Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the UN Security Council resolution requiring countries to pass laws outlawing travel to join so-called terrorist groups; if Ireland plans to implement it; the way it affects our claim to neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37737/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters was adopted unanimously in New York on 24 September 2014. Ireland co-sponsored the Resolution along with 103 other States, including all other EU member states.

This Resolution takes a comprehensive, human rights compliant approach to tackling the foreign fighters problem in accordance with international law. It highlights the need to tackle the underlying causes of radicalisation through community outreach initiatives, while at the same time focusing on strengthening legal and security measures.

This comprehensive strategy is very much in line with Ireland’s approach to the issue.

The terms of the Resolution are consistent with conclusions of a special meeting of the European Council on 30 August 2014 which called for accelerated implementation of a package of measures agreed in June 2013 concerning four priority areas: prevention of radicalisation, detection of suspicious travel, investigation and prosecution and cooperation with third countries. The European Council will review this issue in December 2014.

On the issue of travel, the Resolution provides that all States shall take steps to prevent the movement of terrorists or terrorist groups. These steps include the introduction of controls on the issuance of travel documents and measures to prevent counterfeiting, forgery or fraudulent use of such documents.

The Passports Act 2008 sets out a range of provisions related to this area. The Act provides a statutory basis for refusal to issue and for cancellation of a passport in defined circumstances including where a person would be likely to engage in conduct that might prejudice national security or the security of another state; where such conduct might endanger public safety or where it might endanger the person or others. Section 20 of the Act also introduced a range of offences concerning the provision of false or misleading information in connection with a passport application, possession or use of a false passport and the making or attempted making of a false passport.

My Department, in consultation with other relevant Government Departments, will closely examine the Resolution to establish whether any further legislation may be required in order to ensure its full implementation in Ireland.

Resolution 2178 is fully in line with the policy of military neutrality that has been pursued by successive Irish Governments. It does not involve participation in any military alliance; it provides for the protection of human rights; and it is designed to promote and maintain international peace and security through the United Nations.