Bernard Durkan
Question:39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [17774/24]
View answerEuropean Council
Questions (39)
Written answers
I attended a Special European Council meeting in Brussels on the 17/18 April.
Over a working dinner we discussed a range of international issues including Ukraine, the Middle East, and the EU’s relations with Türkiye. President Zelenskyy of Ukraine joined by video link.
On 18 April, we had a comprehensive discussion on Europe’s competitiveness and the need to reinvigorate the Single Market.
On Ukraine, we reiterated our full and unwavering support for Ukraine, its people and territorial sovereignty.
We condemned Russia’s continued attacks against Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure, particularly the targeting of the energy sector.
We discussed the current security situation, including the urgent need for air defence systems to protect Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure, and the need to accelerate delivery of military, humanitarian, and civil assistance.
On the Middle East, the European Council condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, calling on Iran to completely cease all attacks.
We urged all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid any escalation of conflict in the region. We also agreed to impose further sanctions on Iran.
On Gaza, leaders reaffirmed our commitment to work with partners to end the crisis and to reach an immediate ceasefire, to secure the unconditional release of all hostages and to provide unhindered humanitarian aid.
We reiterated our support for a two-state solution. In that context, I set out Ireland’s intention to recognise the state of Palestine at the right time.
The European Council expressed its determination to support the most vulnerable in Lebanon and to assist in combatting human trafficking and smuggling.
In our strategic debate on relations with Türkiye, we acknowledged that the EU has a strategic interest in maintaining a secure and stable environment in the Eastern Mediterranean. We also emphasised the importance of progress on the Cyprus settlement talks within the UN framework.
On the second day of our meeting, former Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta, presented his recent report on the future of the Single Market.
On agriculture, leaders acknowledged the importance of the sector and its key role in food security and the EUs strategic autonomy.
Questions Nos. 40 to 44, inclusive, resubmitted.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (45)
Alan Farrell
Question:45. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on his recent engagement with the Spanish prime minister, with specific regard to recognition of a Palestinian state. [17841/24]
View answerWritten answers
I discussed the situation in the Middle East by phone with Prime Minister Sánchez on Monday 6 May, including plans to recognise the state of Palestine. This was also the focus of our discussion when the Prime Minister visited Dublin on Friday 12 April.
We shared deep concern at the potential impacts of an Israeli military operation in Rafah. The international community has made it very clear that an Israeli military operation will inevitably lead to disastrous humanitarian consequences and the deaths of large numbers of innocent civilians. The protection of civilians is an obligation under International Humanitarian Law.
We agreed to continue working together to push for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional and immediate release of all remaining hostages and for a surge in humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We also took stock of the work underway in New York on a resolution on Palestine’s membership of the UN.
On our shared commitment to recognising state of Palestine at an early date, Ireland and Spain, together with Malta and Slovenia, have previously said that this is something that we are ready to do so when the conditions are right. We would like to do so with others, if possible, as a positive contribution to the search for peace and as something that we believe can have a positive impact on the situation on the ground.
In our meeting in Dublin we also discussed the strong bilateral relationship that exists between Ireland and Spain, with deep and growing economic and people-to-people links.
I also met Prime Minister Sánchez in Warsaw on Thursday 11April, at a dinner to discuss the EU’s future Strategic Agenda, and at the Special European Council meeting in Brussels on 17 and 18 April.
Question No. 46 resubmitted.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (47, 48)
Mick Barry
Question:47. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. [18014/24]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with the president of the European Commission. [16767/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
I met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 11 April.
Our meeting covered many of the significant issues currently on the EU’s agenda.
We discussed the very worrying situation in Ukraine, and the country’s urgent need for continuing financial and military support.
We agreed that Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union. I expressed my thanks for the work the Commission is doing in that regard and I expressed my hope that formal negotiations with Ukraine can begin under the Belgian Presidency.
On the Middle East and Gaza, I expressed my strong wish to see an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive and sustained surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza.
I thanked her for her role in ensuring that EU aid to UNRWA remained in place. In such a desperate situation, the role UNRWA plays in Gaza, as well as in the West Bank and elsewhere in the region, is indispensable.
We also discussed the Single Market and the need to ensure the EU’s competitiveness. Without economic prosperity Europe will not be able to fund its policy ambitions into the future.
A vibrant and sustainable farming sector is also a vital part of the EU’s future economic and food security. I expressed my view that we need to do more to support the sector which is currently facing significant pressures.
The President and I also agreed that it is in the EU’s strategic interests to ensure a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the EU and the UK.
I also met President von der Leyen at the Special meeting of the European Council on 17/18 April.
Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 47.
Questions Nos. 49 to 58, inclusive, resubmitted.
Northern Ireland
Questions (59)
Brendan Smith
Question:59. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when details of the next round of funding for capital projects under the shared island initiative will be announced. [20081/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government made and announced allocations from the Shared Island Fund most recently on 20 February, with funding commitments to: contribute to the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast; introduce an hourly-frequency rail service between Dublin and Belfast; create a renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site in Meath; and, move ahead with construction of the landmark Narrow Water Bridge.
Shared Island Fund allocations are taken forward by Ministers working with Northern Ireland Executive and British Government counterparts and with Local Authority, education institution and civil society partners across the island.
The Government wants to undertake more all-island investment cooperation with the Executive and through the North South Ministerial Council, and with the British Government, to deepen North/South and East/West relationships and to benefit and deepen connections between people across the island of Ireland.
Ministers and their Departments across Government are interacting with counterparts and partners on potential projects which could take forward our commitments and objectives on Shared Island under the Programme for Government and the revised National Development Plan, and with a view to consideration by Government of further allocations from the Shared Island Fund over the coming months.
Departmental Staff
Questions (60)
Carol Nolan
Question:60. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; and to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension. [20323/24]
View answerWritten answers
No employee within the Department of the Taoiseach or the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), which is the only body under the aegis of the Department, is currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations.
Stardust Fire
Questions (61)
Denise Mitchell
Question:61. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Taoiseach if the Government intends to offer counselling services to the survivors of the Stardust fire. [20510/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left a particular legacy of pain for the country and most particularly for the people of North Dublin. It has had a lasting impact on all those who attended that night.
Following the State apology, it was communicated to the families that the HSE’s National Counselling Service is available to provide dedicated counselling for those who require it and people will be directed to the most appropriate service to meet their needs.
A dedicated helpline was set up specifically to guide those impacted to these services.
In addition, if people have suffered addiction issues as a result of the devastating trauma of the Stardust tragedy, people will be directed to community addiction services.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (62)
Róisín Shortall
Question:62. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach for an update on the Covid evaluation; and the timeline he is working towards. [20698/24]
View answerWritten answers
A comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic.
It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar type event were to occur.
It will include a consideration of the health service response covering hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with the wider economic and social response.
It is intended to have a public element to hear the lived experiences of all society. The review should be undertaken by those independent of the national response and with relevant expertise.
A consultation with opposition parties and stakeholders has taken place on draft terms of reference. It is intended to bring the terms of reference to Government shortly.
Citizens' Assembly
Questions (63)
Ivana Bacik
Question:63. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when a citizen’s assembly on the future of education will be established. [20844/24]
View answerWritten answers
Three of the four Citizens' Assemblies committed to under the Programme for Government have been completed. The relevant government departments are now drafting detailed responses to the Dublin Citizens' Assembly and the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. An Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use is expected to shortly commence examining the most recent report, from the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use. The Government will respond in detail to all three reports in due course. The establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly on the Future of Education will be a matter for consideration by Government in due course.