Helen McEntee
Meath East · Fine Gael · Ireland
“There are no new missions, so there is only so much we can partake in. In regard to UN requests over the past ten years, in September 2019, we had 14 Defence Forces personnel deployed to a UN mission in Mali as part of a joint operation with the German armed forces.”
“I thank the Deputy for his continued engagement on this matter. It is appreciated and I reaffirm our shared commitment to truth and justice, not least for Private Rooney, but in particular for his family.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I know he is committed to this issue; I am too. I have in recent months spent some time travelling to different barracks and Army bases and meeting with personnel. What I see all over the country is their professionalism, dedication and commitment.”
“I disagree that people are being pushed into the courts. The situation is exactly the opposite. I have said in the Chamber many times since I started taking these questions that the State Claims Agency is there and wants to mediate and work directly with people in order that cases do not go directly to the courts.”
“We are all committed to strengthening recruitment to and supporting retention in the Permanent Defence Force. The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,823 personnel on 31 May, the most recent date for which we have a figure available.”
“It is the case that no mission is the same, so it is also a matter for the Defence Forces to assess and scope out the mission and then to decide whether it is a mission we can partake in. A question keeps being asked about what it is we would not be able to be a part of if we were to keep the triple lock.”
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“EU member states including Ireland have been very clear that we are deeply concerned by the developing conflict in the region and have highlighted the need for urgent de-escalation. Ireland, with other member states, has expressed extreme concern about breaches of international law, the need for solidarity with Gulf states which are the subject of direct attacks, and the risk of further widening and escalation of the conflict which we are starting to see in other parts of the region. EU member states have also expressed concern at the situation in Lebanon following Israeli military action and the impacts for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. As I mentioned earlier, every discussion we have had focused on Iran. I raised the dire and deteriorating situation in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. For many people it has been a huge concern over the past number of weeks and has added to the significant instability in the region, not just in Gaza and Palestine and the conflict with Israel and Lebanon, but also the wider region itself. Responding to the crisis caused by this ongoing conflict following the military action by Israel and the United States against Iran, and Iran’s military action in response, is a priority for this Government. We remain in close contact with our EU partners. I attended an emergency video meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 28 February and again on 5 March, the latter including foreign Ministers from the Gulf countries themselves. The situation was further discussed at the regular Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March and the European Council on 19 March.”
“Particularly post-Brexit, we are seeing an increase in the number of people seeking to have the Irish passport, which has resulted in some of the increase in numbers as well. We are looking to deliver customer relations solutions projects and facial recognition technology as part as our overall service. We have a passport redesign project and a passport online project as well. These will be integrated with the new passport processing systems. There is a lot of work being done to improve what I believe is already a very good system.”
“We do not mind at all. That is what we are here for. I agree and urge all Deputies to advise on their social media channels or in whatever way they can to encourage people to check their passports to make sure they are in date and to give enough time for a new infant or child getting a passport for the first time. I mentioned some of the changes which are going to take place this year. We are looking at some complex transformational projects which are trying to future-proof the service overall to provide a better customer experience, business continuity and safeguarding of the integrity of the Irish passport, which is probably one of the most secure passports in the world.”
“The Passport Office has gone from having 468 people working there to 822 people working there now, which is a significant response and increase. Year on year, we are seeing a workforce that is expanding and growing, and that is also looking to the future too. In my next contribution, I will point out the changes that are going to take place this year. While we do have an award-winning passport service, we are looking to do even more for people.”
“I thank the Deputy. I fully agree. Some of the challenges have been around the paperwork, where certain things have not been signed or where there have been follow-ups and it has not been possible to engage with certain people. If people are going to a Garda station or to get a signature from anybody, it is important they know they will be in a position to be able to follow up with the Passport Office when it re-engages. The reason we have been able to increase the number of passports being provided while reducing the timelines involved is because of the significant investment that has gone into the Passport Office in recent years. Over the past five years, the passport service has increased its staffing resources by 75%.”
“I use this opportunity to encourage anybody looking to apply for a passport to do it online because it can be done 24-7. It does not have to be done within office hours. The turnaround times I mentioned apply to applications that are fully complete and correct, and begin from the time the supporting documents are received by the passport service. It does not begin from the date the online application is made. Where applications are incorrect or incomplete, it is naturally just going to take a little bit longer. Since 2022, the passport service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received. These are processed within 15 working days.”
“Ten working days is not the experience I and many others have had. It is 15 working days for complex or child online renewals. Again, the time taken tends to be somewhat shorter but these are the average lengths of time. It is 20 working days for first-time online applications and eight weeks for passport assist applications. We have seen many of the challenges where first-time applications for children are being put in on paper. Those are certainly the queries I get and that I am sure the Deputy gets as well. This is particularly the case where there are challenges, where pictures are not correct, something has not been signed or there is an issue with the paperwork itself. It is much more difficult to deal with these applications in a quicker way.”
“The advertised turnaround times for passport applications are ten working days for simple online adult renewals. I would hazard a guess that anybody who has done their application online for a renewal will have received their passport within a matter of days.”
“I hope it will not be just our constituents who will be able to get away. Maybe we might all get a break during the summer as well. The Deputy is right that this is the time of year when we need to highlight the need for, and encourage, people to get their applications in if their passports are out of date or if they need time on their passports for wherever they are travelling. This is particularly the case in situations where people have new small children who do not have a passport. They should get those applications in as soon as possible. Notwithstanding that, I have to say the passport service is successfully responding to quite a high level of demand. It has already issued 224,000 passports this year. The service does phenomenal work, and I have no doubt that it will issue many more passports in the months to come.”
“The decision was taken by the Commission to implement this provisionally because we do not know the length of time it will take before it comes back to the Parliament. When this was put to the European Council, our Taoiseach and this Government voted against it. I cannot be any clearer in saying that. We have been clear from the outset that we were not happy with the measure put in place, albeit I believe it is much better and stronger because of the influence of Government MEPs at a European level. We have, however, been consistent in saying it has not gone far enough. Notwithstanding that, because the Mercosur countries have implemented this in their own countries and their own parliaments, the EU treaties do allow for the Commission to move forward with the provisional application, and that is what it is doing now.”
“While there has been a practice in terms of the Parliament voting for and consenting to a treaty, the EU treaties do not require European Parliament consent before the application of a trade agreement. Whether that has been the case in the past, the decision was taken in this instance, given the size of the deal itself, to move forward with a provisional application of the trade agreement. Again, under the EU treaties, the Council of the EU can decide to apply an international agreement provisionally before it is concluded and enters into force. The decision taken by the Parliament to send it to the court or to put it through a legal process has, in effect, delayed the Parliament’s ability to be able to vote on it.”
“I cannot respond in respect of who the Deputy might have engaged with. I do not know who the Deputy has engaged with. There are certainly many different channels available, even through Sinn Féin’s own MEPs, at European level where questions can be asked and responded to.”
“On 7 January, the Commission also committed to enhancing the availability of the CAP as well, which I think is absolutely essential to fund our farmers and our rural communities under the proposed new multi-annual financial framework, MFF. As the Deputy will know, with the upcoming Presidency, Ireland will be playing a significant role in progressing the multi-annual financial framework, or budget, for the EU, and the CAP and support for our farmers and our rural communities will be an absolute priority for us.”
“On top of that, we have a new unity safety net for crisis measures. Essentially, this is a fund with a total capacity of €6.3 billion. This effectively doubles the current agricultural reserve. This reinforced support will help to safeguard our farmers, particularly at times of market diversification, market disturbances and growing geopolitical uncertainties, of which we know there are many. In practice, the European Commission will monitor market developments closely once the agreement is being gradually implemented, particularly with regard to the agricultural sector. We are very specific and focused with regard to the agricultural sector.”
“It will be able to identify any risks ahead of time, allowing more space to react. There will be full transparency. The Commission sends a monitoring report to the Council and the European Parliament every six months to assess the impacts of imports. Swift action to launch an investigation is progressing. In most cases, the Commission will launch an investigation within five days if there is more than a 5% increase in annual imports of a product or if import prices are at least 5% lower than prices of the same or competing EU products. Clarity on possible measures can consist of a temporary suspension of the schedule of tariff reductions of the product concerned, whether it is beef or any other product, or a reduction of the tariff preference back to the MFN or base rate, whichever is the lowest level.”
“The Taoiseach voted against this at the European Council meeting where President von der Leyen made it clear that she wanted to move ahead with the temporary or provisional implementation. We made our position clear at that time, as we have done throughout all of this engagement and process. However, we were not successful and the vote itself passed for the reasons I have outlined. At European level, we have pushed- as have our MEPs, particularly Fine Gael MEPs and Government MEPs - to make sure there are more safeguards in place to try to respond to some of the concerns the Deputy has raised and farmers have rightly raised. I will go into more detail about those mentioned. We have key commitments, including enhanced monitoring. The Commission will follow market trends closely.”
“We have been clear in our objection to this for the reasons the Deputy has outlined, and for many other reasons also. It is very clear that this Government, our farmers and consumers have real concerns about the type of product that may be entering into the EU. It is for that reason that we opposed this. As I have said, as a country we are in the economic position we are in because we are an open trading economy. This is not the position we would normally take. However, we had real and genuine concerns, as did our farmers, and that is why we voted against it. The position of the EU - this is the way it works - is that we cannot stop this from moving ahead if there is a qualified majority.”
“These are the very clear reasons we voted against the Mercosur trade deal and had significant concerns with the deal. We wanted to find a way forward, but it was not possible at that time. We have been very clear in our objection to the Mercosur deal in its current format. That has not changed, even with its implementation on a provisional basis.”
“Along with my Government colleagues, I will continue to engage with the European Commission and other EU member states in the time ahead to ensure the full implementation of the commitments obtained from the Commission to address our concerns with the agreement, including the safeguard provisions we fought for and which many MEPs made clear were necessary to support and protect the interests of our own farmers. It is important to stress that we have just had conversations about the need to diversify and to focus on other markets. We are an open trading economy and we have always supported trade agreements. However, we have to make sure when it comes to our sensitive industries and our most important sectors, like the agrifood sector, that our farmers are not penalised because of the standards we have set ourselves at a European level.”
“While the Council of the EU voted in January to grant authority to the Commission to apply the agreement on a provisional basis, which it is entitled to do and is legally allowed to do under the treaties, Ireland made it very clear that it did not support that vote. It is important to note that President von der Leyen emphasised the "provisional" aspect of this announcement on application. In line with the EU treaties, the agreement can only be fully concluded once the European Parliament has given its consent. Obviously, it cannot consent, and it has said it will not consent until that legal process is concluded.”
“The Government also takes note of the statement of the European Commission President, as the Deputy has said, that the Commission will apply the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on a provisional basis. Speaking after the European Council meeting in January, President von der Leyen indicated that a decision on provisional application of the agreement would not be needed until at least one Mercosur country had completed its ratification procedures. In late February, Argentina and Uruguay both secured parliamentary approval in their respective parliaments. Brazil and Paraguay have now followed suit with their own internal ratification procedures.”
“As a result of this engagement and efforts made by Ireland and like-minded member states in the Council of the EU, it is important to state that hard-won improvements have been made to the overall agreement package, including a new legal Act to operationalise bilateral safeguards to protect sensitive products; a financial safety net for farmers; strengthened sanitary and phytosanitary, SPS, controls, along with a 50% increase in audits and checks; and commitments on the alignment of production and SPS standards, notably on pesticides and animal welfare. The Commission also committed on 7 January to enhance the availability of CAP funding to farmers and rural communities under the proposed new multi-annual financial framework, MFF. The Government takes note of the decision of the European Parliament to refer the deal to the European Court.”
“These included European Council meetings; sectoral Council meetings, including the Foreign Affairs Council for trade ministers; bilateral engagements in EU member state capitals; numerous phone calls at ministerial level; working party meetings; and ongoing direct dialogue with the European Commission. Along with my Government colleagues, I have consistently emphasised Ireland’s requirements for credible, legally binding commitments on matters relating to trade and sustainable development, including climate, biodiversity and deforestation protections, as well as clear protections and assurances with regard to incomes of farmers in Ireland.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 90, 119, 132 and 144 together. In the 2025 programme for Government, the Government very clearly committed to working with like-minded EU countries to respond to the very real concerns of Irish farmers and to defend our interests as regards the Mercosur trade deal. On 9 January 2026, EU member states voted on the EU-Mercosur agreement. This vote was carried by a qualified majority. Ireland voted clearly and unambiguously against the approval of the agreement. I and other Government Ministers, along with officials, have engaged extensively at EU level to voice our concerns about the agreement. This engagement was sustained over time and took place across multiple forums and in both formal and informal settings, with fellow EU member states and the European Commission.”
“With all of these other opportunities, be it through China, Australia or India, where we have a market that is hugely untapped, or in Canada, where we believe we can make much more progress, we still need to make sure that we are getting the most out of the relationships that are closest and most important to us. While there are challenges there at the moment, I believe, particularly through our Presidency, there is an opportunity for us in our relationship with the UK in trying to bring that closer again with the EU and breaking down those barriers in the EU along with creating stability with the US that will benefit our businesses in so many different ways.”
“It is connected to what I was saying about the work we are doing in the EU, such as focusing on competitiveness and simplification so we can reduce some of the barriers, being honest, that we have imposed on ourselves that are adding cost to business. We are still focusing on the main trading partners we have. The EU is one of them and the US is a critical one. A huge amount of our focus and my time is making sure we can get absolute clarity on what the tariffs are and the implications for the various different sectors that are important to us. We know there are certain industries, particularly agrifood and medical technology, where we need to make greater progress because of the current tariffs. That work is under way because no matter what we do and how much we diversify, the EU, US and UK will be our most important trading partners.”
“There is more we can do outside of trade deals and I am very conscious of the fluctuation and changes that have happened in the tariff environment, particularly with the US. That is why during our Presidency, we will particular focus on what we can do within the European Union. The Deputy will know three of our priorities are competitiveness, security and our values from a competitiveness perspective. This will be about completing the Single Market. There are barriers within the Single Market that are preventing us from doing better and more business. It will be about making sure we focus on the capital markets union and banking union so we open up more finance. I will come back to the Deputy on the rest.”
“I too will take this opportunity on the floor to welcome the agreement of the EU-Australia trade deal this week. This is something that will open up Irish markets to a substantial economy and one where we are very much aligned. We see Australia as trusted trading partners. There is further exploration happening and we are looking at other trade deals across the globe. Of course, we hope to ratify CETA as well this year in its tenth year. The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, is bringing forward that legislation and we will visit Canada in the next few weeks to highlight just how much progress has been made and how valuable it is. It has been worth about €10 billion to our economy over the ten years.”
“While the focus was on our diaspora and our cultural connections, there was a huge enterprise and trade focus looking at how we can explore and expand our markets. I was in Boston and had an opportunity to meet with the representatives of some fantastic Irish companies who are expanding in the US but also to look at some of the large US companies we have here as well and how we can convince them to expand and do more here. There were significant early results on expanding our State agency footprint as well. There are new representatives for IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland in Seoul, Zurich, Dubai and Deli. There are new innovation attachés as well who are in Boston. I met my own just in the past week in San Francisco. Other trade missions are also being expanded and developed for the year ahead.”
“It was published last August and we have already published the first implementation update, together with the two lead Departments. There is an implementation plan, which is led by a headquarters market team. My colleague the Minister, Deputy Burke, and I update the Cabinet committee on economy, trade and competitiveness and the implementation of the plan every six months. The first report was a very positive report in terms of work that has been carried out. To give an example, we have held a successful first joint economic mission with the United Arab Emirates. This was held in the UAE in December with three Ministers from here in attendance undertaking detailed trade promotion activities. We have had our largest ever St. Patrick's Day programme, which many colleagues were on, and it saw 36 representatives visit 47 different countries.”
“From what I have seen, it looks like half of the island has left without a ticket but I am sure they will enjoy the match either way. I wish best of luck to our team, of course. The Government Action Plan on Market Diversification was developed jointly by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, with input from other Departments and agencies. It was developed with input from the business sector, most importantly, through the Government trade forum as a direct response to helping Irish business diversify their markets globally. In particular, given the challenging and uncertain environment we are all working in, it is very much about deepening and strengthening our economic relationship with our core partners such as the US, UK and EU but also about exploring new and emerging markets, of which there are many.”
“Everybody in this House is not just of the same view but we have the same objective here: how do we bring some form of clarity? I am not sure there will be ever closure for families given it was such an appalling tragedy that happened to them. However, there might be some form of clarity that can be provided so they understand and know what happened to their loved ones. That is our objective and it is my priority. I will continue to work with the Deputy and colleagues on that.”
“I thank the Deputy and he can be assured that I will engage with the Secretary of State on this. We have been very clear in setting out and making sure there was trust in our request and we asked that it would be an independent, international judicial figure who would look over this information and would receive the original documents. To date, we have not received them. The focus had been on Operation Denton to see what information would be provided in it. The information that emerged from the Kenova Report was quite shocking; in fact, it was appalling in many instances. It is important that the information that was provided there that has provided some clarity for people that Operation Denton will be able to do the same.”
“The hope and anticipation was that we would get some of those answers through Operation Denton. We regret the fact that report has not been published. We are told the ongoing legal situation in the North is the reason it has not been published. If that can be resolved, the sooner that report can be published the sooner we can identify and get some form of clarity. If that is not provided, we will continue to engage with the UK Government.”
“I will absolutely speak with the Secretary of State on this. The British Government is in no doubt of the desire, not just of this Government but successive Irish governments, to see the release of relevant documents to help the families of the Dublin and Monaghan bombing victims to get the truth of what happened to their loved ones. I and other Ministers have raised this regularly in our engagement with the British Government and our counterparts. At least nine letters have been sent over the past number of years specifically seeking this information. Again, the joint framework we are both working on agrees and commits to reciprocal co-operation. Once these mechanisms are in place, we will again pursue the information we have requested from the British Government.”
“During any of my discussions with the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn - we have met on a number of occasions and he is absolutely committed to finding peace and truth for so many families - it is that culture where we have the most possible disclosure. This is essential for public confidence in finding truth.”
“The publication of the report would also help to maintain momentum on our broader work on legacy, particularly in the context of the implementation of the joint framework, which was agreed last year by the two Governments, and where legislation is currently going through the Houses in the UK and the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, is progressing legislation on our side. What is essential and at the heart of getting truth for families is having that reciprocal co-operation. That is very much at the heart of the joint framework, which commits the British Government to provide "cooperation to Ireland for investigations, inquiries and inquests" in this jurisdiction. It is vice versa in that we co-operate in the same way.”
“In that context, the delay in the publication of the full report of Operation Denton, a review of the Glenanne gang cases, including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which was expected last year, is extremely disappointing. I understand, however, that legal issues, in particular in relation to legal proceedings currently under way in Northern Ireland, have prevented that report from being published. Officials from my Department remain in regular contact with the head of Operation Denton, Sir Iain Livingstone. They will continue to follow up on the publication of the full report. We hope the report can be published within a reasonable timeframe and that its findings may shed light on what happened on that absolutely awful day for those involved and their families.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this. I know he has raised it on a number of occasions. We all agree there is no doubt that the families and survivors of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings have waited far too long for answers. We all want to get to that point for them. The Government has long-standing requests in place to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British Government relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. These requests arise from successive all-party motions adopted by this House, which is testament to the continued importance placed on the maximum possible disclosure in the interests of providing truth to victims of these atrocities and their families.”
“-----but we are focused on the twentieth package. We have a package that we have been working on. We are focused on that and have been pushing for it. While we have not had success at the most recent Council, I hope we will be able to make progress. The sanctions are having an impact and are impacting on Russia's ability to continue this war.”
“In the same way, as the Deputy mentioned, Aughinish Alumina has a significant role in supply chains across Europe, there are many similar pieces of infrastructure that have implications beyond the sanctions themselves for European member states. All of these have to be taken into consideration when any sanctions are being put forward. There was not unanimity when it came to this particular plant. I am clear on that-----”
“Apologies; I thought I was clear. We have already supported that. However, there was not unanimity. My understanding is that will not change. We have already supported the progress of sanctions in all instances but there is not unanimity. It is not Ireland's choice at the end of the day. We are one of many member states. We have supported all the packages that have been agreed unanimously over the past number of years. We will continue to support and push for the twentieth sanctions package that is currently on the table. We know it is making a difference and having an impact. There may be more we can do.”
“Of course, it needs humanitarian support, but it needs defence systems. The only way Ukraine has been able to withstand this brutal invasion for four years is it has been able to stop drone attacks because of air defence systems. Europe and Ireland need to continue to invest in it. That is what the €90 billion was about. It was not just humanitarian aid or aid for Ukraine's critical infrastructure at a time when subzero temperatures were impacting people's day-to-day lives. The fact drones have stopped this war from ending on Russia's terms is because we are providing that assistance. I again urge the Deputy, if the opportunity arises, to support this type of funding.”
“We have supported and will always support further sanctions. The Deputy can be assured we will continue to support any sanctions package that is brought forward. There are considerations that have to be taken into account. In this particular instance, there are very clearly concerns that have been raised by a number of member states in terms of their own energy security. Nonetheless, even with those issues, 2,700 different individuals and-or companies have been sanctioned. It has had a huge impact. We want to see that continue. On the €90 billion package, we are providing humanitarian assistance. To date, Ireland has provided €492 million in support of Ukraine, including €198 million in humanitarian assistance and stabilisation. Ukraine is saying to us that is not just what it needs.”
“Sanctions are one thing, but we need to ensure we are providing financial and defence support, and any other kind of support, to Ukraine. If any future vote comes up, I urge the Deputy to do the same.”
“We have supported successive rounds of sanctions against Russia and will continue to do so under our Presidency because we know they are having an impact. The clear feedback from our Ukrainian colleagues, and from what we can see in terms of the economy in Russia, and other actions we have taken, is that the sanctions are having an impact. We will continue, however we can, to press for and ensure that no sanctions are eased off if there is no peace agreement or peace deal moving forward. The other way we can provide support is by making sure we agree a support package and continue to support Ukraine. I again highlight the fact that colleagues in this House, including the Deputy, did not vote for a €90 billion package that was intended to support people in Ukraine at a time when they desperately needed it.”
“To date, the EU has negotiated and adopted 19 packages of sanctions, all of which we have supported and have been keen to see progress as quickly as possible. Work is advancing on the 20th package of sanctions, which we hope can be agreed soon. We have had challenges in that regard, but hope we can make progress soon. Since the extension of sanction measures introduced in 2022, the question of restrictions relating to Rosatom has not received unanimous support from EU member states. This is a complex issue, and the reason it has not received that support is that it touches on the energy supply chain for a number of countries. That is a matter that has been taken into consideration for any of the packages that have been agreed in recent years.”
“Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions in response to Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, which, as the Deputy said, has been ongoing for more than four years. The sanctions adopted in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history. Over 2,700 individuals and entities are now subject to EU restrictive measures. An unprecedented range of sectoral measures against Russia have been adopted, including measures targeting the trade, finance, energy, technology, defence, media and maritime sectors. These measures are agreed on the basis of unanimous decisions of the Council of the European Union. They are carefully targeted to ensure maximum impact on Russia while avoiding unintended consequences, including for civil nuclear safety.”
“While they are not on the board in the way we want them to be, a number of structures have been put in place to try to ensure that they are consulted and engaged with, and that they are very much a part of any future that is decided. The problem is that it is not happening quickly enough. We have met the chair and those who are leading this. It is not happening quickly enough. As this conflict in the Middle East continues, we need to ensure that a focus is retained. At every opportunity that I have with my colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council, that the Taoiseach has at the European Council and that my other colleagues have, we are trying to keep that pressure on to ensure that while work is progressing, albeit wholly imperfectly, we do more in terms of aid and access. We will continue to provide that.”