Cathy Bennett
Ceist:84. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Taoiseach the number of overseas visitors to Ireland in each of the years from 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [66305/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (84)
Freagraí scríofa
Table 1 provides information on overnight foreign resident visitors to Ireland. It is important to note that figures for overnight foreign resident visitors from 2023 onwards represent a new and separate statistical series. This break in the series arises from substantial changes in sampling methodology and data collection methods implemented in 2023. Consequently, data from 2023 and beyond are not directly comparable with figures from 2019, which were collected under a different survey framework.
This methodological shift marks a clear discontinuity in the time series, and as such, users should exercise caution when attempting to analyse or compare trends across this break. The post-2023 figures should be interpreted in the context of the new survey design and not as a direct continuation of earlier data.
Foreign Policy
Ceisteanna (85)
Shane Moynihan
Ceist:85. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken by the Government to express its dissatisfaction with the way in which women and girls are being treated in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement on the matter, [66337/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the commitment in "Securing Ireland's Future", Ireland continues to play an active role in seeking to maintain EU and international attention on the appalling human rights and humanitarian situation within Afghanistan and, in particular, the deplorable restrictions imposed by the Taliban on Afghan women and girls.
In line with this commitment, I hosted an event on 21 September during UN High Level Week in collaboration with the United Nations and the Malala Fund which focused on the systematic erosion of the rights of women and girls by the Taliban and how the international community can continue to support the Afghan people. UN Special Representative for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and Nobel Laureate, Malala Yousafzai, also participated in the event.
As the current EU Presidency, Ireland has actively sought to keep the attention of international partners focused on all aspects of the situation in Afghanistan, including the ongoing humanitarian and climate crises as well as the deplorable human rights situation. Our Permanent Representation in Brussels organised a successful seminar on 9 September which addressed the impact of climate change on Afghanistan and the wider Central Asia region and which was attended by senior UN officials. Senior officials from my Department have also met recently with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett and the outgoing EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Gilles Bertrand.
Along with other EU Partners, Ireland played a lead role in pressing for the establishment of an Independent Investigative Mechanism on Afghanistan at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. We will continue working with UN Special Rapporteur Bennett to ensure that this new mechanism is established and made operational as quickly as possible in order to try and help deliver much needed accountability to the people of Afghanistan.
Afghan women and girls are also disproportionately impacted by the escalating humanitarian crisis. Since January 2020, Ireland has provided over €20 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan through the Irish Aid programme. So far, in 2026, Ireland has provided €3 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, €1.5 million to support the UNHCR Afghanistan Situation Response, including support to Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan, and a further €400,000 to Concern Worldwide to support its response in Afghanistan.
Humanitarian Aid
Ceisteanna (86)
Shane Moynihan
Ceist:86. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the humanitarian aid that has been made available to the people of Venezuela since the earthquake earlier in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66344/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I was shocked at the widespread loss of life and destruction caused by the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June.
On 30 June, Minister McEntee and I announced the provision of €1 million in response to the Venezuela Earthquake Appeal of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This funding supported the Venezuelan Red Cross, who were among the first responders, carrying out search and rescue, providing physical and psychological first aid, and providing ongoing support. Ireland had earlier provided €1 million to the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which also responded to the earthquake.
Ireland also provided relief items to GOAL and CESVI (an Italian humanitarian organisation), for distribution to people displaced by the earthquake. These items included shelter materials, blankets, water containers, mosquito nets, and kitchen sets. The relief items were provided from Ireland’s pre-positioned stocks in the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama, and transported as part of the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge established by the EU in response to the earthquake.
Ireland also responded through our contributions to global humanitarian funds. $15m was provided from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to UN agencies responding to the earthquake. CHF 2 million was provided to the Venezuelan Red Cross from the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund.
The Department will continue to engage closely with our EU, UN, Red Cross and other humanitarian aid partners to understand evolving needs.
International Relations
Ceisteanna (87)
Seán Kyne
Ceist:87. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Irish Ambassador based in Thailand has visited the City of Pattaya since her appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66986/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland and Thailand continue to enjoy good bilateral relations, with Embassy officials conducting regular visits to many regions across Thailand, including for trade and promotional purposes, to engage with the Irish community, and to provide consular assistance.
The Irish Ambassador-designate to Thailand, Ms. Nora Delaney, arrived in the country in August 2026. She has not yet had an opportunity to visit Pattaya. Official visits to the region have been undertaken by her predecessor, and by other members of the Embassy staff, including the Deputy Head of Mission, the Consul and the Garda Liaison Officer.
The Ambassador and other Embassy staff will continue to travel to this and other regions of Thailand, as business needs require, and as resources allow.
88. Reply not received from Department.
Passport Services
Ceisteanna (89)
Barry Ward
Ceist:89. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the delays in processing a first time passport application (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67140/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.