The number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Less than 250 Employees) per county for the years 2020-2023 can be found below in Table 1. This is the most recent data available as data for 2024 and 2025 is not available yet. This covers NACE Sectors B to S excluding Sector O and excluding non-market enterprises. This data is collected from the CSOs Central Business Register.

Table 1: Number of SMEs active in each county, 2020 to 2023

Note: NACE Sectors B-S (Excluding O and S94) and excluding non-market enterprises.

The number of people employed by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Less than 250 Employees) per county for the years 2020-2023 can be found below in Table 1. This is the most recent data available as data for 2024 and 2025 is not available yet. This covers NACE sectors B to S excluding sector O and excluding non-market enterprises. This data is collected from the CSOs Central Business Register.

Table 1: Number of people employed by SMEs in each county, 2020 to 2023.

Note: NACE Sectors B-S (Excluding O and S94) and excluding non-market enterprises.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of procurement competitions run by the Department of the Taoiseach that did not result in a contract being awarded is not routinely collated by the Department.

All procurement within the Department of the Taoiseach is conducted in accordance with applicable EU and national regulations and Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines. The Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services, published by the OGP, provides comprehensive guidance on the various stages of the procurement process from specification, through to selection and awarding of contracts.

A small number of procurement competitions are run by the Department each year and the Department's Finance Unit offers support and guidance to all business units in relation to procurement. The Department's Corporate Procurement Plan outlines procedures and responsibilities for procurement of goods and services, as well as a requirement for in-house procurement training for employees of the Department. This training is routinely provided by the Department's Finance Unit. A Contracts Database is in place to track and monitor all contracts entered into by the Department.

A Procurement Advisory Group (PAG) also meets regularly throughout the year in the Department. The PAG is chaired by the Head of Corporate Affairs (Principal Officer level) and its membership comprises officials from Finance Unit, Internal Audit Unit and from business units in the Department that generate the bulk of purchasing and procurement activity. The PAG provides advice and guidance to business units across the Department and addresses any issues raised in respect of procurement.

The Department of the Taoiseach has not engaged in any Public-Private Partnership projects from 2010 to date.

Neither the Department of the Taoiseach nor the National Economic and Social Development Office - the only body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach - have procured services from the company specified by the Deputy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 together.

The below table details expenditure by the Department of the Taoiseach on legal fees over the past three years.

A centralised legal services contract for Civil Service HR Matters, managed by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation (DPER), was used in respect of the expenditure detailed in the above table.

Legal fees relating to a number of independent Commissions, Tribunals and Inquiries established by Government are also paid from the Department of the Taoiseach's Vote, including the Commission of Investigation into the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the NAMA Commission of Investigation, and the Moriarty Tribunal of Inquiry. Sanction is provided by DPER to engage legal counsel, as required, to assist both the Commissions and the Tribunal in their work. All legal fees are paid at rates approved by Government.

All financial and other functions of the Department of the Taoiseach are subject to regular audit by the Department's Internal Audit Unit and annually by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

No expenditure on legal fees has been incurred by National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - within the past three years.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach - is funded by a grant allocation paid from the Department's Vote. The total value of grants paid to NESDO is published annually in the Department's Appropriation Account. Details of the grant payments in the past five years are set out in the table below.

*Provisional outturn - the Department's 2024 Appropriation Account has not yet been published by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The Shared Island Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach is progressing a wide-ranging research programme to examine the political, social, economic and cultural considerations of a shared future for all communities and traditions on the island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

In partnership with the Irish Research Council (IRC), the Department's Shared Island Unit funded two research calls - funding eleven projects in 2021 totalling €214,038; and eight projects in 2022 totalling €150,909. The aim was to generate new knowledge and perspectives to inform policy development and promote cooperation across the island. The IRC administered the funding following an application process.

The Shared Island Unit also partnered with the Standing Conference on Teacher Education, North and South (SCoTENS) on a call for research undertaken over the period 2021 – 2023 to fund five projects amounting to €127,293 focussing on educational under-achievement and curriculum delivery.

Further information on these Shared Island projects is publically available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/shared-island-research/.

Neither the Department of the Taoiseach nor NESDO have directly administered any schemes or discretionary grant programmes in the past five years.

The CSO publishes annual estimates of migration in its Population and Migration Estimates publication. The principal source of information for the estimation of the gross annual migration flows is the Irish Labour Force Survey (LFS), which also provides the basis for the classification of the flows by sex, age group, origin/destination and citizenship. The latest published figures are for April 2024 and the following table shows the number of emigrants estimated to be Irish citizens starting with the 12-month period to April 2015 and ending with the 12-month period to April 2024.

Estimated Emigration by Citizenship in the 12 months to April

The Central Statistics Office cannot answer this question as we do not have the information requested. The data used to compile Population and Migration Estimates does not differentiate between new inward migrants and returning migrants, and does not give country of nationality.

The Central Statistics Office is developing new methodologies to examine these questions (migration type and nationality) for Migration Estimates such as those recently published in “A Review of Migration Indicators, Q3 2022 to Q2 2024" but these are developmental only.

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of labour market estimates for the State. The most recent figures available are for Q1 2025.

Due to the methodology and sample size of the survey it is not possible to produce reliable county estimates from the LFS. Regional estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 level. NUTS are the geocode standard developed and regulated by Eurostat.

The NUTS 3 Mid-West region includes counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.

Table 1 below shows the number of persons unemployed (ILO) aged 15 - 74 years in the Mid-West region and for the State from Q1 2024 to Q1 2025.

Table 1 Number of unemployed persons (ILO) in the Mid-West aged 15 - 74, Q1 2024 - Q1 2025, 000s

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

Estimates for number of persons, where there are less than 30 persons in a cell, are too small to be considered reliable. These estimates are presented with an asterisk (*) in the relevant tables. Where there are 30-49 persons in a cell, estimates are considered to have a wider margin of error and should be treated with caution. These cells are presented with parentheses [].

Data may be subject to future revision.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Reference period: Q1 Jan-Mar,Q2 Apr-Jun,Q3 Jul-Sep,Q4 Oct-Dec.

The Live Register series provides a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection. Live Register data is available at county level.

It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.

The most recent Live Register figures available are for June 2025.

Table 2 below shows the number of persons on the Live Register in Clare and for the State from June 2024 to June 2025.

Table 2 Number of  persons on the Live Register in Clare and the State, June 2024 to June 2025

Source: Live Register, Central Statistics Office, Ireland.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) collects data on visits to Ireland by overseas residents in the Passenger Survey.

The Passenger Survey was introduced at Ireland’s air and seaports for the first time in late 2022, therefore data for 2022 is not available.

Using data collected in the Passenger Survey, Table 1 provides statistics, for reference years 2023 and 2024, on expenditure by overnight foreign resident visitors broken down by region of residence of the visitor and expense category.

Source: Passenger Survey - Central Statistics Office, Ireland

[Note 1] Fare expenditure covers the cost of air and ferry tickets to travel to and from Ireland

[Note 2] Prepayment expenditure covers purchases of services in Ireland (e.g. car hire, tour bookings, concert tickets, etc, but excluding accommodation) undertaken in advance of the trip and relating directly to the trip

[Note 3] Accommodation expenditure covers the cost of hotels, guesthouses, rented holiday homes etc, during the trip

[Note 4] Day-to-day expenditure covers all other routine costs incurred during the trip. These include the cost of eating out, the purchase of gifts and routine consumables, tour and equipment costs (where not prepaid in advance of the trip) and other incidental expenses

[Note 5] Other Europe covers all other European countries excluding Great Britain and Northern Ireland

[Note 6] Other regions of residence covers all other regions outside of Europe, US and Canada

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of labour market estimates for the State. The most recent LFS figures available are for Q1 2025.

Table 1 below shows the unemployment (ILO) rate for persons aged 15–74 years and for persons aged 15-24 years (youth unemployment rate) in Ireland for Q1 2020 – Q1 2025.

The unemployment rate for persons aged 15-74 in Q1 2025 was 4.3%, up 0.2 percentage points from a rate of 4.1% in Q1 2024. The unemployment rate for persons aged 15-24 in Q1 2025 was 9.5%, up 0.7 percentage points from a rate of 8.8% in Q1 2024.

Unemployment (ILO) rate for persons 15-74 yrs and unemployment rate for persons 15-24 yrs (Youth unemployment rate), Q1 2020 - Q1 2025, %

Source: Labour Force Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Data may be subject to future revision.

Reference period: Q1=Jan-Mar, Q2 Apr-Jun, Q3=Jul-Sep, Q4 Oct-Dec.

Under the Global Ireland 2025 Strategy, there has been an unprecedented expansion of Ireland’s global diplomatic and economic footprint. This has helped us ensure that the country has been well-positioned to weather the increasingly turbulent global environment of recent years, including the consequences of Brexit, the COVID pandemic, the energy and related inflation crisis, and the consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

As the Strategy is in its final year, my Department is coordinating a final review of its implementation and impact. This exercise will involve all relevant Departments and agencies so we can capture all important lessons. This review will be an important input into the formulation of the new Global Ireland 2040 Strategy.

As outlined in the Programme for Government, the new Strategy will outline an over-arching masterplan for further enhancing our place and influence in international affairs, including ever deeper relationships with our European partners in the period ahead.

It will draw on lessons from implementation of Global Ireland 2025 and will reflect the changed international context and the new challenges and opportunities facing us as we look to the next chapter in our Global Ireland ambition.

The Department of the Taoiseach has one body under its aegis - the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO). Monthly Foreign Travel Reports for the Department are published on gov.ie. At all times, the Department seeks to ensure that value for money is provided in respect of each official trip undertaken, consistent with the requirements of official business.

The expenditure details requested by the Deputy for the period specified are set out in the table below:

Expenditure on Travel and Subsistence*

*The amounts listed include expenditure on items such as flights, hotel accommodation, bus and rail tickets, taxi fares, ground transport and subsistence payments.

**Provisional outturn - the Department's 2024 Appropriation Account has not yet been published by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

***Provisional outturn - not all invoices/claims in respect of travel and subsistence up to end June 2025 have been received and processed.

I spoke by phone with British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, most recently on 18 July.

We had a constructive discussion on a joint approach to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles. We agreed to engage further on legacy in the coming weeks.

The Government is committed to working jointly with the British Government towards delivery of a framework that is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and can command the confidence of survivors and victims’ families.

During our call on 18 July, we also spoke on EU-UK relations and on preparations for the next UK-Ireland summit due to take place in 2026.

Following the publication of the Dublin City Taskforce’s Capital City report, the Department of the Taoiseach convened an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to examine the Taskforce’s recommendations.

The goal is to make Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape, and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.

The Government approved the IDG’s Report of the Taskforce’s recommendations and the Roadmap for Delivery on 24 June 2025. These publications are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/dublin-city-taskforce/

The Roadmap identifies that it is necessary to create a strong focal point for the special measures being proposed and includes a map setting out a ‘core area’ of Dublin centred on O’Connell Street and adjoining streets, as far as College Green, with a focus on significant investment in public realm and the built environment facilitating a reduction in dereliction and vacancy. It also includes a wider area of the city centre, including North and South Inner City, with a view to enhancing connectivity of this area with other key assets and strengths of the city.

Through the Roadmap for Delivery a number of new measures will be put in place including:

- a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which should be established by and operate under the auspices of Dublin City Council to drive delivery

- a 10 Year Integrated Area Strategy for Dublin city centre to optimise funding and investment and tackle vacancy and dereliction

- accelerated delivery of landmark capital projects in the city centre through additional funding in the URDF under the NDP review

- redevelopment of the GPO as an ambitious and historic flagship project.

The Department of the Taoiseach prepares quarterly progress reports on the implementation of actions committed to under the Climate Action Plan. The reports give a detailed breakdown of both completed and delayed actions. Once approved by Government, the progress reports and any accompanying documents are published online here - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/climate-action-plan-progress-reports/

The most recently compiled progress report includes detail on actions due for completion in Q1 this year, together with delayed actions from 2024 and 2023. Detail on all actions completed and delayed for this period are published in an Appendix to the Report.

Information is also available on gov.ie in relation to actions committed to under each iteration of the Climate Action Plan from 2019 up to Climate Action Plan 2025.

A total of twenty separate reports have been published over that period, which include detail on each action committed to, when it was completed and any actions that remain to be completed.

The Department of the Taoiseach prepares quarterly progress reports on the implementation of actions committed to under the Climate Action Plan. The reports give a detailed breakdown of both completed and delayed actions.

The most recently compiled progress report includes detail on actions due for completion in quarter one of this year. Details on all actions completed and delayed for this period are published in an appendix to the Report. As well as new actions, progress on actions delayed from 2024 and 2023 are also included.

The Department of the Taoiseach is currently preparing a draft report on quarter two for consideration by Government. Once approved by Government, the progress report and any accompanying documentation will be published online here - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/climate-action-plan-progress-reports/

Neither the Department of the Taoiseach nor the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - operate any capital funding programmes or grants for sporting organisations.

Neither the Department of the Taoiseach, nor National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department - operate any capital funding programmes or grants for community organisations.

The COVID-19 Evaluation is an independent entity. It decides on all matters relating to its operation, including its procedures and its programme of work. Guided by its publicly available Terms of Reference - www.covid19evaluation.ie/terms-of-reference/ - the overall objective of the Evaluation is to help learn lessons. Its wide remit incorporates pandemic responses across hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with wider economic and societal impacts.

Information on the Evaluation’s phased programme of work and information on how people can engage directly with the work of the Evaluation Panel is available on the Evaluation’s dedicated website, www.covid19evaluation.ie.

The information requested by the Deputy as at 28th July 2025 is outlined in the table below.

Department of the Taoiseach Employees*

The Department of the Taoiseach works with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the National Cyber Security Centre and the Office of Government Procurement to ensure that best practice is followed in meeting the IT requirements and needs of the Department.

The Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security in line with the Public Sector Cyber Security Baseline Standards. Using of a mix of in-house and external expertise, the Department has comprehensive arrangements in place to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the relevant authorities.

The Government, through the Shared Island Initiative, is putting a sustained focus on building a shared, reconciled future for all communities on the island, and has driven a step change in island-wide investment cooperation.

The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building a shared island, backed by a doubling of the resourcing available to the Shared Island Fund by a further €1 billion out to 2035, and this commitment is reflected in the National Development Plan 2025 Review.

The Shared Island strategic investment priorities set out in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 will continue to be implemented and are now expanded with objectives and commitments under the Programme for Government 2025. Shared Island investment is integrated with delivery of the Government’s overall public investment objectives including on Transport and Energy Infrastructure, Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation and Competitiveness.

Government Departments have been tasked to bring forward further new Shared Island project proposals this year that can deliver strategic all-island investment and cooperation over the next five years.

This agenda is taken forward on a whole of Government basis and working through all-island partnerships, with Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government counterparts and with Local Authority, Education and Civil Society partners.

Earlier this year, on 25 February, the Government announced over €50 million from the Shared Island Fund for new programmes to run over 2025-2030 on sustainable tourism; arts and cultural heritage; civic society cooperation; and community-led nature restoration.

This includes up to €23 million towards a Shared Destinations programme to develop sustainable tourism amenities across the border region. With the iconic Narrow Water Bridge under construction, we are now supporting Tourism Agencies and Local Authorities to collaboratively develop the tourism opportunities this will bring for Carlingford Lough and the surrounding region. We are also investing in new amenities and promotion of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the Sliabh Beagh region.

With regard to the passport application to which the Deputy is referring, the Passport Service has made contact with the applicant in order to assist.

Promoting and sustaining peace is a signature element of Ireland’s foreign policy, as well as a key priority for our international development policy. Our commitment to peacebuilding is informed by our experience of conflict on the island of Ireland and the importance of developing inclusive approaches to conflict resolution through dialogue.

As part of our commitment to promoting and sustaining peace globally, I, and officials in my Department, engage with a large number of partners working to resolve conflict and to build sustainable peace. These partners represent a range of actors, from international organisations such as the United Nations, INGOs and specialist mediation organisations.  All these partners work closely with local peace activists and mediators at grassroots level across the globe.

As part of our commitment to peacebuilding, my officials are in regular contact with these partners and various meetings and interactions are taking place on a weekly basis, at headquarters and throughout our mission network.

Ireland’s commitment to an inclusive and multilateral approach to peace, one rooted in the principles of human rights, equality and international law, is a central focus of all such meetings and our engagements in conflict resolution and peace building processes. Our membership of the European Union and the United Nations is important for maximizing the impact of our work for peace and for promoting our values.   

Ireland strongly supports an inclusive approach to peace building, which involves the engagement of the widest possible range of actors, including civil society, local peacebuilders, and actors who have traditionally been excluded from peace processes, subject, where appropriate, to certain conditions.

Ireland is also committed to the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in all aspects of peace processes, in line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and recognises the critical role of young people in preventing and resolving conflict as part of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.

Ireland recognises that promoting and sustaining peace requires the integration of peacebuilding with sustainable development processes and climate and humanitarian action.  This is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. My officials and I will continue to engage broadly and proactively to support those working to resolve conflict and build peace at what is a particularly difficult and challenging time globally.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 to 36, inclusive, and 146 together.

Ireland supported the special session of the Human Rights Council in May 2021 that established a Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory. That body published a position paper on 24 October 2024 responding to the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024, to which I believe the Deputy is referring. That paper sets out the Commission’s “legal analysis and recommendations to Israel, UN Member States, the General Assembly and the Security Council on the implementation of the Court’s advice.”

Ireland continues to support the work of the Commission of Inquiry, in keeping with our principled position on such Commissions and similar independent UN mechanisms.

In advance of the June Foreign Affairs Council, I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing a letter to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ. As the Deputy knows the European Commission has competence for EU Trade Policy.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is the national competent authority with responsibility for export controls, including controls on defence-related exports and the export of dual-use goods.

Officials of that Department carry out assessments and checks on all export licence applications to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end-user for the stated end-use and will not be used for illegal purposes.

The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to each export licence application, including those involving dual-use items, is to provide foreign policy observations against the eight assessment criteria of the EU’s Common Position. Those criteria include an assessment of the respect for human rights in the country of final destination and the internal situation in that country as a function of the existence of tensions or armed conflict.

Those foreign policy observations inform the assessments carried out by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. If there are any concerns that the goods to be exported will not be used for the end use or by the specified end user as detailed in the application that application is denied by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This also applies if the exporter does not provide enough information on the intended end-use for officials to make an informed decision.

I would finally note that Ireland does not provide aid to Israel.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 63 together.

On 24 June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The scheme delivers on the commitment in the Programme for Government to progress legislation prohibiting the import of goods from settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory following the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024.

The General Scheme has been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny, which is ongoing. The Committee has held a number of hearings and received inputs reflecting a range of views and perspectives. I look forward to considering the Committee's report on the matter in due course.

In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. This was a key focus of our engagement with EU partners in advance of and at the June and July Foreign Affairs Council.  I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing a letter to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ and specific actions to conform with its findings. I have been calling for this work for some time, and will continue to press for action. It is essential that the EU abide by its commitments under international law.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the designated authority to issue a Certificate of Freedom to Marry to Irish citizens who are getting married abroad. This is not an Irish requirement but is a requirement of the country where the applicant is getting married. To apply for a Certificate of Freedom to Marry, an online questionnaire about the applicant and the upcoming marriage or civil partnership must be submitted. Based on this questionnaire, the applicant is presented with one or more statutory declarations to complete as well as a checklist of supporting documentation required to submit with the application. The Civil Letter of Freedom to Marry will issue if the application is in order and the applicant is deemed free to marry.

One of the statutory declarations which may be required relates to a foreign divorce. The Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act 1986 governs the recognition of foreign divorces granted on or after the coming into operation of the Act on 2 October 1986. Section 5 of the 1986 Act provides that a foreign divorce may only be recognised in Ireland if it was granted in the country where either spouse was domiciled on the date the divorce proceedings were instituted. The determination of “domicile” includes an assessment of the intention of the person to remain indefinitely in the foreign jurisdiction.

It is not possible to approve an application if the Department is not satisfied, based on the statutory declaration provided and documentation submitted, that the applicant meets the legal requirements for recognition of foreign divorces at this time. Where there is an issue as to whether a foreign divorce is entitled to recognition, section 29 of the Family Law Act 1995 allows a person to apply to an Irish court for a declaration as to marital status, including a declaration as to whether a foreign divorce is entitled to recognition in the State.

Full information on the application process is available on the Department's website under www.ireland.ie/marriageabroad.

My Department's Marriages Abroad Unit can also be contacted for further guidance at marriagesabroad@dfa.ie.

The UN Global Oceans Treaty is formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, or more commonly referred to as the BBNJ Agreement. The BBNJ Agreement, in broad terms, aims to close significant gaps in global ocean governance by providing a framework to enhance protection of the marine environment.

Ireland was actively involved in the negotiation of the BBNJ Agreement and was among the first countries to sign it, subject to ratification, on 20 September 2023. We are a strong supporter of the Agreement and are committed to ratifying and implementing it.

The BBNJ Agreement currently has 139 signatories and 51 ratifications. The Agreement will enter into force 120 days after the 60th ratification.

There is ongoing consideration of measures necessary to facilitate early ratification.

Ireland’s position on the situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory is abundantly clear.

Ireland, the EU and international partners have repeatedly stated that there can be no permanent forced displacement of the civilian population from Gaza, nor a permanent occupation of the territory by Israel.

Forced displacement is prohibited under international humanitarian law and may constitute an international crime.  Moreover, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 of 10 June 2024 rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip.

I have also been clear that I remain extremely concerned about the situation in the West Bank.

Since January this year, Israel’s military operations have displaced at least 40,000 people and caused widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and homes. Refugee camps in Tulkarm, Nur Shams and Jenin have been rendered uninhabitable. The scale, speed and severity of displacement is unprecedented.

In addition, there has been significant settlement expansion and an increase of settler violence that predates the heinous Hamas attack of 7 October 2023. This has been conducted within an environment of impunity. 

The West Bank Protection Consortium, a coalition of humanitarian organisations and international donors, now estimates that 58,000 Palestinians across 195 communities it monitors are at direct risk of forcible displacement.

I and my officials have raised our concerns in multiple forums including in relevant discussions at EU level and at the United Nations. Ireland has strongly supported sanctions adopted by the EU against individuals and entities involved in settler violence and we continue to call for the imposition of further EU sanctions. At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 July, Ireland called for the immediate adoption of further sanctions targeting violent settlers.

Ireland has consistently argued that the only just and sustainable solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-State solution based on 1967 borders, with the State of Israel, and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 42 and 54 to 60, inclusive, together.

My Department generally seeks advice on domestic legal matters from the Office of the Attorney General and/or the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. Depending on the subject matter, litigation is dealt with on my Department’s behalf by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency which engage lawyers to act for the Department where necessary.

The Department also incurs legal fees overseas as it operates in many different jurisdictions.  Legal advice is sought and legal fees incurred typically in relation to country specific property matters (mainly lease reviews and negotiations, as well as construction/fit out and associated professional services contract reviews) and human resource matters. Legal systems differ widely across jurisdictions with complex local lease, construction, property, and labour law structures. Given the nature of the Department’s requirement for legal advice (often project specific and time bound), it does not make use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs or success-based fee models.

The relevant Embassy or Consulate run the procurement process in line with procurement guidelines. Selection criteria for legal advice is focused to ensure value for money, confirming license to practice and expertise in relation to the subject matter area in question. The Department’s Property Management Unit in headquarters oversees all legal advice in relation to property matters and the Department's Human Resource unit in headquarters monitors all human resource related advice.

The Department actively manages all contracts, including contracts for legal advice, in line with public procurement guidelines. Budget holders monitor the service provision and the rates charged to ensure value for money. The Department has not conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend.

The total spend by the Department on external legal services in each of the past three years is:

2022 – €305,316

2023 – €575,307

2024 – €1,007,319

The Department has formal monthly budget monitoring processes in place. This budget holder reviews all expenditure incurred versus budget, including legal service contracts. These are managed and monitored by local managers and overall budgetary oversight is managed by the Department’s finance units in headquarters in Ireland.

The Department operates under two Votes: Vote 27 – International Co-operation and Vote 28 – the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are no bodies under the aegis of the Department.

The figures referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 8 July 2025 were from a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) update published on 2 July 2025. The figures were provided to OCHA by the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Of the 57,012 fatalities, 24,818 were men, 9,126 were women, 17,121 were children, and 4,137 were elderly. The figures are not disaggregated by occupation or affiliation to militant groups, including Hamas.

I am aware of a number of reports and studies that claim the overall death toll is higher than the figure cited by OCHA, based on the Palestinian Ministry of Health figures. I am also aware of claims about the number of militants killed. However, in neither case can those figures be verified.

I should emphasise that Ireland’s primary concern is about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is worsening daily. The entire population is now facing high levels of food insecurity. More than 20% face starvation after 22 months of fighting, 80 days of total blockade of vital, life-saving, humanitarian aid and a wholly inadequate volume of aid delivery since 22 May.

Ireland has consistently called on Israel to allow unimpeded access of humanitarian aid into Gaza, at scale and in full accordance with international law and humanitarian principles.

I continue to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. I commend the role of the mediators, Egypt, Qatar and the United States, in their efforts to secure progress.

In international law, a territory is considered occupied when it is placed under the authority of a hostile army.  The occupation extends only to territory where this authority has been established and can actually be exercised, thereby coming under the effective control of the occupying power.  International law applicable to military occupation does not characterise an occupation as either legal or illegal, but addresses the fact of occupation and sets out the legal obligations owed by an occupying power to the population of the occupied territory. 

However, in order to be legally permissible, the effective control exercised by an occupying power on that territory must be consistent with other rules of general international law.  This has recently been clarified by the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, in its Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  These rules include rules prohibiting the use or threat of force, including the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by use or threat of force, and the rules concerning the right of peoples to self-determination.

In that Advisory Opinion, the Court determined that, having regard to those rules, the continued presence of Israel, as an occupying power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful.  While such determinations are rare, in the past the Court also found that South Africa’s continued presence in Namibia, following the termination of the former’s Mandate for South West Africa by the UN Security Council in 1966, was illegal. 

Separately, in 2014 the European Council condemned as illegal the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and made clear that the European Union will not recognise it.  In 2022 the European Union also declared the presence of Russian forces in parts of eastern Ukraine as a severe breach of international law.

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

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including through our Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of its Consular Assistance Charter.

Throughout the recent crisis, my Department, including through our Embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv, remained in regular contact with Irish citizens seeking support to return to Ireland from Iran and Israel.

Consular assistance is built around the needs of the citizen and is delivered in a responsive and confidential manner. As such, the Department does not release any personal information pertaining to individuals who receive assistance.

Between 18 and 27 June last, in cooperation from EU partners, my Department successfully assisted 24 Irish citizens and their dependants to depart the region.

Official hospitality events form part of the overall strategy by which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade seeks to engage with Ireland’s international partners and thereby advance Ireland’s economic, political, foreign policy and other key national interests, promote Irish culture and increase Ireland’s international influence generally.

Such official hospitality events are a standard feature of international diplomatic practice and take place in a range of formats that vary in size and scope. Events hosted by the Department at Iveagh House include receptions but also extend to business breakfasts, working lunches and official dinners for visiting high-level foreign dignitaries and/or senior officials, as well as conferences, seminars and networking opportunities. They seek to showcase the quality and variety of Irish produce wherever possible but are always delivered with value for the Irish taxpayer strongly in mind.

In this context, a table outlining overall expenditure by the Department on catering and alcohol-related items for official hospitality purposes over the time period to which the Deputy refers is set out below. The Department’s financial management system does not separately record the cost of hosting receptions and alcohol-related costs refer to restocking of house wines. It should be noted that certain catering expenditure amounts cover both food and alcohol items for which an additional detailed breakdown has not been possible to obtain.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). There are no agencies under the aegis of the Department.

Grant payments are administered from programme budgets, with a significant level of grant aid being issued via the Irish Aid programme. The Department also supports Irish communities globally with the Emigrant Support Programme, promotes reconciliation and north-south cooperation with the Reconciliation Fund, the Shared Island Fund and administers other targeted grant schemes.

Below is the requested detail of all grant schemes and programmes in each of the past five years:

The Passport Service is successfully meeting demand for passports this year and virtually all passports being issued on or, in many cases, well before their expected issue by date.

The Passport Service receives requests for applications to be expedited through a number of channels including through the Customer Service Hub, PQs, reps, and the Oireachtas line. The specific data requested by the Deputy is not available as such requests through multiple channels are not tracked by the Passport Service.

The Passport Service operates a general policy whereby applications can be expedited in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad. Such applications are expedited through the Travel Emergency service.

The Passport Service takes every opportunity to remind citizens to check their passport validity. Each year the Passport Service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the year ahead. Part of this planning involves an extensive public communications campaign to encourage citizens to apply through Passport Online in plenty of time for their passport prior to travel.

The Passport Service is successfully meeting demand for passports this year and virtually all passports being issued on or before their expected issue by date. 

The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service.  Over 93% of all passport applications are now made through Passport Online which is available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.

With regard to the Deputy's question relating to the number of persons who applied for passports, including passport renewals, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025, and the number of passports issued in each of those years, please see below in tabular form.

Table 1 – The number of total passport applications received for each year (2015 - 2025 to date)

Table 2 – Number of passports issued (2015 - 2025 to date)

In a given calendar year, the number of passports issued by the Passport Service may be higher than the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service. This difference can occur for two reasons: first, an application for a passport bundle (i.e. a passport book and passport card) is counted as one application but two travel documents are issued from that single bundle application, and secondly, an application may be made in the previous calendar year and issued in the following calendar year.

I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents who are travelling this year, particularly those with young children who require their first passport, to apply online and in plenty of time.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mauro Vieira, visited Ireland from Saturday 12 July to Wednesday 16 July.  Over the course of his visit, Minister Vieira held engagements with a series of interlocutors, including President Higgins, and the Ireland-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Group. I met with Minister Vieira on Monday 14 July in Iveagh House.

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations, relations between the European Union and the Latin America and Caribbean region, wider global challenges, as well as to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Brazil.

Minister Vieira raised the issue of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement, outlining Brazil’s position on the agreement. I informed Minister Vieira that Ireland’s stance on the agreement remains unchanged and that Ireland remains concerned that the agreement, as it stands, does not provide the necessary legally binding assurances and protection of farmers’ incomes that Ireland insisted upon throughout the negotiations. I further informed Minister Vieira that Ireland will continue to engage with the European Commission and will assess the final consolidated agreement once it has been sent to Member States to understand if our concerns with the agreement have been adequately addressed.

I look forward to engaging on Ireland's Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026, when international development issues will be important on the agenda.

On 16 July, the Commission published its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is due to run from 2028 to 2034.

To ensure that our priorities were well communicated and understood, Ireland’s comprehensive national position paper on the post-2027 MFF was submitted to the Commission in June. We are determined to play our part as a constructive partner in the MFF negotiations.

The Commission proposal involves major changes in structure, in spending and in revenue, which we are now studying in detail, in order to better understand the impact on Ireland across key policy areas, and its wider impact on the Single Market, on our fellow Member States, and further afield in terms of the EU’s influence globally.

This begins a process of several years of negotiations, with the Member States and with the European Parliament. Irish Ministers and officials will play an active role in these negotiations in order to ensure our interests and priorities are protected in the final agreement. We will also play a key role during our Presidency of the Council as an honest broker in negotiating workable compromises for an ambitious budget for the EU.

In relation to ODA, the proposed Global Europe Instrument represents a significant merger of major instruments in external action: enlargement, neighbourhood, development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. It will be critical that interaction between these priorities is very clearly defined and clearly assigned within the proposal.

Ireland believes that the next MFF must maintain the EU’s leadership in providing development and humanitarian assistance, in a sustained, long-term manner with global partners, and focusing on the most vulnerable.

External action financing must continue to defend the rules-based international order, democracy, multilateralism including through engagement with the United Nations, human rights, gender equality, climate action and sustainable development, underpinned by the core principle of untied aid and the central promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind.

Ensuring adequate attention to peace, stability, conflict prevention and building social cohesion in fragile contexts is crucial, as is the ability to react to serious humanitarian crises.

It is clear from discussions in Brussels with our EU partners that there must be a sharp focus in all ODA on development outcomes – on the quality of our ODA and not solely on its quantity. The Government has reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to our Official Development Assistance (ODA), working towards achieving the target of 0.7% of Gross National Income.

As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal.

My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad in accordance with its Consular Assistance Charter. The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of the officials in my Department. 

Since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has supported 153 persons to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland, including a small number of students. On 17 July, 9 Palestinian students arrived in Ireland from Gaza; these students will take up scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year under the Government’s Ireland Palestine Scholarship Programme, which is supported through Irish Aid. The students will be supported by the Irish Council of International Students (ICOS), the Managing Agency for the Ireland Fellows Programme, in anticipation of their courses starting in September.

While, as you will appreciate, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide are limited in the assistance we can provide to non-Irish citizens, I can confirm that we are actively exploring further options for the provision of assistance to individuals in Gaza who wish to travel to Ireland. This includes students who have been granted scholarships by Higher Level Institutions in Ireland for the upcoming academic year. Where a visa is required to enter Ireland, the relevant visa application will be reviewed in accordance with Irish legislation.

It should be noted that exit from Gaza is dependent on receipt of permission from the relevant local authorities, both in Israel and in certain circumstances neighbouring jurisdictions. Such permissions are outside the control of the Government of Ireland.

I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to steadfastly advocate for an urgent end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a paper application which was received on 16 June 25. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. The Passport Service contacted the applicant directly to offer assistance.

The Passport Service requested further documents for the application on 22 July 25. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents have been received.

I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient Passport Online service, which is now used by more than 93% of applicants worldwide.

My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR or Naturalisation.

FBR, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of approximately 9 months from receipt of all required supporting documents. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.

There are 54,900 FBR applications currently in the system. The number of applications with the Passport Service (PPS) for processing is 46,400, and the number of applications currently with the applicant (i.e. the PPS is awaiting documentation) is 8,500.

The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331.

My Department does not have contracts in place for transferring furniture or artwork from embassies and consulates general premises. Any such occasional moves use suppliers appointed following a process involving quotes being sought from the market in line with procurement guidelines.

All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.

To protect the integrity of the Irish passport, when processing a first time application the Passport Service must validate the identity of the applicant and confirm their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Section 8 of the Act provides for the processing of personal data by the Passport Service as required for the issuance of passports.

To comply with its obligations under data protection legislation, the Department will hold data that has been collected for the purposes of processing an application, only as long as there is a business need to do so, in line with the purposes for which the data was collected.

The Passport Service's Data Privacy Notice provides for data to be held by the Passport Service for 15 years after the date of issuance i.e. the validity of an adult's passport plus five years. After this time, the data is due for destruction and will be destroyed in line with internal guidelines and guidelines for destruction received from the National Archives. A minimum amount of personal data can be held beyond this period for the purpose of fraud prevention in order to maintain the integrity of the Passport Service system.

Therefore, if a renewal application is made more than 15 years after the issuance of a passport, the passport application is treated as a first time application and the applicant is requested to submit relevant supporting documentation. Under Section 7 of the Passports Act, the Passport Service may require the applicant to produce such documents as are considered necessary for the purposes of issuing a passport. In the case of applicants who are applying after more than 15 years since the issuance of their last passport, it is also possible that documentary requirements may have changed since the issuance of their last passport.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together.

I am satisfied that usage of phone and email services assigned to me is fully in line with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's requirements.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.

My Department has worked with the Office of Public Works to identify a new office building in Cork for the Cork Passport Office. Based on current timelines, the new Passport Office will be operational at Navigation Square, Cork City by Autumn 2026.

The public offices of the Passport Service in Cork and Dublin 2 operate an Urgent Appointment service for renewal applications. Our records show that just 1.6% of all passport applicants avail of the Urgent Appointment service.

During 2024, there were an average of 240 urgent appointments for a four-day turnaround service available in Cork each week. In 2024, just 26% of all appointments available in Cork were booked. As of 22 July 2025, there have been 1,316 four day turnaround appointments made in the Cork Passport Office, which represents 19% of available appointments in Cork.

To date in 2025, 5,140 same day turnaround appointments have been processed in the Passport Office in Mount St, Dublin 2. Passport Service figures show that of these, 618 (12%) were booked by applicants with addresses in the counties of Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. This figure represents just 0.1% of total passports issued by the Passport Service to date in 2025.

The Passport Service offers a travel emergency service for citizens who require it. In the event of sudden bereavement or serious illness of a family member abroad, the applicant should contact the Passport Office and advise them of the issue. Priority is given to these applications by the Passport Service.

The Passport Service operates three passport book printing machines: two machines are located in the main production facility at the Balbriggan campus and the third machine is located in the Dublin 2 Passport Office. The printing and dispatch of passports is a highly automated process in what is, essentially, an industrial production system.

To have a one-day turnaround in Cork Passport Office would involve purchasing another passport printer, which would be located in Cork. The Passport Service estimates the initial capital cost of purchasing and installing new printer and mailing machine to be approximately €5.3 million. In addition to the capital investment, these highly sophisticated machines require expert engineers to be on-site while the machines are in operation to maintain and service the machines and repair them when necessary. The running and maintenance costs alone are estimated to be €600,000 per year.

For these reasons, at the moment, a business case cannot be made to invest this level of funds to facilitate the very small proportion (currently 0.1%) of applicants who may wish to have their passport renewed within one day in Cork.

The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that is currently issuing the vast majority of adult renewal passports within 2 working days. Over 93% of all passport applications are now made through Passport Online which is available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.

I am satisfied that the current Passport Online service and production capacity meets the needs of passport applicants. The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service.

I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents who are travelling this year, particularly those with young children who require their first passport, to apply online and in plenty of time.

The Irish passport is a critical document confirming Irish citizenship and granting visa-free access to 189 destinations worldwide, currently ranking third in the Henley Passport Index.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommend periodic passport redesign and enhancement of security features to maintain the document’s security. With the current design of the Irish passport now over a decade old, a redesign is essential to sustain the document’s integrity and global standing.

Following a competitive and robust tender process, the procurement for the production of the new passport books and cards and the provision of the personalisation machinery is now complete. SKSC were selected as the successful tenderer in December 2024 and the contract has since been agreed and signed.

As part of the redesign process, my Department ran a public consultation on aspects of Ireland’s diverse natural environment. This consultation, which received over 15,000 responses, has played an integral part in developing the design for the new passport book. The full consultation results can be viewed at: www.ireland.ie/en/irish-passport-redesign-consultation-results/

Throughout the first half of this year the Passport Service have worked with secure document designers and artists to incorporate the top indigenous species from the survey into a secure and contemporary passport design.

The next generation passport is anticipated to launch in Q2 2026.

On 17 January 2024, the Government filed an inter-state case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights. In its application, the Government argues that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The President of the Court gave notice of the application to the United Kingdom Government of the application on 18 January 2024, and has assigned this application to the First Section of the Court. Applications for leave to intervene as third parties in these proceedings have been made by a number of organisations and individuals.

On 1 July 2025 the Court decided to adjourn the proceedings in this case pending the final outcome of the case of Dillon and Others, which is currently pending before the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

The British Government committed to ‘repeal and replace’ the Legacy Act following its election in July 2024. In practice, this has become a commitment to fundamentally reform the Legacy Act.

In December 2024, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland laid a remedial order before UK Parliament aimed at remedying certain of those incompatibilities by amending the Legacy Act. If adopted by the UK Parliament, this remedial order will remove the provisions of the Legacy Act, which provide for immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences, and will remove the bar on the initiation and continuation of Troubles-related civil actions. In addition, the Secretary of State has announced that he will introduce primary legislation to make additional reforms to the Legacy Act

In this context, intensive and constructive work has been ongoing with the British government to determine if we can move forward together on legacy, through fundamental reform of the Legacy Act and the Commission it establishes.

Any agreement on legacy with the UK government must be one that provides viable routes to truth accountability and justice for families and victims. Compliance with the Convention, and the ability to command the confidence of families and victims, remain our key benchmarks against which to assess progress.

If we can reach agreement on a shared way forward on legacy - and if this agreement is translated faithfully into amending legislation - we would hope to be in a position to revisit the issue of Ireland’s inter-state case.

In ongoing discussions with the British government care has been taken to ensure that these efforts are without prejudice to any submissions to be made by either Government in the inter-state case.

Following negotiations in Scotland on 27 July, the EU and US reached a deal on reciprocal trade. This deal means that the higher tariffs that had been threatened will not now take effect and that the EU will not impose its own countermeasures. This deal provides much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world.

This is an across the board deal and is all inclusive. While we will examine the detail of the agreement in the coming days it is our understanding from President von der Leyen, that this rate of 15% is a ceiling on any potential tariffs that may be imposed following the conclusion of the section 232 investigations, including those relating to pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.  The EU will continue to work with the US to underline the closely integrated nature of the EU and US pharmaceutical sector.

The Commission President has also confirmed that there has been agreement on zero tariff levels on a number of key strategic products – including all aircraft and component parts, certain chemicals, certain agricultural products, semiconductor equipment, natural resources and critical raw materials. Ireland had made the case throughout these negotiations for zero for zero arrangements in as many sectors as possible. As the framework negotiations continue the EU will keep working to add more products.

Last week the EU Member States endorsed a plan to impose countermeasures on 7 August, if no deal was reached with the US.  Our expectation is that the Commission will come forward in the coming days with a proposal to suspend these countermeasures. Officials will maintain very close contact with the Commission in the coming period as the final details of the agreement are clarified.

The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. My Department, working closely across Government with other relevant Departments and the State agencies, works consistently to support Irish businesses in international markets.

My Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has developed an Action Plan on Market Diversification, which will be published shortly. The Action Plan provides a clear roadmap for a ‘whole of government’ approach to enhance Ireland’s economic and trading relationships with new and emerging markets in Asia, Latin America and the Gulf. It will also include actions in established markets, such as the EU Single Market, the UK and the US, where there is value to be maintained and potentially more value available.

The Plan will also provide for enhanced engagement through bilateral economic commissions, such as the new Joint Economic Commission agreed last year with the United Arab Emirates.

Effective delivery of the Action Plan will require concerted action across the whole of government and engagement with other key stakeholders including those in the Government Trade Forum, State Agencies and business representatives.

As we diversify our markets, our membership of the EU and the access it provides to the growing network of EU free trade agreements offers an important opportunity for Irish businesses. The Government supports the EU Commissions negotiations with new trade markets, such as those underway with the Philippines, Malaysia, India and the UAE. We must embrace these new opportunities for trade and investment, which helping to support our domestic growth without compromising on the EU's high standards on food safety, animal and plant health, environmental and human rights.

The Government has invested significantly in Ireland’s overseas diplomatic missions and State agency offices as part of Global Ireland 2025, which provide an important platform to leverage opportunities and grow our trade partnerships. Later this year, new embassies will open in Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Chisinau. Preparations are ongoing to open consulates general in Malaga and Melbourne in 2026. Enterprise Ireland recently announced the opening of three new overseas offices in the US, UK and Europe – in Atlanta, Scotland and Switzerland – expanding our engagement in key export markets.

As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal.

My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad in accordance with its Consular Assistance Charter. The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of the officials in my Department. 

Since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has supported 153 persons to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland, including a small number of students. On 17 July, 9 Palestinian students arrived in Ireland from Gaza; these students will take up scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year under the Government’s Ireland Palestine Scholarship Programme which is supported through Irish Aid. The students will be supported by the Irish Council of International Students (ICOS), the Managing Agency for the Ireland Fellows Programme, in anticipation of their courses starting in September.

While, as you will appreciate, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide are limited in the assistance we can provide to non-Irish citizens, I can confirm that we are actively exploring further options for the provision of assistance to individuals in Gaza who wish to travel to Ireland. This includes students who have been granted scholarships by Higher Level Institutions in Ireland for the upcoming academic year. Where a visa is required to enter Ireland, the relevant visa application will be reviewed in accordance with Irish legislation.

It should be noted that exit from Gaza is dependent on receipt of permission from the relevant local authorities, both in Israel and in certain circumstances neighbouring jurisdictions. Such permissions are outside the control of the Government of Ireland.

With regard to resourcing, my Department's consular response to the crisis in Gaza has involved officials working in Headquarters in Dublin, as well as Ireland's Embassies and Consulates in the Middle East region, including the Embassy of Ireland, Israel, and the Representative Office of Ireland, Ramallah. Resourcing of all missions is kept under review by the Human Resources Division and where necessary additional resources are assigned.

I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to steadfastly advocate for an urgent end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access.

I am aware that members of a European Parliament delegation undertaking an official programme were refused access to Israel. Lynn Boylan MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine, has written to me about the experience of the delegation.

My officials raised this matter with the EU Delegations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I would note that arrangements for this visit were handled primarily by the EU Delegation to Israel. I am advised that delegation members were refused entry to Israel under the ‘Law for the Prevention of Harm to the State of Israel through Boycotts.’ Parliamentarians from other countries have been refused entry to Israel under the same law.

I continue to regard this refusal as deeply regrettable. I reiterate that diplomatic and political contacts, including with those with whom we have fundamental disagreements on issues related to the conflict in the Middle East, are essential at this critical time in the region.

Members of the European Parliament are directly elected representatives of the citizens of the EU, and it is essential that democratic institutions are seen to reflect citizens’ concerns. This includes carrying out official travel on fact-finding missions or other visits which contribute to shaping the European Parliament’s external relations. MEPs as well as Parliament officials should therefore, where possible, be facilitated in undertaking such travel.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 133 together.

Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major priority for this Government.

As the Deputy is aware, although not a member of the Hague Group, Ireland was represented in an observer capacity at official level at the recent meeting of the Group in Bogota, as were other European countries including Spain, Norway and Slovenia. A total of thirty states attended, twelve of whom endorsed a Joint Statement that issued at the conclusion of the meeting. Ireland was one of eighteen states present that did not endorse the statement. Other attending countries that did not endorse the statement include Spain, Slovenia, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile. Not all members of the Hague Group endorsed the statement.

Ireland remains committed to working with partners around the world to advance the longstanding and principled position which guides our engagement on the Middle East. This includes 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.

This work is taking place across different international forums. This week, Ireland will play a key role at the rescheduled UN High Level Conference on the Two-State Solution in New York, where we are co-chair of a working group, with Türkiye. The Conference will be an opportunity to bring a renewed sense of urgency to the implementation of the two-State solution as well as the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the urgent need for a ceasefire, release of hostages and humanitarian access at scale into and throughout Gaza.

On 20 May, the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a step which Ireland and Spain called for in February 2024. That review has now been finalised and it is clear from it that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations. This is a significant finding. I was clear with my EU counterparts at the June Foreign Affairs Council that there must now be concrete options for follow-up action to this review. Ireland continues to press for appropriate follow-up action at EU level. We have called on the EEAS and the Commission to undertake further work in this regard, including at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in July.

Last month, I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ. It is essential that the EU abide by its commitments under international law.

Ireland has also been centrally involved in the work of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution which was founded at UN High Level Week last year and has met several times since then.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together.

Responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft landing or overflying the State is shared between Departments. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign military and state aircraft, while the Minister for Transport leads on regulation of civil aircraft.

Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.

This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is done in full compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.

Since 28 May 2025, diplomatic clearance has been granted for foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the State, where the stringent conditions required by my Department, are met. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to the highest standards of transparency on this issue, and publishes monthly statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the gov.ie website.

Diplomatic clearance has been granted on two occasions since 28 May 2025, for US military aircraft to land in Shannon for the specific purpose of transporting senior officials travelling from the United States to Israel. However, both of these requests were subsequently cancelled. I am satisfied that the procedures for diplomatic clearance were followed in full on each of these occasions.

Furthermore, under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. Since October 2023, no applications have been received or exemptions granted to permit the carriage of munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory for a flight by a civil aircraft destined for a point in Israel.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 81, 99, 106, 111, 112 and 144 together.

The Government has repeatedly called on Israel to lift fully its blockade of humanitarian and commercial supplies for Gaza, and to allow the immediate, unimpeded resumption of humanitarian aid, in line with humanitarian principles. The current limitations on the volume and distribution of humanitarian aid are causing untold levels of suffering, especially for the children of Gaza. We share the UN’s concerns that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is not operating in accordance with humanitarian principles and is not distributing vitally needed assistance effectively or on the basis of need. It is unconscionable that people are being killed while attempting to access humanitarian assistance.

In response to concerns regarding the situation in Gaza, on 20 May the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland and Spain called for this step in February 2024.

I welcome that the review of Israel’s compliance with its obligations under Article 2 has now been finalised. It is clear from the review that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations. This is a significant finding. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June, the High Representative said she would communicate this clearly to Israel. I was clear with my EU counterparts at the June Foreign Affairs Council that there must now be concrete options for follow-up action to this review.

Prior to the July FAC, the HRVP that Israel had agreed to certain commitments with the EU on humanitarian access to Gaza. At the FAC, Ireland recalled that any agreement with Israel to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law does not negate the violations that have already taken place. Ireland welcomed the inventory of possible follow-up measures to the review of the Association Agreement provided to Member States in advance of the meeting. Ireland continues to press for appropriate follow-up action at EU level. We have called on the EEAS and the Commission to undertake further work in this regard.

Last month, I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ. This review will now be taken forward in parallel to the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. It is essential that the EU abide by its commitments under international law.

I have always been clear that Ireland’s position on the EU-Israel Association Agreement is just one element of our efforts to shape EU policy. The European Union can, and should, continue to do more to use the levers at its disposal to exert pressure on Israel. This will remain a priority for my continuing engagement at EU level.

Ireland has strongly supported sanctions adopted by the EU against individuals and entities involved in settler violence. At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 July, Ireland called for the immediate adoption of further sanctions targeting violent settlers.

A shared priority with European and regional partners is the UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This will take place in New York on 28-29 July and will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution.

I, and my Government colleagues, have repeatedly and consistently made clear, in public statements, at EU and international meetings, and in this House, Ireland’s horror at the catastrophic humanitarian situation, the withholding of urgently-needed humanitarian aid and assistance, the spectre of hunger and starvation that now affects a growing portion of the population and the attacks and killing of civilians as they desperately seek food in Gaza.

At the EU Association Council with Israel in February, in the presence of Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar, I forcibly and firmly made clear Ireland’s position. I stressed that each of the EU’s bilateral relationships must be grounded in respect for international law and our fundamental principles. I expressed grave concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and I underlined the EU’s call for full and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

I also made clear that the EU rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and stressed the importance of unifying Gaza with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. I called attention to the EU’s strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and activities, and to all actions that undermine the viability of the two-State solution, including extremist settler violence.

More recently, at the EU-Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial meeting on 14 July, which Minister Sa’ar also attended, Minister of State Byrne again raised our grave concerns about Israel’s use of excessive force in Gaza, the dire humanitarian situation and conditions of hunger there, and the need to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid at scale, in line with humanitarian principles.

The Government will continue to forcibly call for the immediate resumption of life-saving aid for the civilian population in Gaza, for an immediate ceasefire and for the release of all hostages by Hamas.

Work is under way on the development of a new Diaspora Strategy for 2026-2031, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. This will succeed our current strategy, which expires at the end of this year.

I am keen to understand the issues affecting long-standing emigrants, newer arrivals, second and third generations and those in under-represented communities so that our new strategy meets the needs of our global Irish communities and can adapt to evolving circumstances.

As part of this process, I have undertaken a series of in-person engagements with diaspora communities across the world. To date, I have met with representatives of the Irish community in Nairobi, Brussels, Boston, Philadelphia, Manchester, Glasgow and London. I also held a round table discussion on the matter with Oireachtas members in Iveagh House in June.

In the coming months, I will meet with communities in the UAE, US and Canada as well as with key stakeholders based in Ireland later in the end of the year.

To ensure we hear from as many voices as possible and can reflect the diversity and values of our contemporary diaspora, I launched the first ever on-line consultation with the Irish Abroad: the Global Irish Survey, on 7 July in London. The survey which can be found on Ireland.ie can be completed by both individuals and community organisations, and is open until the end of August.

The response to these consultations to date has been positive and the insights shared are actively shaping our thinking on the new strategy which we intend to launch at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April 2026.

The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the diaspora and ensuring there are supports in place to assist our all emigrants including those considering returning home.

Working to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of representatives of key government departments and Irish NGOs working with the diaspora and provides a valuable forum for addressing a number of the administrative hurdles facing returning emigrants.

In relation to driving Ireland licenses, Ireland now has 21 reciprocal driving license agreements including with Australia and seven Canadian provinces.

In the case of the US, exchange agreements have to be agreed at the State level. Preparatory work is underway ahead of engaging with US states on this matter and I am working closely with Minister O'Brien on the matter. Our focus initially will be on those states with a significant Irish population.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also funds the Returning to Ireland portal on the Citizens Information website. This site provides a wealth of useful information on the administrative aspects of returning home and I would recommend it to anyone considering moving to Ireland.

The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements. EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, and support better environmental and human rights standards around the world.

We have always been clear, however, that such agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers’ livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries. Our position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, which states that the Government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal. In our trade negotiations, we have always been guided by standing up for and defending the interests of Irish farmers, along with securing enhanced market access opportunities for them and Irish agri-food exports.

I wish to assure the Deputy that I and my officials have continued to engage at EU level – with both the European Commission and with counterparts in EU Member States, including like-minded countries – to voice our concerns with the agreement and to interrogate the outcome of negotiations to assess if our concerns have been adequately addressed. In recent weeks, I have discussed international trade developments including the Mercosur agreement with my counterparts from France and Germany, among others.

We are still awaiting the Commission’s presentation of the final, consolidated agreement. In this interim period, engagements with the Commission and with other EU Member States are continuing as we seek sufficient clarification on the priority areas of climate, biodiversity, deforestation and the protection of farmer’s incomes in advance of any final decision on the Agreement. Ireland’s position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, to work with like-minded EU countries to defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal.

The Government is committed to ensuring that we build on the recent progress made in the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The UK remains a key partner for the European Union and a strong and positive relationship is beneficial for Ireland.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for a joint review by the UK and European Union of the implementation of the Agreement five years after the entry into force and every five years thereafter. The first such review of the Agreement will therefore take place in 2026.

The review will take place in the context of a significant evolution in the EU-UK relationship, following the EU-UK Summit in London on 19 May, at which the European Union was represented by President von der Leyen and President Costa. At the Summit, both sides reached agreement on a forward-looking and balanced agenda for cooperation across a range of policy areas and signed a Security and Defence Partnership.

As Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I engage extensively with my EU and UK counterparts on issues of importance to Ireland, including on EU-UK relations. The Minister for European Affairs also engages with his EU colleagues through the General Affairs Council, which has principal responsibility for the EU-UK relationship.

At its meeting on 20 May, the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to a review of Israel's compliance with  Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland and Spain called for this step in February 2024.

I welcome that the review of Israel’s compliance with its obligations under Article 2 has now been finalised. It is clear from the review that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations. This is a significant finding. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June, the High Representative said she would communicate this clearly to Israel. I was clear with my EU counterparts at the that meeting that there must now be concrete options for follow-up action to this review.

Ireland welcomed the inventory of possible follow-up measures to the review of the Association Agreement provided to Member States in advance of the July meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland continues to press for appropriate follow-up action at EU level. We have called on the EEAS and the Commission to undertake further work in this regard. In response to the HRVP's announcement that Israel had agreed to certain commitments with the EU on humanitarian access to Gaza, Ireland recalled that, while any improvement in humanitarian access would be welcome, any agreement by Israel to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law does not negate the violations that have already taken place. 

Last month, I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ. This review will now be taken forward in parallel to the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. It is essential that the EU abide by its commitments under international law.

To date in 2025, the Passport Service has issued more than 615,000 passport books and cards. The Passport Service is responding well to demand during the busy summer period, with virtually all complete passport applications being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times. Over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days.

As of 23 July 2025, the number of passport applications being processed by the Passport Service with dispatch addresses in County Cork is 3,009.

The table below outlines how many of these applications are being processed by the Passport Service and how many applications require further action by the applicant such as the submission of supporting documents.

Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available to 99.9% of all applicants globally. 

I would ask the Deputy to encourage their constituents who are travelling this year, particularly those with young children who require their first passport, to apply online and in plenty of time.

Global Ireland 2025 was launched by Government with the aim of doubling Ireland’s  impact globally by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening or announcement of twenty-seven new missions.

In March 2024, five new diplomatic missions were announced. They are embassies in Belgrade, Chisinau and Sarajevo; and consulates general in Málaga and Melbourne. These missions are scheduled to become operational over the course of 2025 and 2026. Additionally, there has been a strengthening of strategically important diplomatic missions, including in Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris and Washington DC.

In support of our expanded network we also consolidated the Ireland House model, where we co-locate missions with the state agencies. Most recently, Ireland Houses have been opened in New York, Tokyo and Stockholm, bringing their total to 20. The benefits of co-locating Team Ireland under the one roof are enormous and I am determined, as set out in the Programme for Government, to further develop the Ireland House model.

The Programme for Government also sets out an ambition for a new Global Ireland 2040 Strategy as successor to the current strategy. 

Consideration of the location of future new Irish missions will be made in the context of the new strategy, and will be informed by a robust analysis of how they might contribute to the promotion of our economic interests, our values in this changing and uncertain international landscape, the promotion of our culture and in building stronger links with our diaspora.

The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and is very well staffed to meet the current level of demand. To date this year, the Passport Service has issued over 615,000 passport books and cards. The Customer Service Hub is responding to almost 12,000 phone and webchat queries per week.

Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times. The majority of adult online renewal applications issuing within two working days and there are no backlogs.

Currently, the Passport Service employs a total of 846 staff, which represents 96% of the approved staffing target for this year. My Department engages in comprehensive workforce planning and workload management processes, based on forecasted demand for passports. Due to my Department’s vigilant monitoring of customer demand and proactive management of resources, the Passport Service is in an excellent position to meet forecasted demand for 2025.

Regarding the Deputy's query on opening another passport office, there are currently no plans to open an additional office.

The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service used by over 93% of all passport applicants and is available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.

Passport Service records show that just 1.6% of all passport applicants availed of the Urgent Appointment service in Dublin and in Cork last year. Taking into account the significant cost of locating and running an additional passport office, a business case cannot currently be made for establishing an additional passport office on the island of Ireland.

I am satisfied that the current Passport Online service and production capacity meets the needs of passport applicants. The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service.

I would ask the Deputy to encourage his constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to apply for a passport. As a matter of best practice, applicants should check the validity of their passport before booking travel.

The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of my Department. DFAT officials, including in our Embassies and Consulates in the United States, place a strong emphasis on ensuring that Irish citizens receive timely and empathetic consular assistance.

While I would note that United States immigration policy, and the application of that policy in the US is solely a matter for the US authorities, where an Irish citizen is detained or facing deportation, they can be provided consular assistance in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. 

The Department and our Embassy in Washington continues efforts to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US. This remains a priority for me and for the Government.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade).  There are no agencies under the aegis the Department.

My Department complies with the guidelines and circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation on official travel. The central aim of Departmental travel policy is to minimise official travel costs and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred, consistent with the effective discharge of official duties.

The travel and subsistence costs across both Votes from 1 January 2021 to the end of June 2025 are detailed below:

Ireland’s official development cooperation in Mozambique is managed by the Africa Strategy, A Better World, the Government's international development policy, and the Embassy's own strategy for the period 2025 to 2030. Two strategic objectives are set out: deepening Ireland’s linkages with Mozambique and supporting inclusive and sustainable development. The Embassy has a development budget of €27 million for 2025.

Ireland does not provide general budget support to the Government of Mozambique. Instead, we work with a range of partners including the Ministries of Education and Health (co-funding with other donors such as the World Bank and European Union), local civil society organisations, international NGOs, and intergovernmental organisations like the UN and World Bank. Additionally, Ireland uses its influence in Mozambique to promote human rights, public financial management and good governance.

The Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade monitor our development spending carefully to ensure quality and accountability. The Embassy regularly reviews the management and governance systems of its main partners, requires regular audits, undertakes evaluations and Embassy staff physically monitor all projects. The Embassy also works closely with other donors and has a full-time internal auditor on its staff.

The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the diaspora and ensuring there are supports in place to assist our all emigrants including those considering returning home.

Working to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of representatives of key government departments and Irish NGOs working with the diaspora and provides a valuable forum for addressing a number of the administrative hurdles facing returning emigrants.

In relation to driving Ireland licenses, Ireland now has 21 reciprocal driving license agreements including with Australia and seven Canadian provinces.

In the case of the US, exchange agreements have to be agreed at the State level. Preparatory work is underway ahead of engaging with US states on this matter and I am working closely with Minister O'Brien on the matter. Our focus initially will be on those states with a significant Irish population.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also funds the Returning to Ireland portal on the Citizens Information website. This site provides a wealth of useful information on the administrative aspects of returning home and I would recommend it to anyone considering moving to Ireland.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.

Intensive and constructive work has been ongoing since last autumn, at both official and political level, between the Irish and British governments to determine if we can find adequate common ground to move forward together on legacy.

I have been clear that the UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. In addressing the legacy of the Troubles, there is a need to develop fit-for-purpose mechanisms to seek truth and justice for victims and their families. We have committed to work towards this in the Programme for Government.

I have had a number of constructive discussions on this issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn. On 24 January, in my first call as Tánaiste to the Secretary of State, we committed to focus on making progress on legacy. I had a substantive meeting, primarily focused on legacy issues, with the Secretary of State in Dublin on 26 February, followed by a further discussion on the margins of the Ireland-UK Summit in Liverpool on 6 March.

At the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Hillsborough Castle on 24 April, Secretary of State Benn and I reaffirmed the strong desire to work in partnership and make timely progress so that families can obtain the information and accountability that they deserve and have long sought. This was followed by a detailed discussions on the margins of the British Irish Council on 12-13 June.

I most recently spoke with Secretary of State Benn on 16 July, where we had a further constructive discussion on a possible package of measures to comprehensively address the legacy of the Troubles.

I am aware of the 14 July Westminster Hall debate and the petition that precipitated it. However, my job is to advocate for truth and accountability, including on behalf of survivors and victims' families.

We will continue to work jointly with the UK government to do all we can to reach a framework that is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and commands the confidence of survivors and victims’ families.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). There are no agencies operating under the Department's aegis.

The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of EU Directive 2014/24 and supported by the Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) 2023, which set out a range of procedures governing the procurement process from tendering through to the award of contracts.

In line with the revised Circular 05/2023, the Department applies the use of a public tender for any procurement with a value over €50,000 excluding VAT. This threshold was increased from €25,000 during 2023 to facilitate SME participation.

The Department also participates fully in on-going initiatives of the OGP focusing especially at achieving procurement savings, including the use of central arrangements for the provision of different categories of supplies and services.

The Department recognises the benefits of promoting the use of social considerations in Public Procurement as set out in Circular 20/2019 and the inclusion of Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRPP) as set out in Circular 17/2025

EU and national rules promote open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement procedures which deliver value for money. Some social considerations are already included in the public procurement process to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. These include areas such as health and safety, equality and employment law and suppliers participating in the Departments tender competitions are required to declare their compliance with such statutory requirements.

Due to the category of goods and services used by the Department, the Department has not undertaken a reserved contract tender process or included additional social clauses in contract tenders in the last five years. Procurement procedures are kept under constant review to ensure that they are line with best practice, guidance and the legal framework.

I and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have maintained regular and close contact with the main Irish development NGOs as they respond to the situation as a result of cutbacks in ODA by some major donors. I have emphasised that the Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development programme and to its overriding priority, to reach the furthest behind first. The Government provides multiannual, predictable, and flexible funding of over €100 million in Official Development Assistance annually to the main Irish development NGOs under Ireland's Civil Society Partnership This supports their development and humanitarian work in over forty countries across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

In 2024 the Department provided a total of €6.1 million in funding to Self Help Africa, to support development and humanitarian programmes in several African countries and global citizenship education programmes with schools across the island of Ireland. It is intended to provide a similar level of funding for 2025.

In relation to the operation of charity shops by development NGOs, it is important to note that the core operations of charity shops do not qualify as eligible for Official Development Assistance, as defined internationally. I have noted the statements in the media y the CEO of Self Help Africa that, since the pandemic, the shops have struggled to return to profitability and that they now require a level of investment which the organisation is not in position to provide.

Under our Global Ireland 2025 Strategy, Ireland opened its resident Embassy in Wellington in 2018, in the same year in which New Zealand established its resident Embassy in Dublin. The Embassy in Wellington, under current Ambassador Jane Connolly, is performing very effectively in promoting relations between the two countries as well as providing support to Irish citizens in New Zealand. In this task, the Embassy is being ably supported by our Honorary Consul General in Auckland, Niamh McMahon. There are no plans at present to open a Consulate General in Auckland, New Zealand. 

The scope of our diplomatic network is kept under constant review within Government, under the direction of my Department. Under Global Ireland 2025, the goal of establishing 26 new Missions will be accomplished early next year with the opening of our latest Mission, the Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia. Consideration will be given to a successor strategy, once a formal review of Global Ireland 2025 is undertaken.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.

My Department has a range of programmes that provide support to non-governmental organisations, including community and sporting organisations, that contribute to the realisation of key foreign policy priorities and the promotion of Ireland's values and interests.   Such programmes create opportunities for the strengthening of political, economic, and people-to-people links, as well as supporting the Irish diaspora. 

Information on the Department’s main funding schemes can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/services/department-of-foreign-affairs-and-trade-funding/

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 104 together.

I wish to thank the Deputies for raising this case.

I appreciate that this is an extremely difficult situation for the citizen and his family, and I am acutely aware that the situation in Gaza is appalling and deteriorating. As the Deputies will know, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. Ireland has steadfastly advocated for an urgent end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access, and will continue to do so.

I can confirm that officials in my Department are aware of this case and remain in contact with the citizen concerned. Officials in my Department have provided extensive advice and assistance to the citizen, in particular with regard to the processes involved with regard to exiting Gaza.

I wish to assure the Deputies that my Department stands ready to assist all Irish citizens who remain in Gaza in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. I can further confirm that all Irish citizens who remain in Gaza and have contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade seeking assistance have been offered the opportunity to leave, but for a variety of reasons have chosen to remain.

The decision to require visas for entry to Ireland for nationals of South Africa and Botswana came into effect on 10 July 2024. The decision was communicated to the South African authorities and the Embassy in Pretoria immediately communicated to the public through a dedicated web page, social media posts, information videos and media engagement. The reach of this material was amplified through reporting by South African and international media companies.

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case.

I appreciate that this is an extremely difficult situation for the individual concerned and their family, and I am acutely aware that the situation in Gaza is appalling and deteriorating. As the Deputy will know, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. Ireland has steadfastly advocated for an urgent end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access, and will continue to do so.

My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad in accordance with its Consular Assistance Charter. As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department is limited in its ability to provide consular assistance to non-Irish citizens. Moreover, exit from Gaza is dependent on receipt of permission from the relevant local authorities, both in Israel and in certain circumstances neighbouring jurisdictions. Such permissions are outside the control of the Government of Ireland.

Where an individual requires a visa to enter Ireland, they must apply to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration which will review the application in accordance with Irish legislation. It is the responsibility of the applicant concerned to engage with the Department of Justice regarding their visa application.  

I wish to assure the Deputy, once again, that Ireland will continue to call for an immediate end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza.

Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. It will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026. Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are well underway across both policy and operational strands of planning.

Work on the development of Ireland’s Presidency priorities and policy programme is moving forward, taking into account the EU's Strategic Agenda for 2024-29, the legislative programme proposed by the European Commission, and the Government’s priorities in relation to the EU. Consultations with European partners will also inform the development of our priorities and policy programme, as will the evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through the Presidency terms of Denmark (July to December 2025) and Cyprus (January to June 2026).

In addition, a programme of domestic stakeholder consultations is planned for this autumn, which will help to ensure that the views of businesses, civil society, youth groups and other stakeholders are taken into account in the preparation of our policy programme.

Overall, our Presidency priorities will reflect the work that needs to be done to address the common challenges that we face across the Union. We will focus on the areas in which we judge that Ireland can best advance a positive policy agenda for the Union and all its citizens. The programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.

The 2025 Budget included an allocation of €10 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for EU Presidency expenditure anticipated to be incurred in this year. The pay budget amounts to €8 million for additional temporary Presidency roles in both the Department’s headquarters in Dublin and in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, and there is a non-pay budget of €2 million. The Department is engaging in extensive preparations in relation to planning the delivery of a successful Presidency. In support of this, a significant number of temporary staff will be assigned to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels and the Department’s headquarters in Dublin, with many taking up duty over the coming months. These officers will support the Department in its central role in ensuring delivery of a successful EU Presidency for Ireland, including driving the EU policy agenda, advancing work on EU legislative and policy initiatives, and delivering an extensive programme of events in Ireland, in line with the commitments made in the Programme for Government. The 2026 budget allocation for the EU Presidency will be subject to the outcome of the Budget process for 2026 later this year.

Our 2026 EU Presidency will be a major undertaking for Ireland and is a key focus for the work of Government. We have a proud record of success from our previous Presidency terms, and we are confident that with the support of our partners we will again be able to make a significant and positive contribution to the EU in 2026.

Achieving a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons is a long-standing priority for Ireland. We continue to actively work towards this goal, including through our leadership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Ireland views the TPNW as an important and necessary addition to the disarmament and non-proliferation architecture and as fully complementary to the NPT, the cornerstone of this architecture. We also remain a committed and steadfast member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation and the Conference on Disarmament.

In our latest effort to achieve a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons, in 2024, Ireland, in partnership with New Zealand, successfully led a resolution on the establishment of a scientific panel to examine the effects of nuclear war. The Panel will focus on the physical and societal consequences of nuclear war, leading to the publishing of an updated, encompassing report in 2027 – accessible to all – that ties together the interconnected impacts that would result from a nuclear war.

The Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Unit within the Political Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently leads on this area. In 2025, €490,000 has been provided to projects that will support and advance nuclear disarmament and arms control.

My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides passport and consular assistance to Irish citizens at home and abroad. The provision of these services to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of the officials in my Department. 

The Passport Service through its ‘Digital First’ agenda has delivered significant benefits for citizens, both at home and abroad, and positioned Ireland as a global leader among passport issuing authorities. Passport Online is a world-wide digital service that is a model of both efficiency and integrity and has resulted in over 93% of citizens using the service to apply for their passports. The Irish passport book is ranked third in the Henley Passport rankings and provides visa free access to 189 jurisdictions for citizens. To date this year, the Passport Service has issued over 615,000 passports to citizens worldwide.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 and the proposal of the European Commission, next year the Passport Reform Programme will commence a scoping exercise and initiate a project working towards digital passports for those who want to avail of them in the future.

Currently, there is a general update of passport service policies in the context of the ongoing programme of passport service reform. This reform programme focuses on the future of service delivery by implementing projects which enhance the customer experience while maintaining the integrity of the Irish passport.

The Consular Directorate, as part of the Citizen Services Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs, has a long and proud track record of providing high quality consular services to Irish citizens abroad. This is a vital public service and a key priority of my Department.

My Department is committed to promoting an informed approach to international travel and to supporting citizens when they require consular assistance abroad, including during large-scale crises. Consular assistance is provided to Irish citizens abroad, both through the Department’s Consular Directorate in Dublin and Ireland’s network of Embassies and Consulates overseas, as well as through our network of Honorary Consuls. 

The Department’s capacity to provide assistance to citizens abroad has been significantly enhanced through the opening of new missions as part of the Global Ireland programme. Global Ireland 2025 was launched by Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening of 22 new missions under the Strategy.  A further five diplomatic missions were approved in 2024 with new embassies planned for Belgrade, Sarajevo and Chisinau, and consulates general in Melbourne and Malaga. These missions are scheduled to open over the course of 2025 and 2026, and once operational will bring the total number of Ireland’s diplomatic missions to 107.

A Global Ireland 2040 strategy will build on and continue these efforts. My Department reviews, on an ongoing basis, the structures and systems in place within the Department to support Consular staff, both at headquarters and in our missions, in their work in response to citizens in distress overseas, including those affected by crises.  We will continue to invest in the technology and systems that facilitate our work in the coming years, in line with the Department’s Consular Strategy. 

With regards to Deputy's question of the current staffing levels and budget for passport and consular operations both centrally and at mission level.

With regard to missions, posted officers to Ireland's 94 bilateral missions provide some form of citizen services to citizens as part of their duties. Passport Online is now available to 99.9% of citizens worldwide which has resulted in a reduction in passport-related duties for overseas missions.

There are 846 staff working across the three Passport Offices in Ireland, based in Balbriggan, Cork, and Dublin 2. The Consular Directorate currently employs 58 staff, based in Dublin and Cork.

The 2025 budget for the Passport Service, including salaries, is €67.5m The 2025 budget for the Consular Directorate, including potential large-scale crises, is €4.1m.

The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the global Irish and supporting them to build diverse and dynamic communities overseas.

Our work is underpinned by the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since its establishment in 2004, the ESP will, by the end of this year, have provided over €265 million to 900 organisations in 51 countries.

Caring for the elderly and most vulnerable Irish emigrants remains at the heart of the ESP, with the majority of funding granted to culturally sensitive frontline welfare services. The programme also invests in projects that foster a sense of community, nurture our identity and culture overseas and deepen our trade, business and education links.

The programme allocation assigned to support the diaspora for the years 2020 - 2025 can be found in the table below. However, it should be noted that our embassies and consulates abroad also provide support our overseas communities including substantial in-kind support such as hosting and promoting events and activities. , A range of other government departments and agencies also provide support.

We continue to keep the operation of the ESP under review including through ongoing engagement with stakeholders. In 2023, we introduced the Small Grants scheme to streamline the application and reporting process for smaller projects. This innovation was a direct response to feedback from grantees and has been warmly welcomed.

The Government's Diaspora Strategy is coordinated by the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs where currently 18 staff are assigned. However, given the strong commitment to supporting our communities overseas set out set out in the Global Island strategy, our regional strategies and the Diaspora Strategy, all our embassies and consulates engage with, and support the Irish abroad.

The need for any additional resourcing and support may be considered in light of the new Diaspora Strategy which is currently being developed and will be launched at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April of next year.

PROGRAMME BUDGET

As the Deputy is aware, On 24 June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The scheme delivers on the commitment in the Programme for Government to progress legislation prohibiting the import of goods from settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, following the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024.

The General Scheme was been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny. The Committee held a number of hearings and received inputs reflecting a range of views and perspectives. I look forward to considering the Committee's report on the matter in due course.

With regard to services, legal clarity is needed on whether or not it is possible to include services, and I have asked the Attorney General to advise on this.

In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. This was a key focus of our engagement with EU partners in advance of and at the June and July Foreign Affairs Councils.

I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing a letter to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ and specific actions to conform with its findings. I have been calling for this work for some time, and will continue to press for action. It is essential that the EU abide by its commitments under international law.

Following negotiations in Scotland on 27 July, the EU and US reached a deal on reciprocal trade. This deal means that the higher tariffs that had been threatened will not now take effect and that the EU will not impose its own countermeasures. This deal provides much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world.

Throughout, the negotiations the  Government advocated for a calm measured approach with a focus on dialogue and negotiation. In this regard we had extensive engagement with both the EU and US in recent months.

I remain in close contact with Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, having held several calls with him in recent months where we have discussed US tariffs and the EU’s response. The Taoiseach also had several calls with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Both the Taoiseach and I have been in contact with Commissioner Šefčovič and President von der Leyen during the final days of this negotiation and both were keenly aware of Irish concerns, given the closely integrated nature of the Irish and US economies.

Furthermore, in recent months in addition to my attendance at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade where I discussed EU-US trade with the Commissioner and other Trade Ministers, I have also engaged bilaterally with several of my counterparts from other Member States, most recently the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

The Government has also engaged with the US on the issue. In April I met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington where I outlined to him the mutually beneficial two-way relationship between Ireland and the US and how tariffs threaten this. In June I spoke with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer where I also reiterated the Irish position on tariffs. I recently met to discuss the matter with US Ambassador to Ireland Edward S. Walsh and the Taoiseach also met with him this week.

In the coming period we will continue our engagement at both political and official levels with the EU and US as we both work toward a mutually beneficial trading relationship between the world’s two largest economies.

The global economic environment is changing. National and supranational policies on international trade are increasingly being shaped by protectionism and national security and geo-strategic concerns, including in some of Ireland’s largest trade partners. 

To effectively navigate this more challenging international trading environment, the Government is committed to having the correct domestic structures in place to facilitate dialogue with the key affected stakeholders. 

To this end, I established the new Government Trade Forum in February to facilitate direct engagement with key stakeholders and decision-makers on the latest and emerging trade and investment developments. Membership of the Forum includes Ministers and senior officials from economic facing Government departments, senior business, industry and sectoral representatives, including from relevant business representative groups, trade union and other representative groups, and senior leadership from Ireland’s trade promotion agencies.

I have chaired six meetings of the Government Trade Forum, the latest on the 2nd July. The Forum meetings have considered recent trading developments. There has also been consideration of key sectors of the Irish economy, including pharmaceuticals, med-tech, aviation and semi-conductors, where the Forum has heard directly from business leaders.  

This approach will continue into the autumn. The Forum recently agreed a new Work Plan, developed in consultation with the members, which envisages a consistent focus on key sectors and industries, an enhanced focus on key markets aligned with the work of our local and regional market teams, and consideration of thematic areas where they intersect with trade. 

In addition to the engagement with the Forum, I have engaged extensively with businesses and representative organisations since becoming Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade earlier this year. This engagement is valuable and will continue and intensify as we navigate this new trading environment.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 119 together.

Ireland engages regularly with the Palestinian Authority on a range of issues, including at political level.

I met with President Abbas in September of last year in New York in my capacity as Taoiseach during the United Nations High Level week. I also spoke with him by telephone in December 2024, and in May 2024 following Ireland’s recognition of the state of Palestine.  In February, I met with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Mustafa, in the margins of the Munich Security Conference.

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland’s Representative Office to the Palestinian Authority maintains close and regular contact with the Palestinian authorities, and senior officials in my Department are also in regular contact with Ambassador Wahba Abdalmajid and other officials at the Embassy of the State of Palestine. I met Ambassador Abdalmajid most recently on 13 July.

At EU level, I attended the first ever meeting of the EU-Palestine High-Level Political Dialogue in Luxembourg on 14 April, which included an exchange between EU Ministers and Prime Minister Mustafa. In my intervention, I underlined the EU’s steadfast commitment to Palestine and welcomed further deepening of the EU-Palestine relationship.

Ireland continues to advocate within the EU about the situation in Gaza, and the West Bank including East Jerusalem.  At the May Foreign Affairs Council, the EU agreed to a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, a call Ireland made with Spain in February 2024.

Consequent to that review, and the significant finding that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations, Ireland has been repeatedly clear that there must now be concrete options for follow-up action to this review. Ireland continues to press the EEAS and the Commission to undertake further work in this regard.

In June, I joined other EU Foreign Ministers in writing to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ on the occupation of the Palestinian territories.

In addition Ireland has strongly supported sanctions adopted by the EU against individuals and entities involved in settler violence in the West Bank.

A shared priority with European and regional partners is the UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This will take place in New York on 28-29 July and will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution.

Ireland will continue to maintain channels of communication with the Palestinian Authority, including through our mission in Ramallah and the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Dublin.

The Passport Service is responding well to demand during the busy summer period, with virtually all complete passport applications being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times. Over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days.

The Passport Service has issued over 615,000 passport books and cards to date in 2025.

There are currently 102,276 applications in the passport system. This figure changes day-to-day, as passport applications come in, and passport books and cards are sent out to citizens. Of the total applications currently in the system, 31,019 applications (30%) are being actively processed by the Passport Service. 71,257 (70%) are waiting for an additional action by the applicant, such as the submission of required supporting documents.

It is the experience of the Passport Service that it can take weeks and sometimes even months for applicants to submit the documents required in order to progress their application. When an applicant submits an application through Passport Online, the Passport Service emails them regularly to remind them to submit the required supporting documentation. Applications that are currently with the applicant cannot be progressed by the Passport Service until the applicant takes the required action. 

The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Over 93% of all passport applications are now made through Passport Online which is available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.

I would ask the Deputy to encourage their constituents who are travelling this year, particularly those with young children who require their first passport, to apply online and in plenty of time.

The Passport Service is responding well to demand during the busy summer period, with virtually all complete passport applications being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times. Over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days. To date this year, the Passport Service has issued over 615,000 passports.

The Passport Service takes every opportunity to remind citizens to check their passport validity. Each year, the Passport Service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the year ahead. Part of this planning involves an extensive public communications campaign to encourage citizens to apply through Passport Online in plenty of time for their passport prior to travel.

The Passport Service continually works to enhance the service and provide efficiencies for customers. and its programme of reform is continuing this year. This will involve the implementation 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. Along with other upgrades to the Passport Service's systems in 2026, citizens applying for a passport for the first time or renewing their passport will be able to opt in to receive electronic communications, including passport expiry reminder notices.

This service will be opt-in for several reasons. The Department has a statutory obligation from a data protection perspective to only use personal data, which may include home addresses or email addresses, where the Department is satisfied the data is accurate and up-to-date. Therefore, the Passport Service would be precluded from automatically using addresses used for the dispatch of passports from 10 years ago. Unlike car tax or travel insurance, adult passports expire every 10 years and individuals may have moved residence in the interim.

As always, I would ask Deputy to encourage their constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to apply for a passport. The Passport Online service allows citizens to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available to 99.9% of all applicants globally.

The impact of cutbacks in ODA by major developed countries, notably the US, but also some of our EU partners, is already being felt. The immediate impact in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, can be seen in sectors such as global health, humanitarian response, and governance and human rights.

The situation featured strongly in discussions at the meeting of Development Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council which I attended in Brussels on 26 May. I have also discussed the impact during my visits in recent months to Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Liberia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. I have had discussions with counterparts and partner organisations during the Financing for Development Conference in Seville and engaged again when I attended the G20 Development Ministers' meeting in South Africa on 24-25 July.

On 16 July, the Commission presented its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028-2034. To ensure that our priorities were well communicated and understood, Ireland’s comprehensive national position paper on the post-2027 MFF was submitted to the Commission in June.

The Commission proposal involves major changes in structure, in spending and in revenue, which we will now study in detail, in order to better understand the impact on Ireland across key policy areas, and its wider impact on the Single Market, on our fellow Member States, and further afield in terms of the EU’s influence in the world.

It is clear from discussions we have been having with our EU partners and EU institutions, that there needs to be a sharp focus in all ODA on development outcomes – on the quality of our ODA rather than solely on its quantity. Our EU engagement will be particularly important as we enter the negotiation phase of the EU’s next seven year budget, which commence in earnest in September.

With regard to EU overseas development aid, the proposed Global Europe Instrument represents a significant merger of major instruments in external action: enlargement, neighbourhood, development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. It will be critical that interaction between such priorities is well defined within the proposal.

Ireland believes that the next MFF must maintain the EU’s leadership in providing development and humanitarian assistance, in a sustained, long-term manner with global partners, and with a focus on the most vulnerable.

External action financing must continue to defend the rules-based international order, democracy, multilateralism including through engagement with the United Nations, human rights, gender equality, climate action and sustainable development, underpinned by the core principle of untied aid and the central promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no-one behind.

Ensuring adequate attention to peace, stability, conflict prevention and building social cohesion in fragile contexts is crucial, as is the ability to react to serious humanitarian crises.

I look forward to engaging further with my EU Ministerial counterparts on this in Copenhagen in September.

Ireland’s support for Ukraine is steadfast and remains a key focus of my engagements with my EU counterparts, both bilaterally and in Brussels. This war, and the threat posed by Russia, is not only an existential issue for Ukraine, but a major challenge to the security of Europe. It is right, therefore, that support for Ukraine remains a top priority for the EU.

Russian aggression features prominently on the monthly agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council, where Ministers are regularly joined by Foreign Minister Sybiha to hear directly about the situation on the ground and Ukraine’s most pressing needs. On 15 July, the Council discussed coordinating a strong and united European response behind Ukraine, including by stepping up the EU’s political and military support. Minister Sybiha highlighted recent developments in Ukraine, including Russia’s escalating strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

It is clear that Russia is not engaging in peace talks in good faith, and maintains its maximalist demands. In this context, it is more important than ever that we bolster support for Ukraine across all work stands. I welcome ongoing discussions with EU Member States on stepping-up military support for Ukraine, playing a constructive role in any potential peace process, and contributing to security guarantees as part of a peace agreement.

I also welcome the adoption of the 18th package of EU sanctions designed to exert further pressure Russia. These measures target Russia’s energy, banking and military sectors, further limiting access to revenue and goods and technology used to wage its illegal war. Sanctions are having an impact, we need to maintain and build on this pressure.

Ireland’s commitment to Ukraine is shared across Government. Minister of State Richmond joined EU partners at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on 10 July. This annual event is important in terms of mobilising continued international support for the recovery, reconstruction, reform, and modernisation of Ukraine.

Minister Richmond also attended an informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Lviv on 9th May, as well as a Ministerial meeting of the Core Group for the establishment of a Special Tribunal to ensure that those responsible for Russia’s aggression face justice.

Foreign Minister Sybiha of Ukraine addressed the Global Ireland Summit by video-conference on 6 May and spoke of Ireland and the EU's solidarity and support for Ukraine. I met with Minister Sybiha in the margins of the Munich Security Conference in February.

In April, Minister of State Byrne visited Odesa to open an underground school shelter co-funded by Ireland and Lithuania, and travelled on to Kyiv for meetings with Ukrainian interlocutors focused on Ireland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, including on its EU accession path.

Across these engagements, Ireland has underlined our commitment to working with Ukraine and our EU partners to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in line with the principles of the UN Charter, and provides the necessary security guarantees so that we do not see a return to Russian aggression in the future.

Ireland is playing its part. We have provided extensive political, humanitarian, non-lethal military and economic support to Ukraine since February 2022. This includes €138 million in humanitarian assistance and stabilisation supports. Recently, Ireland committed €100 million bilaterally in non-lethal military support to Ukraine.

I am committed to working with my EU partners in the period ahead to ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself, for as long as is necessary.

It has been the long established position of the Irish government that the Brown family must have access to a mechanism which is compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This is something that has never been provided to them. The various investigations conducted since the murder have failed to provide the answers needed by the Brown family, and they have waited too long for the truth.

The courts in Northern Ireland have made clear their view that the Independent-Commission on Reconciliation and Information Recovery, as established by the UK Legacy Act, cannot offer that remedy and that a public inquiry is currently the only mechanism available which can do so.

I met Bridie Brown and her family in May. The family have shown enormous strength and resilience in pursuing this case and I commended them on their tireless campaign for truth, transparency, and accountability over the last 28 years. I reiterated to them that I will continue to use my influence and that of the Irish government to bring about a resolution that is acceptable to them. It is clear that  the only adequate mechanism currently available is a public inquiry.

I have raised the case of Sean Brown with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regularly since I took up office as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in January 2025. The Taoiseach also raised the case with Prime Minister Starmer during their call on 18 July.

This case is exceptional in a number of respects. These include the rulings of the Northern Ireland High Court and Court of Appeal which identify a public inquiry as the only remedy; the material released by the Coroner's Court linking agents of the UK state to the murder; and the repeated frustration of a thorough investigation of the case by state agencies. My Department participated in the supervision of a review of the case, following the report of the Police Ombudsman, which did not receive the information subsequently found by the Coroner.

I will continue to support the Brown family in their calls for a public inquiry and to raise this case with the Secretary of State in my discussions with him.

Intensive and constructive work has been ongoing since last autumn, at both official and political level, between the Irish and British governments to determine if we can find adequate common ground to move forward together on legacy.

The UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. In addressing the legacy of the Troubles, there is a need to develop fit-for-purpose mechanisms to seek truth and justice for victims and their families. We have committed to work towards this in the Programme for Government.

I have had a number of constructive discussions on this issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn since my first call with him in January, and it has been the focus of all our meetings and phone discussions over the last few months. I most recently spoke with Secretary of State Benn on 16 July, where we reviewed a potential package of measures to comprehensively address the legacy of the Troubles.

The Taoiseach and PM Starmer also had a constructive discussion on 18 July and agreed to engage further on legacy issues in the coming weeks.

In the ongoing discussions with the British government to see if adequate common ground on legacy can be found, care has been taken to ensure that these efforts are without prejudice to any submissions to be made by either Government in the inter-state case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights.

The President of the Court gave notice of the application to the United Kingdom Government of the application on 18 January 2024, and has assigned this application to the First Section of the Court. Applications for leave to intervene as third parties in these proceedings have been made by a number of organisations and individuals.

On 1 July 2025 the Court decided to adjourn the proceedings in this case pending the final outcome of the case of Dillon and Others, which is currently pending before the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

If we can reach agreement on a shared way forward on legacy - and if this agreement is translated faithfully into amending legislation - we would hope to be in a position to revisit the issue of Ireland’s inter-State case.

Any agreement on legacy with the UK government must be one that provides viable routes to truth accountability and justice for families and victims. Compliance with the Convention, and the ability to command the confidence of families and victims, remain our key benchmarks against which to assess progress.

The positions occupied by civil servants employed by my Department and the full-time equivalents serving in each grade as at 30 June 2025 is set out in tabular form below.

Increasing ICT capability is a key pillar of my Department's Digital Transformation Strategy. The Department continues to recruit appropriate ICT and Cybersecurity staff via the Public Appointments Service at all levels including from the ICT Apprenticeships under the Civil Service scheme.

Where necessary, these roles are complimented by outsourced expertise. All ICT and Cybersecurity functions are managed internally by Civil Servants.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 129, inclusive, together.

Protecting and developing the extensive two-way trade and investment relationship between Ireland and the United States in the current unpredictable international trading environment is a high priority for me as Tánaiste and for the Government as a whole.

The Government will continue to prioritise ensuring that we have a comprehensive understanding of the policy and business environment within the US, as we manage our response to economic decisions by the US administration, including on tariffs.

As part of this, and as set out in the commitment in the Programme for Government, a US based Strategic Economic Advisory Panel (SEAP) has been convened to allow the Government to hear from senior US-based business people on key economic challenges and opportunities for Ireland.

The Taoiseach held the first meeting with a number of participants on the Strategic Economic Advisory Panel in March during his visit to Washington D.C. I expect a further meeting to be convened in September.

The Strategic Economic Advisory Panel is designed to be a flexible structure, to ensure that the Government can draw on the analysis and expertise of senior US-based experts with links to Ireland on specific business and economic issues as and when relevant; as such there is no official membership. Participants are drawn from recommendations from our diplomatic network and State agencies in the United States based on who would be the more appropriate interlocutors, depending on the theme and location of the discussion.

I understand that the Taoiseach's discussion with SEAP participants in March focused on the economic and trade policy environment in the US, and the wider transatlantic economic relationship. There was no discussion of Government expenditure on arms or other US produced goods in the context of US trade and tariff mitigation, nor on the details of the draft Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025.

As you will be aware once a lobbyist engages in lobbying activities with a Irish Designated Public Official, he or she is obliged to register this on the Irish Lobbying Register. This provides the general public with information on who is lobbying whom about what. I am unaware of the lobbying activity of any individuals based in the US who have been invited to contribute to the SEAP discussions.

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad, including in cases of detention, is a cornerstone of the work of officials in my Department. I place a strong emphasis on ensuring that Irish citizens receive timely and empathetic consular assistance in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. The Charter sets out the type of assistance citizens can expect to receive should they get into difficulty abroad www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/assistance-abroad/consular-assistance-charter/.

Where a citizen is detained in another State, including in the United States of America, and requests that their nearest Embassy/Consulate be informed of their detention, the State concerned should do so without delay, as set out in Article 36 (B) of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963. The State should also inform the citizen concerned without delay of their rights under Article 36 (B).

Where this does not happen, citizens can contact their nearest Embassy/Consulate at the earliest opportunity to review the facts of the case and determine the most appropriate action, of which may including formal engagement with the relevant local authorities regarding the provision of consular assistance. In the event that a citizen is not in a position to request consular assistance, a family member or friend can do so on their behalf. Moreover, if an individual believes that they were unlawfully detained, they are strongly advised to seek local expert legal advice on the matter. Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates worldwide can provide advice and guidance on this, including sharing a list of English-speaking lawyers where necessary.

Should any citizen require consular assistance while abroad, they can contact the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate, or the Consular Assistance Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin. The contact details for Ireland’s Embassies and Consulates, and the Consular Assistance Unit are available here: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/assistance-abroad/.

Tackling the international arrangements to handle global debt issues is a complex and difficult process, in part due to the growing prominence of non-traditional creditors and the historical accumulation of debt owed to various countries. However, the Government is clear that efforts need to continue in order to provide timely, predictable and fair debt restructuring and relief for developing countries.

The Paris Club, of which Ireland is a member, works to find coordinated appropriate solutions to debt sustainability challenges in borrowing countries in a timely manner. The outcome document from the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which I attended in early July, contains a number of ambitious and comprehensive measures to address the debt situation. We lend our support to further strengthening the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments, establishing a borrower’s platform, and operationalising the Small Island Development States (SIDS) Debt Sustainability Support Service.

In line with the commitments made at the Seville Conference we recognize the need to assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief, debt restructuring and sound debt management, as appropriate.

The Government shares the concern that growing debt servicing costs continue to constrain the fiscal space for many developing countries, potentially translating into reductions in expenditure on health, education and social protection. This threatens to increase poverty and inequality, disproportionately affecting the furthest behind.

It is also clear that the decisions by a number of developed countries to cut their Official Development Assistance (ODA) budgets is already having an impact. Given the ongoing uncertainty and volatility, we are continuing to assess the immediate and long-term effects with our partners. Ireland continues to cooperate closely with the EU and Members States on the EU’s collective response to the funding declines, while being clear that the EU will not be able to fill all the gaps.

On debt specifically, there are a range of international institutions and initiatives that assist countries with debt issues. These include the G20, which has developed, and is overseeing the implementation of, the Common Framework for Debt Treatments; the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable, which is chaired by the IMF, the World Bank and the G20 Presidency and is working to build greater common understanding on debt sustainability and ways to address debt restructuring challenges; and the Paris Club, of which we are a member, which is a group of creditor countries which works to find coordinated solutions to debt sustainability challenges in borrowing countries.

We support all of these initiatives, including as a guest country in the G20, and continue to call, where appropriate, for reform and improvements. Ireland is not a significant creditor, which means we are generally not actively involved in discussions on specific country situations. Nevertheless, we will continue to engage in debt sustainability issues, particularly as they affect countries where we operate our bilateral development programmes.

Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union are now intensifying across both policy and operational strands of planning.

As part of the preparations, my Department is currently recruiting for temporary positions in Dublin and Brussels to be filled in the lead up to, and during, the Irish Presidency. Some of those appointed will work in my Department while others will be assigned to work with other Government Departments.

In Dublin, temporary Presidency Policy Officers will take up duty on different dates between September 2025 and June 2026. It is envisaged that they will conclude their roles by the end of 2026. At this stage in the planning for the EU Presidency, we anticipate hiring in the region of 80 temporary Presidency Policy Officers for positions in my Department and across Government.

In Brussels, my Department is also in the process of recruiting for a number of temporary EU Presidency Policy Officers and temporary EU Administration Officers. The people appointed to these positions will take up their roles in Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU, working on behalf of the range of Government Departments represented there. At this stage in the planning for the EU Presidency, we anticipate hiring in the region of 50 EU Presidency Policy Officers. The number of EU Administration Officers to be recruited is currently being assessed.

In both Dublin and Brussels recruitment campaigns for these temporary roles were open to people from outside the Civil and Public Service. Due to the temporary nature of the roles, none of those recruited to fill these positions in Dublin and Brussels will be entitled to permanent positions within the Civil Service.

Our 2026 EU Presidency will be a major undertaking for Ireland and is a key focus for the work of our Government. We have a proud record of success from our previous Presidency terms, and we are confident that with the support of our partners we will again be able to make a significant and positive contribution to the EU in 2026.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 135 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal.

My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad in accordance with its Consular Assistance Charter. The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of the officials in my Department.

Since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has supported 153 persons to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland, including a small number of students. On 17 July, 9 Palestinian students arrived in Ireland from Gaza; these students will take up scholarships for the 2025/26 academic year under the Government’s Ireland Palestine Scholarship Programme which is supported through Irish Aid. The students will be supported by the Irish Council of International Students (ICOS), the Managing Agency for the Ireland Fellows Programme, in anticipation of their courses starting in September.

While, as you will appreciate, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide are limited in the assistance we can provide to non-Irish citizens, I can confirm that we are actively exploring further options for the provision of assistance to individuals in Gaza who wish to travel to Ireland. This includes students who have been granted scholarships by Higher Level Institutions in Ireland for the upcoming academic year. Where a visa is required to enter Ireland, the relevant visa application will be reviewed in accordance with Irish legislation.

It should be noted that exit from Gaza is dependent on receipt of permission from the relevant local authorities, both in Israel and in certain circumstances neighbouring jurisdictions. Such permissions are outside the control of the Government of Ireland.

I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to steadfastly advocate for an urgent end to hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access.

In trade agreements, parties can lay out their commitments and their exceptions to trading according to two different techniques; Positive listing and Negative listing.

Negative listing, as used in the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA), has seen both parties detail all the exceptions and conditions to the commitments contained in the trade agreement. The negative list states areas where we wish to apply limitations. This means that within CETA all service sectors, save for those listed, are open to foreign investment and trade.

Ireland's specific reservations are listed in an Annex to the agreement, along with all Member states. In this sectors such as agriculture, mining and quarrying, business and legal services, health and veterinary services and fishing and maritime transport are all listed with reservations. Some reservations cover general principles of non-discrimination between domestic and foreign entities, some cover access to markets and allow us to protect specific sectors from being fully liberalised under CETA. In some cases these reservations outline the national requirements that must first be fulfilled before the activity can be undertaken under the terms of CETA.

Our reservations can serve to support our domestic business ecosystem while at the same time encouraging market access and economic growth though new trading opportunities with Canada.

CETA remains provisionally applied pending all EU Member State ratification, doing so is a commitment within the Programme for Government.

The EU's common commercial or trade policy is an exclusive EU competence. Ireland supports the efforts of the EU to promote values-based trade, linking trade to sustainability issues such as climate change, labour standards and human rights.

The Irish Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Our EU membership makes us part of the growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, supporting more opportunity for trade and investment, helping support jobs and growth at home, maintaining strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, and supporting better environmental and human rights standards around the world.

The Government’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland: Values for the World emphasises trade as a powerful driver of prosperity, well-being and improved living standards while recognising in parallel that civil society demands an increased focus on environmental, social and governance dimensions of trade.

Ireland continues to support and seek to influence the EU’s Trade and Sustainability (TSD) agenda as a priority area, drawing on key principles from Ireland’s position paper submitted to the European Commission Review of Trade and Sustainable Development in 2022, such as our support for a country specific approach on TSD that is mindful that countries are at different levels of development, and our prioritisation of a cooperative approach with trade partners on TSD.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 141, inclusive, together.

The EU-Canada Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) remains provisionally applied by the EU and Canada as it has been since 21 September 2017. As the process of national ratification across all Member States can take a number of years to complete, provisional application allows the areas for which the EU has exclusive competence to be applied provisionally pending entry into force. This has allowed Irish companies to take advantage of the beneficial terms of CETA and the new market opportunities it has provided including the elimination of tariffs on almost all key exports.

To date, CETA has been ratified by Canada and 17 of the 27 EU Members States, most recently by Germany in December 2022. The ratification of CETA is a Programme for Government commitment.

I received Cabinet approval in May to introduce a Bill to amend the Arbitration Act 2010, which if enacted would facilitate the ratification of CETA and other similar Free Trade Agreements with third countries that include investment protection provisions. I can confirm that if the Arbitration Amendment Bill is enacted, the process for the ratification of CETA will of course follow the relevant Constitutional requirements.

The Government is strongly in favour of ratifying CETA. The global economy is changing in ways that are making trade more important than ever before. As a small, open economy, Ireland fully supports free, fair and balanced international trade. Ratifying CETA is firmly in the interests of workers, taxpayers and businesses throughout Ireland, the EU and Canada. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are dependent on Ireland being open to trade and a supporter of free trade agreements. Equally, we must remain open and competitive for FDI.

Furthermore, it is the case that only once ratification of CETA by all Member States and Canada has taken place that efforts to upgrade provisions of the agreement can be taken forward, including regulatory enforcement mechanisms with regard to labour and environmental protection. This is yet another reason to ensure the swift ratification of CETA.

UNIFIL remains Ireland’s primary overseas mission and is at the centre of Ireland's long and proud history of UN peacekeeping. I know from my recent visit to our troops in UNIFIL in March that they are making a vital contribution in a very challenging environment.

Ireland strongly supports the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate. It is clear UNIFIL has adapted to the environment and is performing a vital role in the stabilization and security of southern Lebanon.

I have been actively engaged in supporting the renewal of the mandate, most recently raising the importance of the mandate’s renewal through calls I held with my counterparts in Lebanon and Italy, as well as the UN Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix. There was consensus across all these calls on the vital role UNIFIL is playing in maintaining stability in the region and the importance of the mandate’s renewal. In addition, I raised the importance of the EU remaining committed to the role of UNIFIL in Lebanon at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June.

Discussions regarding mandate renewals are centred in the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary General has recommended that the Security Council renew the UNIFIL mandate for 12 months, to 31 August 2026. In his letter from 11 July, the Secretary General notes the recommitment of Israel and Lebanon to resolution 1701, the progress made by the Lebanese Armed Forces over the past 12 months, and the Secretary General’s own assessment of the continued need for UNIFIL, including consensus from across the Lebanese political spectrum.

I will continue to liaise with my counterparts on this and support the ongoing discussions regarding the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate. Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York is also actively engaged with the UN and fellow Troop-Contributing Countries to UNIFIL in relation to the mandate renewal. As always, the safety and security of our peacekeepers remains a priority in all discussions.

With the Government’s current Diaspora Strategy expiring at the end of 2025, I have been leading an extensive consultation process to inform our next Strategy, which will launch at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April 2026.

This consultation exercise has involved meeting with diaspora organisations at home and abroad. I have led in-person discussions with community groups overseas, including in Nairobi, Brussels, Boston, Philadelphia, Manchester, Glasgow and London. I also hosted a roundtable discussion in Iveagh House last month to hear from my fellow Oireachtas members. Our in-person consultations are being supplemented by an online consultation, the Global Irish Survey, to ensure we can hear from as many voices as possible.

These consultations have been positive and warmly welcomed and provide a platform to hear from our communities overseas on a wide range of issues of interest to them, including, on occasion, the issue of voting rights.

As I noted recently in the Dáil, extending voting rights to citizens outside this jurisdiction would require a referendum and the Government continues to reflect on the matter.

Ireland remains deeply concerned at the continuing humanitarian crisis both inside Afghanistan and its regional dynamic, including the situation of returnee refugees.

We remain steadfast in our support for the Afghan people’s human rights, especially for women, girls and those in vulnerable situations. This includes strongly condemning the brutal human rights abuses perpetrated by the Taliban against Afghan citizens, and the ongoing humanitarian crises gripping the country. Ireland regularly coordinates with our EU and wider Partners in relation to the ongoing issues facing Afghanistan, including the ongoing humanitarian crises, and monitor the situation of Afghan returnees from our Embassy in Islamabad.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, Ireland continues to play an active role in seeking to maintain EU and international attention on the appalling human rights situation within Afghanistan. We continue to advocate for the Afghan people across EU and UN fora, including at HRC and the UNGA.

Ireland supports the efforts of our trusted humanitarian partners to deliver vital operations, including those to support Afghan returnees to Afghanistan. This year, my department has allocated €4 million in humanitarian assistance to support organisations, including UNHCR, in response to the specific needs of Afghan women and girls.

The issues of resettlement of, and family reunification for, Afghan refugees relocated to Ireland is the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration which administers the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.

As I have outlined to the Deputy previously, the Treaty on European Union (TEU) delineates the institutional framework for EU foreign policy. Articles 18 and 24 establish that the High Representative shall conduct the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and represent the Union for matters relating to CFSP. The High Representative, who is also Vice President of the Commission, presides over the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and ensures consistency of the Union’s external action. Article 27 of the TEU designates the High Representative as the Union’s representative for CFSP matters.

The President of the European Commission speaks on CFSP matters through the framework of existing Council conclusions or as part of the Commission’s broader competences in external relations, particularly in areas where the Union has exclusive or shared competence.

The institutional balance established by the Treaties envisages that representation by the Commission in foreign policy contexts is consistent with positions agreed by the Council.

The Department does not retain records of the type referred to by the Deputy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 152, inclusive, together.

The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and has issued over 615,000 passports this year to date.

Each year, the Passport Service engages in comprehensive workforce planning, based on forecasted passport demand. The Department’s Management Board formally approves staffing requirements for the upcoming year. As a result of this proactive approach, the Passport Service is well-positioned to meet forecasted demand for the remainder of the year.

Adequate staffing in the Passport Service to respond to demand continues to be a priority for my Department in 2025 and is an issue that is kept under constant review.

My Department is implementing this year's staffing plan so that excellent customer service is maintained throughout periods of peak demand and is continuing to work to increase resources within the service.

Table 1 below outlines the annual number of staff by grade from 2020 to present.

Table 1 - Passport Service Staff by Grade 2020-Present

The payroll costs incurred by my Department in relation to staffing in the Passport Service, for the years 2020 to 30 June 2025, are outlined in Table 2 below.

Table 2 – Payroll Costs for Passport Service

With regard to the Deputy's question on increasing staffing levels in the Passport Service by increments of 10, 50 and 100, the costs are outlined in Table 3 below. These costs are based on the salary costs associated with Clerical Officers (COs), Executive Officers (EOs), and Higher Executive Officers (HEOs) on the mid-point of the scale and include the employer's PRSI contribution costs. The management structure outlined in the table correlates to the ratio of managers to staff typical in the Passport Service. These costs do not include additional costs that would be incurred by an increase in staff, including accommodation, utilities and equipment costs.

Table 3 – Estimated Salary and PRSI Costs of Additional Staff

Table 4 shows the staff within the Passport Service, by the three locations of the Passport Offices: Balbriggan; Cork; and Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Table 4 - Passport Service staff numbers by location

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not I, as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.

The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, Distribution, and EirGrid, Transmission. Building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system are functions which are assigned to the respective Distribution and Transmission system operators and for which they are accountable to the CRU.

ESB Networks does not receive funding. System operator spending is agreed with the CRU in five-year cycles, referred to as Price Reviews. The current price review (Price Review 5) is in effect until the end of 2025 and will see a capital investment spend of over €8 billion in the electricity network. Work has commenced on Price Review 6 which will see the CRU sanction the investment in the grid to 2030. The CRU are proposing to approve an investment of up to €18.08 billion in our electricity system between 2026-2030, with a €14.1 billion baseline investment guaranteed.

The CRU have published on their website their decision in respect of PR5 and yearly regulatory reports in respect of same. Should the Deputy require further information they should engage directly with the CRU who can be contacted at oireachtas@cru.ie.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 233 together.

Government has approved equity support of up to €1.5bn for ESB and up to €2bn for EirGrid to support their investment in critical energy infrastructure over the coming years. Government currently owns 100% of the shareholding in EirGrid and will continue to do so after the equity support is provided.  Government currently owns 97.15% of the shareholding in ESB and the ESOP (Employee Share Ownership Plan) owns the remaining 2.85%.  There will be no other owners of shares in ESB as a result of this equity injection. The specific mechanism by which Government will provide the equity will require extensive further financial, legal and regulatory review in the coming months.

The Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) is a highly successful scheme funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme has supported over 4,000 small businesses with a €2,000 voucher for a high-quality energy audits.

The scheme’s eligibility criteria are published on the SEAI’s website. Businesses applying to the scheme must be non-obligated entities (i.e. not obligated to complete a mandatory energy audit); tax compliant; registered in Ireland; and spend at least €10,000 on energy (exclusive of transport energy costs) per year at the site being audited. In addition, there is a limit of one audit voucher per Applicant/Company.

There are no exceptions to these criteria for any sector. The SSEA is available to the community, voluntary and arts sectors, non-profit actors, farms, small public bodies and any organisation that meets these criteria.

I would suggest that the Deputy provides relevant details of any issues of concern directly to the SEAI for consideration. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) approve price reviews on a five yearly basis, which set out the operating and investment programmes for the electricity network.   The next price review, PR6, covers the period 2026-2030.   ESB Networks and EirGrid have submitted their proposals to the CRU for expenditure for the five-year price review period. A significant increase in capital investment by both companies is proposed across over 500 capital projects.

   The Government has approved a €3.5 billion investment as part of the National Development Plan to support the delivery of those investment plans by ESBN and EirGrid.  This transformative investment will be crucial to deliver on key Programme for Government commitments, across housing, competitiveness, security of supply and renewable energy.

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not I as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.

The management of, and matters related to, connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid, under rules determined by CRU. The pathway to connection to the electricity grid is dependent on the nature and scale of the project seeking connection and whether it is a demand or generation customer.

The management of, and matters related to, domestic connections to the electricity grid are matter for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the CRU. ESB Networks are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their functions. Connection applications are dealt with on sequential first come first served basis. ESB Networks are advising developers to provide as much notice of their requirements as possible, and to have a connection agreement with ESB Networks in place prior to starting a new development

CRU’s 2021 Direction to the System Operators requires data centres requesting connection to the electricity grid to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria. The recent CRU proposed decision paper on Large Energy Users is an update to existing policy and will apply to data centres only and will direct System Operators to continue assessing connection applications considering local constraints for each application. I am advised that CRU are in the process of analysing the extensive feedback received during consultation and are still working through the timeline on the connection policy publication.

The CRU, ESB Networks and EirGrid have respective email addresses for Deputies should they wish to raise matters of concern (oireachtas@cru.ie, oireachtas@esb.ie, oireachtas@eirgrid.ie).

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not I as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.

The management of, and matters related to, connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid, under rules determined by the CRU. The pathway to connection to the electricity grid is dependent on the nature and scale of the project seeking connection and whether it is a demand or generation customer.

The management of, and matters related to, domestic connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the CRU. ESB Networks are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their functions. Connection applications are dealt with on sequential first come first served basis. ESB Networks are advising developers to provide as much notice of their requirements as possible, and to have a connection agreement with ESB Networks in place prior to starting a new development

CRU’s 2021 Direction to the System Operators requires data centres requesting connection to the electricity grid to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria. The recent CRU proposed decision paper on Large Energy Users is an update to existing policy and will apply to data centres only and will direct System Operators to continue assessing connection applications considering local constraints for each application. I am advised that CRU are in the process of analysing the extensive feedback received during consultation and are still working through the timeline on the connection policy publication.

The CRU, ESB Networks and EirGrid have respective email addresses for Deputies should they wish to raise matters of concern (oireachtas@cru.ie, oireachtas@esb.ie, oireachtas@eirgrid.ie).

Tackling fast fashion and promoting sustainability in the textiles industry is a key priority for me and the Department.

A draft National Policy Statement and Roadmap for Circular Textiles was published for public consultation in May. For the first time, it sets out a policy direction for Ireland with regard to tackling fast fashion and promoting reuse and recycling of used textiles. The consultation is now closed and we have commenced considering the submissions made with a view to publishing the final Statement and Roadmap in the autumn.

The measures contained in this Statement and Roadmap will help to curb fast fashion trends, boost the reuse and recycling of textiles and reduce the environmental footprint of the sector. Such measures will include making producers responsible for textile waste via an Extended Producer Responsibility scheme; supporting local reuse; ensuring transparency around textile exports; raising public awareness, ensuring the public sector leads the way in buying textiles sustainably; measuring progress and gathering reliable data; bridging the skills gap for sustainable design and repair; and supporting investment in circular business models such as rental, repair and second hand retail.

At EU level, a new legislative proposal will require Member States to have an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for textiles in place by 2028. The Department has already started the foundational work with the sector for an Irish EPR scheme and plans to develop an EPR Roadmap this year. Engagement with the Textile Advisory Group, which involves industry, community and regulatory bodies, will be an important aspect of this work.

The Statement and Roadmap highlights the importance of public awareness in reducing textile consumption. The Department is currently running a national public awareness campaign Reverse the Trend, the objective of which is to raise awareness of the impact of fast fashion and to encourage the buying of fewer new clothes, re-use, repair, swapping and sharing. The Department also funds the Re-love Fashion competition run by the Rediscovery Centre. It was developed in response to the growing environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, and the need for change. It is open to schools and youth groups all over Ireland.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

As Minister, I have no function in relation to individual applications. Applicants can contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.

My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.

Radon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and is estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. In response to the public health risks posed by radon gas, the Government established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS). Implementation of the Strategy is overseen by an interdepartmental and agency NRCS Coordination Group chaired by my Department. The NRCS Coordination Group last met in June 2025.

Testing homes for radon is a matter for the householder. As every home has different amounts of radon, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that everyone has their home tested for radon.

Detailed information in relation to radon, including a list of registered radon testing services, can be found at www.radon.ie. Each of the listed services have met the relevant criteria required to become a registered radon testing service. Homeowners can purchase radon testing kits directly from one of the registered companies.

The total spend by my Department on external legal services in each of the past three years and the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought are detailed in the following tables.

I am advised that the my Department has spent some €1,107,748 in respect of legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements over the past three years.

There are 12 State bodies under the aegis of my Department. The information sought in the Question is an operational matter for each of the State bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the Bodies directly in relation to this matter. Contact details for each body is set out in the following table.

The Killarney Innovation Centre (KTI) is under the remit of Kerry County Council. The role of building regulations in the deployment of green technologies, including energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

My Department can provide support to local authorities seeking to retrofit buildings to improve energy efficiency through a number of schemes including: the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme, which provides grant support for building fabric and heating/cooling upgrades, as well as the Non Domestic Microgen Scheme.

The Business Energy Upgrades Scheme was opened in November 2024, with a publicity campaign launched in April 2025. This scheme can provide substantial support to the SME sector to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings. The scheme is open to all businesses and public bodies who are upgrading a building they own or occupy. It offers access to rapid approval of grant funding for a range of retrofit measures for commercial buildings such as hotels, offices, retail premises and restaurants.

The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations through grants provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The second phase of the MSS commenced on 22 September 2022, when the SEAI extended the solar PV grant scheme to the non-domestic sector, including schools, businesses, small farms and community enterprises such as regional innovation centres, for installations up to 6kW. An extended funding range from €2,700 to €162,600 was introduced in July 2023 to support non-domestic installation sizes between 7 kWp and 1,000 kWp (1 MW) capacity, on a pilot basis to the end of 2023. This includes cohorts typically covered under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.

For larger energy users in the public sector, the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme administered by the SEAI can provide up to 50% funding for retrofit projects. Pathfinder supports public facilities through both the deployment of renewable energy such as biomass and solar on site, and the electrification of heating and cooling, which also supports the transition to renewable energy as we decarbonise the grid.

The above support schemes are kept under regular review to ensure their effectiveness.

There are a broader range of enterprise supports available that assist businesses with energy and climate initiatives, with funding from a variety of sources (not just the SEAI). Further information on the broader supports can be found on the “Climate Toolkit for Business” website: www.climatetoolkit4business.gov.ie/next-steps-and-further-information/.

My Department provides support to businesses and public bodies seeking to retrofit buildings to improve energy efficiency through a number of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes including:

• the Business Energy Upgrades Scheme which provides substantial support to the SME sector to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings;

• for larger energy users in the public sector, the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme, administered by the SEAI provides up to 50% funding for retrofit projects; and

• the amended Non-Domestic Microgen Grant Scheme, which has proved an overwhelming success, and has now been extended for 2025 with the same level of grant support for installations of up to 1 MW.

Further information on the broader supports can be found on the Government website “Climate Toolkit for Business” www.climatetoolkit4business.gov.ie/next-steps-and-further-information/.

In addition, the following schemes support applicants to install renewable energy projects:

• the Micro-generation Support Scheme provides grant support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations;

• the second phase of the Small-scale Renewable Electricity Generation Support Scheme (SRESS) targets community, SME and farm export projects in the range 50kW to 6MW. This phase is available for innovation hubs wishing to export electricity to the grid for revenue, rather than producing it for self-consumption. The SRESS application form, together with the terms and conditions and a non-technical summary, are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/sress.

All these schemes support and enable organisations, including regional hubs, to take charge of their sustainability journey and benefit from increased energy efficiency, more sustainable operations and lower carbon emissions.

My Department also funds the Atlantic Seaboard South Climate Action Regional Office which coordinates and supports climate action undertaken by the five Local Authorities of Clare, Limerick, Kerry, and Cork City and County.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 190 and 261 together.

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and cans and to deliver on our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those products.

Re-turn always encourages consumers to redeem their deposits, and it is important that the public is aware that Re-turn retains an open-ended liability to refund deposits to consumers, regardless of when or where the product was purchased.

Re-turn published its 2024 annual report on 25 July 2025 and a link to the report can be found here: https://re-turn.ie/re-turn-2024-annual-report/. In the annual report, Re-turn outlines the income received from unredeemed deposits in 2024. Confirmed figures for 2025 are not yet available from the scheme however as the return rate improves, unredeemed deposits are reducing in parallel.

As with other DRS schemes, unredeemed deposits are retained by the operator (Re-turn) and are reinvested exclusively for the development of the Scheme. As a not-for-profit organisation, Re-turn will invest the funds in a range of measures to promote and improve collection rates including:

• Improving Reverse Vending Machine coverage and optimising convenience for consumers

• Enhancing accessibility to maximise the scheme for all users

• Introducing larger, bulk-fed machines enabling quicker, higher volume returns

• Communications and awareness, supporting the consumer’s understanding of DRS and the benefits of a separate collection for these materials

• Recycling infrastructure development

The Department works closely with Re-turn to ensure the scheme explores all options to meet those targets and to support Ireland's transition to a circular economy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 249 together.

I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question Dáil Ref: 10 of 18 June 2025. The position remains unchanged from that set out therein. As regards Q2 2025, figures will not be available until Q3.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 250 together.

The information requested which has been provided by the SEAI is set out in the following table. Please note that the retrofit figures represent grants provided through SEAI, while SPV on new homes are typically installed to meet Part L Building Regulation requirements.

Note:

• 2025 data as of 21/07/2025

• Retrofitted data from SEAI grants only, and does not include potential retrofits outside of SEAI grant

• Data for newbuilds from the SEAI BER dataset BER dataset.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169, 251 and 309 together.

My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation), as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.

In the first half of 2025, a total of 26,320 property upgrades have been delivered under the SEAI retrofit schemes and, of these, 11,187 have been to a BER B2 level or higher.

The equivalent figures for Quarter 1 2025 show 11,910 property upgrades, of which 5,114 were to a level of B2 or higher.

The details requested in the Question in relation to schemes administered through my Department are set out in the table below.

In terms of agencies or State bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought in the Question is an operational matter for each of the State bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the bodies directly in relation to this matter. Contact details for each body is set out at the following link:

DCEE Agencies Oireachtas emails

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

The recently adopted Directive promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, also known as the Right-to-Repair Directive, will make it easier for consumers to seek repair instead of replacement and repair services will become more accessible, transparent, and attractive. It gives manufacturers the incentive required to make products that last longer and can be repaired, reused, and recycled.

It complements other recent EU legislation to promote sustainable consumption, such as the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation which will promote the production of repairable products and the directive on empowering consumers for the green transition which will enable consumers to make better-informed purchasing decisions at the point of sale.

These important developments will be leveraged to support the development of a more vibrant repair and reuse ecosystem in Ireland. The National Reuse and Repair Network established by the EPA plays a key role in bringing together public bodies and national organisations to facilitate knowledge sharing and engagement to support and scale reuse and repair in Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland supports Irish businesses in adopting circular economy practices that extend product lifecycles and reduce waste. While not explicitly focused on rental models, its guidance encourages innovation in business models that improve resource efficiency and customer value. By exploring leasing or rental approaches, SMEs can align with national sustainability goals and enhance competitiveness in evolving markets.

The forthcoming second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy will make the business case for the circular economy setting a holistic vision, supporting practices such as eco-design, repair, reuse and remanufacturing. It will provide for incentives that will create a level playing field for circular economy actors, practices and products, and leverage public procurement to create a market for circular products and practices.

Product re-use and repair are the building blocks of a circular economy, which can contribute to climate change mitigation by preventing resource depletion, diverting products and materials from landfills and incineration and reducing energy demand.

Government is acutely aware of the impact higher energy prices has been having on households, in particular those in or at risk of energy poverty. Since December 2022, the implementation of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes II, III and IV provided 2.2 million households €1,450 between November 2022 and February 2025 at an approximate total cost of €3.3 billion.

People experiencing difficulties with meeting electricity and gas bills should contact their supplier in the first instance. Under the industry led Energy Engage Code a customer will not be disconnected as long as they continue to engage with their supplier. Suppliers offer a range of supports to customers, including hardship funds or emergency credit for Pay As You Go accounts.

Any customer that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, including customers on a Pay As You Go meter who have a need for financial assistance to facilitate their continued energy supply. Every effort is being made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses.

The National Energy Affordability Taskforce was established in May 2025 to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The Taskforce will publish an Energy Affordability Action Plan which will make recommendations to enhance energy affordability.

The South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (SC-DMAP) for Offshore Renewable Energy is Ireland's first forward spatial plan for offshore renewable energy (ORE).

As the Competent Authority for the SC-DMAP, I will oversee the governance structure for the SC-DMAP. Officials from my Department are leading on the implementation of the SC-DMAP through the establishment of the Implementation Programme Body (IPB), with input as needed from relevant Government Departments, State agencies and other stakeholders.

The role of the IPB is to oversee effective and sustainable implementation of the SC-DMAP and to coordinate with existing governance structures relevant to ORE such as the National Marine Planning Framework governance structure, the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce and Project Ireland Marine 2040, as required.

The SC-DMAP IPB will be supported in its work by a Marine Ecosystems and Ornithology Working Group, which will develop an implementation plan and recommend to the IPB the scope of the Regional Level Surveys in respect of mobile/migratory species including birds, mammals and bats.

A Technical Working Group will also support the IPB, particularly in relation to coordinating a common, shared GIS data repository for the SC-DMAP.

The IPB has been established and Chairpersons for both the Marine Ecosystems and Ornithology Working Group and the Technical Working Group have been identified. Work on further establishing the wider membership of these groups is also currently underway.

The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021 to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 for household installations.

Moreover, households who install battery storage solutions as part of their solar PV system can avail of 0% VAT on the supply and installations of the total system. With the cost of batteries having dropped significantly in recent years, such systems provide an even greater opportunity for consumers to make energy cost savings, as well as to provide greater flexibility and resilience to the national grid.

To comply with safety requirements set by ESB Networks and SEAI's code of practice for installers, solar PV systems are designed to automatically disconnect in the event of a power outage. ESBN advise that such systems can only be operated when the electricity supply is disconnected in particular circumstances, with set-ups compliant with National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) wiring regulations. More information on how this can be safely implemented is available on the ESBN website: Connect a Micro-Generator.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, and 181 together.

Litigation is dealt with on behalf of my Department by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for my Department where necessary. The costs of any external solicitors or counsel in such litigation are not managed by my Department.

Where appropriate and warranted, my Department may engage the services of external legal advisors. In such circumstances, procurements are conducted in compliance with applicable procurement regulations, national legislation and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Circulars. Where applicable to my Department, the specific matters raised in the Questions are effectively determined in the course of the procurement process undertaken.

Individual sections are responsible for ensuring that the services are delivered in accordance with all the terms of the contract, including scope, duration and cost. To assist section in monitoring their contracts, details of contracts are maintained in a central register and circulated quarterly by the Department’s Procurement Unit to sections for cross checking.

In terms of State bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought in the Questions is an operational matter for each of the State bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the Bodies directly in relation to this matter. Contact details for each body is set out in the following table.

I am advised that no audits or reviews on legal fee spend have been completed in the past five years.

The Department runs a devolved procurement system whereby each section is responsible for it's own procurements and for the ongoing monitoring of each contract, including those relating to legal services. Individual sections are responsible for ensuring that the services are delivered in accordance with all the terms of the contract, including scope, duration and cost.

In addition, to assist divisions in monitoring their contracts, details of contracts are maintained in a central register and circulated quarterly to sections for cross checking.

Litigation is dealt with on behalf of my Department by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for my Department where necessary. The costs of any external solicitors or counsel in such litigation are not managed by my Department.

Where appropriate and warranted, my Department may engage the services of external legal advisors. Individual sections in my Department are responsible for ensuring that any services are delivered in accordance with all the terms of the contract, including scope, duration and cost. To assist sections in monitoring their contracts, details of contracts are maintained in a central register and circulated quarterly by the Department’s Procurement Unit to sections for cross checking.

Over the past three years, only two legal engagements exceeded their initial cost. The total overrun amounted to some €19,620.

There are currently no grant schemes for micro-hydro or micro-generation technologies other than Solar PV, supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). SEAI have advised that significant investment in new processes and systems development would be required to include these within the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). Given the low numbers estimated for these technologies in Ireland (with ESB Networks reporting approximately 99% of new microgeneration connections being Solar PV), SEAI have indicated that the cost to support micro-wind would be relatively high, and that further assessment is required to determine if the advantage of extending the scheme outweighs the associated costs.

It should be noted that the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) already allows eligible customers with microgeneration systems to sell surplus electricity back to the grid and receive payment through their electricity supplier. The CEG is available to all eligible renewable self-consumers, including households with domestic wind energy production.

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision for the CEG which outlines arrangements for implementation of the tariff, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information on the CEG is available on the CRU website, www.cru.ie.

Dynamic Tariffs are one example of a service which enables consumers to benefit from being more flexible in how they consume electricity. Smart meters and smart infrastructure provide the essential foundation for the delivery of the benefits of the energy transition and are a key enabler for the participation of energy consumers. Smart meters support the migration to a carbon free electricity network and support smart grids, e-driving, e-heat and micro- and small-scale generation. To date, approximately 2 million smart meter exchanges have taken place. However, for energy consumers to benefit most, simply having a smart meter is not enough.

In 2023, my Department established the Smart Energy Services working group which seeks to build on the success of Ireland’s National Smart Metering Programme by developing measures to empower Ireland’s citizens to play a central role in the energy transition. The working group was established under the CAP23 with the objective of developing ‘measures and policy that facilitate and empower consumers to benefit from engagement in the energy transition, through active participation in the energy market and flexible demand management services’.

CRU held a public consultation on implementing dynamic tariffs in early 2024 and published a decision in September 2024. This requires suppliers with over 200,000 customers to offer a dynamic price tariff by June 2026. However, it should be noted that time-of-use tariffs, enabled by the smart meter rollout, have been a feature of the Irish electricity market since smart services went live in 2021. Many suppliers offer tariffs specifically designed for EV charging, by providing electricity at low rates during the night. These tariffs can significantly reduce the operational cost of electric vehicles.

The Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme. The primary objective of the scheme is to support and maximise the number of home energy upgrades delivered. Non-domestic projects are also supported to encourage broader community engagement and mobilisation.

Changes to the scheme guidelines were introduced in 2024, including the rollout of a pilot focused on area-based home retrofit projects which will encourage Communities Energy Grant Project Coordinators, Local Authorities and local energy agencies to collaborate with a focus on leaving no home behind.

The information sought in relation to the scheme is an operational matter for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

The National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), contains detailed analysis that is being used to inform the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise Ireland’s heating and cooling sectors to 2050. A draft Heat Policy Statement, informed by the findings of the National Heat Study, has been prepared and has undergone extensive consultation with Government Departments and Agencies. The Heat Policy Statement will set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector. The draft statement encompasses the national heat-related policies currently in place relevant to households, businesses, energy suppliers, planning authorities, and developers.

It is a legal requirement to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to determine whether the draft Heat Policy Statement is likely to have significant environmental effects. An SEA screening and a screening for an Appropriate Assessment (AA) for the draft Heat Policy Statement has been completed. The SEA and AA screening reports resulted in a full SEA being required, but an AA not being required. The SEA has been undertaken and delivered to the Department.

A public consultation on both the SEA Environmental Report, the AA Screening report, and the draft Heat Policy Statement is required to take place before the SEA process can be finalised. The consultation is planned for Q3 2025. Following completion of the consultation process, the draft Heat Policy Statement will be submitted to Government for approval and publication.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 189, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195 and 197 together.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. As reported by the SEAI, this resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme.

The information sought is an operational matter for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

My Department co-ordinates Ireland’s engagement with the Commission-led ‘Expert Group on Renewable and Low-Carbon Fuels’, which is an advisory group under the ‘Committee on the Sustainability of Biofuels, Bioliquids and Biomass fuels’ created by Article 34 of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (Directive (EU) 2018/2001) - RED II.

15 meetings have been held by this Expert Group to date.

The aim of the Expert Group is to contribute to the implementation of provisions set out in RED II.  This is specifically related to renewable fuels, including: 

• biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels;

• low and high Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC)–risk fuels; 

• renewable liquid and gaseous transport fuels of non-biological origin; and 

• recycled carbon fuels. 

Engagement is informed by inputs from a range of State-level stakeholders in Ireland, including the Department of Transport, who are responsible for the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy, and State Agencies responsible for administering EU-related requirements in Ireland, such as the National Oil Reserves Agency. 

Decarbonisation and renewable energy policies are designed, inter alia, in accordance with the requirements of the Renewable Energy Directive.

The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty.

There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type, and condition of the property. For each eligible home, the SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded. These can include:

• attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;

• wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;

• secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting; and

• in certain circumstances, heating system replacements, and window replacements where the wall is being insulated.

Under the scheme, windows are only upgraded in certain circumstances. Windows are only replaced where single glazed windows are in place and where a primary measure of attic or wall insulation is also being installed. Appendix 1 of the scheme application guidelines (www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/SCHEME-GUIDELINES.pdf ) provides further details on the conditions for the various recommendations for energy efficiency upgrade measures, including the conditions for when replacement windows may be recommended.

Bord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department. Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to my Department. The schedule for Bord na Móna's dividend payments to members of its employee share scheme is a matter for Bord na Móna, and not one in which I, as Minister, have a role.

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to I as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.

The management of, and matters related to connections, to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid, under rules determined by the CRU. The pathway to connection to the electricity grid is dependent on the nature and scale of the project seeking connection and whether it is a demand or generation customer. For instance, onshore generators and storage technologies apply to the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, to connect to the electricity grid through the new Electricity Connections Policy – Generation & System Services (ECP GSS). This policy, which replaces the Enduring Connection Policy, provides bi-annual batch processing for the first time supports and ensures that Article 16 of RED III is implemented to align relevant grid-permitting timelines with the requirements specified in the Directive. The ECP GSS policy also facilitates the connection of mini-generation, small-scale generation, and renewable energy communities.

The management of, and matters related to, domestic connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the CRU. ESB Networks are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their functions. Connection applications are dealt with on sequential first come first served basis. However, with growing demand across all sectors and long lead times for infrastructure, ESB Networks are advising developers to provide as much notice of their requirements as possible, and to have a connection agreement with ESB Networks in place prior to starting a new development.

Details of the various other connection polices, including policies for the connection of data centres, interconnectors and offshore renewable electricity connections are set out on the CRU website. Information on the pathway to apply for a domestic connection is set out on the ESB Networks website. ESB Networks and CRU have respective contact email address for Deputies should they wish to seek clarification on the issues set out above (oireachtas@esb.ie, oireachtas@cru.ie).

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not I as Minister.

The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The management of, and matters related to connections, to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks and EirGrid, under rules determined by the CRU. The pathway to connection to the electricity grid is dependent on the nature and scale of the project seeking connection and whether it is a demand or generation customer. For instance, onshore generators and storage technologies apply to the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, to connect to the electricity grid through the new Electricity Connections Policy – Generation & System Services (ECP GSS). This policy, which replaces the Enduring Connection Policy, provides bi-annual batch processing for the first time supports and ensures that Article 16 of RED III is implemented to align relevant grid-permitting timelines with the requirements specified in the Directive. The ECP GSS policy also facilitates the connection of mini-generation, small-scale generation, and renewable energy communities.

Details of the various other connection polices, including policies for the connection of data centres, interconnectors and offshore renewable electricity connections are set out on the CRU website. Information on the pathway to apply for a domestic connection is set out on the ESB Networks website. ESB Networks and CRU have respective contact email address for Deputies should they wish to seek clarification on the issues set out above (oireachtas@esb.ie, oireachtas@cru.ie).

I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 to 203, inclusive, together.

In March of this year, I received Government approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulation. The Government will continue to take decisive action to protect Ireland’s economy and citizens from the potential catastrophic impact of a significant disruption to gas supplies.

The emergency reserve will be in the form of a Floating Storage and Regassification Unit to be owned on behalf of the State by the system operator, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI). The reserve will protect Ireland’s economy and citizens from the potential catastrophic impact of a significant disruption to gas supplies.

Gas Networks Ireland are now progressing the project through detailed design and market engagement to determine the final costs to deliver this strategic gas emergency reserve. The final investment decision will be subject to Government approval and will be supported by independent assessments undertaken by financial and commercial advisory authority NewERA, as well as the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation and has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations. The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial and liberalised. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by the Deputy, is solely a matter for the CRU. In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister.

In June, the Household Energy Price Index published a report on electricity prices for household consumers, which shows Ireland has the fourth highest household electricity prices in the EU after Denmark, the UK and Switzerland. This is largely due to price increases on continental Europe relative to Ireland. Ireland consistently has a high cost of electricity in a European context. There are several historic reasons for this. We have a very dispersed population, a low level of interconnection with European markets and lack of natural resources.  Network charges are also higher in Ireland than other Member States as Ireland’s disaggregated population means that network upgrades and maintenance need to be made to more sections of network that serve fewer final users than European cohorts who are more densely urbanised.   

It is expected as interconnection with other countries including France increases, wholesale electricity prices in Ireland will reduce with a further expected reduction in retail prices.  

As Minister I meet with a range of stakeholders on a number of important topics including energy prices. This includes energy suppliers. In addition, to my interactions, my officials meet with suppliers on a regular basis and a key message to them is the critical importance of prices being reduced as soon as possible. 

The Government has made a number of important commitments in respect of addressing the continued high cost of energy. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward measures to help contain energy costs, including with regard to VAT. A cross-Government Energy Affordability Taskforce has been established to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. This will include a full review of all cost drivers across the energy market in Ireland.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 208, inclusive, together.

Re-turn, which is a not-for-profit company, published their 2024 annual report on 25 July 2025 and this is available here: re-turn.ie/re-turn-2024-annual-report/. In their report, the directors present their operational report together with audited financial statements for 2024. This includes information relating to a 66% average collection rate achieved for the period in 2024 when the scheme was fully operational. Ultimately, the EPA will collate and report official 2024 data for EU reporting purposes for submission, due before mid-2026. For current 2025 collection rates, Re-turn is reporting a 76% rate, based on 6-month rolling average figures.

While the collection, processing and recycling of containers returned via the Deposit Return Scheme is an operational matter for the DRS operator, Re-turn, I can confirm that all material collected is processed at a contracted facility in Limerick, after which it is currently sent to licensed facilities in Ireland, the UK or Europe for recycling. One of the significant benefits of DRS is the potential to establish Ireland's first bottle-to-bottle recycling plant on the island.

On the matter of costs to providers in Co. Wicklow, I do not have this information. Re-turn may be able to assist on this matter, if the Deputy wishes to pursue the question with the company. However, it is important to note that Re-turn is supporting many smaller retailers with funding towards the purchase of reverse vending machines. More information on this is available here: re-turn.ie/wp-content/uploads/RVM-Grants-Guide_v3.pdf

Information regarding the number of shops that have applied for exemptions in particular counties is an operational matter which may be addressed to the DRS operator, Re-turn.

In order to accelerate the process of site designation for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE), in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, a national ORE Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) is being developed. This plan has the objective of designating sites sufficient to deliver at least 20GW of ORE across Ireland’s entire maritime area by 2040. It is expected this DMAP will be completed by the end of 2027. This process will ensure that ORE developments in Ireland’s maritime area will take place in a managed, plan-led, strategic, and sustainable way.

To achieve Ireland's targets of 5GW of offshore wind by 2030, a number of projects (known as Phase 1 Projects), including projects on the East Coast, are currently in the planning system. Further details on each of these projects are available on the website of An Coimisiún Pleanála, www.pleanala.ie.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.

My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation), as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.

The information sought is an operational matter for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

I can confirm to the Deputy that I do not use personal email addresses for Government business.

My Department has spent the following amounts on Travel and Subsistence in respect of the period 2021 to date in 2025.

There are 12 State bodies under the aegis of my Department. The information sought in the Question is an operational matter for each of the State bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the Bodies directly in relation to this matter. Contact details for each body are set out at the following link.

DCEE Agencies

The Energy Poverty Steering Group was established in August 2022 and has met 8 times formally as a group. The Steering Group has overseen implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan. An Annual Report outlining progress under the various actions in the Energy Poverty Action Plan was published in May 2024 and is available on gov.ie.

Headline achievements since December 2022 have included the implementation of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes II, III and IV through which 2.2 million households received €1,450 between November 2022 and February 2025 at an approximate total cost of €3.3 billion. Between 2019 and 2024, SEAI schemes provided €1.2 billion support to homeowners for almost 187,000 home energy upgrades, including 58,000 B2s and 25,000 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme. In 2025 the most recent data shows there were 2,400 free upgrades for energy poor homes under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, with a record €280 million allocated in 2025.

These measures, along with others in the Plan, have helped to ensure that despite the unprecedented rise in energy costs experienced arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, households in Ireland have been supported by Government to meet their energy costs, and that homes have been warmer and more comfortable.

To further support those at risk of energy poverty the National Energy Affordability Taskforce was established in May 2025 to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The Taskforce will incorporate the work of the Energy Poverty Steering Group and will publish an Energy Affordability Action Plan, which will make recommendations to enhance energy affordability.

The Deposit Return Scheme was established to run primarily on a return-to-retail model, where consumers bring empty containers back to a retailer to recoup their deposit. There are currently over 3,517 retail return points, about 90% of which are Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), providing a high level of coverage across the country. To date, 1.6 billion containers have been returned through retail collection points.

The DRS scheme also allows for non-retail operators, such as civic amenity sites, to provide take-back facilities to complement the collection infrastructure provided by retailers.

Re-turn has advised that maximising the availability of RVMs across the country is a business priority. The company is currently developing an RVM Coverage Roadmap to identify locations of interest where no RVM return point exists to support further rollout. I would encourage the local authority in County Cork to engage with Re-turn to progress this matter locally.

The EU Just Transition Fund aims to address the employment, economic, social and environmental impacts that come with the shift away from carbon-intense activities. In Ireland, EU JTF is focused on the wider Midlands region which has been impacted by the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat.

Ireland’s EU JTF Programme represents a total commitment of €169m to the just transition process in the Midlands designated territory (as approved by the European Commission), incorporating €84.5 million of funding from the EU Just Transition Fund for 2021 – 2027 and national co-financing. This funding will be available until 2027, in line with the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework for 2021 to 2027. 

Following approval by the Government on 29 November 2022, the European Commission adopted Ireland’s Territorial Just Transition Plan and associated Programme. The Programme was formally launched on 28 April 2023. 

The EU JTF Midlands designated territory comprises counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary). Following an objective, evidence-based assessment and analysis, which sought to identify the most impacted areas based on key socio-economic, demographic, and environmental indicators, this territory was identified as the region most impacted by the transition from peat extraction for electricity generation. This territory was subsequently proposed under the Territorial Just Transition Plan and has been designated under the EU JTF Programme 2021 – 2027.

The current programming period for the EU JTF ends in 2027. Should Just Transition funding be continued under the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework for 2028 to 2034, an objective, evidence-based assessment and analysis will be undertaken to identify the territories within Ireland most affected by social and economic impacts of the transition towards climate neutrality.

The primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to littering and illegal dumping lies with local authorities, including in relation to any decision to deploy CCTV and other mobile recording devices in the vicinity of bottle banks to combat anti-social behaviour. However, the Department continues to provide extensive financial, policy and legislative support to the sector to support their enforcement efforts.

Over €20 million has been provided to local authorities under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was launched in 2017, including almost €2.8 million in 2024, to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding provided under the ADI can be utilised by local authorities to purchase CCTV and other mobile recording equipment and to put in place enforcement measures involving the use of such equipment. A further €3 million has been allocated to local authorities under the ADI in 2025. It is a matter for the local authorities to apply for this funding through the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs), who administer the scheme on behalf of the Department.

The Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7 million has been allocated to local authorities under this scheme in 2025, while a further €4 million has been allocated to support the enhancement of the role, responsibilities and staffing complement of the three WERLAs and the ongoing development of the new Local Authority Waste Programme Coordination Office. My Department has agreed to support these measures in order to position the local authority sector to effectively respond to emerging and priority enforcement challenges, including tackling the scourge of illegal dumping.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 259, 295 and 298 together.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme.  As reported by the SEAI, this resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme. 

These budgets have allowed the scheme to deliver a greater number of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades, which the SEAI indicates has increased from €2,600 in 2015 to just over €29,000 in the first half of 2025. These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes. So far in 2025, 3,378 homes have been upgraded under the scheme. 

For homes completed in 2024 the average waiting time was 18 months for the worst performing homes (those with a BER of E, F or G) and 19 months for better performing homes.

The average waiting time under the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of upgrade works to date in 2025, was 21 months for the worst performing homes and 22 months for better performing homes. This is a reduction in waiting times following a range of measures introduced by my Department and the SEAI, which includes the allocation of additional staff to the Warmer Homes Scheme; a significantly increased budget allocation; active contract engagement and management by the SEAI to increase contractor output; as well as actions to address ongoing supply chain pressures.

My Department and the SEAI continue to keep waiting times under review and to work to deliver energy upgrades to low-income households and reduce the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme as a priority.

Applicants can contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email or by telephone – details are on the SEAI website. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a bioliquid which can be used as a renewable energy source and which, in a transport context, is classified as a biofuel. HVO is currently available for consumers to purchase for use for both transport and heating. The Climate Action Plan includes a range of measures to address the use of fossil fuels in heating systems in buildings; with the National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, containing the detailed analysis that is informing the development of options to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors in the period to 2050.

The Heat Study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwellings and business premises. These included the use of liquid biofuels such as HVO, solid biomass, biogases, as well as heat pumps and district heating networks. The recommendation of the Heat Study is that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems, with district heating also being an option that can be widely deployed. However, the Heat Study also recognised the potential role for sustainable bioenergy for buildings that require alternative routes to decarbonisation, and that is being considered as part of a suite of measures to decarbonise heat.

The Programme for Government 2025 commits to targeting older homes still using oil to switch to renewable heating systems and to consider the use of sustainable biofuels to reduce emissions from existing home boilers where deep retrofits are not possible in the short term. These commitments are framing the work underway to finalise a Heat Policy Statement and prepare a Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuel heating systems, which will jointly set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector.

My Department is working on the introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) for the heat sector. Under current proposals, the RHO will obligate suppliers of all fossil fuels used for heating purposes to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable. As such, all renewable fuels, including bioliquids used for heat that satisfy the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive, will be considered eligible for certification under the scheme. Government recently approved the  RHO Heads of Bill, and drafting of the legislation will commence shortly.

Reserved Contracts are permitted under Regulation 77 of S.I. 284 of 2016.

I can confirm that my Department has not procured services under Regulation 77 in the past five years.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221, 222, 226 and 310 together.

The Programme for Government affirms the Government’s commitment to making Ireland’s buildings more sustainable and energy-efficient, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering energy costs for households. By promoting retrofitting, renewable heating, and solar energy, we aim to make homes warmer, cheaper to heat, and less reliant on fossil fuels.

The National Retrofit Plan is delivering at scale and pace. Since 2019, over €1.4 billion of capital expenditure has supported over 213,000 homeowners make their dwellings warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat through the home energy upgrade grants under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes. 

This year, in 2025, a record capital budget of over €550 million has been allocated to the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme. This allocation will support over 64,500 home energy upgrades to make homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills.

More broadly, my Department welcomes the substantial €5.64 billion allocation under the National Development Plan review, in addition to a landmark €3.5 billion investment in Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure.

In line with the approach set out in the updated NDP, I will now undertake a process of setting my Department's capital investment priorities for the next five years and of allocating funding to the programmes that meet those priorities.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 224 and 229 together.

My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation), as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.

The information sought is an operational matter for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These include the Better Energy Homes Scheme; the Warmer Homes Scheme; the Community Energy Grant Scheme; the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme through One Stop Shops; and the Solar PV Scheme.

Between 2020 and the end of June 2025, over 188,000 home energy upgrades were supported by the SEAI. The record capital budget in 2025 of over €558 million will support the delivery of 64,500 retrofits this year.  The table below sets out the annual capital budget allocation to the SEAI's residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes under Subhead B4 of the revised estimate for the period 2020 to 2025.

Notes:

The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme includes allocations to the One Stop Shop Development Pilot Scheme in 2021.

The allocation for the Solar PV Scheme for the medically vulnerable was included as part of the main Solar PV Scheme in 2023 and 2024.

Better Energy Warmth and Wellbeing closed to applications in 2022, and its budget transferred to the Warmer Homes Scheme from 2023 to ensure all remaining applications received their upgrades.

Nondomestic Microgen was moved to Subhead B5 in 2023.

The Better Energy Finance budget was subsumed into other budget lines after 2020.

The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021 to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 for household installations. These grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The SEAI maintains data regarding the financing and functioning of the Domestic Solar PV scheme and the previous pilot scheme it replaced in 2022 and has facilitated the information in response to the Question. Past allocations of capital and current funding to the SEAI in respect of the Domestic Solar PV scheme are as follows: 

Due to the success of this scheme and resultant high grant uptake levels, the initial capital allocations in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were exceeded, requiring the provision of additional funds, bringing the total grant supports provided to: 

The Non-Domestic Microgeneration Scheme has not been funded from subhead B4 but has been financed via a number of different funding streams. The capital spend to date amounts to circa €15m.

The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 for household installations. These grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

The SEAI maintains data regarding the financing and functioning of the Domestic Solar PV scheme and has facilitated the information in response to your question.

See below a breakdown of the average cost to install solar PV to date. It should be noted that these costs represent the value of Solar PV systems as entered by Solar PV installers during the grant application process and are excluding the grant.

Figures to end of June 2025

I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. Dáil ref: www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-28/76/?highlight%5B0%5D=communications&highlight%5B1%5D=breakdown&highlight%5B2%5D=funding&highlight%5B3%5D=provided&highlight%5B4%5D=community&highlight%5B5%5D=energy&highlight%5B6%5D=grants&highlight%5B7%5D=each&highlight%5B8%5D=years&highlight%5B9%5D=2020&highlight%5B10%5D=2022&highlight%5B11%5D=2023&highlight%5B12%5D=2024&highlight%5B13%5D=2025&highlight%5B14%5D=tabular&highlight%5B15%5D=form&highlight%5B16%5D=he&highlight%5B17%5D=make&highlight%5B18%5D=statement&highlight%5B19%5D=matter.

The position remains unchanged from that set out in therein.

The Programme for Government commits to promoting the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) to simplify market access for community owned solar and wind projects.

The SRESS export phase (SRESS 1) is designed for community, SME and farm projects above 50kW to 6MW, offering a simpler route to market, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind, aligning more closely to their experience and the capacity of these sectors. All export projects up to 1MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be communities, SMEs or farmers. 

Through my Department’s continued engagement with Renewable Energy Communities, there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS, along with grid and other barriers to project delivery. Therefore, support for communities for the development of renewable projects has now transitioned to the non-competitive SRESS.

The scheme opened for applications in January. The SRESS application form together with the terms and conditions and a non-technical summary, are available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/sress.

Five SME and four community applications have been accepted into the scheme, having confirmed their SRESS letter of offer in recent weeks. My Department is also processing additional community applications that have been received. 

The SME projects have until 2029 to energise and the community projects until 2030. However,  it is expected that these projects will energise in advance of these dates, as they will not receive any SRESS tariff until they energise.

There are currently no plans for an SRESS 2 as SRESS 1 is still open with plenty of available capacity still left in the scheme.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 237 and 238 together.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. The SEAI operate their schemes within a specified governance framework with a set of rules determining eligibility for grant support. Accordingly, these schemes have terms and conditions in place to ensure the transparent administration of public monies. Achieving this requires that the processes and systems are clear and efficient, and operate in a manner which is fair to all applicants.

The Community Energy Grant scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme. The primary objective of the scheme is to support and maximise the number of home energy upgrades delivered. This includes upgrades to energy-poor, private, rental and approved housing body homes.

Other objectives include: building capacity by working with project co-ordinators on large-scale and complex projects; supporting cross-sectoral partnership approaches targeting public, private, commercial and community buildings; encouraging the retrofitting of rental properties; helping to develop the retrofit supply chain; building relationships with communities and businesses; and developing community project management capacity.

A number of changes to the scheme guidelines were introduced last year, including: support for projects focused solely on residential upgrades; and improved supports to address the particular challenge of retrofitting multi-unit developments such as flat complexes, including scaffolding and communal areas.

The evaluation of applications to the Community Energy Grant Scheme, as well as the collection of scheme-specific data, are operational matters for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together.

I welcome the recent allocation of €5.64 billion under the updated National Development Plan (NDP), incorporating an allocation of €500 million under the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF), for my Department's capital programmes over the period 2026 to 2030.

The purpose of the ICNF is to support Government investments in programmes that assist with meeting climate change mitigation commitments and with addressing nature, water quality and biodiversity objectives.

The allocation to my Department from the ICNF of €500 million is intended to fund projects and programmes that will support my Department's climate mitigation and renewable energy objectives.

In line with the approach set out in the updated NDP, I will now undertake a process of setting my Department's capital investment priorities for the next five years and of allocating funding to the programmes that meet those priorities.

The general matter raised in the Question is not one in which I, as Minister, have a direct function. Matters related to the NDP should be addressed to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

I am advised, however, that as part of the National Development Plan Review, all Departments and Offices have been required to subject all projects proposed for funding under the NDP to a climate and environmental assessment. When revising and developing measures for inclusion in the NDP, Departments were asked to undertake a qualitative self-assessment of the anticipated impact each measure is likely to have on six specified climate and environmental outcomes.

I am further advised that every measure to be prioritised by Departments for delivery from within NDP allocations over the period ahead will go through thorough consideration of its impact at each stage, in line with all requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The allocations outlined in the NDP Review represent the continued focus and commitment of this Government to climate action and to ensuring Ireland is well positioned to realise the benefits of a just transition to a green and sustainable economy.

District heating can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Government policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating to contribute to the diversification of fuel supply to decarbonise the heat sector. To date, the State has financially supported the development of district heat networks in Ireland through the Climate Action Fund (CAF).

The CAF has allocated €5 million to support the pre-construction development costs of efficient district heating projects in Ireland. My Department with the assistance of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) District Heating Centre of Excellence are in the process of operationalising this funding. Support for the pre-construction development costs is being introduced to ensure efficient district heating projects are in position to avail of future funding to support the construction phase of projects.

In line with the District Heating Steering Group Report recommendation to provide financial support for district heating, the Department is also seeking to put in place a multi-annual financial allocation to support the construction of efficient district heating projects in suitable locations over the period 2026 to 2030.

My Department is aware of a strong district heating pipeline of at least 17 projects at different stages, including potential projects both within and outside Dublin. Aside from those projects, there is the opportunity to explore up to 50 further efficient district heating projects in Ireland.

District heating is a proven technology that can decarbonise the built environment, diversify fuel sources for heat, and improve quality of life. The National Heat Study, produced by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), highlighted significant potential for heat in buildings to be supplied by district heating, particularly in large towns and cities across Ireland where demand is concentrated, and heat sources are prevalent.

Government policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating to contribute to the diversification of fuel supply to decarbonise the heat sector. To date, the Government has financially supported the development of district heat networks in Ireland through the Climate Action Fund (CAF). In addition, €5 million has been allocated from the CAF to support the pre-construction development costs of efficient district heating projects in Ireland. My Department will collaborate with the SEAI District Heating Centre of Excellence to develop this fund and make this allocation available as soon as possible.

A District Heating Steering Group was established to support the development of district heating in Ireland. The Steering Group Report, which was approved by Government in July 2023, contains a range of recommendations setting the future policy direction for the development of the sector, including with respect to providing financial support for district heating infrastructure.

In line with the District Heating Steering Group Report recommendation to provide financial support for district heating, I am seeking to put in place a multi-annual financial allocation for efficient district heating projects over the period 2026 to 2030. Investing now in the early phase infrastructure will deliver key backbone elements for district heating networks that will decarbonise heat for larger anchor customers within this decade, and can be further leveraged, through future investment, to target smaller heat loads in the medium-to-longer term.

Following Government approval on the 15 July, the General Scheme of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) Bill 2025 was published and is available to view on Gov.ie at: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/RENEWABLE_HEAT_OBLIGATION_BILL_2025.pdf.

Introduction of the RHO is a key priority for my Department and preparation is now underway to begin drafting of the primary legislation required to administer the scheme.

A priority deliverable under the National Biomethane Strategy was the development of a Biomethane Sustainability Charter. Developed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Charter sets out best practice guidelines to maximise the benefits of anaerobic digestion, while minimising environmental impacts on land use, water quality, biodiversity, and ensuring high health and safety standards within the sector.

Following a final phase of stakeholder engagement, my Department is now preparing the finalised charter for publication. This will then be available on Gov.ie.

Biomethane production is still at an early stage of development in Ireland, with only two operational biomethane facilities injecting biomethane into the gas grid. The volume of biomethane injected into the grid in 2023 was small, equating to c. 60 GWh per annum, which is equivalent to 0.001% of Ireland’s current gas demand. Biomethane volumes injected into the gas network reduced by approximately 33% to 45 GWh in 2024.

Government is committed to supporting the development of a domestic biomethane industry of scale, and the Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, continues to oversee implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy and monitor target delivery.

The Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) Scheme will drive demand for biomethane in the heating sector and stimulate domestic production of biomethane.  The Heads of Bill for the RHO were approved by Government on 15 July.

In addition, my Department is working on putting capital grants in place from 2026 to support the development of anaerobic digestion plants in Ireland.

The Programme for Government 2025 has reaffirmed Ireland’s targets of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewable energy sources.

To date 5.13 GW of onshore wind had been energised, which is 57% of our 2030 target of 9 GW of onshore wind generation. It should be noted that renewable energy sources provided an expected 39.6% of electricity demand in 2024 according to the latest data from the SEAI. 

The Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce has been established to accelerate and increase the deployment of onshore renewable electricity generation by focusing on the three key pillars of renewables development – Route to Market, Grid Development, and Planning. This cross-Government Taskforce is identifying and prioritising the required policies needed to achieve our onshore renewable electricity targets and ensuring that barriers to the implementation of these policies are removed or minimised to the greatest extent possible.

Ireland has a number of support schemes in place to increase the development of renewable electricity. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is pivotal to the achievement of Ireland’s 2030 target. RESS consists of a series of competitive auctions, four onshore and one offshore to date, in which successful applicants are offered a two-way support arrangement for a period of approximately 15 years.

The four onshore RESS auctions held since September 2020 have been fundamental in boosting Ireland’s energy independence, with a fifth onshore auction due to take place in early September. The Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) was also developed to offer a simpler route to market for small-scale and community projects.

The revised National Planning Framework includes regional renewable electricity capacity allocations. The inclusion of the allocations will facilitate the accelerated roll-out and delivery of onshore wind and solar development. These allocations will be integrated into Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, which will, in turn, inform city and county development plans.

Government is committed to the development of 5GW of offshore wind capacity, with projects in construction by 2030, and energised as soon as feasible thereafter. Ireland's 5GW target will be met through a combination of projects from Phase One and from within the South Coast DMAP. Five Phase One projects accounting for 3.8GW of capacity are progressing through the planning process with an Coimisiún Pleanála, with all five having submitted their planning applications. Furthermore, the 900MW Tonn Nua site within the South Coast DMAP will be auctioned later this year under the ORESS scheme. This will seek bids to develop the site and represents another major milestone in our offshore energy programme.

Solar PV is the fastest growing source of electricity in the country and is highly complementary to wind generation, providing a more stable and balanced energy supply across time. The most recent CAP has a target of 8 GW solar capacity

I am advised that for a six-day period in April 2025 solar PV generation contributed more power to the grid than wind. This is a strong indication of recent success in the deployment of solar PV on the network.

Under the Climate Action Plan 2024, the target for installed micro-generation capacity ( 50 kW) has been expanded to 1.6 GW by 2030. 605 MW of Microgeneration capacity has been connected to the grid by end of June 2025, the majority of which has been supported by grants provided by the SEAI under the Microgeneration Support Scheme.

Solar PV connected to Grid:

The National Hydrogen Strategy and the Future Framework Policy Statement for Offshore Renewable Energy both set out that 2 GW of offshore wind dedicated to the production of renewable hydrogen, along with other non-grid limited green products and services, is targeted to be in development by 2030.

My Department has conducted initial stakeholder engagement to support the scoping of this action. In summer 2024, my Department hosted a series of stakeholder workshops across Government Departments and agencies to align expectations and agree next steps. Further work is underway to advance the hydrogen sector, as set out under the National Hydrogen Strategy, which will be needed to promote the commercialisation of the sector such that routes to market are economically viable for the State and industry.

This work will be further developed under the new National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce.

As with Quarter 1, a progress report for all Quarter 2 CAP actions and legacy actions will be prepared and published by the Department of An Taoiseach. The Quarter 2 report will be published in due course and will be available with other progress reports at - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/climate-action-plan-progress-reports/#climate-action-plan-2023.

A number of priority actions set out in the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025 have been delivered.

In June 2023, the EPA launched a revised Food Waste Charter calling on all businesses and State Agencies operating across the food supply chain to sign up and commit to reducing food waste. There are currently 79 Food Waste Charter members, representing over 69,000 employees across the food and drink supply chain.

New legislation was introduced in 2023 that requires every household in the State to be provided with a brown bin for food waste and light garden waste by their waste collector. This was carried out with a view to enable all households access to a waste collection service to segregate their waste, minimise the amount of waste that goes into landfill, and reuse waste through measures such as recycling, composting and anaerobic digestion, thereby making a positive contribution to our national recycling rates.

Stop Food Waste Day is an annual event that takes place on 1 March every year to highlight opportunities to prevent food waste. StopFoodWaste.ie, managed by the EPA, is a national campaign to reduce household food waste in Ireland. The focus of the day this year was to invite the public to download a ‘Stop Food Waste Day Pocket Guide’ to follow tips on reducing food waste and saving money.

National Food Waste Recycling Week is run by the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices. €1 million funding was allocated by the Department in 2022 and 2023 to fund food waste recycling awareness campaigns which included the provision of household food waste caddy packs. The aim was to encourage everyone to recycle food waste by raising awareness and providing practical tools to separate food waste. This year, National Food Waste Recycling Week took place from 1 to 8 June 2025 with a focus on reducing contamination in brown bins.

The outcome of the amendment to the Waste Framework Directive and the binding targets that will be implemented will further inform sector specific targets across the food supply chain.

Work on the next iteration of the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap will commence this year to ensure actions are relevant and appropriate so that Ireland is on the right path to deliver on its food waste reduction obligations.

The Department leads on the development of the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap and in the coordination and review of its implementation. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the lead Government Department on UN SDG 12.3. Both Departments are committed to working closely together to pursue ambitious food loss and food waste reductions.

The preparation of the next iteration of the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap will involve consultation with key stakeholders and will be prepared on a statutory basis following publication of the second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy.

The binding food waste reduction targets in relation to the amendments to the Waste Framework Directive will play an important role in shaping the future targeted actions within the next iteration of the Roadmap.

The National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025 contains an action that commits to the review of the effectiveness of the voluntary approach to food waste measurement and reporting to determine if there is a need to set mandatory requirements for measurement and reporting.

The effectiveness of this voluntary approach to food waste measurement and reporting, and the revised Food Waste Charter, in terms of measurement and reporting of food waste by key sectors, will be monitored as part of the Roadmap review. This will determine if there is a need to set mandatory requirements in relation to food waste measurement and reporting.

In February this year, an agreement was reached on amending the Waste Framework Directive to further reduce food waste by 2030 with new targets on processing and manufacturing waste in addition to per capita reductions in waste from retail, restaurants, food services and households.

The Department will continue to progress the implementation of the priority actions included in the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025. The outcome of the process regarding proposed legally binding food waste reduction targets to be achieved by Member States by 2030 will be particularly important in informing further focused and targeted actions on food waste prevention.

Ireland is committed to reducing food waste by 50% by 2030 in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023- 2025, published in November 2022, sets out a number of priority actions to focus on food waste prevention, across key sectors in the food supply chain, together in a coherent manner.

A number of priority actions set out in the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023- 2025 have been delivered or are in progress. The review of the Roadmap for 2023 has been published and the 2024 review is currently in progress.

Some of the key priority actions delivered for the year 2024 include:

• Engagement in the EU process leading up to a provisional agreement on amendments to EU waste legislation related to the introduction of binding food waste reduction targets by 2030.

• National Food waste awareness activities such as National Stop Food Waste Day and a National Food Waste Recycling Week.

• Updated Green Public Procurement policy that includes a focus on food waste prevention.

• The commencement of the Food Circle Project, a two-year grant agreement that was established by the Department with FoodCloud in August 2024. Supported by the Circular Economy Fund, the main purpose of the project is to promote, and identify further actions to support, surplus food donation and redistribution in Ireland, therefore reducing food waste.

The Department, as the lead Government Department in developing the Roadmap, and in the coordination and review of its implementation, continues to work with key stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in order to pursue ambitious food loss and food waste reductions.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.

The details requested in the Question in relation to capital funding programmes or grants for which sporting organisations and community organisations are eligible for, and for which my Department has responsibility, are set out in the table below. It should be noted that a number of the programmes detailed fall simultaneously under both capital funding programme and grant schemes.

In terms of agencies or State bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought in the Question is an operational matter for each of the State bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the bodies directly in relation to this matter. Contact details for each body are set out in the table below.

All new connections to the transmission and distribution gas network are the responsibility of Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), Ireland’s gas transmission system and distribution system operator. GNI’s gas connection policy is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Ireland’s independent energy regulator.

Gas Networks Ireland Connections Policy sets out the conditions for the assessment of extensions to the gas network, including extensions to towns not currently served by natural gas. This would include an assessment of the economic viability of any new town connections by GNI.

Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021, GNI is required, in so far as practicable, to perform its functions in a manner consistent with national climate objectives, the most recently approved climate action plan, national long-term climate action strategy, national and sectoral adaptation frameworks and plans, and the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.

I am advised by GNI that, at present, it does not have any plans to extend the gas network to Cavan town. Previous reviews indicated that GNI could not make a suitable business case, as per the criteria outlined in Gas Networks Ireland's Connections Policy, to extend the gas network to the town, predominately due to the lack of large industrial energy demand in the town. GNI has informed my Department that this could change in time should additional significant industry or larger energy users locate in the area, and GNI would be happy to engage with stakeholders to reassess the potential of the town of Cavan in the future. In addition, GNI carried out an analysis of Monaghan town in 2023 and, likewise, could not make a suitable business case to extend the gas network to that town.

Re-turn is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee and set up by beverage producers to meet their obligations under the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Regulations. Re-turn is responsible for all operational and funding matters relating to the DRS.

Re-turn published its 2024 annual report on 25 July 2025, and the report can be found here: re-turn.ie/re-turn-2024-annual-report/. In the report, the directors present their operational report and audited financial statements of the company for 2024. The report includes information relating to director and employee costs.

The waste management industry in Ireland remains reliant, in part, on the export market to meet its processing needs for waste packaging produced here. Given the volume and grade of material collected, this is mostly recycled abroad for reasons of economic viability.

Notwithstanding these constraints, a number of measures are planned or underway which will boost recycling rates and make recycling on the island a more attractive proposition for investors.

These measures include:

• The recent introduction of our national Deposit and Return Scheme which is already delivering a separate high-quality stream of PET for recycling.

• Requirements for recycled content in all packaging under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and for PET bottles specifically (under the Single Use Plastics Directive), which should increase demand for quality recyclate.

• Requirements for harmonised labelling, and design-for-recycling criteria, under the PPWR, which should further help in the correct segregation and easier post-consumer treatment of plastic waste.

In keeping with the polluter pays principle, Extended Producer Responsibility schemes have a key role in meeting national collection and recycling targets and also in supporting investment to ensure that as much as possible can be recycled and recovered domestically. Both Re-Turn and Repak are working with investors to maximise the recycling of all types of plastic packaging here.

In addition, changes in the recently revised Waste Shipment Regulation will ensure a more level playing field in the EU plastic recycling market for EU operators. After 21 May 2029, plastic packaging waste can be exported for recycling to non-OECD countries only if those countries have proven to the European Commission that they can manage such waste to an environmental standard equivalent to EU recyclers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the competent authority for the collation of national waste statistics and reports annually on Ireland’s performance against a range of European waste directive and regulations, as well as waste exports. These are used for reporting on Ireland’s performance in meeting its legal obligations, for policy and waste management planning purposes and to inform the general public. This data is available at the EPA website: www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics/.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 263, 264, 265, 268, 269, 270, 288, 306 and 307 together.

Electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive and are overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Price setting by energy suppliers is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned.

I am deeply aware of the impact which rising energy prices, driven by an unprecedented increase in wholesale prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have had on Irish consumers and businesses. To date €3.3 billion has been transferred through the four electricity credit schemes, providing support to nearly 2.3 million domestic households.

The Government has put in place a range of improved supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.

In 2025, a record capital budget of almost €550 million is allocated for SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme, to support over 64,500 home energy upgrades. Of this amount, a record €280 million has been allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme to provide fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty. This represents an 11-fold increase over the spend on the scheme in 2020 and underlines the Government’s commitment to addressing energy poverty.

The Government has made a number of important commitments in respect of addressing the continued high cost of energy. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward taxation measures to help contain energy costs.

Government approved an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity by a further six months to October 2025 at an estimated cost of €85 million with the net benefit to households from 1 May to 31 October being approximately €26.60 with respect to electricity and €20.28 with respect to gas. This is traditionally 13.5% but has been 9% since 2022 in response to the energy price crisis.

In May 2025, my Department established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. This Taskforce will be responsible for drafting an Energy Affordability Action Plan and monitoring its implementation.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.

Electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive with the market being overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

However, this Government is deeply conscious of the impact which rising energy prices, driven by an unprecedented increase in wholesale prices and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have had on Irish consumers and businesses. The Government has made a number of important commitments in respect of addressing these energy price increases, both in terms of the review of the regulatory framework and increasing Ireland’s overall energy supply and independence.

The CRU published a report on retail energy markets in September 2023 in relation to competition and supplier pricing in the energy market. The report was in response to a request by then Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamonn Ryan TD, to examine supplier hedging practices and pricing strategies in the Irish Energy market. Based on a review of supplier prices and wholesale market costs, the CRU considers that retail prices are broadly continuing to reflect underlying cost drivers, such as wholesale gas and electricity prices, but with a lag period due to supplier hedging strategies. This hedging reduced the impact on consumers of the sustained high and volatile prices during the period in advance of and during Russian invasion of Ukraine. This slower and smoother increase, facilitated by hedging, is expected to be mirrored by similar slower and smoother decrease, should wholesale and futures prices continue to decline.

Also under the Programme for Government 2025, Government has committed to commissioning an independent review into the speed and level of pass through from wholesale prices to retail prices, with an additional assessment of the overall price dynamics and an overall focus on the competitiveness of the Irish economy. This is a priority and will form part of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce that was established to examine the cost drivers of energy bills with a view to maximising affordability while meeting Ireland’s energy and sustainability goals.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. As Minister, I have no function in relation to individual grant applications. 

The grants available through the SEAI aim to maximise emissions reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer. The grant schemes provided by the SEAI are reviewed on a regular basis.

Under the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes, the general principle applies that grant funding can only be issued once per measure per property. However, the SEAI will be happy to advise individual homeowners of the grants available in their particular circumstances.

The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, and it is open to the Deputy to forward any specifics regarding the matters raised to that address so that they can be examined and addressed promptly, in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.

My Department has a dedicated communications and media relations function which manages public relations and media queries, alongside digital marketing, campaigns, events, and internal communications. My Department may occasionally engage external expertise in communications and PR where specialist or extensive support is required.

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below.

The information sought in the Question in relation to each agency or public body under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each of the State Bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the Bodies directly in relation to this matter. A list of these Bodies and their dedicated Oireachtas email addresses is set out at the following link.

DCEE Agencies

As my Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available.

My Department has confirmed that in the period since the formation of the previous and current Government no retired officials from my Department were subsequently re-engaged on a consultancy basis.

The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table at the following link.

Breakdown of all IT consultants

As my Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. I am advised that in the period since the formation of the previous and current Government, (2020 to date), the information sought is set out in the tables at the link below.

PQ4330525 Consultancy Expenditure

I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 277, 279, 281 and 282 together.

Having received Government approval, on 4 July 2024, my Department published a set of guiding principles for the development of a policy on private wires. In line with the principles, I secured Government approval for a new policy statement on private wires on 15 July.

As set out in the policy statement, private wires will be built to the same technical and safety standards as the National Electricity Grid and will be capable of being taken in charge by the System Operators. Allowing for private wires will create significant additional responsibilities for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which will be responsible for permitting Private Wires, and ensuring that they are built and operated to the appropriate standards. The legal powers and resources of CRU will have to be amended appropriately.

This policy will allow for the construction and operation of private wires in four specific scenarios where it is clear that allowing private investment in an electricity line is the most efficient approach to a new connection and is in the public interest. However, as set out in the policy principles, the National electricity grid will remain the preferred way to connect generators and customers of electricity. Where grid-based solutions are available these will be preferred to private wires.

This change will require primary legislation, making detailed regulations and assigning new powers and tasks to the CRU, and potentially to other bodies. The end result of this will be a new opportunity for undertakings other than EirGrid and ESB Networks to build, own and operate electricity lines in the following four scenarios.

• Private Lines from a Generator to a Customer

• Hybrid Connections

• On Street EV Charging

• Expansion of Self Supply

Further detail on these scenarios can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/private-wires-policy-statement/

As set out in the Private Wires Policy Statement, private wires will have to be developed with the consent of local communities and landowners.

Having received Government approval on 4 July 2024, my Department published a set of guiding principles for the development of a policy on private wires. In line with the principles, I secured Government approval for a new policy statement on private wires on 15 July.

As set out in the policy principles, private wires will not be permitted to undermine the efficient development of the National Electricity Grid.

The Irish electricity grid is separated into two parts, the Transmission Network operated by EirGrid as the Transmission System Operator, and the Distribution Network operated by ESB Networks as the Distribution System Operator. Building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system are functions which are assigned to the respective Distribution and Transmission system operators and for which they are accountable to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).

Plan-led approaches will play a key role in the future electricity system and delivering the required infrastructure. System Operators have respective plans for the development of the National Electricity Grid which will not be undermined by the Private Wires Policy.

In July 2023, EirGrid published Shaping our Electricity Future 1.1, an update to their roadmap for the development of the transmission grid out to 2030 to deliver on the renewable energy targets, to include the integration of offshore wind into the electricity grid. In January 2023, ESB Networks launched its networks for Net Zero Strategy which outlines its commitment to futureproofing Ireland’s electricity network and making the country’s goal of net zero by 2050 a reality.

Investing in our electricity network, and ensuring it is fit for purpose, is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in five-year cycles called Price Reviews. The current Price Review, PR5, spans the period 2021 to 2025 and will see a capital investment spend of over €8 billion in the electricity network. Work has commenced on Price Review 6 which will see the CRU sanction the investment in the grid to 2030. The CRU are proposing to approve an investment of up to €18.08 billion in our electricity system between 2026-2030, with a €14.1 billion baseline investment guaranteed.

PR6 will assist Ireland in maintaining a reliable and resilient electricity network to meet the needs of customers and society. This investment will deliver additional network capacity at all voltage levels, as well as allowing for significant investment in asset maintenance and replacement, and measures to improve continuity of supply.

In July 2023 EirGrid published Shaping our Electricity Future 1.1, an update to their roadmap for the development of the transmission grid out to 2030 to deliver on the renewable energy targets, to include the integration of offshore wind into the electricity grid. In January 2023, ESB Networks launched its networks for Net Zero Strategy which outlines its commitment to futureproofing Ireland’s electricity network and making the country’s goal of net zero by 2050 a reality.

With regard to undermining the financing of the national grid, as outlined in the Private Wires Policy Statement which was approved by Government on 15 July, private wires cannot undermine the financing of the National Electricity Grid. Those entities with a private wire must pay the full cost of the service they have sought from, or that is provided to them, by the National Electricity Grid.

Introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key priority for my Department. Following Government approval of the General Scheme of the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025, preparation is now underway to begin drafting of the primary legislation required to administer the scheme.

Given the impact the RHO will have on end consumers, my Department has carried out extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement activities to ensure final decisions taken in relation to the scheme are evidence-based and supportive of a successful introduction.

Energy affordability and the impact on consumers was a key consideration throughout the development process and will continue to be as the scheme progresses to its introduction in 2026.

A number of scheme parameters have been designed to allow flexibility to obligated parties in meeting their obligations, which will in turn reduce the overall burden on the end consumer. Further details in relation to scheme structure is available to view on Gov.ie at: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/RENEWABLE_HEAT_OBLIGATION_BILL_2025.pdf

District heating is a proven technology that can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the heat sector. Government policy recognises the contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s climate and energy goals. This is underpinned by the findings of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) 2022 National Heat Study which highlighted significant potential for heat in buildings to be supplied by district heating, particularly in cities and large towns where demand is concentrated and heat sources are prevalent.

The establishment of the District Heating Steering Group was an important step in developing district heating in Ireland. The District Heating Steering Group Report, which was approved by Government in July 2023, contains a range of recommendations setting the future policy direction for development of district heating.

In terms of investment, the Government has financially supported the development of district heat networks in Ireland through the Climate Action Fund (CAF). The large-scale scheme operational in Tallaght was developed by South Dublin County Council, and supported through €4.48 million funding from the CAF. In addition, with the support of the CAF, Dublin City Council is working to develop a large project that will use waste heat from the Dublin Waste to Energy facility in Poolbeg to heat public sector, commercial and residential buildings in the adjacent area.

My Department is currently preparing seeking to establish future State funding (2026-2030) to support efficient district heating projects. Developing this initial core infrastructure by 2030 would reduce heat-related greenhouse gas emissions in this decade from connected buildings. It would also enable many more citizens, businesses and public bodies to decarbonise their homes and buildings respectively throughout the 2030s and beyond.

I recently allocated €5 million from the CAF to support the pre-construction development costs of efficient district heating projects in Ireland. My Department, with the assistance of the SEAI District Heating Centre of Excellence, are in the process of operationalising this funding which will provide supports for projects through the vital preparatory stages.

The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is a funding mechanism for renewable heating that includes funding for district and communal heating systems. The funding is targeted at switching from fossil fuel to a renewable heat technologies. Grant aid is available for heat pump systems, including the heat pump, distribution system and associated energy efficiency measures. Additionally, in the case of biomass and anaerobic digestion biogas solutions, an operational tariff support is available for each unit of heat used for eligible purposes.

As recommended in the District Heating Steering Group Report, my Department is working with the SEAI on reviewing the SSRH to determine its suitability to provide support for large scale, efficient district heating projects. An enhanced SSRH could be an effective funding mechanism to deliver such supports. However, while communal heating systems using heat pumps or biomass/anaerobic digestion technologies are already eligible for supports under the SSRH in its current form, it is necessary that vital components of larger district heating projects, such as pipework and energy centres, be considered for support under the scheme’s terms and conditions. Additionally, given the complexity of large-scale district heating projects, and the increased level of capital investment supports necessary for their development, appropriate project evaluation and reporting processes will need to be established. Both my Department and the SEAI will continue work on assessing and enhancing the scheme to ensure it is ready to provide necessary supports once funding has been secured.

The District Heating Working Group was established in 2023 to support the work of the Heat and Built Environment (HBE) Taskforce.

The Working Group is continuing to support the implementation and delivery of the recommendations from the 2023 District Heating Steering Group Report, www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/district-heating-steering-group/, including providing support for the drafting and enactment of the Heat Bill.

The Working Group also continues to assist with progressing relevant district heating related actions arising from successive Climate Action Plans, and delivering on relevant actions in the HBE Task Force Implementation Plan.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) harnesses natural bacteria to treat biodegradable materials to produce biogas. Biogas can be upgraded to sustainable biomethane which is fully compatible with the national gas network and existing appliances, technologies, and vehicles. It can seamlessly replace fossil gas to reduce emissions in industrial heating, transport, and power generation.

My Department has developed a number of schemes and initiatives designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland. These schemes include the grid scale, auction based Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH). Both the RESS and SSRH schemes include AD for electricity generation with High Efficiency Combined Heat and Power as an eligible technology.

In terms of progressing towards remaining within the agreed sectoral emissions ceilings, Government has committed to supporting the production of up to 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane. A first step to realising this ambition was the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy which sets out 25 key strategic actions and outlines the necessary supports needed to drive growth across the biomethane sector. Chaired by my Department, the Biomethane Implementation Group will oversee implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy and target delivery.

As part of the National Biomethane Strategy, the chosen method to support the delivery of a biomethane sector in Ireland is through the Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme in conjunction with capital grants.  The first round of capital grants was managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.  The second round of grant funding will be managed by my Department.  

Development of an anaerobic digestion industry is at a nascent stage in Ireland. Anaerobic digestors, used to produce biomethane, can bring significant benefits to the communities and the local environment in which they are located, but are also significant infrastructure with impacts on the environment, biospheres, and local communities.  AD and other integrated assets are, therefore, correctly subject to planning permission to ensure proper consideration of a range of factors, including location, visual impact, land-zoning plans, and ecology. A priority deliverable under the strategy is the development of planning guidelines to support Local Authorities when assessing AD plants' planning applications.  These guidelines will be developed this year.

Another priority deliverable under the National Biomethane Strategy is the development of a Biomethane Sustainability Charter. Developed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the charter sets out best practices guidelines to maximise the benefits of anaerobic digestion, while minimising its environmental impact to land use, water quality, and biodiversity, and ensuring high health and safety standards within the sector.  Following a final phase of stakeholder engagement, my Department is now finalising the charter for publication shortly on Gov.ie.

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) was introduced in February 2024 to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and cans and to deliver on our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those products. Participation in DRS in its first year has been very positive. Re-turn was set up by beverage producers to meet their obligations under the DRS Regulations and is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee.

To date, 280 producers have registered with Re-turn. Cumulatively, these producers have registered almost 10,547 products with the scheme. 7,115 retailers have registered with Re-turn representing 11,915 individual retail premises.

Re-turn is responsible for all operational and funding matters relating to DRS. While I have no function in the day-to-day business operations of this company, officials from my Department monitor performance of the scheme closely and are satisfied with the efforts Re-turn has made to support producers and retailers in meeting their obligations and making the scheme a success.

The Programme for Government 2025 has reaffirmed Ireland’s targets of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewable energy sources. It should be noted that renewables provided circa 40% of our electricity demand in 2024.

The continued development of renewable energy projects will stimulate local economies and attract investment. Renewable energy is already making a significant contribution to communities across Ireland through job creation, community benefit funds, and revenue to local authorities, that can be reinvested in local communities and services. Strong and early community engagement, as well as the provision of benefit funds by developers, is essential for the sustainable development of renewable energy projects.

The cross-Government onshore Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce (ARET) and Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT) are bringing together a range of key stakeholders including Government Departments, State Bodies and industry to identify and prioritise the required policies needed to achieve our renewable electricity targets and ensure that barriers to the implementation of these policies are removed or minimised to the greatest extent possible. My Department recently published annual reports produced by both taskforces outlining major progress made in 2024 to deliver Ireland’s clean energy transition and presents key actions for 2025/2026.

Ireland has a number of support schemes in place to increase the development of renewable electricity. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is pivotal to the achievement of Ireland’s 2030 target. RESS consists of a series of competitive auctions, four onshore and one offshore to date, in which successful applicants are offered a two-way support arrangement for a period of approximately 15 years.

The four onshore RESS auctions held since September 2020 have been fundamental in boosting Ireland’s energy independence, with a fifth onshore auction due to take place in early September. The Small-scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) was also developed to offer a simpler route to market for small-scale and community projects.

The revised National Planning Framework includes regional renewable electricity capacity allocations. The inclusion of the allocations will facilitate the accelerated roll-out and delivery of onshore wind and solar development. These allocations will be integrated into Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies which will, in turn, inform city and county development plans.

Government remains committed to the development of 5GW of offshore wind capacity with projects in construction by 2030 and energised as soon as feasible thereafter. Ireland’s 5GW target will be met through a combination of projects from Phase One and from within the South Coast DMAP. Five Phase 1 projects accounting for 3.8 GW are progressing through the planning process with an Coimisiún Pleanála.

Separately, the 900MW Tonn Nua site within the South Coast DMAP will be auctioned this Autumn. I intend to bring the remaining three offshore wind DMAP sites to market, and plan to hold another auction in 2026, ensuring a consistent pipeline of offshore developments will take place over the coming years. A further pipeline of development sites within the National DMAP will follow from 2028 onwards.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.

As part of a suite of targeted cross-Government measures aimed at protecting those most at risk of fuel poverty, Budget 2025 introduced a fourth Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme. This Scheme provided two payments of €125 made to nearly 2.3 million domestic electricity accounts between November 2024 and February 2025, at a cost of €570million.

To date €3.3 billion has been transferred through the four electricity credit schemes to nearly 2.3 million domestic households.

Based on the previous estimate of 2.3 million Meter Point Registration Numbers (MPRNs), the cost of providing a net €500 credit to each private household would be a total cost to the Exchequer of €1.15bn This takes account of the direct cost to the Exchequer plus VAT foregone.

The Government has put in place a range of improved supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures, across the Sustainable Energy of Ireland (SEAI) part-funded and fully funded residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes, are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions.

Data from the SEAI shows, during the period 2019 to date, capital funding of over €1.4 billion has supported 213,000 energy upgrades through the SEAI residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes. Of these, over 69,000 were to a BER B2 level or higher. However, it is important to note that upgrades that do not achieve a B2 are still improving the performance of the home and, therefore, contribute towards the achievement of our climate and energy objectives.

The cost of a retrofit to bring a property to a post works Building Energy Rating of B2 depends on a range of factors including the size and type of home, as well as the age and starting condition of the property, and the retrofitting works required or recommended. Depending on the scheme, the retrofit can consist of a single energy efficiency measure, multiple measures or a whole home upgrade to B2 or better, with the costs will vary accordingly.

Given this range of variables associated with home energy upgrades it is, therefore, not possible to provide a single figure estimate of the overall number of home retrofits to a B2 standard that can be delivered for a budget spend of €2 billion.

Data provided by the SEAI shows that, for properties upgraded through the One Stop Shops under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme in 2024, the median cost of works was €63,600 and the median grant was €21,649 for a private home to bring a dwelling from a Building Energy Rating of D2 to A2.

It is, however, important to note that the works costs are based on declarations from homeowners and contractors. The costs can vary depending on the factors outlined above. Additionally, homeowners may carry out non-grant aided/non-energy related works as part of the same upgrade. Therefore, the works costs may be in excess of the costs relating to the retrofit works only. The amounts paid out per grant-aided measure by the SEAI are fixed irrespective of the costs declared.

The SEAI publish quarterly reports which provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out and the associated costs under SEAI schemes. The SEAI Full Year Report for 2024 can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Full-Year-Report-2024.pdf

Until recently, my Department had sole responsibility for the regulation of the Irish foreshore, as part of the public estate, through the assessment and management of the application process for Leases and Licences applied for under the Foreshore Act, 1993 (as amended).

However, the enactment of the Marine Area Planning (MAP) Act, 2021 initiated the transition to a new Maritime Regulatory Regime overseen by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). This has led to the gradual phasing out of operations under the Foreshore Act, with new foreshore applications no longer accepted since the MARA’s establishment. However, applications received under the Foreshore Act prior to MARA’s establishment continue to be processed, unless applicants wish to withdraw from the foreshore assessment process and apply, as appropriate, to MARA.

The MAP Act introduced a number of legislative provisions which provide new possibilities for maritime users that were not previously available under the Foreshore Act, as well as providing a more efficient, targeted, and streamlined application process under the MAP Act, 2021 facilitated by the MARA.

My Department is engaging directly with the applicant referred to. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to provide further comment as this application may come before me for a determination in the future.

While progress will continue to be made on foreshore applications received prior to MARA’s establishment, in the most efficient and timely manner possible, the close out of the foreshore function and transition to a single regulator for the State’s Maritime Area under the MARA remains a key priority for my Department.

The matters raised in this Question are matters for electricity generation entities and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any function.

Notwithstanding power generation decarbonisation objectives and increasing renewable electricity targets, the variable nature of some renewable technologies currently requires that dispatchable, typically fossil fuel, generation remains crucial for ensuring security of supply in the coming years. As set out in the 2021 'Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply', the Government has set a target of having at least 2GW of new, flexible, gas-fired generation by 2030 in our Climate Action Plans to ensure secure generation of electricity at time of low renewable output and/or high demand. This allows for the integration of a large volume of wind and solar electricity projects that displace the need to run fossil fuel plants for baseload, without compromising security of supply.

In addition, increasing amounts of batteries, long duration storage, interconnector capacity and demand side response have also been procured in recent capacity market auctions which will lessen Ireland's dependence on fossil fuel imports in the coming years.

The information requested is set out in the tables at the following link: 

Full Time Grade Breakdown

My Department does not have a specific policy relating to insourcing for IT requirements. However, my Department, in line with the Civil Service Renewal Framework 2030 Strategy, as well as its People Strategy, is committed to effectively recruiting, developing and retaining qualified and suitable staff across all operational areas, including the area of ICT. My Department has a designated Head of Cyber Security in line with the Cyber Security Baselines Standards (CSBS). My Department engages skilled contract resources to carry out specific specialised technical work and to provide advice and guidance where required.

Under the Waste Management Act, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping lies with the local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate awareness, enforcement, clean-up and disposal actions in relation to illegal dumping, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.However, while responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping lies with local authorities, the Department continues to provide extensive financial, policy and legislative support to the sector to support their efforts.

Over €20 million has been provided to local authorities under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was launched in 2017, including almost €2.8 million in 2024, to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. A further €3 million has been allocated to local authorities under the ADI in 2025. It is a matter for the local authorities to apply for this funding through the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs), who administer the scheme on behalf of the Department. Full details of the amounts provided to Dublin City Council by my Department under the ADI for each of the years 2017 to 2024, including details of the specific projects supported are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/e27ac-anti-dumping-initiative/

The Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7 million has been allocated to local authorities under this scheme in 2025, while a further €4 million has been allocated to support the enhancement of the role, responsibilities and staffing complement of the three WERLAs and the ongoing development of the new Local Authority Waste Programme Coordination Office.

The Department is supporting these measures in order to better position the local authority sector to effectively respond to emerging and priority enforcement challenges, including tackling the scourge of illegal dumping.

Under the Waste Management Act, local authorities are statutorily responsible for waste management planning within their functional areas. Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory executive function vested in it.

The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, operating on behalf of all local authorities, launched a new National Waste Management Plan in 2024 which sets out the required actions at local and regional levels to deliver on the various measures set out in a Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020-2025, and support Ireland's circular economy transition.

The Plan is underpinned with a comprehensive series of targets, policies, actions and a suite of key deliverables. Each of these Plan provisions has been devised to support achievement of the Plan ambition, respond to current and future challenges, and support the transition to a more circular economy which will have positive environmental impacts for rural and urban areas of the country alike.

Working closely with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission, my Department is currently preparing Ireland’s Social Climate Plan, the measures in which will support vulnerable groups impacted by the rising price of carbon.

My Department is committed to developing robust and high-quality measures, guided by meaningful stakeholder input, to ensure that the funds are appropriately targeted to those most vulnerable. 

In this context, a range of consultation processes at key points in the development of the Plan are envisaged. The first of those, an open public and stakeholder consultation, will launch in the coming weeks. 

Following public consultation and stakeholder engagement, the Plan will be submitted to the Commission for approval in the latter part of the year.

Vermilion Energy Ireland Limited and Others v The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ireland and The Attorney General was brought in April 2024. The plaintiffs challenged both Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 of 6 October 2022 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices and the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Act 2023, which implemented the regulation in Ireland. The Plaintiffs claimed that the temporary solidarity contribution raised by the Act was in breach of European law, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the Irish Constitution and the European Convention On Human Rights. 

The case was entered onto the list of the Commercial Court, a division of the High Court dealing with significant commercial cases, on the 3 May 2024.

 On 31 July 2024 the High Court decided to request a preliminary ruling on five questions to the Court of Justice of the EU. The case number is Case C-533/24. For the sake of procedural economy, this reference for a preliminary ruling will be heard together with Case C-358/24 Varo Energy Belgium.

The case remains before the ECJ. My Department is monitoring its progress closely.

The Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy 2022 clearly states that “Islanded” data centre developments, which are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with government policy”.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the independent energy regulator which is accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas, published their Large Energy Users Connection Policy Proposed Decision Paper on 18 February, with a subsequent consultation period for feedback on their proposals which ran until 4 April.

Following the consultation period, the Government, as part of its own assessment of the proposed decision, is continuing to liaise with relevant stakeholders. This engagement includes the CRU, energy system operators and other relevant stakeholders on its potential impacts and the implications for Government policy. This review is ongoing, and a final decision is expected in September 2025.

The Private Wires Policy Statement of July 2025 states that the expansion of the right of private developers to build Private Wires is guided by prevailing policy considerations; this would include security of supply and LEU connection policy.

It is understood that the term ‘islanded’ is intended to refer to a data centre fuelled mainly or wholly by fossil fuel and / or a data centre that does not have an electricity connection sufficient to cover its entire energy requirement.

I am advised that it is important to note that Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) does not assign or classify data centres as between “islanded” and “non-islanded”. The exact status of a data centre is primarily a function of the timelines (if any) pertaining to when that data centre will receive an electricity connection to allow them to move to electricity as their primary source.

The gas connection policy, and so GNI’s application process, does not currently require information as to alternative fuel sources and GNI does not formally collect information as to whether a data centre would be ‘islanded’ or indeed the anticipated duration of same.

GNI has provided the following information relating to the connection agreements entered into by GNI in relation to all data centres, together with information as to additional connection applications. This information relates to all formal applications for connection to GNI’s network, including so called ‘islanded’ data centres.

*Of the 11 that are contracted, 7 are connected, with fewer than 5 of the 7 data centres connected currently consuming gas

**Projected demand from these enquiries’ ranges from 40.5MW up to 1,300MW; the aggregated demand represents the total developer’s strategic long-term ambition which would be dependent on multiple factors including; ability to gain planning permission for multiple phases, availability of electricity grid capacity, permitting, data centre storage demand and route to market to fund these projects.

I am further advised that GNI is aware of the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy and the Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development contained therein and is engaging with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in relation to the impact of this policy on gas connection policy. Furthermore, pending the Large Energy User policy decision from the CRU, GNI is not currently contracting more data centres (independent of any perceived classification as islanded or not) pending the conclusion of this process.

Article 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791 (‘EED’) provides an obligation for Member States to require that owners and operators of data centres with an installed information technology power demand of at least 500kW monitor and make publicly available information, subject to Union and national law protecting trade and business secrets and confidentiality,  on the energy performance of their data centres. My Department has progressed drafting to advanced stage of the statutory provisions for the transposition of Article 12 and is determining the assignment of an appropriate authority to oversee compliance with the reporting requirements. It is expected to be in place by the end of this year. My Department is keeping stakeholders and the Commission updated. 

Also, as the Deputy is aware, Article 12 of the EED is supplemented by the directly effective delegated regulation 2024/1364 that requires the same in-scope data centres as under Article 12 to make public and report annually key performance indicators on their energy and sustainability to a European database on data centres established by the European Commission. This information is to help establish a common Union wide scheme to measure and rate the energy performance and sustainability of data centres, work on which the Commission has advanced. The European database will be made publicly available by the Commission on an aggregated level. My Department is responsible for coordinating this reporting by data centres operating in Ireland which is already well underway.

Regulation of retail energy markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) since the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation. However, officials from my Department correspond with CRU on an ongoing basis to track developments in retail and wholesale energy markets, including the effect of Government supports on arrears levels, among other indicators.

The CRU releases market monitoring data monthly to my Department inclusive of key items such as estimated annual bills for households and those number of households in payment arrears on their electricity and gas bills. The most recent of these releases includes the most up to date estimated annual bills and the latest available data on the number of customers in arrears. As arrears data operates with a two-month time lag due to the way suppliers report these figures to the CRU, the latest arrears data is for May 2025.

An update on the latest figures of customers currently in arrears is set out below:

The Deputy may wish to engage directly with CRU in relation to the matters raised. CRU provides a dedicated email address, oireachtas@cru.ie, for Oireachtas members which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters.

There are a number of measures and programmes in place to manage and protect cross-border rivers and lakes. Responsibility for protection of freshwater fish and fisheries habitat along the border region falls primarily to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland (DAERA), the Loughs Agency (in relation to the protection and management of Lough Foyle and Carlingford catchments) and Waterways Ireland (WI).

The overarching protection and restoration of rivers and lakes on the island of Ireland is underpinned by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Co-ordination and integration of delivery of WFD targets in the border area is captured under the Border Regional Operational Committee (BROC), which meets on a quarterly basis to disseminate and share information, discuss funding and project delivery.

The Loughs Agency, one of six North-South Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999, has responsibility for the promotion and development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough. It operates a range of fishery and environmental monitoring programmes and undertakes conservation works to protect the cross-border Foyle and Carlingford catchments.

There is a long-standing Cross-border Fisheries Management Liaison Committee comprising IFI, DAERA, Agri-Fish & Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and Electricity Supply Board (ESB) which meet regularly to discuss fisheries management, protection, fish passage and applied research in relation to both the River Erne and Lough Melvin/River Drowse catchments. 

There is also ongoing liaison, co-operation and intelligence sharing by the relevant authorities regarding fisheries and environmental protection of rivers and lakes on a cross-border basis. Confidential 24-hour hotline services are provided by a number of agencies north and south of the border to facilitate and promote early detection and response to reports of pollution or fisheries protection concerns.

Loughs Agency fishery protection staff work collaboratively with an Garda Síochána and the PSNI on joint fishery protection patrols and carry out joint initiatives to address illegal fishing activity within the cross-border catchments of Foyle and Carlingford. IFI also work very closely with the Loughs Agency, particularly in the areas of data sharing and enforcement, as well as other bodies such as the AFBI, on WFD surveys and reporting on cross-border waterbodies.

IFI is a member of the Northwest Region Multi-Agency Forum for Environment and Wildlife Crime which meet quarterly to share information and optimise protection strategies in relation to illegal hunting, poaching and illicit movement of fish or other protected wildlife.

Collaboration is also demonstrated through participation in a number of  cross-border EU-funded projects, including  a number of PEACEPLUS and INTERREG programmes.

The Programme for Government commits to accelerating Ireland’s progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and to adopting a coordinated approach to drive impactful action both at home and abroad. Last week, I reiterated the Government’s commitment to sustainable development at the United Nations 'High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development' (HLPF) in New York.  

A whole-of-Government approach is being taken to deliver the SDGs in Ireland. My Department has overall responsibility for promoting the SDGs and overseeing delivery of the National Implementation Plan across Government. Other relevant Ministers have responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their Ministerial functions.

Ireland presented its most recent Voluntary National Review on progress against the SDGs in 2023 (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/sustainable-development-goals-voluntary-national-review-2023/) which showed that 80% of the 169 targets had been achieved at that time.

The more recently published Country Report for Ireland by the European Commission also assesses Ireland’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) along the dimensions of competitiveness, sustainability, social fairness and macroeconomic stability. This report is available at: https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/publications/2025-european-semester-country-reports_en.

The CSO also publishes data and updates related to the SDGs on its website: https://www.cso.ie/en/statistics/unsustainabledevelopmentgoals/.

A new SDG National Implementation Plan, currently in the initial stages of development, will build on the existing plan and focus on the integration of the SDGs into national policies and initiatives, ensuring that each goal is actively pursued across all levels of Government. A collaborative and participatory approach is being taken to develop the plan, which will involve multiple stakeholders including Government, Local Authorities, non-governmental organisations, civil society, and various sectoral areas, such as business and academia, youth and marginalised groups. It is intended that the new Plan will be published in the first half of next year.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313, 344 and 352 together.

I am advised by the military authorities that as at 30 June 2025, the latest date for which such figures are available, the whole time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 567 or 7.5% of a total strength of 7,531 personnel.

While down in percentage terms on previous years, the total of 40 inductions of females recorded for 2024 exceeded the total of 37 recorded in each of the previous two the years. 17 females have been inducted up to 30 June 2025 compared to 10 for the same period. The majority of inductions are scheduled to take place in the later part of this year.

In line with current policies and commitments, a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force.

A competition for a Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Gender Advisor (GENAD) was successfully concluded in 2024 with the appointment of a female at Colonel rank.

The Defence Forces has established a female specific recruitment team which co-ordinates attendance of tri-service female specific recruiting teams at national and regional level events.

Male and female representation is present at all recruitment events and a gender perspective is incorporated in all advertising.

Fitness test requirements are tailored for females and a corresponding preparation video is available on the military website.

The Joint Recruitment Office are also actively reaching out to female applicants in the recruitment pipeline in order to support them throughout the application process should they need additional support, as appropriate.

A Defence Forces Women's Network was established with the aim of increasing the participation of female personnel at all levels of the organisation.

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.

The Military Authorities have advised that the decision to temporally withdraw an Air Corps AW139 helicopter from Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) duties for a period of 2.5 hours on 26 September 2023 was driven by an exceptional national security imperative. In extraordinary circumstances involving national security, the Defence Forces may reallocate assets based on operational priorities.

This was a strategic decision to address an extraordinary threat, with the understanding that the National Ambulance Service would implement emergency contingency measures to offset the impact of the EAS Service suspension for that period. This highlights the flexibility and coordination required between different state agencies in responding to complex and critical incidents.

The success of this major multi-agency operation led to the the largest seizure of drugs in the history of the State and the successful prosecution of those involved. The scale and potential impact of this drug shipment necessitated an immediate and decisive response.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 333 together.

The table below provides details of the total spend on external legal services engaged by my Department in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 and the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought. The total below does not include costs relating to courts-marital cases. While the Department does not engage these services directly, it funds the provision of legal aid in respect of courts-martial cases.

No legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years.

The Deputy will be aware that all claims for personal injuries taken by current and former members of the Defence Forces have been delegated to the State Claims Agency (SCA). The SCA manages and provides legal representation in relation to personal injury cases taken against the Minister for Defence. External legal costs incurred by the SCA arising from the defence of any claims managed by the Agency for my Department are refunded to the Agency by the Department.

Employment Law matters taken against the Minister for Defence are managed on my behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO). The CSSO is responsible for the costs of the State's legal teams in the litigation cases that it manages on behalf of my Department.

The table below sets out the total expenditure per year on Litigation, including settlements, legal costs, expert reports and legal advices.

The table below sets out the overall number and value of all Grants paid from the Defence Vote over the 2020-2024 timeframe. All the associated grant funding is paid in line with all relevant public financial procedures and guidance.

Department of Defence: Grant Payments 2020-2024:

The above grant funding includes funding provided to each local authority in relation to Civil Defence running costs and to both the Irish Red Cross and Sail Training Ireland towards their administration costs.

In addition, subventions are also paid to two recognised Veterans Associations, Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (ONE, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) and the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) to assist with administrative overheads.

As a temporary measure, a subvention was paid to the Defence Forces Canteen Board during 2021 and 2022.