Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence

Home , Charles Flanagan, David Stanton, Gerard Craughwell, Simon Coveney

TITHE AN OIREACHTAIS

AN COMHCHOISTE UM GHNÓTHAÍ EACHTRACHA AGUS COSAINT

TUARASCÁIL BHLIANTÚIL 2020

______

HOUSES OF THE OIREACHTAS

JOINT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

33/JCF&D/01

Table of Contents 1. Content and Format of Report ...... 2 2. Establishment and Functions ...... 2 2.1. Establishment of Select Committee...... 2 2.2. Establishment of Joint Committee...... 2 2.3 Functions of Joint Committee ...... 2 3. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Convenors and Membership ...... 3 4. Meetings, Attendance and Recording...... 3 5. Number and Duration of Meetings ...... 4 5.1 Joint Committee ...... 4 5.2 Select Committee ...... 4 5.3 Informal meetings ...... 4 6. Witnesses attending before the Committee(s) ...... 5 7. Committee Reports Published ...... 5 8. Travel...... 5 9. EU Mainstreaming...... 5 10. Report on Functions and Powers ...... 5 APPENDIX 1: Orders of Reference ...... 6 b) Functions of Departmental Committees (derived from Standing Orders – DSO 94 and SSO 70A)7 c) Powers of Committees (derived from Standing Orders – DSO 96, 120 and 132 and SSO 71, 107 and 109)...... 9 APPENDIX 2: Membership ...... 11 APPENDIX 3: Meetings of the Joint Committee ...... 12 APPENDIX 4: Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee ...... 16 APPENDIX 5: Meetings of the Dáil Select Committee ...... 26 APPENDIX 6: Proceedings of the Select Committee and Select sub-Committees (Imeachtaí) ...... 27 APPENDIX 7: Informal Meetings ...... 30 APPENDIX 8: Courtesy Calls ...... 31

1. Content and Format of Report

This report has been prepared pursuant to Standing Order 100 (3), (4), (5) and (6) (Dáil Éireann) and Standing Order 75 (3), (4), (5) and (6) (Seanad Éireann) which provide for the Joint Committee to- • undertake a review of its procedure and its role generally; • prepare an annual work programme; • lay minutes of its proceedings before both Houses; • make an annual report to both Houses.

At its meeting on 21st January 2021 the Joint Committee agreed that all these items should be included in this report covering the period from January – December 2020.

2. Establishment and Functions

2.1. Establishment of Select Committee. The Dáil Select Committee was established by Order of Dáil Éireann on the date to consider Bills, Estimates for Public Services, Motions, and the terms of any international agreement involving a charge on public funds, which come within the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence. It may also consider Annual Output Statements, Value for Money Reviews and Policy Reviews prepared by the relevant Government Department.

2.2. Establishment of Joint Committee. The Dáil Select Committee, under the same Order, was enjoined with a Select Committee of Seanad Éireann, established by Order of Seanad Éireann on the 18th September 2020, to form the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence.

2.3 Functions of Joint Committee Among the principal functions of the Joint Committee are to consider— • public affairs administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs • public affairs administered by the Department of Defence • matters of policy for which the Minister for Foreign Affairs is responsible • matters of policy for which the Minister for Defence is responsible for • legislative and expenditure proposals of the Department of Foreign Affairs 2

• legislative and expenditure proposals of the Department of Defence • EU legislative proposals • certain matters relating to bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs including Irish Aid.

The Orders of Reference of the Dáil Select Committee and the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 1.

3. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Convenors and Membership

Dáil SO 104(2) provides for a proportion of Chairs to be allocated to each group by means of the D’Hondt System. Deputy Charles Flanagan was appointed as Chairman of the Select Committee on 30th July 2020 by an Order of Dáil Éireann. The Chairman of the Select Committee is also the Chairman of the Joint Committee. Deputy Barry Cowen was elected as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on the 7th October 2020.

Membership of the Committee, including all internal changes within the reported period, is listed at Appendix 2.

4. Meetings, Attendance and Recording

Meetings of the Joint Committee and Select Committee and took place in the Committee rooms in Leinster House 2000. Due to Covid restrictions the business of the Committee was limited to essential business only during level 5 and private meetings were held over MS Teams. Meetings were in public unless otherwise ordered by the Committee.

Committee proceedings were broadcast live within Leinster House and also made available to RTE, TV3 and TG4. Proceedings were also webcast making them available worldwide on the internet. Since September 2014 the proceedings of Committees in public session, typically recorded but occasionally live, are broadcast on the dedicated parliamentary channel Oireachtas TV which is available on these channels: • Saorview 22, Sky 517, Virgin Media 207, eir Vision 504 • Vodafone Channels 217, 207 and 208

An Official Report (Parliamentary Debates) of the public meetings of the Committee may be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas website at www.oireachtas.ie.

Copies of other reports published by the Joint Committee are also available on the Oireachtas Committee website pages at www.oireachtas.ie. A list of these reports is set out at paragraph 7.

5. Number and Duration of Meetings

5.1 Joint Committee The Joint Committee met on 10 occasions during the period under report. The number of hours of discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 13 hours.

The subject matter of each meeting of the Joint Committee, including the groups, organisations or individuals who attended the meetings, is detailed in Appendix 3. The Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee in public session are attached at Appendix 4.

5.2 Select Committee The Dáil Select Committee met 2 times during the period under report and the number of hours of discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of 1 hour.

The subject matter of each meeting, including the groups, organisations or individuals who attended the meetings of the Select Committee, is detailed in Appendix 5. The proceedings (Imeachtaí) of the Select Committee are attached at Appendix 6.

5.3 Informal meetings An important part of the Committee’s work is to meet with Ambassadors, incoming parliamentary delegations and interest groups in an informal setting. The subject matter of each informal meeting of the Joint Committee, including the groups, organisations or individuals who attended the meetings, is detailed in Appendix 7.

6. Witnesses attending before the Committee(s)

During the period, the number of speaking witnesses for the Joint Committee was:

COMMITTEE NAME NUMBER OF WITNESSES Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and 12 Defence

7. Committee Reports Published

During the period under report, the Joint Committee published the following reports:

• Work Programme 2020

8. Travel.

There were no travel episodes undertaken in 2020.

9. EU Mainstreaming.

In the period January to December 2020 the Joint Committee considered European Union matters at 3 meetings, involving consideration of 23 proposals. The Joint Committee decided that none of the proposals required further scrutiny. 10. Report on Functions and Powers

The Joint Committee is currently satisfied with its present procedures and role.

______Charles Flanagan T.D. Chairman Date: 21st January 2021

APPENDIX 1: Orders of Reference

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE

TERMS OF REFERENCE a) Scope and Context of Activities of Committees (derived from Standing Orders – DSO 94 , SSO 70)

1) The Joint Committee may only consider such matters, engage in such activities, exercise such powers and discharge such functions as are specifically authorised under its orders of reference and under Standing Orders;

2) Such matters, activities, powers and functions shall be relevant to, and shall arise only in the context of, the preparation of a report to the Dáil/and or Seanad;

3) The Joint Committee shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to Standing Order 186 and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;

4) The Joint Committee shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Joint Committee on Public Petitions in the exercise of its functions under Standing Order 111A; and

The Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session or publishing confidential information regarding any matter if so requested, for stated reasons given in writing, by—

(i) a member of the Government or a Minister of State, or

(ii) the principal office-holder of a body under the aegis of a Department or which is partly or wholly funded by the State or established or appointed by a member of the Government or by the Oireachtas:

Provided that the Chairman may appeal any such request made to the Ceann Comhairle, whose decision shall be final.

5) It shall be an instruction to all Select Committees to which Bills are referred that they shall ensure that not more than two Select Committees shall meet to consider a Bill on any given day, unless the Dáil, after due notice given by the Chairman of the Select Committee, waives this instruction on motion made by the Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Order 28. The Chairmen of Select Committees shall have responsibility for compliance with this instruction.

b) Functions of Departmental Committees (derived from Standing Orders – DSO 95 and SSO 70A)

(1) The Select Committee shall consider and report to the Dáil on-

(a) such aspects of the expenditure, administration and policy of a Government Department or Departments and associated public bodies as the Committee may select, and

(b) European Union matters within the remit of the relevant Department or Departments.

(2) The Select Committee may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Seanad Éireann for the purposes of the functions set out in this Standing Order, other than at paragraph (3), and to report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Select Committee shall consider, in respect of the relevant Department or Departments, such— (a) Bills, (b) proposals contained in any motion, including any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 187, (c) Estimates for Public Services, and (d) other matters

as shall be referred to the Select Committee by the Dáil, and

(e) Annual Output Statements including performance, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public moneys, and (f) such Value for Money and Policy Reviews as the Select Committee may select. (4) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Joint Committee may consider the following matters in respect of the relevant Department or Departments and associated public bodies:

(a) matters of policy and governance for which the Minister is officially responsible, (b) public affairs administered by the Department, (c) policy issues arising from Value for Money and Policy Reviews conducted or commissioned by the Department, (d) Government policy and governance in respect of bodies under the aegis of the Department, (e) policy and governance issues concerning bodies which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by a member of the Government or the Oireachtas,

(f) the general scheme or draft heads of any Bill (g) any post-enactment report laid before either House or both Houses by a member of the Government or Minister of State on any Bill enacted by the Houses of the Oireachtas, (h) statutory instruments, including those laid or laid in draft before either House or both Houses and those made under the European Communities Acts 1972 to 2009, (i) strategy statements laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas pursuant to the Public Service Management Act 1997, (j) annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law, and laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of the Department or bodies referred to in subparagraphs (d) and (e) and the overall performance and operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of such bodies, and (k) such other matters as may be referred to it by the Dáil from time to time.

(5) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Joint Committee shall consider, in respect of the relevant Department or Departments—

(a) EU draft legislative acts standing referred to the Select Committee under Standing Order 114, including the compliance of such acts with the principle of subsidiarity, (b) other proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues, including programmes and guidelines prepared by the European Commission as a basis of possible legislative action, (c) non-legislative documents published by any EU institution in relation to EU policy matters, and (d) matters listed for consideration on the agenda for meetings of the relevant EU Council of Ministers and the outcome of such meetings. (6) Where the Select Committee has been joined with a Select Committee appointed by Seanad Éireann, the Chairman of the Dáil Select Committee shall also be the Chairman of the Joint Committee.

(7) The following may attend meetings of the Select or Joint Committee, for the purposes of the functions set out in paragraph (5) and may take part in proceedings without having a right to vote or to move motions and amendments: (a) members of the European Parliament elected from constituencies in Ireland, including Northern Ireland, (b) members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and (c) at the invitation of the Committee, other members of the European Parliament.

(8) The Joint Committee may, in respect of any Ombudsman charged with oversight of public services within the policy remit of the relevant Department or Departments, consider—

(a) such motions relating to the appointment of an Ombudsman as may be referred to the Committee, and (b) such Ombudsman reports laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas as the Committee may select.

c) Powers of Committees (derived from Standing Orders – DSO 96, 120 and 132 and SSO 71, 107 and 109)

96. Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 94, the Dáil may confer any or all of the following powers on a Select Committee:

(1) power to take oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time minutes of such evidence taken in public before the Select Committee together with such related documents as the Select Committee thinks fit;

(2) power to invite and accept oral presentations and written submissions from interested persons or bodies; (3) power to send for persons, papers and records24;

(4) power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the Dáil;

(5) power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation;

(6) power to examine any statutory instrument, including those laid or laid in draft before either House or both Houses and those made under the European Communities Acts 1972 to 2009, and to recommend, where it considers that such action is warranted, whether the instrument should be annulled or amended;

(7) for the purposes of paragraph (6), power to require any Government Department or instrument making authority concerned to submit a Memorandum to the Select Committee explaining any statutory instrument under consideration or to attend a meeting of the Select Committee for the purpose of explaining any such statutory instrument: Provided that such Department or authority may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil;

(8) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss policy for which he or she is officially responsible: Provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy;

(9) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published) for which he or she is officially responsible: Provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such proposed legislation; 9

(10) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee and provide, in private session if so requested by the member of the Government or Minister of State, oral briefings in advance of meetings of the relevant EU Council of Ministers to enable the Select Committee to make known its views: Provided that the Committee may also require such attendance following such meetings;

(11) power to require that the Chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of a Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role;

(12) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State who is officially responsible for the implementation of an Act shall attend before a Select Committee in relation to the consideration of a report under Standing Order 197;

(13) subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal officeholders in bodies in the State which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by members of the Government or by the Oireachtas shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: Provided that such an office-holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil;

14) power to engage, subject to the consent of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and

(15) power to undertake travel, subject to—

(a) such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 120(4)(a); and

(b) the consent of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, and normal accounting procedures.

APPENDIX 2: Membership

List of Members (Joint Committee)

Chairman: Charles Flanagan (Fine Gael)

Deputies: Barry Cowen (Fianna Fail) (Vice Chairperson) Cathal Berry (Independent) John Brady (Sinn Fein) Sorca Clarke (Sinn Fein) Gary Gannon (Social Democrats) James Lawless (Fianna Fail) Brian Leddin (Green Party) David Stanton (Fine Gael) Senators: Catherine Ardagh Gerard Craughwell Niall Ó Donnghaile Joe O’Reilly Diarmuid Wilson

Notes: 1. Deputies appointed to the Committee by order of the Dáil on 30th July 2020 2. Senators appointed to the Committee by order of the Seanad on 7th October 2020

APPENDIX 3: Meetings of the Joint Committee

The following are the details, in date order, of the scheduled meetings of the Joint Committee which took place during the period under report.

Meeting No. and Topic Organisations, Groups and Individuals who Date attended J01 Private Meeting N/A 30th September J02 Public meeting N/A 7th October (Election of Vice chair)

J03 Public Meeting • Dóchas Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne 15th October -discuss the Keatinge, implementation • World Vision International Vice-President of Sustainable and Regional Director for East Africa, Dr. Development Stephen Omollo, Goals by 2030 • World Vision Director of International Programmes Maurice Sadler, • Coalition 2030 Co-Ordinator Jerry MacEvilly (all witnesses appeared remotely over MS Teams) J04 Private N/A 3rd November J05 Public - update, • Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon 12th November on issues Coveney discussed at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council.

J06 Private N/A 19th November

Meeting No. and Topic Organisations, Groups and Individuals who Date attended J07 Public – 3rd December An update on • Ambassador Head of Mission of Palestine the current Jilan Abdalmajid political situation in the region, the work of Irish-funded development and humanitarian programmes and the effect Covid-19 is having in the area.

To discuss • Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine Olena growing Irish- Shaloput Ukrainian links, reform in the Ukraine particularly in the areas of security, electoral reform, and the energy sector, trade, and the current situation in Eastern Ukraine

Meeting No. and Topic Organisations, Groups and Individuals who Date attended J08 Public – 10th December To update the • Ambassador of Georgia George committee on a Zurabashvili number of issues including the political situation in the region, bilateral relations and EU funded reform and key areas such as public administration, agriculture, rural development and justice.

• Ambassador of Israel Ophir Kariv To discuss a range of matters including the current political status in Israel and economic and bilateral relations.

J09 Private N/A 15th December

Meeting No. and Topic Organisations, Groups and Individuals who Date attended J10 Public 17th December To discuss • Russia’s Ambassador to Ireland, H.E Russia’s Ambassador Yury Anatoliyevich Filatov bilateral relationship with Ireland and on a broader scale with the EU, trade, human rights and the current situation in Syria, Nagorno Karabakh, Belarus, the Ukraine and Georgia.

To discuss preparations and • Permanent Representative of Ireland to the priorities for the United Nations, Geraldine Byrne Nason next two years as Ireland commences its term a member of the UN Security Council.

APPENDIX 4: Minutes of Proceedings of the Joint Committee

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 30th September 2020

In Public session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Cathal Berry, John Brady, Sorca Clarke, Barry Cowen, Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Gary Gannon, James Lawless and David Stanton.

Senators: Catherine Ardagh, Joe O’Reilly, Diarmuid Wilson, Gerard Craughwell and Niall Ó Donnghaile.

The meeting commenced in Public session at 3:15pm

1) Nomination and election of a Vice Chair

It was agreed that Members e-mail the Clerk with nominations for the position and the Committee will then proceed to elect the Vice Chairman in public session at the next meeting.

The meeting went into Private session at 3:18pm

2) Discussed in private 3) Discussed in private 4) Discussed in private 5) Discussed in private 6) Discussed in private 7) Discussed in private 8) Discussed in private

Meeting returned to Public Session at 4:15pm.

9) Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals

Schedule A: 16

COM (2020) 234

It is proposed that this proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. It was agreed.

Schedule B: COMs (2020) 28, 51, 52, 195, 257, 357, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 432 and 622. It is proposed that these proposals do not warrant further scrutiny. It was agreed.

10) Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:16pm until 4.30 pm on Wednesday 7th October.

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman, 7th October, 2020

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 7th October 2020

In Public session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, Sorca Clarke, Barry Cowen, James Lawless and David Stanton.

Senators: Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile, Joe O’Reilly, and Diarmuid Wilson.

Apologies were received from Senator Catherine Ardagh

The meeting commenced in Public session at 4:30pm

1. Minutes The minutes of the meeting of 30th September were agreed.

2. Nomination and election of a Vice Chair

Nominations were sought for the position of Vice Chair, Deputy Barry Cowen was nominated by Deputy James Lawless and Senator Gerard Craughwell was nominated by Deputy Cathal Berry.

The question "that Deputy Barry Cowen be elected Vice Chairman to the Committee" was put and decided in the affirmative. Deputy Cowen was deemed to be elected.

The meeting went into Private session at 4:35pm

3. Discussed in private 4. Discussed in private 5. Discussed in private 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5.07pm until Thursday 15th 2020.

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman, 15th October 2020

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 15th October 2020

In Public session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, John Brady, Barry Cowen, Brian Leddin and David Stanton.

Senators: Catherine Ardagh(remotely), Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile(remotely), Joe O’Reilly, and Diarmuid Wilson.

Apologies were received from Deputies Sorca Clarke and Gary Gannon.

The meeting commenced in Public session at 11:32am

1. Meeting with representatives of Dóchas, World Vision and Coalition 2030.

The Chairman welcomed Jerry MacEvilly Project Coordinator, Coalition 2030, Suzanne Keatinge, Chief Executive Officer of Dóchas, Dr. Stephen Omollo, World Vision International Vice President and Regional Director for East Africa, Mr. Maurice Sadlier Director of International Programmes with World Vision Ireland and also Louise Finan from Dóchas who all joined the meeting virtually via MS Teams.

The purpose of this engagement was to discuss the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Following opening statements, a question and answer session with Members of the Committee ensued. The Committee agreed to write to An Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs in support of the requests made in the submission by Coalition 2030 and to seek further information in respect of proposed actions.

The meeting went into Private session at 12:50pm

2. Discussed in private 3. Discussed in private 4. Discussed in private 5. Discussed in private 6. Discussed in private 1. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 13:12pm until Thursday 5th November 2020. The Select Committee will meet next Thursday with the Minister to discuss the revised estimates for both the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman, 5th November 2020

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 3rd November 2020

In Private session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, Sorca Clarke, Barry Cowen, Gary Gannon and David Stanton.

Senators: Catherine Ardagh, Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile and Diarmuid Wilson.

The meeting commenced in Private session at 10:02am via MS Teams.

1. Discussed in private 2. Discussed in private 3. Discussed in private 4. Discussed in private 5. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:31am until the 12th November, when the Committee will meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss matters raised at Foreign Affairs Council meetings.

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman, 12th November 2020

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 12th November 2020

In public session

The following Members were present: Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, John Brady, Barry Cowen, Brian Leddin, David Stanton, Sorca Clarke and Gary Gannon.

Senators: Catherine Ardagh, Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile, Joe O’Reilly, and Diarmuid Wilson.

The meeting commenced in Public session at 11:33am

1. Meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs re: Foreign Affairs Council meetings.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D. attended to discuss matters that have arisen at Foreign Affairs Council.

Following opening statement, a question and answer session with Members of the Committee commenced.

Due to time constraints the committee agreed that Private Business is to be postponed until the Committee meets again.

2. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 13:30pm until 19th November 2020.

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman,

19 November 2020

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 19th November 2020

In private session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, John Brady, Barry Cowen, Gary Gannon and David Stanton.

Senators: Catherine Ardagh, Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile, Joe O’Reilly, and Diarmuid Wilson.

Apologies were received from Deputies Sorca Clarke.

The meeting commenced in Private session via MS Teams at 11:30am

1. Discussed in private 2. Discussed in private

3. Discussed in private 4. Discussed in private 5. Discussed in private

The meeting adjourned at 12:04 until Thursday 3rd December 2020.

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman, 3rd December 2020

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 22

10th December 2020

In public session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, John Brady, Sorca Clarke, Barry Cowen, Gary Gannon and David Stanton.

Senators: Catherine Ardagh, Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile, Joe O’Reilly and Diarmuid Wilson.

The meeting commenced in Public session at 11:31am

1. Part one: Engagement with Ambassador of Georgia.

The Chairman welcomed Ambassador of the Republic of Georgia, Mr George Zurabashvili to the meeting, the purpose of the engagement was to discuss the occupation of regions of Georgia and the EU accession process.

Following the opening statement, a question and answer session with Members of the Committee ensued.

Due to time constraints the committee asked the Ambassador to respond to any unanswered questions in writing.

2. Part two: Engagement with Ambassador of Israel

The Chairman welcomed the Ambassador of Israel, Mr Ophir Kariv to the meeting, the purpose of the engagement was to discuss and brief the Committee on the situation in Israel and the wider region.

Following the opening statement, a question and answer session with Members of the Committee ensued.

Due to time constraints the committee asked the Ambassador to respond to any unanswered questions in writing and proposed the committee meet with the Ambassador again in the Spring of 2021 to continue the discussion.

The meeting adjourned at 13:38 until Tuesday 15th December 2020. 23

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman,

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 15th December 2020

In private session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, John Brady, Sorca Clarke and David Stanton.

Senators: Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile and Diarmuid Wilson.

The meeting commenced in Private session at 10:05am via MS Teams.

1. Discussed in private 2. Discussed in private 3. The meeting adjourned at 10:25am until Thursday 17th December 2020.

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman, 17th December 2020

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Minutes 17th December 2020

In public session

The following Members were present:

Deputies: Charles Flanagan (Chairman), Cathal Berry, Barry Cowen, Gary Gannon and David Stanton.

Senators: Catherine Ardagh, Gerard Craughwell, Niall Ó Donnghaile and Joe O’Reilly

Apologies were received from Deputies John Brady and Sorca Clarke and Senator Diarmuid Wilson.

Substitutes: Senator Malcom Byrne for Senator Diarmuid Wilson.

The meeting commenced in Public session at 11:31am

1. Part one: Engagement with Ambassador of Russia.

The Chairman welcomed Ambassador Yury Anatoliyevich FILATOV to the meeting, the purpose of the engagement was to discuss foreign policy.

Following the opening statement, a question and answer session with Members of the Committee ensued.

Due to time constraints the committee asked the Ambassador to respond to any unanswered questions in writing and to also share the Russian report on air force as requested by Deputy Gannon.

2. Part two: Engagement with Ambassador/ Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in New York

The Chairman welcomed the Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason to the meeting, the purpose of the engagement was to discuss Ireland’s priorities and preparations for the upcoming term on the United Nations Security Council.

Following the opening statement, a question and answer session with Members of the Committee ensued.

It was proposed Covid vaccine/vaccine equality be an item on the spring schedule.

The meeting adjourned at 13:31.

______Charles Flanagan, Chairman, Date:

APPENDIX 5: Meetings of the Dáil Select Committee

Meeting No. Topic Organisations, Groups and Individuals who and Date attended S01 2020 Revised Estimates for Simon Coveney – Minister for Defence and 22nd October Public Services – Votes 35 Minister for Foreign Affairs 2020 (Army Pensions) and 36 (Defence).

2020 Revised Estimates for Public Services - Vote 28 – Foreign Affairs

S02 Committee Stage of the Defence Simon Coveney – Minister for Defence 26th November (Amendment) Bill 2020 2020

APPENDIX 6: Proceedings of the Select Committee and Select sub- Committees (Imeachtaí)

IMEACHTAÍ AN ROGHCHOISTE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE

______

Dé Déardaoin,22 Deireadh Fomhair 2020

Thursday, 22 October, 2020 ______

1. Chruinnigh an Coiste ar 11.30am 1. The Committee met at 11.30 am.

2. COMHALTAÍ I LÁTHAIR1. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT2.

Bhí na comhaltaí seo a leanas i láthair: The following Members were present:

An Teachta Cathal Ó Flannagáin, (i Deputy Charles Flanagan (in the Chair), gCeannas), Síomón Ó Cómhanaigh (An Simon Coveney (Minister of Foreign tAire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Cosanta) Affairs and Defence), Deputies Cathal Na Teachtaí Cathal Ó Béara, Barra V Ó Berry, Barry Cowen, Garry Gannon, Brian Comhain,. Gearóid Mac Fhionnáin, Brian Leddin and David Stanton. Ó Loideáin, agus Daithí Standúin,

3. BREITHNIÚ AR MHEASTACHÁIN I 3. CONSIDERATION OF ESTIMATES FOR

1 Bhí na Teachtaí Aengus Ó Snodaigh ionadach na Teachtaí Sorcha Uí Chléirigh, [B.O. 105(3)].

2 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh Substituted for Deputy Sorca Clarke [S.O. 105(3)].

GCOMHAIR SEIRBHÍSÍ POIBLÍ. PUBLIC SERVICES.

Bhreithnigh an Coiste na Meastacháin seo The Committee considered the following a leanas i gcomhair Seirbhísí Poiblí don Estimates for Public Services for the year bhliain dar críoch an 31 Nollaig, 2020 – ending 31st December, 2020 –

Vóta 28 (Ghnóthaí Eachtracha) Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) That a sum not (Meastachán Athbhreithnithe).Go exceeding €225,444,000 be granted to ndeonófar suim nach mó ná €225,444,000 defray the charge which will come in chun íochta an mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun course of payment during the year ending bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch on the 31st day of December, 2020, for an 31ú lá de Nollaig, 2020, le haghaidh the salaries and expenses of the Office of thuarastail agus chostais Oifig an Aire the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and for Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádala, agus le certain services administered by that haghaidh seirbhísí áirithe atá faoi riaradh Office, including grants and contributions na hOifige sin, lena n-áirítear deontais to International Organisations agus ranníocaí le hEagraíochtaí Idirnáisiúnta. Vote 35 (Army Pensions). (Revised Vóta 35 (Arm-Phinsin) (Meastachán Estimate). Athbhreithnithe). That a sum not exceeding €254,150,000 Go ndeonófar suim nach mó ná be granted to defray the charge which will €254,150,000 chun íoctha an mhuirir a come in course of payment during the year thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na ending on the 31st day of December, bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Nollaig, 2020, for retired pay, pensions, 2020, le haghaidh pá scoir, pinsin, compensation, allowances and gratuities cúiteamh, liúntais agus aiscí is iníoctha payable under sundry statutes to or in faoi reachtanna iolartha le comhaltaí respect of members of the Defence Forces d’Óglaigh na hÉireann agus and certain other Military Organisations, d’Eagraíochtaí Míleata áirithe eile, etc., nó etc., and for sundry contributions and ina leith sin; agus le haghaidh ilranníocaí expenses in connection therewith; for agus ilchostais i ndáil leo sin; le haghaidh certain extra-statutory children’s liúntais eisreachtúla áirithe leanaí agus allowances and other payments and for íocaíochtaí eile agus le haghaidh ildeontas, sundry grants, salaries and expenses in tuarastail agus caiteachais i ndáil leo connection therewith.

Vóta 36 (Cosaint (Meastachán Vote 36 (Defence) (Revised Estimate). Athbhreithnithe).

Go ndeonófar suim nach mó ná That a sum not exceeding €756,961,000 €756,961,000 chun íoctha an mhuirir a be granted to defray the charge which will thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na come in course of payment during the year bliana dar críoch an 31ú lá de Nollaig, ending on the 31st day of December, 2020, le haghaidh thuarastail agus chostais 2020, for the salaries and expenses of the Oifig an Aire Cosanta, lena n-áirítear Office of the Minister for Defence, seirbhísí áirithe atá faoi riaradh na hOifige including certain services administered by sin; le haghaidh phá agus chostais Óglaigh that Office; for the pay and expenses of na hÉireann; agus chun deontais áirithe a the Defence Forces; and for payment of íoc. certain grants..

Críochnaíodh an breithniú ar an Consideration of the Estimate was Meastachán. concluded.

Cuireadh teachtaireacht chun na Dála de Message sent to the Dáil in accordance réir Bhuan-Ordú 101 á chur in iúl di gur with Standing Order 101 acquainting it chríochnaigh an Coiste a bhreithniú ar an that the Committee had completed its Meastachán. consideration of the Estimates.

4. ATHLÁ. 4. ADJOURNMENT.

Chuaigh an Coiste ar athló ar 12.42p.m. The Committee adjourned at 12.42p.m. sine die. sine die.

______Charles Flanagan, T.D. Chairman Date:22/10/20

IMEACHTAÍ AN ROGHCHOISTE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE

______

Dé Déardaoin,26 Samhain 2020

Thursday, 26 November, 2020 ______

1. Chruinnigh an Coiste ar 11.32 am 1. The Committee met at 11.32 am.

2. COMHALTAÍ I LÁTHAIR3. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT4.

Bhí na comhaltaí seo a leanas i láthair: The following Members were present:

An Teachta Cathal Ó Flannagáin, (i Deputy Charles Flanagan (in the Chair), gCeannas), Síomón Ó Cómhanaigh (An Simon Coveney (Minister of Foreign

tAire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Cosanta) Affairs and Defence), Deputies Cathal Na Teachtaí Cathal Ó Béara, Gearóid Mac Berry, Gary Gannon, Brian Leddin, Fhionnáin, Brian Ó Loideáin, Daithí David Stanton , John Brady and Sorca Standúin, Seán Ó Brádaigh agus Sorcha Clarke Uí Chléirigh.

3. An bille Cosanta (Leasu), 2020 3. Defence (Amendment) Bill 2020

Chrom a Coiste ar an m BIlle a bhrethnú. The committee took the bill into (i)Aontaíodh ailt 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, alt 4 consideration scriosta (i) Sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 agreed to, section 4 deleted

4. TEACHTAIREACHT CHUIG DÁIL 4. MESSAGE TO DÁIL ÉIREANN. ÉIREANN. Message sent to the Dáil acquainting it Cuireadh teachtaireacht chun na Dála á that the Committee had completed its chur in iúl di gur chríochnaigh an Coiste a consideration of the Bill and had made bhreithniú ar an mBille agus go raibh amendments thereto. leasuithe déanta aige air.

5. ATHLÁ. 5. ADJOURNMENT.

Chuaigh an Coiste ar athló ar 11.47a.m. The Committee adjourned at 11.47 a.m. sine die. sine die.

______Charles Flanagan, T.D. Chairman Date:

APPENDIX 7: Informal Meetings

The following are the details, in date order, of the scheduled informal meetings and courtesy calls which took place during the period under report.

Meeting Topic Organisations, Groups and Individuals who No. and attended Date 14th October Virtual informal with the Aram Araratyn , Political Director, Armenian 2020 at 12pm Embassy of Armenia, Embassy London Gagik Kirakosyan Charges D’Affaire, Armenian Embassy

APPENDIX 8: Courtesy Calls

The following are the details, in date order, of the scheduled courtesy calls which took place during the period under report.

Date Attendees

7th October • Head of Mission of the State of Palestine Dr Jilan 2020 Adbalmajid

14th October • Colombian Ambassador to Ireland Patricia Cortes 2020