Tuesday, 7 Jul 2026

International Relations

Ceisteanna (103)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

103. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the continued refusal by the Algerian authorities to permit a comprehensive census and formal registration of the population in the Tindouf camps; whether given concerns regarding the lack of transparent and verifiable data on their refugee status, the Government intends to raise this issue at EU or UN level to support calls for registration in line with international refugee law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51136/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware that the UNHCR has reported that conditions in the Tindouf camps remain fragile. In the absence of a national asylum law, the UNHCR continues to conduct registration and Refugee Status Determination (RSD) under its mandate, while advocating for a transition to a state-led asylum system

The UN has also noted that birth registration services need reinforcement, and through the Sahrawi Refugee Response Plan 2026-2027 aims to equip community judicial institutions to strengthen service delivery and ensure access to essential services such as birth registration and identity documentation. 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.

EU Presidency

Ceisteanna (104)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

104. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost incurred in the design, development and production of the logo for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; the breakdown of these costs by design, consultancy, branding, and promotional expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51239/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

As in previous Presidencies, a visual identity comprising a logo, slogan and branding guidance has been developed for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026. The purpose of the visual identity is to enhance visibility of the work of the Presidency through distinct and recognisable branding across physical spaces and digital communications channels. The visual identity of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union emphasises the interdependence and interconnectedness of all member states of the EU. The total cost for the design, development and production of the visual identity is €36,757.33, inclusive of VAT. The development of the visual identity was carried out by a creative agency under an existing procurement framework within my Department.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 91.

Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 91.

Passport Services

Ceisteanna (107)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

107. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an online passport application for a person (details supplied) living in the North that was submitted on 19 April 2026 will issue on time for their travel date of 9 July 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51383/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (108)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

108. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to review the case of a person (details supplied); if she will expedite the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51388/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (109)

Albert Dolan

Ceist:

109. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide the web link to her 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. [51564/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

This Department complies with the obligation to publish payments exceeding €20,000, as required under the 2011 Public Service Reform Plan. These publications refer to transactions for goods and services. These are publicly accessible and published quarterly in arrears on the gov.ie website on the following www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/organisation-information/payments-over-20000.

The Department has not yet published its Q2 2026 report. This will be published as soon as possible.

Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 91.

Humanitarian Aid

Ceisteanna (111)

Roderic O'Gorman

Ceist:

111. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will raise EU coordination of humanitarian assistance to Sudan in the context of the relevant Council meetings as part of Ireland's Presidency of the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51631/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

More than three years of conflict in Sudan have resulted in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with ongoing violence continuing to have a devastating impact on the Sudanese people. We are particularly concerned about the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) current offensive on the city of El Obeid, which puts countless civilian lives at risk and worsens an already dire humanitarian crisis.

As a key donor to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is in contact with the UN country team, the EU Commission and other EU Member States, to support sustained and coordinated humanitarian assistance throughout Sudan, including into El Obeid; and common messaging for rapid, unhindered and sustained access and for the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel.

I attended the International Sudan Conference in Berlin on 15 April, where the EU and its Member States, including Ireland, pledged over €812 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the Sudan crisis. Ireland will significantly increase our humanitarian assistance this year to €21 million from €14.3 million in 2025. Our funding will be channelled through trusted partners in order to reach the most vulnerable. On 12 June, we launched a call for proposals from Irish NGO partners working on the ground in hard to reach areas in Sudan.

On 3 July, Ireland took a leading role in a UN Human Rights Council urgent debate on the human rights situation in and around El Obeid. This followed a joint Ministerial Statement signed by Minister McEntee on 23 June, calling on all parties to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to El Obeid and for civilians to be allowed leave safely.

Ireland has consistently raised the humanitarian impact of the Sudan crisis at meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, including playing an active part in the formulation of the October 2025 Council Conclusions on Sudan. During our EU Presidency, Ireland will continue to ensure a continued focus on Sudan at EU level, including by putting a focus on humanitarian diplomacy as a means to ensure sustained access to crisis-affected communities.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (112)

Roderic O'Gorman

Ceist:

112. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on efforts to reach a target of 0.7% of gross national income in overseas development aid; when her Department hopes to meet that target; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51632/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Government remains committed to the UN target to provide 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA). This commitment was reaffirmed in A Better World, Ireland's International Development Policy and in the Programme for Government which commits to increases in ODA, towards the 0.7% target.

The OECD preliminary estimate of Ireland’s total ODA for 2025 is €1.86 billion, representing 0.42% of GNI. In recent years, the Government has consistently increased the allocation for the Irish Aid programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which works to address the needs of some of the world’s poorest or most climate-exposed countries and communities and those living in areas affected by conflict.

For 2026 this allocation stands at €866.4 billion, an increase of over €56 million from the 2025 allocation. This is the highest ever allocation in the 52-year history of Ireland's development programme.

Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 91.

Question No. 114 answered with Question No. 91.

International Relations

Ceisteanna (115)

Donna McGettigan

Ceist:

115. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of occasions in 2025 and to-date in 2026 where the Irish Consulate General based in Sydney has met formally with the Chief of New South Wales Police; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51718/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland's Consulate General in Sydney works closely with local representatives and other key stakeholders in New South Wales towards achieving Ireland's objectives as set out in the Government's Asia-Pacific Strategy and Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030: Strengthening Communities and Deepening Connections. This includes engaging with state and local political representatives, providing support to Irish communities and organisations, delivering consular assistance and services to Irish citizens, promoting trade and economic cooperation, and seeking other opportunities to enhance Ireland's profile and advance our interests in the region.

The Consul General has not spoken formally with the NSW Chief of Police in 2025 or to date in 2026, but has engaged closely with Police Superintendents from Sydney Area Command, the Multicultural Liaison Officer and other officers as necessary.

Question No. 116 answered with Question No. 91.

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 91.

Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 91.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (119)

Malcolm Byrne

Ceist:

119. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the implementation of EU sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet. [51747/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland supports strong sanctions on the Shadow Fleet introduced by the EU. Following agreement of the 20th package in April a total of 632 vessels have been listed under EU sanctions.

In June, the European Council reiterated the importance of further reducing Russia’s energy revenues, curbing its Shadow Fleet operations and further constraining its banking system. The European Council noted that undermining the Russian Shadow Fleet’s business model requires a ‘whole of route’ approach and coordination among Member States and with partners, including a common approach to addressing the significant environmental, security and maritime safety risks posed by such vessels

During our Presidency, Ireland will continue to support further EU measures to raise the costs to Russia by targeting the Shadow Fleet and its enablers. These vessels not only evade sanctions, but pose significant security, environmental and economic risks. More generally, Ireland is actively participating in a range of work streams to address the risks posed by the Shadow Fleet including diplomatic outreach to third states, information sharing and monitoring, along with work on assessing options under IMO Resolutions and Guidelines.

At a national level, I am currently progressing new legislation through the Oireachtas that aims to help to protect and defend our territorial sea and internal waters and protect the sovereign rights of the State in our exclusive economic zone. These provisions are particularly relevant in today’s increasingly volatile geopolitical situation, which is resulting in new and evolving threats in the maritime domain.

I am progressing these amendments, as a matter of urgency, as it is a priority for me and the Government to ensure that the Defence Forces have the powers they need to respond to emerging threats in our maritime zones, particularly from vessels linked to the Russian Shadow Fleet.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (120)

Eoin Hayes

Ceist:

120. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across her Department, by project, year and value; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51767/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The expenditure with the company specified in each of the years requested was: -

Project	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Passport Reform Programme	€ 0.6m	€0.7m	€1.3m	€2.3m	€3.1m	€7.4m
Passport Service Operations	€2.4m	€2.4m	€2.6m	€2.9m	€2.4m	€1.7m

The Passport Reform Programme is a multi-year strategic investment programme established to modernise and transform the Passport Service’s technology, business processes and provide enhanced customer services. A public facing example of the Passport Reform Programme is the recent launch of Ireland’s newly designed passport book and card. The Programme is also delivering a range of technology and business improvements to enhance operational resilience, strengthen security, improve the customer experience, and provide a flexible platform capable of responding to evolving business and other requirements.

The expenditure incurred under Passport Service Operations relates to the support and maintenance of the passport processing system and passport personalisation high security printing machines and related systems.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (121)

Eoin Hayes

Ceist:

121. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across her Department, by project, year and value; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51785/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department did not have contracts with the company referred to in the period 2020 to 2025.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (122)

Eoin Hayes

Ceist:

122. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total cost of engagement with a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2020 to 2025, across her Department, by project, year and value; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51803/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

My Department did not have contracts with the company referred to in the period 2020 to 2025.

United Nations

Ceisteanna (123)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

123. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the omission of persons with disabilities from the draft United Nations Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity; if she will make submissions to ensure their inclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51845/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Helen McEntee)

Ireland’s position on an international convention on crimes against humanity is very clear: we strongly support the elaboration of such a convention, on the basis of the International Law Commission (ILC) Draft Articles. Unlike the other core international crimes of genocide and war crimes, there is no stand-alone international instrument on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity. Such a convention is therefore essential to close a significant accountability gap in the international treaty law framework.

There has been an item on the Draft Articles on Crimes against Humanity on the UN General Assembly Sixth (Legal Affairs) Committee agenda since 2020, following the adoption of the Draft Articles by the International Law Commission in 2019. This has included two additional ‘resumed sessions’ of the Sixth Committee dedicated to this subject in April 2023 and April 2024. Ireland actively participated in the Sixth Committee’s work in this regard, through both written and oral submissions.

In December 2024, the Sixth Committee adopted resolution 79/122 establishing a treaty negotiation process, agreeing to hold a UN Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity in 2028 and 2029. The resolution also provided for the convening of a Preparatory Committee in 2026 and 2027, to consider the working methods of the Conference and to prepare the text that will serve as the basis for negotiations during the Conference.

The first meeting of the Preparatory Committee took place from 19 to 31 January 2026 and the Legal Adviser at the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Declan Smyth, was elected to chair that Committee.

As an Irish official is now chairing the Preparatory Committee, and in accordance with long-standing custom with regard to the neutrality of the chair in these processes, it would not be appropriate for Ireland to submit any proposals for inclusion in the negotiating text at this point.

More broadly, however, Ireland is committed to championing the rights of persons with disabilities throughout its foreign policy, taking a human rights-based approach to the rights of disabled people in all international engagement. At the UN, Ireland supports resolutions at the General Assembly Third (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues) Committee and at the Human Rights Council on the rights of persons with disabilities. Ireland burden-shares the biannual resolution on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol thereto at the Third Committee. For example, Ireland was an early co-sponsor of the biannual resolution on the rights of persons with disabilities at HRC61, and of the Resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities at HRC62. The rights of persons with disabilities in conflict is a priority in Ireland’s campaign for membership of the Human Rights Council 2027-2029.