I ask the Minister for an update on the evacuation of Irish citizens in Sudan and other measures that are in place to ensure the safety and protection of our citizens.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 15 and 16 together.

The Government and our EU partners remain seriously concerned at the situation in Sudan. Heavy fighting, including air strikes, has been taking place across Khartoum and the rest of Sudan since 15 April. Hospitals and critical infrastructure have been attacked. At least 500 people have been killed and thousands injured. Civilians are the main victims of the conflict, with many trapped in their homes, unable to access essential supplies.

A series of ceasefires were announced but they did not hold. However, the three-day ceasefire announced by the US Secretary of State, Mr. Blinken, on 24 April has eased the situation in some areas. Nevertheless, the situation remains very volatile and dangerous. Since the outbreak of hostilities, I have consistently expressed our deep concern and called on all parties to immediately commit to a ceasefire and allow access for medical and humanitarian assistance.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has conveyed to the ambassador of Sudan in Dublin our concern about the safety and security of our citizens. We have emphasised the obligation on the authorities to ensure the protection of all civilians, the provision of humanitarian access, and the protection of diplomatic personnel. Our embassy in Nairobi, which is accredited to Sudan, and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin have been in continuous contact with Irish citizens in the country and have been advising and assisting with the process of evacuation of civilians. Since 23 April, 116 Irish citizens and family members have been assisted to leave Khartoum, mainly on fights to Djibouti, Jordan and Cyprus. I am particularly grateful for the assistance with these flights of our EU partners France, Spain, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. We also deeply appreciate the assistance of the United Kingdom in evacuating Irish citizens in recent days.

On 23 April, the Government approved the deployment of an emergency consular assistance team mission led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, to augment the ongoing consular support being provided to Irish citizens and to support evacuation operations led by EU member states. The team, currently based in Djibouti, includes officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and 12 members of the Defence Forces. The Department is also providing consular support to people evacuated to Djibouti, Jordan, Cyprus and other cities in Europe.

Even before the current outbreak of violence, some 16 million people in Sudan, one third of the population, were in need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian operations are now almost impossible, with most organisations suspending operations. A humanitarian pause in hostilities is vital to allow civilians to access basic supplies. Ireland has been a long-standing partner to the people of Sudan, providing more than €35 million in humanitarian and development aid since 2018. Earlier this month, we provided €3 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund to respond to the urgent humanitarian need.

On 24 April, I discussed the crisis in Sudan with other EU foreign Ministers at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The Government will continue to work closely with our EU and other partners for an end to the conflict and to support the people of Sudan to return to a peaceful and democratic path.

I thank the Minister for that response. I commend everybody in his Department and in our Defence Forces who have been proactive in supporting our citizens in Sudan. I also join the Minister in thanking our European neighbours for their assistance. The obvious question that arises is how we can be better positioned in the time ahead, in instances like this, to be able to contribute to such multilateral efforts to evacuate citizens, when required. Although this crosses Departments, there has been reference to the fact that a down payment has been made in respect of a cargo plane that would have the capacity to go into places like Sudan and return citizens. Is the Minister in a position to give us an update on whether we are close to having that in our possession?

We are all very concerned about developments in Sudan over recent weeks. It is a very concerning time for all Irish citizens and their families as the situation there has been very fluid and unpredictable. The partnership and help that we have received from the French, Swedes and Spanish, as the Minister mentioned, demonstrates what being in the EU is all about and we should be very grateful to our EU colleagues for their ongoing support in that regard.

The Minister will be aware of recent criticism with regard to our lack of air capacity and I understand that he has taken steps to address this. I join Deputy Carthy in asking the Minister to inform the House of the latest developments in that regard.

I thank the Deputies for their comments. I will convey their best wishes to the consular staff, diplomats and members of our Defence Forces working in Djibouti, Cyprus, Egypt and Jordan in the co-ordination of this.

The first comment I would make in regard to this crisis and future crises is that we will always be part of a pan-European response. That is the benefit of being in the European Union. Much depends on who is strongest on the ground in given situations. The French would have been strong in Sudan, with bases in that jurisdiction. A mistaken and misplaced view was expressed in recent days that somehow we could just fly a plane into Khartoum but that would never have been a consideration. That said, there is a necessity for a stronger strategic capability and we have signed contracts with Airbus in that regard but obviously that will take time. The plane has to be built, delivered and so on. We also have two maritime aircraft which will come on stream in June which can be reconfigured for strategic airlift capability.

We already had its procurement in train through the procurement process. Its most immediate value would be in getting our own personnel out to the adjacent location, Djibouti for instance, more quickly than is currently the case, in order that they can co-ordinate better. That would be the first initial value in strategic capability, and then directly to evacuate people, working with other countries. I also believe in, and am exploring, being part of a broader EU approach. There are some programmes in Europe whereby countries come together and combine resources in regard to strategic airlift capability. That would not take from our own indigenous efforts to strengthen our own capabilities. It would be part of and contributing to a wider European approach.

I meant to ask this question as my first follow up. The Tánaiste mentioned that 116 Irish citizens have been evacuated. My understanding was that the original figure was around 200. Does the Tánaiste have a figure as to how many Irish citizens are in Sudan seeking evacuation? Will he give an update on the steps that are being taken and the timeframe for that? It is accepted that with missions such as this, there will always need to be a collaboration with EU and in some instances non-EU states. However, there is also a responsibility on us to be able to wash our own face in that respect. That is why I believe we need to carry out an appraisal and engage with our Defence Forces in regard to the type of equipment that is necessary in order to be able to play a proactive role in matters such as this so that we are not wholly dependent on other states to provide for the evacuation and safety of our citizens. Rather, we should be able to engage in a proactive manner in missions such as this when it is necessary.

I believe the Tánaiste just spoke there, as well as in the media recently, about joining a wider group of EU member states. He mentioned a possibility of a pan-European response in the future. In regard to that, will he expand on the development of such a strategy? Has he had any discussions at European level in that regard? How would he envisage such an arrangement working into the future?

We are obviously all worried about our citizens in Sudan. We welcome the great work that has been done by our diplomats, members of the Defence Forces and others in regard to evacuation. I spoke already to the Tánaiste about Dr. Amin Kheir. He works as a CAMHS consultant in Drogheda. He also worked in Trim. His colleagues contacted me. He was also on RTÉ. He has been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the embassy. To use his own words:

I have been offered an evacuation airlift for myself and I don't know how people are expecting me to leave my two elderly parents ... my preterm nephew and my vulnerable siblings behind to die in a warzone. I'm not going to do that.

I accept there may be difficulties. Some of this may relate to the capacity we do not have. However, I have sent the details on. Could contact be made to see if there is any means to assist in this situation.

I strongly condemn the spate of wildlife in recent year and any resulting destruction of nature. These fires can pose significant risks to the environment, property and people.

My Department works closely with the Fire Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, to investigate the causes of fires in our National Parks and Reserves and protected sites. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department (NPWS) has deployed increased fire patrols across sites, including aerial monitoring. Where evidence is forthcoming, appropriate enforcement under the Wildlife Acts or other legislation will be pursued. Cross compliance is also undertaken where appropriate with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Detailed data on the numbers of criminal investigations and prosecutions for illegal wildfires taken by organisations other than the NPWS is not collected by, and consequently is not available in, my Department. The information regarding the number of investigations and prosecutions taken by NPWS since I came into office is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

It should be noted however that due to the sheer scale of land involved here, coupled with the remote locations of much of the designated lands and the sporadic occurrence and dynamic nature of such fires it is simply not possible to provide a visible “presence” as a deterrent on the ground. The National Parks and Reserves Network alone cover some 87,000 hectares and approximately 14% of the State is designated as either an Special Area of Conservation or Special Protection Area. This includes many remote and inaccessible areas. Most land in special areas of conservation, special protection areas and natural heritage areas is in private ownership. Equally, trying to identify those who deliberately set fires in open areas without concern for the consequences can be challenging.

The issue here is a question of individuals being more responsible about actions they take and being mindful of the potential damage to life, private property, and public property that can be caused by carelessly setting fires.

It is incumbent on all of us as custodians of nature and the land to work together to find solutions to avoid this happening in the future.

Since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Uisce Éireann takes a strategic, nationwide approach to asset planning and investment, and meeting customer requirements. The prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for determination by Uisce Éireann.

Uisce Éireann is progressing a strategic national project to help meet the long-term future water supply needs of the Greater Dublin Area. The preferred scheme involves an abstraction of water from the lower River Shannon at Parteen Basin in Co. Tipperary, with water treatment nearby at Birdhill. Treated water will then be piped 170km to a termination point reservoir in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area. Uisce Éireann has prepared the Preliminary Business Case (PBC) as prescribed by the Public Spending Code. The PBC will also undergo a rigorous review process including independent external assurance process carried out by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Government consent to the PBC for the project will fall to be considered following the completion of the CRU external assurance process in late 2023/early 2024.