25/1/2018

• QUESTION
  
  Question No. 11
  
  
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the government has prepared and finalised Brexit sectoral response plans for each department as committed to in May 2017; if so, if he will publish these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  - Darragh O'Brien.
  
  
  
  
  
  REPLY
  I propose to take questions 11, 13, and 39 together.
  
  
  The situation with regard to the Brexit negotiations has evolved significantly since the publication of the Government’s comprehensive approach document last May and the Government’s preparations have adjusted accordingly. Contingency planning at both a domestic and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship.
  
  
  While the outcome of the December European Council and the move on to Phase 2 has lessened the likelihood of a disorderly Brexit, very detailed work on a no-deal or worst-case-scenario is advancing intensively through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department.
  
  
  Before Christmas, the possible consequences for each sector were comprehensively established.  Now the work is focusing on possible mitigating measures.  This work is also informed by ongoing stakeholder engagement. Separately, a new preparedness unit in the Commission is considering EU-level responses.
  
  
  All this work provides a baseline scenario for the policies and sectors impacted, which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations. This includes, as appropriate, any specific responses necessary according to regional needs and at the county level, including in Wexford.
  
  
  That is why the decision has been taken to concentrate on completing this work and to participate in the preparation of the EU approach to the future relationship negotiations.
  
  
  As concerns transitional arrangements, I welcome that the direction of travel is now firmly towards achieving a “status quo” transition period.  Agreement on a “status quo” transition will provide certainty to individuals and businesses while also aiming to avoid any cliff edge effects between the UK leaving the EU and a future relationship agreement coming into force.
  
  
  The expectation is that the European Council will adopt additional Guidelines at its meeting on 22-23 March 2018 on the framework for the future EU-UK relationship. These guidelines – as well as further clarity on the UK position, which has been sought by the European Council – will provide a clearer picture of the direction of travel in the negotiations. This will provide a basis on which the Government will publish a new paper in the coming months on our approach to the negotiations and our latest assessment of the economic and sectoral challenges posed by Brexit and our responses to them.
  
  
  This work will, of course, be firmly grounded in the extensive work and outreach that has already been undertaken by individual Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academics and others.  Much of this is in the public domain, including the detailed response plan "Building Stronger Business - Responding to Brexit by competing, innovation and trading", which was published in November. A number of further important studies are underway with a view to publication in the coming weeks and months.
  

 

25/1/2018

• QUESTION
  
  Question No. 21
  
  
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will further elaborate on his plans to double Ireland's global footprint by 2025; the criteria being used to determine the way in which this strategic plan will be achieved; if this plan has been fully costed; if funding has been ringfenced for this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  
  
  REPLY
  The Department of the Taoiseach is leading a steering group of relevant Departments and agencies and is coordinating the Government’s plan to double Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. This will be ready for consideration by Government in the coming weeks, and it is envisaged that the initiative will be launched to coincide with the St Patrick’s Day period. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will feed into, and support, this process.
  
  Our expanded network will enhance Ireland’s visibility globally, extending our influence and will position us for trade and investment growth in new and existing markets. It will also benefit travelling citizens and engagement with the Diaspora and will involve reaching out to our Diaspora and exploring new and creative platforms for engagement.  Expanding our presence and influence abroad is also about a broader re-doubling of our effort in the fight against global poverty and hunger and for sustainable development through the Irish Aid programme.
  
  In addition to the broadening of our Diplomatic Network the Department is also taking steps to deepen the existing network, including in key areas to address the impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
   
  The question of costs for 2018 was considered as part of the annual Departmental budgetary process. €2 million was allocated in Budget 2018 to cover initial outlays incurred by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Any additional expenditure for future years will be decided via the Departmental budgetary process. Decisions on expenditure will be consistent with value for money principles and provide clear benefits for the State and will depend on a range of factors, including staff and accommodation needs.
  
  Work has begun on the initial phase of the expansion of Ireland’s Diplomatic Network which includes the Government decision to open new Embassies in Santiago, Chile; Bogotá, Colombia; Amman, Jordan; and Wellington, New Zealand; and new Consulates General in Vancouver, Canada and Mumbai, India.
  

 

 
25/1/2018
 

• QUESTION
  
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has formally raised the issue of Christian persecution at the UN and the EU Foreign Affairs Council; the actions being taken by his department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  
  
  REPLY
  Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.   This right, which is replicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are.
  Our commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, published in January 2015 and more recently in the Programme for Partnership Government. We work to advance this commitment at the EU, the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and through our bilateral contacts.
  We regularly condemn acts of persecution based on religion or belief at the UN General Assembly, raising our concern for the continued discrimination, intimidation and systematic harassment of members of Muslim, Christian and Baha’i communities, as well as those belonging to non-traditional religious or belief movements.  
  Most recently, during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief at UNGA in October 2017, Ireland welcomed the focus of the Special Rapporteur on gender-specific abuses against women and girls with regard to the right to freedom of religion or belief and stressed engagement with civil society actors, including existing regional and national human rights mechanisms, in carrying out the mandate.   
  Ireland also speaks on the rights of religious minorities at the Human Rights Council where we strongly condemn all forms of persecution and violence committed on the basis of religion or belief and call on all States to prevent such acts.   In 2017, we expressed our concerns about the persecution of religious minorities in the Middle East region, Eritrea, Myanmar, Iran and the DPRK.  We also avail of the Universal Periodic Review process to remind countries under review of their obligation to advance fundamental freedoms, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, under international human rights law.  
  Ireland works within and alongside the EU to address the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. During our Presidency of the European Council in 2013, Ireland played a key role in the development of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which provide a framework for the promotion of this right in the EU’s external human rights policy. In 2015, Ireland also pressed for the inclusion of a reference to the promotion of this right in the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019, which ensures that the EU will continue to engage on the issue of the promotion of freedom of religion and belief.
  Ireland consistently supports EU-led resolutions on freedom of religion or belief, most recently at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2017 and the 72nd Session of UN General Assembly in November 2017.

 25/1/2018

• QUESTION
  
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has formally raised the issue of Christian persecution at the UN and the EU Foreign Affairs Council; the actions being taken by his department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  
  
  REPLY
  Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.   This right, which is replicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are.
  Our commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, published in January 2015 and more recently in the Programme for Partnership Government. We work to advance this commitment at the EU, the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and through our bilateral contacts.
  We regularly condemn acts of persecution based on religion or belief at the UN General Assembly, raising our concern for the continued discrimination, intimidation and systematic harassment of members of Muslim, Christian and Baha’i communities, as well as those belonging to non-traditional religious or belief movements.  
  Most recently, during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief at UNGA in October 2017, Ireland welcomed the focus of the Special Rapporteur on gender-specific abuses against women and girls with regard to the right to freedom of religion or belief and stressed engagement with civil society actors, including existing regional and national human rights mechanisms, in carrying out the mandate.   
  Ireland also speaks on the rights of religious minorities at the Human Rights Council where we strongly condemn all forms of persecution and violence committed on the basis of religion or belief and call on all States to prevent such acts.   In 2017, we expressed our concerns about the persecution of religious minorities in the Middle East region, Eritrea, Myanmar, Iran and the DPRK.  We also avail of the Universal Periodic Review process to remind countries under review of their obligation to advance fundamental freedoms, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, under international human rights law.  
  Ireland works within and alongside the EU to address the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. During our Presidency of the European Council in 2013, Ireland played a key role in the development of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which provide a framework for the promotion of this right in the EU’s external human rights policy. In 2015, Ireland also pressed for the inclusion of a reference to the promotion of this right in the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019, which ensures that the EU will continue to engage on the issue of the promotion of freedom of religion and belief.
  Ireland consistently supports EU-led resolutions on freedom of religion or belief, most recently at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2017 and the 72nd Session of UN General Assembly in November 2017.

25/1/2018


QUESTION

Question No. 25

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he formally raised the expansion of illegal settlements with the Israeli Prime Minister during his recent visit to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.




REPLY
I propose to answer Questions 25, 41 and 43 together.

Earlier this month I undertook a four-day working visit to the Middle East, with meetings in Cairo, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Gaza. In my visit to Israel and Palestine, I met with key representatives of the Government of Israel and of the Palestinian Authority, as well as leaders of other Israeli political parties, our partners in UN agencies, and non-governmental organisations. In all of these meetings I conveyed the importance the Irish people attach to the resolution of the Middle East Peace Process, something that has been a priority for me personally since I took office.
In my meetings with the Israeli authorities, I expressed Ireland’s concerns about the impact of the continuing occupation, including settlement construction. I had a frank discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the prospects for returning to negotiations between the parties, and how Ireland and the EU can play a constructive role in the MEPP. I set out the urgent need to break the downward spiral of the situation in Gaza, which is clearly unsustainable, and talked about ways in which it could be alleviated. I put on record my view that to bar individuals from Israel, on the basis that they hold views critical of the Government's policies, is not the way to deal with criticism.
I also had the opportunity to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Foreign Minister Malki, with whom I discussed the challenges facing the Palestinian people, and the prospects for reinvigorating the effort towards peace in the Middle East. I also heard about work to restore the Palestinian Authority to its role in Gaza, giving Palestinians a unified Government, an effort that I encouraged and supported. The Irish Government has for many years consistently supported the objective of Palestinian reconciliation. I also met with the UNRWA Commissioner General, Pierre Krähenbühl, and with representatives of OCHA, and to hear first-hand about their work and the challenges they face.
I was very pleased to be able to meet in Gaza with the Palestinian Authority Minister for Public Works and Housing, as a sign that efforts to restore the Palestinian Authority role in Gaza are underway. I also met there with officials from UNRWA and the OHCHR, as well as representatives of civil society.  I saw at first hand the effects of the blockade, and the effects that this is having on young people's prospects and hopes, leading to a dangerous sense of despair. I reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to working to end this situation. 

25/1/2018

• QUESTION
  
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open a regional passport office in the border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  - Darragh O'Brien.
  
  
  REPLY
  The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens, at home and abroad.   Advice and guidance on these channels and other useful information on passports is available on the Department’s website at https://www.dfa.ie/passports
  The award-winning online Passport Renewal Service for adults was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, without the need for application forms, printed photos or witnesses.
  People who cannot or do not wish to apply online have the option of applying through their local post office.  In 2017, over 400,000 citizens availed of this option and submitted their passport application through the network of more than one thousand post offices across the State. The Northern Ireland Passport Express service offers an equivalent service to those living in Northern Ireland from more than 70 of its post offices.
  Bearing in mind the availability of both the online and postal application channels, very few citizens living in the island of Ireland are required to travel a significant distance in order to apply for their passport.
  In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork offer an appointment service.
  The Passport Service keeps passport demand under review on an ongoing basis. It is already planned to further extend the online application facility to all citizens, including first-time applicants and children, by 2019.  
  In all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the range of service options available meets the current needs of passport applicants.
  
  

 

 /1/2018

• QUESTION
  
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions that have been taken by his department to support Irish emigrants that wish to return here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  
  
  
  REPLY
  This Government is committed to working to facilitate Irish people living abroad who wish to return to live in Ireland. We are working to ensure that moving or returning to Ireland is as easy as possible for them.
  
  The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the Emigrant Support Programme, provides significant funding and support to organisations, including Crosscare Migrant Project and Safe Home Ireland, which work with citizens who wish to return to Ireland. Over the last decade over €4 million has been allocated to Irish based organisations working with returning emigrants and funding for these organisations this year is in line with recent years.
  
  The Minister of State for the Diaspora, Ciarán Cannon, chairs the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which works to ensure that Government works in a joined up way to realise the objectives of Ireland’s Diaspora Policy.
  This includes addressing issues affecting the Irish abroad and those seeking to return. The role of the Minister of State for the Diaspora, as Chair of the IDC, is to raise areas of concern to Irish people abroad with Departments with responsibility for those areas. Work is continuing in a number of Departments on addressing issues that have been raised at the Interdepartmental Committee.
  
  To build on the work of this Committee in addressing such barriers, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has commissioned an economic report on barriers to return. The report will be completed in the coming weeks and will inform Government policy and actions in relation to difficulties it finds.
  
  In addition to assisting to address potential barriers, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is always looking for new and innovative ways to assist Irish people abroad and those returning.
  
  To support returning emigrants in a practical way, the Department has established ‘Back for Business’, a mentoring programme for returning emigrants to help them set up business in Ireland and contribute fully to local communities and economies across the country. This pilot programme is currently underway and will be reviewed on completion.

24/1/2018



 

• Question No. 150　
  Parliamentary Question - Oireachtas　
  　
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he and his department has taken in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been sentenced to death due to their Baha'i faith in Yemen; if this matter has been raised with the European Union external action service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.　
  - Brendan Howlin.　
  
  * For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 23rd January, 2018.　
  Ref No: 2906/18　
  　
  　　
  
  　
  Question No.151　
  Parliamentary Question - Oireachtas　　
  To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); the efforts being made at EU and international level to address this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.　　
  - Darragh O'Brien.　　
  * For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 23rd January, 2018.　　
  Ref No: 2917/18　　
  　　
  　　
  
  
  REPLY　
  I propose to take questions 150 and 151 together. I am aware of the case to which you refer, which is a cause for concern, in particular as the individual appears to have been sentenced on the basis of his religious beliefs.　
  Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, and attaches great importance to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. Ireland consistently raises the issues of racism and intolerance and advocates for inclusive societies at the UN Human Rights Council, as well as at the Council of Europe and the OSCE. 　
  Furthermore, Ireland is unequivocal in its stance on the death penalty. We oppose and condemn its use in all circumstances, and in particular in cases where there are allegations of unfair trials preceding its implementation. The abolition of the death penalty is one of Ireland’s international priorities, and my Department regularly conveys our stance on this issue to all countries where the death penalty is still in use. 　
  The conflict in Yemen, now in its third year, has led to grave concerns about human rights and Ireland has worked in the UN system to address these. At the Human Rights Council in September 2017, Ireland joined the small core group of countries that drove forward the adoption of a Resolution on Yemen, which established a group of international experts to investigate the facts in relation to violations of human rights and humanitarian law on the ground. This group will report back to the Human Rights Council, as an important step towards accountability in Yemen.　
  Among other pressing issues, this resolution expressed concern at the severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Yemen, including for members of the Baha’i faith. Ireland calls on all parties to immediately release all Baha’i detained in Yemen due to their religious belief, to cease the issuance of arrest warrants against them and to cease the harassment to which they are subjected. 　
  Officials from this Department also remain in contact with representatives of the Baha’i community in Ireland, with whom they have discussed the situation in Yemen, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.　
  My Department necessarily prioritises its efforts to promote improvements in the general human rights situation, as it does not have the capacity to actively pursue at EU and international level all of the individual cases that arise. Accordingly, my Department will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Yemen, as well as the issues of freedom of religion and the death penalty, and will take every appropriate opportunity to advocate for them. 　
  Finally, a real improvement in the human rights situation in Yemen will require an end to conflict. I would like to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to support all efforts towards a negotiated settlement to the conflict in that country.
  
  

23/1/2018

QUESTION　


To ask the Minister for Business; Enterprise and Innovation the trade missions that are scheduled for 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter.　

REPLY　



Proposals for trade missions are developed by Enterprise Ireland in consultation with my Department on the basis of priority markets and specific interests of Enterprise Ireland client companies. Enterprise Ireland’s proposals for 2018 are currently under consideration and have not yet been finalised. Once finalised, Enterprise Ireland will submit the proposals to me for approval and the planned schedule of trade missions and events will be made public. 　
　
The extensive trade mission list will focus on enabling Enterprise Ireland client companies take advantage of global growth opportunities. The Enterprise Ireland Strategy 2017-2020 ‘Build Scale, Expand Reach’ is about strengthening Irish enterprise, across all regions, and expanding their reach in diverse global markets. In the context of the significant international economic challenges facing Ireland, most notably the United Kingdom decision to leave the EU, it is imperative that Irish companies build new and stronger trade links around the globe. Ministerial-led trade missions and international events are essential to supporting Irish companies expand their global footprint and realise their full growth potential. 　
　
Enterprise Ireland has delivered an impressive programme of international trade events to date in 2017, giving Irish companies the opportunity to meet with potential buyers and network with key influencers in countries around the world. In total, 57 internationally focused trade events were organised by Enterprise Ireland in 2017 including ministerial-led trade missions to Canada, Singapore and Japan, the UAE and Oman, and a major trade programme as part of the State visit to Australia.
 

16/1/2018


　
To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of recent EU efforts to address issues in relation to the rule of law in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.　
- Darragh O'Brien.　
* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 16th January, 2018.　
Ref No: 1504/18　

REPLY　



Dialogue has been ongoing between the European Commission and Poland regarding the Rule of Law since January 2016. 　
The Commission on 20 December 2017 adopted three complementary measures (i) a proposal to the Council under Art. 7(1) TEU on the risk of a serious breach by a Member State of EU values (ii) a 4th rule of law recommendation identifying concrete actions Poland should take including two new measures relating to recently adopted laws, (iii) referral to the Court of Justice of the EU the law on the ordinary courts which introduced different retirement ages for male and female judges and gives the Minister of Justice discretionary power to extend their retirement ages. The Commission has invited the Polish authorities to address the issues within three months. The Commission has also said that it is ready to pursue a constructive dialogue with the Polish Government to this end. 　
Commission President Juncker and Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki met in Brussels on 9 January last where they addressed a broad range of issues of common interest, including the Rule of Law. They agreed that they will meet again to pursue the discussion with a view to making progress by the end of February.　
I hope that a solution can be reached through this further dialogue.