Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State and his team are most welcome and I thank them for their presentation. I know that all of my colleagues have touched on the work of the Passport Office. It is interesting that the Department is seeking an increase of €5.001 million, with €5 million being offset by the increase in revenue from the Passport Office. That is direct evidence of the work it is doing. The 10% increase in demand has resulted in an extra €5 million for the Exchequer, which has allowed us to cover the additional cost of our contributions this year without having to look for much more from the country's funds. It is incredible and significant evidence of the fantastic work the Passport Office is doing. I join my colleagues in commending it.

I am heartened in going through the table of specific programmes with which we are involved by the number of people serving at home and abroad who are working for a fairer, more just, secure and sustainable world. We are advancing prosperity and promoting our economic interests internationally, while protecting and advancing Ireland's values and interests in Europe and strengthening and influencing our capacity to deliver on our goals. Although austerity has permeated nearly every aspect of our life in the past few years, we have continued to maintain our interactions and work internationally and remained committed to advancing our core values in foreign affairs. It is a credit to the country that we have managed to do this during the years, particularly given the increased pressure to cut and cut some more. I commend the Department for its work in that regard.

I will go through some more specific contributions to international organisations within which we operate. Our most significant contribution is, as we know, made to the United Nations. UN operations are a major source of pride to the country and its citizens, as well as for those who serve or have served in the Defence Forces. There is no doubt that they are very well trained and equipped. They do fantastic work abroad and Ireland is very well regarded by international colleagues when it comes to defence matters. Our contributions to the United Nations are based on a formula, with the scale of assessment reviewed at three-year intervals. There was a new scale introduced in 2015. How does it compare with the previous one? Have our contributions increased or decreased since the previous assessment? The Minister of State has indicated that the budget depends on the level of UN peacekeeping activity. I appreciate that demand can very often change, in reacting quickly to what happens globally, but how do we even attempt to estimate what our contributions will be, given the volatile nature of both UN peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions?

I have a question about the OSCE. The Minister of State has indicated that there was a shortfall owing to the fact that the Revised Estimates were insufficient. Why was that the case and where was the mistake made? Was it due to a lack of information? I have had some contact with the OSCE. It is a very valuable organisation, of which Ireland is a member. As international as well as Irish citizens, it is vital that we participate in organisations such as the OSCE to contribute to international peace and support human rights and the protection of the rule of law. These are objectives which Irish people value. I am very happy to see that Ireland is participating fully in the organisation. I am interested in hearing a little more about the monitoring mission in Ukraine. Where exactly is the money going? Do we have any direct control over where it goes or is it included in a general budget for the entire project?

I have a question on the OECD.

Again, there was a shortfall in the Estimates. Why was that? It was estimated to be €2.26 million for 2016 but the actual amount paid will be €2.7 million. Again, it is a considerable sum of money and I wonder why that shortfall is there.

How are our contributions calculated? We know they are calculated on the basis of our economic growth but is that done every three years or every year and what figures are used? How have we fared over the past number of years? Have our contributions to that organisation increased? That concludes my questions.