Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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341. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the Fuzhou overseas police service station which has opened on Capel Street Dublin, as part of the overseas 110 initiative by the Chinese government to open virtual police outposts around the world; if this virtual police station was registered with the Irish authorities; if any Chinese national living in Ireland has been persuaded through this office to return to China to face criminal charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52926/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Neither the Chinese authorities nor Fuzhou/Fujian Province made a request in advance to the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish the office referred to. In this context, the Department of Foreign Affairs raised the presence of a 'Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station' with the Embassy of China in Ireland in recent weeks.

The Department noted that actions of all foreign states on Irish territory must be in compliance with international law and domestic law requirements. On this basis, the Department informed the Embassy that the office on Capel Street should close and cease operations. The Chinese Embassy has now stated that the activities of the office have ceased.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to liaise with the Embassy to facilitate the provision of all relevant consular and citizen services to Chinese citizens in Ireland.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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342. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Ethiopia since the Prime Minister’s national security adviser (details supplied) described the relationship between the two countries as at its nadir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52927/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has a longstanding partnership with Ethiopia and its people. Our Embassy in Addis Ababa opened in 1994, and Ethiopia has been our largest bilateral development partner over the last five years.

The situation in Tigray and in other parts of northern Ethiopia remains of grave concern, including the significant escalation of fighting in recent weeks. The conflict has had a devastating impact on civilians, with many killed or injured, and widespread human rights violations and abuses. Over 13 million people in northern Ethiopia are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

I recently received a letter from the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia and subsequently saw the comments on social media by the National Security Advisor. They raised issues with Ireland’s actions in relation to the conflict in northern Ethiopia. These communications come in the context of Ireland’s principled role on the UN Security Council. Together with a range of other countries, Ireland has raised the situation in northern Ethiopia on a regular basis, in response to developments. In all our interventions on the crisis, we have stressed the need to alleviate humanitarian suffering and provide assistance to those in need. We have called for a cessation of hostilities, and for dialogue to chart a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We have also repeatedly reaffirmed our commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia.

I have replied in writing to the Deputy Prime Minister's letter, reaffirming Ireland’s commitment to our bilateral relationship, outlining our position on the conflict, and proposing further discussion with him. Our Embassy in Addis Ababa continues to engage in dialogue with the Ethiopian authorities, and to represent the needs of Irish citizens in the country.

Last year, Ireland contributed over €40 million in assistance to Ethiopia, with a similar level of support this year.