or Departments but instead supports them in their efforts.
Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, the Government’s aim is to design and deliver services and supports that are inclusive and accessible to disabled people of all ages, including those with intellectual disabilities. Specific actions on mental health, led by the Department of Health, and aligned with recommendations set out in Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, are included in the First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.
In addition to the work of the Cabinet Committee on Disability, which oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the area of disability, the Cabinet Committee on Health oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to health and receives detailed reports on identified policy areas and reforms, including in the area of mental health and the implementation of the national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone.
Recent developments include the signing into law, on 29 April, of the Mental Health Act 2026, which provides for, amongst other measures, an enhanced regulatory framework by the Mental Health Commission of community services including CAMHS.
86. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach to provide the web link to his Department’s Q2 2026 published report of purchase orders/payments over €20,000, in line with the FOI model publication scheme requirements; to confirm the date on which this report was published; and, if it has not yet been published, the planned publication date. [51572/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Taoiseach’s reports detailing Purchase Orders in excess of €20,000 are available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/collections/corporate-reports/The Q2 2026 report will be published by the end of July 2026.
87. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Taoiseach the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value. [51775/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Taoiseach the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value. [51793/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Taoiseach the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across his Department, by project, year and value. [51811/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 88 and 89 together.
The Department of the Taoiseach did make any payments to the companies in question during the period specified.
90. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50802/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 22 January 2025, my Department has made progress across a broad range of policy areas. I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ 30478/26 provided on 28 April 2026, which outlines the main policy achievements up to that date. Since then, my Department has continued to deliver in line with commitments under the Programme for Government and the Department's Statement of Strategy.
A new Statement of Strategy for the Department covering the period 2026-2029 was published in May 2026 and details the Department's main policy priorities across six high-level goals. The Statement of Strategy also sets out the Department's mission to serve Ireland, promote our values and interests abroad, and to provide the Government with the capabilities and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement.
Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union commenced on 1 July and our policy programme for the Presidency was published on 10 June. The Presidency priorities focus on the core themes of competitiveness, values and security. Major legislative and policy issues include work on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, implementation of the 'One Europe, One Market Roadmap' to enhance the Union's competitiveness, plans to progress EU enlargement, and work to take forward the safety of children online. During the Presidency, Ireland will host 22 informal ministerial meetings as well as a meeting of the European Political Community and an informal meeting of the European Council. We welcomed the College of Commissioners to Cork earlier this month and the Presidency opening ceremony in Dublin Castle was attended by President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the European Council, António Costa.
As Presidency, Ireland will continue to work with our EU and international partners in support of Ukraine and will support efforts to secure a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, based on the principles of the UN charter. We will also continue to provide support to Ukraine, continue to support robust targeted sanctions and work to advance Ukraine's path to EU accession.
Throughout the Presidency, Ireland will continue to reaffirm the EU's commitment to international law and achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. The Government approved the text of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026 on 26 May and the Bill was published on 29 May. I introduced the Bill in Dáil Éireann on 10 June. While Ireland is moving ahead at national level, the Government remains clear that collective action on this issue at EU level is the strongest and most effective route. Ireland is actively pursuing that collective approach at EU level.
We have continued our response to humanitarian crises around the world, most recently announcing €1million in funding to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
My Department continues to support peace and reconciliation at home and deepen our bilateral relationship with the UK. The sixth annual Ireland-Wales Ministerial Forum took place in Dublin on 24 June at which the Welsh First Minister and I announced an expansion of research collaboration between Ireland and Wales. The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and I represented Ireland at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 30 April. We discussed a range of issues with the British Secretary of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland including legacy, political stability, security, and British-Irish cooperation. The 31st plenary of the North South Ministerial Council was held in May, with business and trade matters, tackling gender based violence and ending violence against women and girls, infrastructure and investment cooperation and emergency planning and preparedness on the agenda.
The Government's new Diaspora Strategy was published on 30 April at the Global Irish Civic Forum, which brought together 250 diaspora representatives from 21 countries. The Strategy was underpinned by the largest ever consultation undertaken with the diaspora and contains 23 commitments across five key threads: Wellbeing & Advocacy, Identity & Culture, Connection & Contribution, and Departure & Return and Sharing our Experience. The new Irish passport was launched in late June and incorporates some of the most advanced security technologies in a travel document, with certain features being used in a passport for the first time anywhere in the world.
My Department continues to drive Ireland's trade and prosperity. I chaired a meeting of the Government Trade Forum on 29 June, focusing on defence, security and economic resilience. The discussion examined how Ireland can build greater resilience, support innovation and ensure Irish companies are well placed to benefit from emerging opportunities across areas such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, space technologies, artificial intelligence and other high value sectors. The Ireland, Latin America and the Caribbean Trade Horizons Forum took place in Croke Park in May, which saw trade delegations, political leaders and businesses from a range of sectors explore mutual opportunities for trade growth.
91. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the emergency humanitarian aid including financial assistance, specialised equipment, logistics supports, technical expertise, or personnel, she will send to Venezuela following the earthquakes on 24 June 2026. [50849/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a series of measures will be taken in the context of the recent earthquakes in Venezuela (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50863/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans the Government has to support aid agencies, such as UNICEF and Irish Aid who have the infrastructure in place to get the aid where it is most needed following the tragic earthquake in Venezuela; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50950/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions Ireland has taken, and plans to take, to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the earthquakes of 24 June 2026; whether emergency funding will be allocated through Irish Aid; whether logistical or other supports will be provided to assist diaspora-led humanitarian efforts in Ireland; whether Ireland will engage through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism or other international frameworks to support relief efforts (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the humanitarian assistance her Department will provide to aid victims of the recent earthquakes in Venezuela; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51098/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department will support Venezuelans living in Ireland to provide donations of aid to victims of the recent earthquakes in their country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51099/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance that will be provided through Irish Aid to Venezuela following the devastating earthquake of 24 June 2026; if her Department is in a position to assist Venezuelans in Ireland who are initiating collections to get donations to the impacted region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51127/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the support the Government can and is providing to Venezuela following the tragic earthquake they experienced on the 24 June 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51253/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures she is taking to support the Venezuelan people following the recent devastating earthquakes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51365/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland plans on actioning assistance in the international humanitarian response to the earthquake in Venezuela. [51604/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether Ireland intends to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes of 24 June 2026; the nature and value of assistance being considered or provided through Irish Aid; whether support will be channelled through the United Nations, and networks (details supplied) or other humanitarian partners. [51664/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department has carried out an assessment of the humanitarian needs arising from the earthquakes that struck north central Venezuela on 24 June 2026; whether Ireland will provide emergency humanitarian funding through Irish Aid to support medical assistance, emergency shelter, food, clean water, sanitation services and other life saving relief efforts; whether Ireland is engaging with the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), and other international partners regarding the response. [51665/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to instruct her Department to allocate emergency humanitarian funding through Irish Aid to support emergency medical care, clean water, food, temporary shelter, medicines, and other essential relief supplies in Venezuela. [51726/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to instruct her Department to support humanitarian initiatives being organised by Venezuelans living in Ireland. [51727/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade working through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, to identify additional support Ireland could provide to Venezuela, whether through financial assistance, specialised equipment, logistics, technical expertise, or personnel, where appropriate, to complement the international response already underway. [51728/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 92, 94, 95, 100, 101, 102, 105, 106, 110, 113, 114, 116, 117 and 118 together.
The Government shares the shock at the widespread loss of life and the destruction as a result of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June.
We have expressed our solidarity with the people of Venezuela and have made it clear that Ireland is ready to provide all possible assistance in the the global response.
On 30 June, Minister McEntee and I announced the provision of €1 million in humanitarian assistance for the Venezuela Earthquake Appeal of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This funding will support the Venezuelan Red Cross, who are among the first responders and are best placed to carry out search and rescue, provide physical and psychological first aid, restore family links and conduct damage assessments.
Ireland is also responding through our contributions to global humanitarian funds. $15m has been provided from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to UN agencies responding to the earthquake. Ireland is the 6th largest donor to the Fund. CHF2 million has been provided to the Venezuelan Red Cross from the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). We had earlier provided €1 million to the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is now also responding to the earthquake.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is liaising with Irish aid organisations working in Venezuela on the possible deployment of relief items from Ireland’s pre-positioned stocks in the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama. This would be delivered in partnership with the EU, but through a different mechanism than the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Ireland prepositions essential relief items in strategic hubs around the world to facilitate the quick and cost-effective provision of relief items. There is no mechanism to support the shipping of items by individuals directly from Ireland.
The Department will continue to engage closely with our EU, UN, Red Cross and aid partners to understand evolving needs and to ensure that we can provide all possible assistance for the people of Venezuela at this tragic moment.
93. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of occasions in 2025 and to date in 2026 where the Irish ambassador based in Indonesia has met formally with the Indonesian president, in tabular form. [50948/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Ms. Sharon Lennon, and the Embassy team in Jakarta interact regularly with Indonesian officials, Ministers, and other key stakeholders on the full range of Ireland's interests.
Ambassador Lennon met formally with President Prabowo Subianto when she presented her credentials to the President on 7 November 2025. Ambassador Lennon also regularly participates in events where the President is in attendance, including most recently the annual economic forecast briefing at an Indonesian state investment agency (Dananatra) where President Prabowo spoke informally with the diplomatic corps.
Ireland regularly engages with Indonesia both bilaterally and in multilateral fora. Our relationship has a strong foundation in our shared values, strong people-to-people links, cultural exchange, and our growing trade and investment ties. Our relationship was strengthened by the opening of an Irish Embassy in Jakarta in 2014. The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in London is accredited to Ireland, and my Department is in regular contact with the Ambassador and his officials.
In recent years, our relations with the Republic of Indonesia have been further enhanced within the framework of my Department’s Asia Pacific Strategy. A Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesia and Ireland on the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism was signed in 2024 by my predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin T.D., and his Indonesian counterpart, when they met in New York at the UN General Assembly. Ireland hosted a useful bilateral consultation meeting in Dublin on 25 June 2026, at Director General Level.
Cooperation between Ireland and Indonesia is also enhanced by the cooperation between our respective regional organisations, the EU and ASEAN.
My Department remains committed to further developing the strong relationship between Ireland and the Republic of Indonesia along with deepening and strengthening our already strong bilateral ties across the range of our engagement.
|
Table on number of occasions in 2025 – 2026 where the Irish Ambassador to Indonesia has met formally with the President to the Republic of Indonesia |
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
Nature of Meeting |
Ambassador |
Republic of Indonesia |
Location |
|
7 November 2025 |
Presentation of Credentials |
H.E. Ms. Sharon Lennon |
President Prabowo Subianto |
Jakarta, Indonesia |
96. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to reports of enforced disappearances and deaths allegedly linked to detention conditions in the Tindouf camps in Algeria; and whether the Government intends to raise these concerns at EU or UN level and support calls for independent investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50999/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that the UNHCR has reported that conditions in the Tindouf camps remain fragile. The UNHCR has stated that issues such as harsh environmental conditions, limited livelihood opportunities, and chronic underfunding persist, with the population continuing to rely on humanitarian assistance. Ireland continues to keep the situation under review.
In the 2022 Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council, Algeria was encouraged to pursue efforts to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Algeria signed the Convention in 2007 but has yet to ratify it.
Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with Algeria and engages regularly with Algeria on a range of issues at the bilateral and multilateral level. Ireland also maintains contact with representatives of the Polisario Front at official level.
The EU humanitarian programme has been a long-standing humanitarian partner for the Sahrawi refugee crisis, and has provided €305 million in assistance since 1993. In 2026, the EU will provide €6 million for the crisis. The EU has been clear about its strong commitment to the prevention and eradication of involuntary or enforced disappearances.
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 of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, who recently visited Algeria. 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.
Any relevant developments will continue to be kept under close review, including in the context of EU and UN discussions.
97. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has considered reports by international organisations raising concerns about living conditions and fundamental rights in the Tindouf camps in Algeria; whether the Government intends to seek updated assessments of the humanitarian and human rights situation there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51000/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that the UNHCR has reported that conditions in the Tindouf camps remain fragile. The UNHCR has stated that issues such as harsh environmental conditions, limited livelihood opportunities, and chronic underfunding persist, with the population continuing to rely on humanitarian assistance. Ireland continues to keep the situation under review.
Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with Algeria and engages regularly with Algeria on a range of issues at the bilateral and multilateral level. Ireland also maintains contact with representatives of the Polisario Front at official level.
The EU humanitarian programme has been a long-standing humanitarian partner for the Sahrawi refugee crisis, and has provided €305 million in assistance since 1993. In 2026, the EU will provide €6 million for the crisis.
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 of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, who recently visited Algeria. 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.
Any relevant developments will continue to be kept under close review, including in the context of EU and UN discussions.
98. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department will, as Belgium has, cease offering local consular services to dual-citizens illegally occupying land in the Occupied Palestinian territory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51049/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing high quality, timely and empathetic consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad. A guiding principle of our consular assistance work is that we offer support to citizens in distress in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory way. Consular facilities are available to all Irish citizens who live or travel abroad and who seek such assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or any of our missions abroad.
The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963) defines the parameters of consular assistance in international law. This is reflected in turn in the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter, which sets out in a clear and accessible manner the type of assistance citizens can expect to receive should they require assistance. There are currently no plans to review our approach to the provision of consular assistance to dual nationals.
More broadly, Ireland is deeply concerned by the sharply deteriorating situation in the West Bank, in particular the massive expansion of settlements and rampant and escalating settler violence, which continues in an atmosphere of impunity. Israeli actions consistently contravene international law and are part of an established pattern to create a new status quo in Palestine. Ireland is continuing to press for appropriate action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles, including at the EU level in close consultation with other Member States.
In May, the Government approved and published the text of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill. The Bill fulfils the commitment set out in the Programme for Government to progress legislation to prohibit the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Bill completed Committee Stage in the Dáil on 25 June.
99. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the assistance her Department is providing to the family of a detained Ukrainian national (details supplied); the efforts being made to negotiate their release; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51082/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is unwavering in its support for Ukraine and has consistently engaged in international fora to condemn the arbitrary detentions, unlawful deportations and forcible transfers carried out by Russia.
In individual cases, my Department provides a range of help and support to Irish citizens in distress abroad. We are unfortunately not in a position to provide consular assistance in this case as the individual is not an Irish citizen.
If the circumstances permit, contact should be made with the relevant Embassy of Ukraine to seek assistance.
