I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. I thank the Deputy. I wish him well in his new role and look forward to working with him and other members of the Opposition constructively at an important time in the world for Ireland's position on a range of foreign affairs matters. I am conscious we are meeting against a backdrop of great fragility when it comes to the ceasefire, and I know that all sides of this House will agree on the importance of the ceasefire being maintained. It was long awaited and quite frankly took far too long, with far too many civilian deaths and far too many children having died. It has been the most horrific situation and we now need the ceasefire to hold. I am rather alarmed and concerned at some of the language I have heard in recent hours and days in respect of that situation. Everybody in the world needs to put their shoulder to the wheel to make sure that this ceasefire holds, that the hostages are released and that humanitarian aid flows. As the Deputy is very much aware, the situation in Israel and Palestine is a major priority for the Government, as I know it is for the Oireachtas and people throughout Ireland. Our engagement is guided by our long-standing and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and unwavering support for the two-state solution. I did set out the Government's approach on this issue in a detailed statement during Sinn Féin's Private Members' time in the Dáil last week, on 5 February. The immediate focus of the Government, and I hope that of the world, must continue to be the full implementation of the ceasefire and the hostage release deal. I welcome the release of hostages held in captivity by Hamas that has taken place to date, including the three hostages released last weekend. All hostages must be returned to their families. We are at a critical moment for the ceasefire and the hostage release deal. A resumption of conflict in Gaza would be disastrous and everything should be done to avert this. Our focus must also be on supporting a significant and meaningful surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza at this critical time, and the Deputy will note the announcement I made in recent days in respect of the €20 million in funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, to support its vital work. As the House and the Deputy are aware, in light of the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, and the subsequent advice I sought from the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the occupied territories Bill, working with Senator Black. The Government's analysis, which was stated clearly, was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill's provisions to bring it into line with the Constitution and to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. Our programme for Government sets out a commitment to progressing legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory and these considerations will remain central to our work in this regard. In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at EU level in light of the ICJ advisory opinion and discussions on the EU's legal position remain ongoing in this regard. While this House will be aware there are significant policy differences among EU member states, Ireland has been consistent in recalling that, in its relations with the wider world, the EU is required by its founding treaty to contribute to "the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter." We are clearly at a critical moment for the Middle East and for the prospects of the two-state solution. I am determined to continue Ireland's leadership and effective engagement and to focus Ireland's efforts on the areas that will have most impact at this time. My overarching priority is to contribute to a co-ordinated and consolidated effort by the international community as a whole to support the ceasefire and hostage release agreement and the surge of humanitarian access into Gaza that it makes possible; to safeguard the two-state solution; to work towards the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2735; and to uphold the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We will work in line with the programme for Government commitment on legislation in relation to the occupied territories. We will work constructively with the Opposition. I look forward to sitting down with Senator Black in the coming days on this matter.
Sentiment score: 0.24
I welcome Deputy Kenny. I share Deputy Ó Laoghaire's sentiments on the need to step back from the brink in protecting the fragile ceasefire in place. We will have an opportunity to engage on that shortly. To be clear, the Government and I, as the Tánaiste and leader of my party, still believe in legislating in relation to trade with the occupied territories. We gave that commitment during the election. In fairness to the now Taoiseach, he was clear at the foreign affairs committee, which the Deputy was probably at, that the Bill as currently constructed would require radical changes to make sure it was compliant with European law and the Constitution. He showed a willingness to work constructively on the issue with the Opposition and the sponsor of the Bill, Senator Black, who has been very constructive. My priority is to advance the programme for Government commitment, which states, "Progress legislation prohibiting goods from Occupied Palestinian Territories..." Deputy Kenny's question about timelines and amendments is not unfair but my first approach in this new role is to meet Senator Black as the sponsor of the current Bill. I will then revert to the House.
Sentiment score: 0.43
I have been clear; I am not trying to be in any way evasive. The Government's position is to legislate prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. That is our position. We are happy to engage constructively as we go through this process. More broadly, that means-----
Sentiment score: 0.22
I think I have answered the question directly. The Deputy asked if it is goods or services and I said "goods".
Sentiment score: 0.00
I am saying that at the moment our focus is on progressing legislation to prohibit goods as we bring forward proposals. I am happy to engage with the Deputy in relation to other issues but the programme for Government-----
Sentiment score: 0.23
It is crystal clear.
Sentiment score: 0.38
The Deputy might not like the answer but it is very clear. Give me one moment-----
Sentiment score: 0.25
We will have plenty of time here.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The programme for Government sets out the commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. That is the mandate I received and what I am now progressing. The mandate concerns what is in the programme for Government.
Sentiment score: 0.22
I take the point Deputies Kenny and Ó Laoghaire made in good faith about not wanting to see a watered down Bill. The only Bill that would be watered down would be one we would pass knowing it was not in compliance with law, the Constitution or EU law. I am not in the business of passing things I know are not lawful. That is an irresponsible act of government and of legislators.
Sentiment score: 0.06
Our position is that we will pass a Bill that is strengthened due to the fact that it can stand up to scrutiny at an EU level. That is important because we have to pass laws that are compliant. I will meet the Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in Munich this weekend where I will continue to discuss with them all of the efforts Ireland, the Irish Government and the Irish people are making to support the people of Palestine and international law. I made the point before that the only place on earth where it seems the work of the Irish Government in support of the people of Palestine is not recognised is here in the Dáil.
Sentiment score: 0.36
I will. That is the short answer. I join the Deputy in thanking my officials and staff in the passport service for the excellent work they have carried out. Often, I point to the passport service as an example of good practice when it comes to public service reform as regards the work that has been done with the use of technology and online service. The passport service issued over 1 million passport books and cards in 2024. That was a milestone. Forecasts for this year indicate continued strong demand, with around 940,000 applications expected. The passport service is successfully meeting the high demand, with turnaround times currently ahead of target for virtually all application types. The majority of online adult renewal applications issue within two working days - people are often surprised at how quickly a passport can arrive - and more than 100,000 passports have already been issued this year. The passport service's programme of reform will continue through this year and next year, with the delivery of a number of highly complex and transformational projects that are necessary to future-proof service delivery, enhance the customer experience, ensure business continuity, and, crucially, safeguard the integrity of the Irish passport. Successful delivery of these projects will ensure that Ireland remains at the forefront of passport processing worldwide. The passport online service already offers Irish citizens the ability to apply online for their passports 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is user friendly. It is an efficient service that is now available to 99.9% of all applicants across the world. In terms of personnel, the passport service is well staffed, with 855 officers currently assigned. An additional 20 officers will be assigned in the coming weeks, meaning that the passport service believes it is in an excellent position to deliver the demand forecast for the rest of this year. Ensuring that we have enough staff to respond to demand is a priority for my Department and is kept under constant review. We are running a multimedia campaign reminding citizens to apply for their passports on time and, if at all possible, online. The campaign focuses on the benefits of applying online, as 93% of applicants did last year, and encourages citizens to check their passports in advance of booking foreign travel in 2025.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I agree with Deputy Ó Laoghaire that great credit is due to the staff. The Deputy will come back in a moment to the issue of the feedback loop, which is an important piece that we should continue to work on. Sometimes, I hear stories about it. Deputy Ó Laoghaire's question is how to get a passport urgently. We should all check our passports, keep them in date and check them before we book foreign travel, but things can happen and people could need to travel unexpectedly for reasons of tragedy and the likes. Customers who need to have their passports renewed urgently can book an appointment at the public counter at the offices in Mount Street or Cork. The passport service offers a one-day or four-day renewal service in Dublin and a four-day renewal service in Cork. There are 220 one-day renewal appointments and 265 four-day renewal appointments available in Dublin every week and, Deputy Ó Laoghaire will be glad to know, 240 four-day renewal appointments in Cork every week. In the case of genuine emergencies, such as a sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, citizens can contact the Passport Office directly through the customer service hub and the passport service will give absolute priority to those applications.
Sentiment score: 0.06
I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire. It is a fair point. I know from memory and from previous postings that quite a bit of work has been done to try to improve the feedback loop, as Deputy Ó Laoghaire correctly referred to it, but based on this discussion, I will undertake to speak to the Minister for Justice on this to see whether more can be done or needs to be done. I know Deputy Ó Laoghaire agrees on the point about the integrity of the process and the importance of valid photographs, valid verification processes, signatures and so on to protect the integrity of the Irish passport. That is important, but we must also make sure that bureaucracy is kept to an absolute minimum. In fairness to the passport service, it has been a real leader in the public service in terms of being willing to transform and move services online, and we are seeing the benefits of this for all our constituents now. I will take away the point Deputy Ó Laoghaire has made and I will come back to him in writing on it.
Sentiment score: 0.46
I thank Deputy Gibney and I congratulate her formally on her election to the House. I look forward to working with her collaboratively also. I thank her for the question. The United States is in a period of change in its economic and trade policy as the new Administration establishes itself. Ireland had a good working relationship with President Trump's Administration during his previous term in office and we look forward to trying to build on that to support strong bilateral and economic ties in the coming years. In this context, the Government needs to ensure we have structures in place to ensure we have access to expertise to identify the opportunities and navigate the challenges in our economic relationship. As part of this effort, I will be establishing a US-based strategic economic advisory panel. This panel will bring together a number of very senior US-based business people, at the invitation of the Taoiseach and myself, to provide their perspectives to the Government as we navigate a complex global economic environment. What is envisaged is that the Taoiseach and I, and other senior members of the Government as appropriate, will engage periodically with the group, either in person or virtually. As the seventh-largest investor in the US, with the top ten Irish companies in the US alone employing 115,000 people, this is very much a two-way partnership. By way of information, the Government will use a similar model for the panel as we have in the past to draw on expertise and experience from our diaspora. The Global Irish Network is one such example. There are no plans for remuneration for participants. In addition, I will chair a consultative group on international trade policy, which is being established. This is an important forum in which the Government will engage with key stakeholders in Ireland, including the private sector. The first meeting of that group will take place this month. I should make two points. The strategic economic advisory panel is a panel as opposed to having a strict membership. The members will be invited to the panel by the Taoiseach and I by way of letter. The letter will set out the mandate or purpose of the panel rather than formal terms of reference. The membership will be drawn largely from recommendations of our embassy network and our State agencies working in the United States, but we are open to ideas and suggestions in that regard.
Sentiment score: 0.19
I largely agree with the Deputy's last point in terms of it being important that people know who has been invited to participate in that panel. An indicative list of proposed participants is currently being finalised in consultation with our embassy in Washington, our eight consulates general of Ireland across the United States and our relevant State agencies. Attendees will be drawn from a range of businesses and strategically important sectors with due consideration to a range of issues, including regional diversity, gender balance and so forth. I would make the point - I do not think we disagree on this - that our diaspora is a hugely important asset to harness. In a country in which we have so many people who are well aligned or well attuned to Ireland and Irish needs and indeed to our diaspora, it makes sense at this moment in time to bring them together to provide insight. Policy will, of course, continue to be made by the Government for which I will continue to account to the House. Certainly, once we write the letter of invitation which will set out the purpose, I am happy and, I believe, obligated to provide that information to the House.
Sentiment score: 0.44
It is important in an environment in which we know there is going to be significant policy change that could have a real impact on trade and investment and on jobs and growth, that we harness every possible avenue that we can in terms of getting the best possible information. That is why I will chair this new consultative forum that will bring all the relevant Departments together and indeed business representatives and others in this country. We will have the first meeting of that in Government Buildings this month. This piece is about participants, inviting people who have business expertise to share insights and information. These are some of the biggest employers, perhaps from very large Irish companies that are working in the US. They certainly have a perspective on how to navigate this challenge. That perspective is valuable. Of course, that is what it is - it is a perspective and ultimately it is up to Government to make policy. Certainly, sharing information with this House and being transparent in relation to it is something I am very happy to do.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I thank the Deputy. I reiterate my strong concerns as to where we find ourselves in relation to the ceasefire agreement that is fragile. It is so important that all parties to that ceasefire agreement adhere to its terms. It is absolutely vital that Hamas releases the hostages and that Israel continues to observe the ceasefire. A return to violence and to conflict is almost unimaginable in terms of the scale of devastation it could bring at a time when we are finally beginning to see humanitarian aid getting into Gaza. That needs to be the focus. That is where Ireland's focus will continue to be, on speaking up and speaking out in favour of a ceasefire, peace and ultimately a two-state solution. I will travel to the Munich Security Conference in the coming days and meet with the Palestinian Prime Minister, the Jordanian foreign minister, the Egyptian foreign minister and other actors in the region to continue to make that case and do all that we can to help. I am deeply concerned by the large-scale military operations conducted by Israel in the West Bank in recent weeks, in particular in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, with the stated objective of suppressing militant groups. I am concerned about the use of air strikes and other disproportionate measures resulting in casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and the displacement of many thousands of Palestinian people. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has made it clear that Israeli forces' operations in the occupied West Bank need to abide by international human rights standards on the use of force; these standards remain regardless of the motivation of the operation. I share doubts expressed regarding the appropriateness of this type of military response, to put it mildly. I also question the wisdom of undertaking operations of this scale at a time when efforts are focused on the implementation of the ongoing ceasefire and the hostage release deal. The shocking rise in settler violence that we have witnessed over recent months is also of deep concern. I welcome that the European Union has adopted successive rounds of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers under its global human rights sanctions regime. We have seen more instances of settler violence in recent weeks and it is important that further listings are also considered.
Sentiment score: 0.14
The Deputy is right. We will absolutely continue to speak out in relation to this at an EU level and at every possible forum we have because we have seen more instances of settler violence in recent weeks. While I have welcomed the fact that the EU has adopted successive rounds of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers, it is really important that further listings are considered and that further action is taken. It is also important that at an EU level we finally see happening something for which Ireland has been calling for a long time and that there is a meeting in regard to the EU-Israel Association Agreement. I am pleased to say that that meeting will take place this month in Brussels. I expect to be in attendance at it. In March there will be engagement between the European Union and Palestine. It is important that we have those two engagements because Ireland continues to do all we can, or at least continues to debate here what we can do at a bilateral level and at a national level. However, working at a European level on this issue is vital too.
Sentiment score: 0.19
What I have clearly said in relation to the Irish Government's position is that we will bring forward legislation in relation to the occupied territories and that we will fulfil the commitment in the programme for Government which focuses on goods. I said we will also constructively engage on other issues, including the issues the Deputy is raising. However, we are going to have to look at everything through the prism of law and of how things can be operationalised and work. This is a complex area. I was the Taoiseach who asked the Attorney General to review again the possibility of legally being able to do something in relation to occupied territories and trade in the context of the ICJ advisory opinion. We got legal advice that it may now be possible to do something. We should not, though, fool ourselves as to the breadth of that ability. This is a very narrow path in terms of making sure any law the Oireachtas passes is, exactly as it should be, lawful. To do anything else would be, not intentionally but accidentally, symbolic rather than meaningful.
Sentiment score: 0.31