Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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158. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the full record of correspondence and engagement between her Department and websites (details supplied) since 2015, including dates, subject matter and whether a reply issued in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50512/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department corresponded on one occasion with a representative from Diplomat.ie in December 2020, responding to a request for photos. These were provided as per my Department's policy to make publicly available photos of relevant Ministers and events. My Department has no records of meetings, in person or virtual, with representatives acting on behalf of Diplomat.ie, or any further engagement.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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159. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an individual associated with websites (details supplied) has been authorised by her Department or the State to use a diplomatic title, to represent the diplomatic or consular interests of Ireland, or to act in any official capacity on behalf of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50513/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The individual understood to be associated with the websites specified has not been authorised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to use a diplomatic title, to represent Ireland’s diplomatic or consular interests, or to act in any official capacity on behalf of the State.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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160. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the mechanism that exists for her Department to respond when a private individual or organisation uses language, titles or branding that could reasonably be understood by the public to imply an official diplomatic or consular status or function; and whether such a concern has been raised with or by her Department regarding websites (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50514/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not have a statutory role in regulating or monitoring the terminology, titles, or branding adopted or used by private individuals or private entities.

The Department has received correspondence expressing concerns regarding the activities of individuals associated with the specific websites referenced. These have been carefully considered.

I am satisfied that the Department’s established protocols and systems provide an effective framework, in line with international diplomatic practice, to safeguard the integrity of official engagement, and ensure that interactions are conducted with authorised diplomatic representatives.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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161. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in the context of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the protocols that exist to ensure that only accredited diplomatic missions and authorised State representatives are engaged with or referenced in connection with official EU Presidency diplomatic activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50515/26]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time for the period up to 31 December of this year. The Presidency is an opportunity for Ireland to play an important role in leading and shaping the EU’s policy and legislative agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency.

Engagement on matters relating to Ireland’s EU Presidency is routinely undertaken through accredited diplomatic missions both in Ireland and in Brussels, EU institutional representatives, recognised international organisations and other relevant partners, as appropriate. The accreditation of diplomatic missions and representatives is governed by international law, notably the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and also in Ireland by relevant Irish implementing legislation.

My Department has procured and developed an accreditation system for all EU Presidency meetings taking place here in Ireland. The primary purpose of this accreditation system is to facilitate strict access control to EU Presidency meeting venues, in order to provide for the safety and security of all event participants and the integrity of the events. The system also supports the smooth planning and delivery of critical event logistical supports with a security dimension, including the transport of delegations. An Garda Síochána has been consulted on all aspects of this system.

To the extent that their involvement will arise in the context of EU Presidency-related high-level meetings held in Ireland, the details of relevant staff members of accredited foreign diplomatic missions will be confirmed with reference to records held by the Department for each of the individuals concerned and so that they may be duly accredited for the meeting in question as appropriate.

I am satisfied that these protocols provide an appropriate framework to safeguard the integrity of official EU Presidency activities and to ensure that engagement with recognised diplomatic representatives is conducted in accordance with international diplomatic practice.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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162. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has provided, funded, or authorised the provision of a driver, security personnel, or related protective services to companies (details supplied); if so, to provide the basis, dates, and cost of such a provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50516/26]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not provide, fund, or authorise, drivers, security personnel, or protective services for private companies or entities and has not done so in relation to those specified.