DFAT Annual Report 2016

Transcription

1 The following is a copy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade s Annual Report for 2016 which is available to view with interactive elements at 1

2 2 DFAT Annual Report 2016

3 Introduction Foreword by Minister Coveney By any measure, 2016 was an eventful year for Ireland. We marked the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising in a manner that was inclusive and respectful of differing traditions and perspectives throughout the island of Ireland and in many corners of the world far beyond our shores. We enjoyed great performances by the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland football teams at the Euro 2016 Championships held in France. We also faced into the considerable challenges brought about by the United Kingdom s decision to leave the European Union. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including our diplomatic missions abroad was centrally involved in these and many other issues of national and global-level importance throughout We also contributed significantly to the achievement of progress on migration issues at UN level and helped to broker a Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. I wish to record my thanks and appreciation to my predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D., and to former Ministers of State Joe McHugh and Dara Murphy for all their hard work and dedication on these and multiple other issues in 2016 and throughout their time at the Department. I also wish to express my gratitude to the women and men who work at all levels of the Irish Foreign Service, in Ireland and around the world, towards advancing the interests and values of Ireland and its citizens 3

4 While much of this work remains ongoing, I hope that you will find useful and interesting insights in this Annual Report that help to place our role in context. We remain determined to build on the progress achieved to date and to continue delivering for Ireland. Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 4

5 Foreword by SG Burgess 2016 was an exceptionally busy year for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland and at our offices in over 70 countries around the world. Our primary role is to support the Government in advancing Ireland s interests and meeting the needs of our citizens at home and abroad. We did so in the face of many considerable challenges, not least of which was the impact of the United Kingdom s decision to leave the European Union. This, along with increasing number of Irish people travelling abroad, including to the Euro 2016 football championships in France, led to a significant increase in demand for our passport and consular services, in a year when we issued over 730,000 passports and launched a major reform of the Passport Service. This Report presents these and some of the other key areas where we engaged on behalf of the Irish people in In addition to those referenced here, important work was also carried forward by every part of the Department, including our Legal, Corporate Services, Finance and Protocol Divisions and Irish Abroad, Evaluation & Audit, Policy Planning and Strategy & Performance Units. I would like to express my appreciation to all my colleagues across the Irish Foreign Service including at Ireland s diplomatic missions overseas who work hard to pursue our objectives. Several of them have contributed to this Report, sharing insights into their roles on a personal level. I encourage you to learn more about our work and achievements over the course of 2016 and I thank all our citizens for their trust in us as Ireland s representatives around the world. Niall Burgess Secretary General 5

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7 Our People TravelWise App In June 2016, the Department s Consular Directorate launched a new, innovative and citizen-focused smartphone app - TravelWise. The development of TravelWise puts the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the top of the class internationally in terms of our ability to provide real-time information and advice to Irish citizens, and to interact and communicate instantly in the event of an emergency situation. It has become one of the most popular government-issued travel apps, with 15,000 downloads to date and nearly 500,000 screen views since its launch. It is also the highest-rated app of its kind, achieving an average score of 4.6 on Android and 4/5 on ios. The app was also selected as overall winner in the Mobile category at the 2017 Ireland egovernment Awards. Increasing numbers of Irish people travel abroad - more than 7 million trips were undertaken in 2016 and an increasing proportion of those travel to higher risk locations. The changing global security context also means that the demand for information and support is higher. TravelWise was developed to help Irish people to stay safe and informed whether they are travelling or living abroad. By allowing users to customise alerts for their location or future destinations, it tailors itself to the needs of individuals. With travel advice for 200 countries presented in a user-friendly format which can be accessed offline, it means that emergency contacts for our global network of Irish Embassies and Consulates are always in your pocket, with no need for roaming charges. 7

8 In addition to travel advice, TravelWise allows citizens to get push notifications for security and other updates in the countries they select, all direct to their smartphone. Two-way communication and feedback to the Department is encouraged and the offline availability of Embassy/Consulate and emergency contact details ensures that citizens can access the information they need when they need it most. Learn more about TravelWise at TravelWise is available to download at and 8

9 Our People Passport Innovation and Reform In 2016, our Passport Service issued almost three quarters of a million passports to Irish citizens, both at home and through our network of Embassies and Consulates abroad. This level of demand reflects Ireland s growing population as well as the fact that more and more Irish citizens are travelling abroad every year. In fact, over 15% of the Irish citizens who applied for a passport in 2016 were resident outside the island of Ireland at the time. The Department has worked hard to ensure we provide a reliable and efficient passport service to meet the needs of our growing and increasingly widely dispersed citizenship. In 2016 we began a programme of innovation and reform that, over three years, will fundamentally re-design the way in which Irish citizens can apply for passports. The innovation and reform programme will also deliver a more efficient, predictable and citizenfocussed passport service. A major milestone in improving customer service and delivering efficiencies has already since been reached with the launch of the Passport Online Application Service in March It allows adult citizens to renew their passports online, no matter where in the world they are based. By 2019, we envisage that this service will be available to all Irish citizens, including children and people applying for their first passport. Learn more about the Passport Online Application Service at 9

10 Our People European Football Championships (EURO2016) Ireland s participation in the European Football Championships (Euro2016) brought 100,000 Ireland fans to France at a time when that country was subject to a national state of emergency following a series of terrorist attacks. This was one of the largest and most complex consular operations the Department has ever undertaken. The significant level of work involved, and particularly by the HQ Consular Directorate and the team at the Irish Embassy in Paris, was acknowledged when the Department was awarded the 2016 Civil Service Excellence Award for Customer Service for ensuring that travelling Irish fans were kept well-informed and safe and that support was there for them throughout as needed. A working group involving also the FAI and An Garda Síochána was established to coordinate on crisis planning and communicating key messages to the travelling public. Steps taken included the distribution of flyers at friendly matches in Dublin and in Cork before the tournament began and through airlines, tour operators, airports, ferry ports, Irish bars and fanzones in France. These provided travel tips, a list of consular services available to Irish citizens and details of Consular helpline numbers. In addition to extensive use of social 10

11 media and web platforms, the Department also incorporated other new technologies and tools, such as the TravelWise app, to engage with Irish citizens in innovative and dynamic ways. The Department s priority at all times was to make certain that all appropriate measures were in place to ensure that Irish citizens attending Euro 2016 stayed safe. This included a consular hub at Embassy Paris which operated 24/7 during Ireland s participation in the tournament and the establishment of temporary pop-up Consulates in Bordeaux, Lille and Lyon. With the Republic of Ireland and the Northern Ireland teams both making it through to the tournament s knockout stages, Irish fans, as always, projected a very positive and colourful image of Ireland abroad. The Department s extensive public information campaign was wellreceived by Irish fans who were awarded a medal from the City of Paris as the best fans of the tournament for their respect and cooperation with police and the authorities in France. The experience of Euro2016 has generated massive learning and efficiencies for the Department s handling of major events that involve large numbers of Irish citizens travelling abroad. 11

12 Our People Ireland 1916 Commemorations The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme included an invitation to all the people on the island of Ireland and to our diaspora and friends around the world to join in the commemorations by remembering the past, reflecting on the achievements of the last century and imagining the future together. This invitation was extended worldwide throughout 2016 by the Department and Ireland s Embassy/Consulate network, working closely with Culture Ireland, local Irish communities and partner institutions, through the Centenary Programme s Global and Diaspora strand. Over 700 events took place in some 156 cities and 60 countries around the world to mark the events of 1916 and to celebrate the journey of Irish history and culture in the century since. Missions partnered with over 125 organisations in support of these events. Specific highlights included: 1916 Portraits and Lives With support from the Department, the Royal Irish Academy s 1916 Portraits and Lives exhibition, which consists of prints by artist David Rooney accompanying biographical pieces on 42 individuals connected with the Rising, were displayed in Ireland s Embassy/Consulate network in 10 cities in nine countries. The Department also supported the cost of making the original book version of Portraits and Lives available as a free e-book gift from Ireland to the World for download from St. Patrick s Day through to the Rising s centenary on 24 th / 25 th April The e-book was downloaded over 73,000 times from over 50 countries. Rising to Reconciliation On 10 April 2016, Minister Flanagan welcomed guests who have contributed to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland, including US Senator George Mitchell, to a special event staged by the Department in partnership with Poetry Ireland at the Abbey Theatre on the 18th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Through poetry, music, drama and imagery, Rising to Reconciliation charted the path from the Easter Rising of 1916 to the

13 Agreement and the advancement of reconciliation on the island of Ireland over the last century. The event included live readings and music by some of the island s finest and most respected artists such as Cathy Belton, Paul Brady, Neil Martin, Eleanor Methven, Stuart Graham, Andrew Scott and was MC d by broadcaster Olivia O Leary. Commemoration through the Arts The Global and Diaspora Programme s music, theatre, poetry, dance and visual arts elements were all strongly supported by Ireland s Embassy/Consulate network and highlighted a century of Irish history and culture to tens of thousands of people around the world. These included more than 80 concerts and musical events across 44 cities worldwide, over 20 different plays in 40+ locations and more than 100 screenings of films such as A Terrible Beauty and Mise Éire. Ireland 100 Ireland 100: Celebrating a Century of Irish Culture, which took place at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. from 17 May to 5 June 2016, was the centrepiece of the 1916 centenary programme in the USA. The festival featured more than 120 performances and was attended by over 66,000 people. It showcased some of Ireland s most renowned artists and works, including the Abbey Theatre s modern staging of The Plough and the Stars. The opening night performance was attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden as well as many notable Irish and U.S. dignitaries. Imagining Ireland President Higgins attended the Imagining Ireland concert held in the Royal Festival Hall in London on 29 April. The concert, produced by the National Concert Hall in association with Serious Music in London, celebrated Ireland s musical journey over the last 100 years and the strong musical links between Ireland and Britain. The concert was supported by Culture Ireland and by Embassy London as part of the Ireland 2016 Global and Diaspora programme. Ireland Rising With input from the Ireland 2016 Office and support from Ireland s National Cultural Institutions, the Department created an Ireland Rising exhibition which focused on the 1916 Easter Rising s international dimensions, the political, social and cultural forces that shaped this period and the global context that influenced the Rising. The Ireland Rising exhibition was displayed in over 20 locations around the world, in many cases accompanied by film screenings or academic events such as a 1916 commemorative lecture by Dr. Martin Mansergh in Singapore and a seminar in Beijing on the Easter Rising organised by the Beijing Foreign Studies University and the Irish Studies Network in conjunction with the Embassy of Ireland. Screenings of 1916: The Irish Rebellion Documentary An initiative by the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies at the University of Notre Dame and narrated by Liam Neeson, 1916: The Irish Rebellion details the events of Easter 1916 in Ireland in their historical, political and cultural context through a combination of rarely-seen archival footage, new segments filmed on location worldwide and interviews with leading international experts. 13

14 A gala Irish screening of the documentary in the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 16 March was shown live at diaspora screenings organised by Ireland s Embassy/Consulate network in Paris, London, Madrid, Belgrade, Budapest, A Coruna University in Spain and to members of the Irish Defence Forces on peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and the Golan Heights. Ireland s Embassies and Consulates also arranged for subsequent screenings in over 80 different cities across 25 countries. Academic Commemorative Events More than 120 academic lectures, conferences, seminars and talks on the 1916 Rising took place over 70 cities and 57 universities worldwide throughout Often connecting the Irish historical commemorations with the host location of these events, lectures and conferences spanned a variety of topics such as Roger Casement s humanitarian legacy and time in Nigeria, the connections between Argentina and Ireland during the revolutionary period, Irish contributions to Western Australia, German involvement in the Rising and Irish-American nationalism within the context of the Rising. 14

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16 Our Values Uganda Strategy Ireland s new Country Strategy for Uganda was launched by the Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Joe McHugh T.D., during his visit there in July The Strategy [which can be read at outlines how Ireland s Embassy will promote Irish interests and values in Uganda over the next five years, in line with our foreign policy as set out in The Global Island, and Ireland s policy for international development, One World, One Future. The Country Strategy brings together the broad range of work undertaken by the Embassy in Uganda, including implementing Ireland s development assistance programme; promoting trade between Uganda and Ireland; providing consular assistance and visa services; deepening political relations; promoting Irish culture and reaching out to the Irish diaspora in Uganda. It builds on the Embassy s continuous efforts to develop and enhance Ireland-Uganda links since opening in One area of growing importance is the deepening of trade and business links between Uganda and Ireland. Uganda is a vital emerging market in East Africa, and holds many opportunities for Irish businesses. The Country Strategy includes a commitment to support the development of these business and trade links, both in Uganda and across the East Africa region. Also central to the Strategy is the Embassy s work to tackle poverty and social exclusion in Uganda. The Irish Aid programme will see an investment of over 83 million in Uganda over the five year period This investment builds on the impressive impact of the aid programme to date, with an external evaluation finding that the Irish Aid programme had 16

17 delivered tangible and widely acknowledged results in Uganda. The investment will be focused on HIV prevention, education, governance and human rights, social protection and humanitarian support with a particular focus on Karamoja, the poorest region in Uganda. Minister of State McHugh saw first-hand the work of Irish Aid during his visit to Uganda, travelling to Karamoja, as well as Adjumani near the border with South Sudan, and meeting with beneficiaries of the Senior Citizens Grant programme which is jointly supported by Ireland and the UK. 17

18 Our Values UN Summit on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants In early 2016, Ireland was asked to co-facilitate the negotiations on the outcome for the UN Summit on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. This followed our successful cofacilitation of the process leading to the adoption of the ground breaking Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, with Ireland s Ambassador to the United Nations in New York, David Donoghue, once again asked to lead on negotiations, which took place over six months from March to August of The Summit was held on 19 September 2016 at the UN in New York. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called for this Summit in response to the current large movements of migrants and refugees on a scale not seen since the aftermath of the Second World War. Recognising the enormous difficulties and challenges inherent in this situation, and in the absence of any agreed international response, Ban Ki-moon saw the Summit as a watershed moment to strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants. 18

19 On 19 th September, 193 UN Member States adopted by consensus the outcome document that Ireland had negotiated. They agreed to to come up with a blueprint for a better international response, which would clearly reaffirm the centrality of the already existing legal and normative framework relating to refugees and migrants and commit to its implementation. More significantly all UN Member States agreed, for the first time ever, to negotiate Global Compacts on Refugees and on Migration by They acknowledged that current efforts are inadequate; that there is a need to share the responsibility to protect and assist refugees; and that the protection regime is chronically underfunded. The processes to agree these Global Compacts on Refugees and on Migration are currently under way and Ireland will continue to play an active role in them as a UN and EU Member State. 19

20 Our Values Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons In October 2016, Ireland led an historic vote at the United Nations resulting in the convening of a ground-breaking diplomatic conference to negotiate a new legal instrument for the prohibition of nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination. We are committed to this process due to our increased understanding of the devastating consequences of these weapons, the inadequacy of any possible humanitarian response and the need for urgent action due to the increased risk of a nuclear weapon detonation, either deliberate or by accident. This conference represented the first multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations in over twenty years and was an important step towards the fulfilment of commitments made under the existing Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the shared goal of achieving a world free from nuclear weapons. The negotiations aimed for the broadest possible level of agreement and are open to all states, civil society partners and international organisations. It was agreed that the conference would take its mandate from a Resolution adopted by 123 UN Member States which was brought forward by Ireland together with five key partners; Austria, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa. Ireland was also actively engaged in a working group on Taking Forward Multilateral Disarmament Negotiations and three conferences on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons which together 20

21 provided additional impetus for progress. Our involvement in this process also occurred in fulfilment of our commitments under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. One particular issue to which Ireland drew attention is the disproportionate effect of ionising radiation on women and girls, as well as the need for greater female empowerment in disarmament discussions. Historically, nuclear disarmament has been a priority for the Irish Government and our efforts in this area were recognised when Ireland was the first country invited to sign the NPT. Ireland continues to be a respected voice on disarmament and non-proliferation issues and our current team are proud to continue in this strong tradition. 21

22 Our Values Humanitarian Assistance In 2016, 130 million people worldwide were in need of humanitarian assistance and 65 million people were displaced from their homes due to ongoing violence, conflict and natural disasters. Irish Aid, the Irish Government s overseas aid programme, worked on behalf of Irish people to save and protect lives, reduce suffering and maintain human dignity, by meeting urgent needs in some of the world s poorest countries. The total humanitarian assistance delivered by Ireland in 2016 was over 190 million. This assistance was delivered on the ground by our partners United Nations agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organisations who can ensure that humanitarian supplies and services reach the places where and when they are most needed. Last year, a significant amount of Ireland s humanitarian assistance was directed to the situation in Syria where ongoing conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis. Over 13 million people are in need of urgent, life-saving aid and protection, and millions have been forced to leave their homes. Thanks to the continued support of the Irish people, Irish Aid delivered over 25 million in humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people in 2016, bringing Ireland s total funding to those affected by the conflict in Syria to 67.5 million since

23 In 2016, we also provided significant humanitarian assistance of over 22 million to countries in the Horn of Africa, where people s lives continue to be critically affected by ongoing violence and severe food shortages. Ireland is particularly committed to providing humanitarian assistance to forgotten crises, which do not always make the news headlines. Last year we responded to the dire humanitarian situation of people in Iraq and Yemen, and provided support to those affected by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti in October A central feature of Ireland s overseas humanitarian assistance programme is the Rapid Response Initiative. 37 Rapid Responders were sent by Irish Aid to support specific humanitarian needs in 20 countries, and some 357 tonnes of emergency relief supplies, such as tents, water containers, hygiene kits and tools, were airlifted to meet urgent needs across the globe. You can find out more about the Rapid Response Initiative at 23

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25 Our Prosperity Trade Missions During 2016, Ireland s 80-strong network of Embassies and Consulates supported 22 highlevel trade missions led by a range of Government Ministers across all Departments to 17 countries in Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Some 457 Irish companies took part in these trade missions, benefiting from high-level access and introductions to contacts in their fields as part of efforts to increase their overseas business and raise awareness of their companies abroad. Advancing Ireland s trade, tourism, education and investment objectives is an important aspect of Ireland s foreign policy and of the Department s work. The Embassy and Consulate network also actively supports this goal, as well as engaging in economic diplomacy more generally. Ministerial-led Trade Missions are designed to complement the ongoing year-round work of our Embassy/Consulate network and State Agencies in promoting awareness of and confidence in Ireland as a place to invest and do business. They are a key component of our overall market diversification strategy, as we develop our economic resilience in response to challenges in the international trading environment. The programme of trade missions is developed jointly by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and other Government Departments and State agencies. It reflects our high level goals in priority markets and supports our efforts to develop opportunities in new and emerging markets for Irish companies. 25

26 Two economic sectors that received particular emphasis in 2016 were agri-food and education. In September, Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton T.D. led an education trade mission to China. One outcome of this trade mission was the signature of 26 Memoranda of Understanding with Chinese third level education institutes. There are now c. 160 bilateral agreements in place between Irish and Chinese higher level education institutions. With over 5,000 Chinese students registered at Irish higher education institutions, education cooperation continues to be an important element of our overall engagement with China. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed T.D. and Minister of State Andrew Doyle T.D. led further trade missions throughout the year to China, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and Morocco, supported by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) and other Departments, as well as the Embassies / Consulates concerned. The successful outcomes of these trade missions included the opening of markets for Irish beef in Canada, Israel and New Zealand. The US authorities also formally opened the market for Irish beef for grinding into the U.S. 26

27 Our Prosperity Global Celebrations of St. Patrick s Day St. Patrick s Day is one of the most well-known national holidays in the world, celebrating the over 70 million members of the Irish diaspora across the globe. Through our network of Embassies and Consulates, and with the support of our State Agencies, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organises an annual programme of activities and celebrations in over 100 countries. The St. Patrick s Day programme promotes trade and tourism, and enhances Ireland s visibility and reputation internationally. In 2016, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and eight Government Ministers travelled abroad to six priority markets in order to raise awareness of Ireland as a trade, tourism, investment and education destination. Our Embassy and Consulate network assisted with almost 350 events in cities ranging from Atlanta and Cairo to Tokyo and Moscow; there were St. Patrick s Day celebrations organised on nearly every continent (we haven t quite made it to Antarctica yet!) Our business-focused events, which we organised jointly with State Agencies, were attended by almost 16,000 representatives of Irish and international companies. St. Patrick's Day also provides an annual opportunity for the Taoiseach and Irish Ministers to meet with Presidents, Prime Ministers and a wide range of other key decision-makers and influencers around the world. In 2016 we organised 114 such meetings around St. Patrick s Day, as well as supporting St. Patrick s Day parades and festivals through our Embassy/ Consulate network which were attended by over seven million people. We also participated in Tourism Ireland's Global Greening initiative: 240 buildings and landmarks in 45 countries went green to celebrate the occasion. This was the 7 th year of the Global Greening and new greenings included the World Trade Center at Ground Zero in New York, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Yas Viceroy hotel in Abu Dhabi and the Nelson Mandela 27

28 statue in Johannesburg. To mark Irish Aid s commitment to a greener climate, we also greened Ahmed the Elephant in Nairobi, celebrating wildlife conservation efforts in Kenya. For more information, see 28

29 Our Prosperity Africa Ireland Economic Forum The fifth Africa Ireland Economic Forum was held in the Convention Centre, Dublin in June Organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in partnership with the African Ambassadors resident in Ireland, the Forum is a flagship event of the Department s Africa Strategy. The Forum brings together business, government, policy advisors and civil society representatives to support the development of closer economic and trade connections between Ireland and countries in Africa. The 2016 Forum attracted over 300 participants, with a specific sectoral focus on agribusiness, energy/cleantech and aviation/aerospace. These are sectors where Ireland has particular expertise and experience, which furthermore have significant potential to contribute to lasting economic development in Africa. The Forum was opened by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms. Mary Mitchell O Connor T.D., who welcomed recent investments in Africa and emphasised the importance of private sector involvement. Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Mr. Joe McHugh T.D. and Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture Mr. Andrew Doyle T.D. also addressed the event, reflecting the whole-of- Government approach to trade promotion and economic development. Other high-level speakers at the Forum included Mr. Charles Boamah, Vice President of the African Development Bank, Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation of Nigeria, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Dr. Nelson Magbagbeol, Secretary General of the Economic Community of West African States. 29

30 Immediately prior to the main conference, and to complement the meetings at the Forum, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also organised a Trade and Investment Promotion Roundtable, at which African trade and investment promotion agencies were able to discuss enhanced two-way economic engagement with their Irish counterparts. The Forum also hosted the launch of a new business network, Business Ireland Africa. To find out more, visit 30

31 Our Prosperity The 2016 Dublin Conference of the Small Advanced Economies Initiative In September 2016, the Ireland hosted the annual Principals Conference of the Small Advanced Economies Initiative, which met in Dublin Castle from 6-8 September. Jointly organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Science Foundation Ireland, the Conference provided an opportunity for key senior officials and policymakers from Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland to share insights and knowledge in the areas of science and innovation, economic policy and foreign affairs. The agenda for the Conference was wide-ranging, covering a range topics such as relations with large states and entities, civil society discontent with globalization, climate change, research and development, economic competitiveness, and the role of the diaspora. Participants also discussed small state diplomacy, economic complexity trends, productivity and competitiveness, regional fragmentation, research commercialisation, ODA and climate change. In the Foreign Affairs and Trade discussions, there was an opening session on the relationship of small states to big neighbours (Ireland and Britain, Singapore and China) and a presentation by Ireland on the bilateral relationship with Britain. The second plenary was focussed on the theme of The Great Unravelling? Rising civil society discontent with globalisation: Challenge and Opportunity for small states. Participants had a very useful presentation and discussion with the OECD on business success in the digital age. 31

32 Key themes in the economics and science and innovation streams of the Conference included a presentation by Ireland on competitiveness and productivity growth ; economic complexity trends over time by Singapore; Science Funding Horizon Scan and the Future of Public Science Systems by New Zealand and a presentation on STEM and public engagement with society by Ireland. Other elements to the conference included a delegates reception hosted by Minister Flanagan at Iveagh House, a demonstration by Fablabs Ireland on the potential of new technology to address social and economic issues; a visit to Trinity College for a briefing by Science Foundation Ireland on Ireland s innovation system; a working dinner at Farmleigh with a keynote address by former GATT and WTO Director General and Competition Commissioner Peter Sutherland and a closing reception address by Professor of Technology and Business Innovation at NUI Maynooth, Martin Curley. 32

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34 Our Place in Europe Brexit UK Referendum Outcome On 23 June 2016, the British people decided that the UK would leave the EU. The Government, while disappointed by this result, respected it and was fully prepared for the outcome. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade played a crucial role in implementing the Government s contingency plan and shaping Ireland s strategic response to Brexit. A key dimension of this strategic response was a comprehensive and targeted diplomatic effort across Europe and with the UK, as well as active engagement with the parties in Northern Ireland, to ensure that the implications of Brexit for Ireland were fully understood. The aim of this effort was to ensure that Ireland s concerns were acknowledged by our partners and our objectives and priorities for the forthcoming negotiations on the UK s withdrawal from the EU were supported. These objectives and priorities were clear from the beginning: - Full protection of the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process, including avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland; - Maintenance of the Common Travel Area; - Minimising the impact on Ireland s trade and economy; - Securing Ireland s place at the heart of a well-functioning EU. 34

35 On 24 June 2016, the Department s plan swung immediately into action. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his officials fanned out across Europe to explain the serious challenges for Ireland as a result of the UK s Brexit decision. Ireland s diplomatic missions across the world, and particularly in the EU and the UK, complemented these efforts through constant engagement with our partners on the ground as well as wider society across Europe and in the UK. Building on a series of coordinated ministerial engagements with Irish communities in the UK in the run-up to the Referendum, engagement with the Irish community continued throughout the year. In addition, there were regular consultations with stakeholders at home, including through the Export Trade Council, to ensure their concerns were reflected in the Government s position for the negotiations. Within weeks of the referendum, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade had spoken to all his EU counterparts, as well as the British Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and also all the party leaders in Northern Ireland. These contacts continued throughout the rest of 2016 and included a crucial meeting in Dublin on 12 October with Michel Barnier, the recently appointed chief EU negotiator for the Brexit talks. In total, from 24 June to the end of 2016, over 140 engagements took place at Ministerial and official level with EU partners, the UK and parties in Northern Ireland. All were aimed at securing support for Ireland s Brexit priorities. This serious diplomatic effort was successful, leading ultimately to a strong acknowledgement of Ireland s concerns and priorities in the EU s and the UK s negotiating positions and support from our EU partners in agreeing to make Ireland and Northern Ireland a priority issue in the EU-UK negotiations. 35

36 Our Place in Europe Brexit - Visit to Dublin by European Commission s Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier On 12 October 2016, Minister Charlie Flanagan met in Dublin with the European Commission s Chief Negotiator on Brexit, Michel Barnier. The meeting formed part of Mr. Barnier s first visit to Ireland following his appointment to the role earlier that month. Taking place ahead of the formal opening of Brexit negotiations, the meeting allowed for discussion of key issues arising for Ireland. The unique situation in relation to Northern Ireland, the border and the central importance of this dimension to all on the island of Ireland were a particular focus of exchanges. Mr. Barnier s programme while in Dublin also included further separate meetings with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald at which issues relating to Northern Ireland, the Common Travel Area and the depth of Ireland s economic and trade relationship with the UK were also discussed. Minister Flanagan also held a range of other meetings and engagements with his counterparts across all EU capitals and with key figures in the EU institutions throughout

37 Our Place in Europe 11th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D., represented Ireland at the 11 th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit held in Mongolia on July Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers from 51 countries across Europe and Asia representing twothirds of world's population & accounting for almost two-thirds of global trade, as well as the EU & ASEAN, attended the Summit. The Summit marked the 20 th anniversary of ASEM and focused on the theme of enhancing partnership and connectivity between Europe and Asia. Leaders also had an opportunity to discuss key regional and international issues, including migration, maritime security and the DPRK. The participants reiterated their commitment to working closely to fight terrorism in a joint statement issued following the terrorist attack in Nice, which occurred on the morning of the opening day of the Summit. As the Summit took place shortly after the UK referendum on EU membership, Minister Flanagan s address provided an early opportunity to reaffirm Ireland s position at the heart of the European Union and the Eurozone to our Asian partners. Minister Flanagan underlined that Ireland s EU membership remains central to the success of our open, competitive economy and that it has been the foundation for much of our social progress over the last four decades. Minister Flanagan also took the opportunity to hold informal discussions with EU counterparts on the outcome of the referendum. 37

38 During the Summit and in bilateral meetings held with Asian Foreign Ministers over the course of the two days, Minister Flanagan also expressed Ireland s interest in broadening and deepening our relations with countries in the Asia Pacific region. Ireland now has 13 Embassies and Consulates in the region, including in Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam. Documents from the Summit meeting are available to view at 38

39 Our Place in Europe EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy EU High Representative Federica Mogherini presented a new EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy to the European Council on 28 June The Strategy sets out a vision for the EU s foreign and security policy. It commits the European Union to promoting peace, prosperity, democracy and the rule of law around the world. It recognises the need to invest more in conflict resolution and tackle the root causes of instability. This includes strengthening the Union s capacity to contribute international peace and security, particularly in support of the UN, as part of an integrated approach involving also assistance for economic development and state and societal capacity building on governance, rule of law and human rights From Ireland s perspective, the Strategy includes many positive elements. These include a focus on conflict prevention, the Middle East Peace Process, disarmament, development cooperation, human rights, gender and a commitment to promoting global governance and multilateralism, including the UN. A plan to implement the Strategy was adopted at the November 2016 Foreign Affairs Council meeting and endorsed by the European Council at its December 2016 meeting. Ireland played an active role in shaping the EU Global Strategy and will continue to engage closely on its implementation in the coming years. 39

40 40 DFAT Annual Report 2016

41 Our Influence Colombia Peace Agreement 2016 was a historic year for Colombia, as the Government there signed a peace accord with the FARC rebel group, ending over 50 years of conflict in the country. Ireland supported the peace process in Colombia, with our work to share the experience of peacebuilding in Northern Ireland being particularly valued as a contribution by all sides in Colombia. Pictured above are four women from Northern Ireland Denise Hughes, Geraldine McAteer, Monica McWilliams and Úna Jennings who travelled to Colombia in November 2016 for a programme focused on women and peacebuilding and gender-based violence in postconflict. With the support of DFAT, the visitors met with women s groups, civil society, and senior Colombian officials and also made a two-day field visit to the marginalised and conflict-affected region of Putumayo. In the image above, they are pictured meeting with a women s group in Putumayo. Ireland became a founder member of the EU Trust Fund for the Colombian Peace Process which was launched in 2016 and will provide a total of 3 million to the Fund. Ireland also provided funding to the UN Trust Fund in Colombia for its work in supporting the implementation of the peace accords and to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia which is responsible for monitoring the human rights aspects of 41

42 the peace accords. Irish Aid provide funding to Christian Aid whose work in Colombia is focussed on the role of civil society and human rights defenders. Former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr. Eamon Gilmore was appointed as EU Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process in 2015, his role being to spearhead the EU s work to support the implementation of the agreement. Throughout 2016, Mr. Gilmore engaged with the Colombian government and opposition, FARC delegations, Colombian civil society, and the international community on the negotiation of the accords. 42

43 Our Influence State Visit to Vietnam In November 2016, Ireland marked 20 years of diplomatic relations with Vietnam with the first State Visit to the country by an Irish President. President Higgins' programme began in Hanoi, with meetings with the country s political leaders including Vietnam's President Quang. The two Presidents discussed their countries cooperation in number of areas, including education and human resources, agriculture cooperation and development matters. Ireland has a number of cooperation agreements with Vietnam and on this visit a further agreement was signed in the area of co-operation in higher education. Commercial agreements were also concluded in the renewable energy, medical technology and communications sectors. Vietnam has been one of Irish Aid s key partner countries since 2007 and Ireland has a strong reputation for influencing policy and designing programmes to address poverty in Vietnam. President Higgins visited several Irish Aid-supported projects, including the Mine Action Visitor Centre run by Project RENEW, which explains the efforts of government authorities, local residents and international organisations, including Irish Aid, to address the problem of unexploded ordnance since the Vietnam War ended. The President also visited Vinh O commune, where livelihood support, training of local leaders and community members and construction of basic community infrastructure (such as rural road connections, commune centre, school rooms, clinic etc.) has been supported through the Vietnamese Government s Programme 135, a poverty reduction programme 43

44 targeting poor and marginalised communities to which Irish Aid has provided longstanding support. A successful output of work under Programme 135 was a decision by the Government of Vietnam to address the issue of early marriage. Ireland supported the Gender Department of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs to disseminate the new measure in rural areas. President Higgins also travelled to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam s biggest city, where he met with members of the growing Irish community, including Irish businesspeople and entrepreneurs. 44

45 Our Influence Visit to Ireland by US Secretary of State John Kerry On 30 October 2016, Minister Flanagan met with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Aherlow, Co. Tipperary. Secretary of State Kerry was visiting Ireland in order to receive the Tipperary International Peace Award. At their meeting, Minister Flanagan briefed Secretary Kerry on developments in the Northern Ireland Peace Process and thanked him for his personal commitment to the process of peace and reconciliation on this island. Secretary Kerry was joined at the meeting by Senator Gary Hart, his Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, whom Minister Flanagan also thanked for his dedication, skill and insight. Minister Flanagan and Secretary Kerry also discussed the United Kingdom s decision to leave the European Union. Minister Flanagan reiterated Ireland s commitment to working closely with its EU partners and with the UK as preparations were put in train for the withdrawal. He also stressed to Secretary Kerry that Ireland remains a committed member of the EU and that we wanted as close a relationship as possible between the UK and the EU in the future. Minister Flanagan and Secretary Kerry also discussed a number of bilateral issues, including immigration reform in the US, as well as a number of international issues, notably the situation in Syria. 45

46 Our Influence Launch of the New Irish Aid Development Education Strategy In December 2016, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan T.D., and Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Joe McHugh T.D., launched the new Irish Aid Development Education Strategy. The overarching goal of the Development Education Strategy is that, through the provision of development education, Irish citizens are empowered to analyse and challenge the root causes and consequences of global hunger, poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change. This will inspire and enable us to become active global citizens in the creation of a fairer and more sustainable future for all. The Development Education Strategy is the product of a collaborative and wide-ranging engagement process with the formal education, youth, adult and community education, civil society and development sectors as well as other government department and agencies. To support the development of the new strategy, Irish Aid invited the Global Education Network Europe (GENE) to conduct a European Peer Review of development education in Ireland. This Peer Review, which took place in 2015, engaged widely with the development education sector and made a number of recommendations. As we face new global challenges in a rapidly changing world, the Development Education Strategy will guide the Department s work in promoting public understanding of the causes 46

47 of global inequality. Informed and engaged citizens are best placed to understand and therefore address complex social, economic and environmental issues linked to development. We will work to bring quality development education to a wide audience in a diverse range of settings - from classrooms to university campuses, from youth clubs to community groups - to foster the values of active global citizenship. More information about the Department s Development Education work and a copy of the Development Education Strategy can be found at 47

48 Meet Our Staff 48

49 My Year 2016 Clare Brosnan (Embassy London) Marking the centenary of the Easter Rising and the historical events of 1916 meant 2016 was always going to be a busy and multifaceted year for the team at Embassy London. An interesting year, however, became extraordinary as we woke up on June 24 th - or stayed up as I and many others did for the unfolding drama - as the ballot boxes endorsed Brexit. Having hoped for the best but prepared for the worst, we did not have time to dwell on our disappointment. Working closely with colleagues in Dublin we rolled out our Brexit contingency plans to address Ireland s key concerns. We also rolled up our sleeves to post an unprecedented number of passport application forms 100,000! The backdrop of the Ireland 2016 commemorations programme, coinciding with the EU referendum campaign, provided many moments to reflect on our complex past, present and future in our relationship with the UK. With 100 events here, the year was bookended by spirited debates as part of the Embassy s Lecture Series and a special New Year s Eve celebration with RTE. Personal highlights included a 1916 Embassy open day and spine tingling renditions of songs and anthems at venues from the Southbank Centre to Wigmore Hall. It was at all times a privilege to be part of the London team in such a momentous year. 49

50 Claire Coughlan (DCD) Secretary to the Director General, Development Cooperation Division, Supporting the Election Observation Desk and the In Country Micro Projects Scheme was a particularly busy and interesting year for me. The highlight was the opportunity to take part in two short term assignments in Turkey and Vietnam to provide support to visits by President Higgins. My main role within the Development Cooperation Division is working in the Director General s office where I provide support to the Director General and ensure that the Office operates efficiently and effectively. It is an extremely interesting role and one where I also have the opportunity to interact with colleagues within the Division and across the Department. In 2016, in addition to the day-to-day office duties, I organised ten overseas trips for the Director General, including trips with the Secretary General and the Minister of State, as well as coordinating the briefing documents. I also organised 22 Senior Management Group meetings across both Limerick and Dublin. In 2016 I took part in the consultation process for DCD for the roll out of the new E submission site and I am now the focal point for the Division. I find the system extremely efficient particularly with offices in Dublin and Limerick. On the Election Observation Desk, in 2016, I oversaw 68 deployments (14 long term observers and 24 short term observers) across 16 different countries (10 OSCE and 6 EU missions). Also another highlight in 2016, was completing my first Election Observation Mission to Ghana with the EU in December which was a great learning experience. 50

51 Ten Embassies / Consulates in total received funding from the In Country Micro Projects Scheme in 2016, with a total spend of just under 300,000. This scheme supports local nongovernmental organisations in small scale development projects. My role was to liaise with the Embassies / Consulates abroad to ensure their budget allocations were fully spent and their projects were within the guidelines of the scheme. 51

52 Elizabeth Coyle (Embassy Canberra) I have worked at Embassy Canberra for the last 38 years and over that time it has been an enormous privilege to be part of a great team both past and present in witnessing the significant changes over the years. The Embassy is Canberra is also accredited to New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. I have worked in many and varied roles over the years and witnessed, at first hand, the high regard in which this Mission is held among the Irish community. My current role is Executive Assistant to the Head of Mission and also assisting with cultural activities. My tasks and duties vary from providing administrative support to the Ambassador to arranging our annual St Patrick s Day celebration which is a highlight of the Embassy calendar was an important year for the Embassy as we celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia with the launch of an online photographic exhibition and a series of cultural concerts featuring visiting Irish artists at the Embassy Residence. 52

53 Fintan Coyle (Passport Office, Dublin) I ve been a member of the Passport Reform Team, which is based in Mount Street in Dublin, since That means I m part of developing a comprehensive reform package which will aim to meet the needs of the Passport Service over the next 10 years. Our main objectives are to provide our citizens with a choice of application channels, to ensure the security of the passport and to support staff in the adoption of new business processes and technology. I am proud to be part of a team that developed the world s first passport card, which was introduced at the end of last year. While this travel document may be small in size, it presented huge challenges, from the security features that are evident on the card to the processing of the applications in the back office. We addressed each challenge with professionalism, as a team that I really enjoy being part of. Throughout 2016 I delivered additional internal security processes across the Passport Service and continued to monitor the success of the passport card. The public feedback on the card has been excellent. The introduction of the system for delivery of the passport card was of great help to me and my colleagues in planning and developing our next big project the introduction of an adult online renewal service in 2017! Moving our customers into the digital space is important as it helps to future proof the system and ensures that we give them the best service possible. I ve also been leading a project on the introduction of changes to the production system in the office in parallel with this, as the two have to complement each other. Next year will be my final year as a public servant as I look forward to the next chapter of my life. I have been fortunate in the Department to work on very interesting projects and have made lifelong friends. I am sure that the Passport Reform Team will continue to innovate and introduce change in my absence and I wish them every success. 53

54 Emer Deane (PR Brussels) I lead the Brexit Unit at Ireland's diplomatic mission (the Permanent Representation) to the EU. My unit ensures that Ireland's approach to the EU-UK negotiations is understood and supported by key actors in the EU institutions and by officials from other EU countries in Brussels who are feeding into Brexit policy-making within their governments. With Ambassador Declan Kelleher, my unit is responsible for Ireland s interaction with the European Commission s Article 50 Task Force led by Michel Barnier. The Task Force was established by the European Council to negotiate with the UK on the arrangements for its withdrawal from the EU, under the close political direction of EU leaders, including the Taoiseach. The unit has worked intensively, and successfully, in Brussels to help ensure that Ireland's unique situation is recognised by other EU partner states. As the impact of Brexit will be felt on a whole range of sectors in Ireland, my unit draws on the expertise of all Government Departments on all matters concerning the EU-UK negotiations. We also brief, consult, and share ideas with other stakeholders in Brussels, including with Ireland's MEPs, Committee of the Regions and EESC members, and with visiting delegations from Ireland, as well as with many international media outlets based in Brussels. 54

55 Eimear Friel (PSM) To say 2016 was a memorable year would be an understatement. The world was a different place by the end of it. To be in the role of Private Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is a privilege at the best of times; in 2016 it was unforgettable. As the year opened, commemorations was the theme. In the early days of January I found myself on a plane to New York where the Minister would launch the 2016 Global and Diaspora commemorations programme. It was a time to be immensely proud of just how far we had travelled as a nation in one hundred years. Commemorations threaded its way throughout the year. I ve seen enough wreath-laying ceremonies to write the handbook on the pitfalls don t wear high heels! And I m fairly sure I could join the Army Band and put in a passable version of the National Anthem. And then we woke up on the morning of 24 June and our nearest neighbours had voted for a change that would have a profound effect on Ireland: Brexit. Everything stepped up a gear and the Ministerial programme of engagement got even more intense. Protecting Ireland s interests as best we could from the impacts of Brexit became the Government s priority; to see close up and be a small part of the response to this decision was both humbling and instructive. But routine business carried on. Consular and passport queries continued. Regular visits to Belfast, Armagh, and Derry and monthly trips to Brussels or Luxembourg for Foreign Affairs Council meetings remained a feature of the diary. As we racked up the destinations from the near - London, Paris, Berlin, Bratislava, Strasbourg to the far Mongolia, Beijing, Vietnam, Riyadh, UAE I learnt the art of rapid packing and working on the go. A few memories stand out: seeing President Obama receive the famous bowl of Shamrock; walking down 5 th Avenue on St Patrick s Day; descending into Riyadh seeing desert like I ve never seen before; visiting our troops in the Golan Heights; sitting in a yurt in Mongolia; and waking up to an attempted coup in Turkey which would result in an unexpected diversion to Beijing. 55

56 But by far the greatest impression I will take from 2016 is of the amazing colleagues we all work with across the globe, whose dedication to Ireland and who we are goes above and beyond, and the overwhelming appreciation of the scale of what goes on in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade day in, day out. 56

57 Brian Glynn (Embassy Brasilia) 2016 was a memorable year for Ireland in Brazil. I was delighted to join colleagues in an extensive programme of Ireland 2016 events to mark the remarkable life and sad death of Roger Casement, who served as British Consul in Brazil in the early twentieth century. Together with our colleagues in the Consulate General in São Paulo, we were involved in events in cities across Brazil with the highlight being a high-profile seminar on Casement s life and human rights work on St Patrick s Day in Brasilia. An emotional moment for me personally came on 3 August, when I laid a wreath to mark the hundredth anniversary of Casement s execution in our temporary Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, the city in which he himself had served as Consul General.(Link to tweet: ) The staff of the Embassy and Consulate General in São Paulo transferred temporarily to Rio de Janeiro for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We operated a temporary Consulate there to provide support to the athletes, their families and supporters who did Ireland proud over the course of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. While it is difficult to pick out highlights from that period, I will remember the valiant efforts of the Olympic athletes who clocked up so many national records. The warmth, friendliness, enthusiasm and sheer determination of the Paralympic athletes will stay with me forever. 57

58 Jim Hennessy (Embassy Riga) Video to be inserted Like a number of Irish Embassies one diplomat covers the full range of the Mission s work on trade and bilateral relations was memorable in Riga because our 1916 story resonated strongly. That period was also a hinge in their history. In the wake of the Russian revolution change swept across the Baltics and Latvia declared independence in The Minister has set out clear objectives in the Global Island Foreign Policy Review and the Department s Statement of Strategy. With limited resources we really have to prioritise carefully. We get very detailed direction from Dublin through continuous video conferencing with DFAT, D/Taoiseach and D/Finance so we are clear what we need the target on the EU agenda and in the Trade area. We are in regular contact with Enterprise Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Bord Bia to share intelligence and assist Irish business. I personally believe the recent innovation to organise the Embassies in our region into the Nordic Baltic Embassy Group has been a major impact multiplier. Our seven small Missions have only eleven Irish staff between us but by pooling the intelligence we gather, our business leads and ideas how we can do things better, I believe we are building a strong profile in Northern Europe. With Brexit negotiations looming we need to build new relationships and get our message out as widely as we can. We are significantly increasing our use of social media and with the help of our multilingual local staff our team of three in Riga communicates in English, Irish, Latvian and Russian. 58

59 Laura Leonard (DCD) As a Deputy Director in the Evaluation and Audit Unit I have a very varied and busy job, working on both internal audit and evaluation assignments. One of the highlights for me of 2016 was leading an evaluation of the Department s programme in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. The evaluation looked back over the past five years and was able to confirm that the programme had been very successful with many achievements to date. More importantly the evaluation provided learning and strategic input into the decision-making for Ireland s future work in Vietnam and the region. Internal audit is about assisting the Department to achieve its objectives by evaluating and, as appropriate, recommending improvements to the systems of governance, risk management and control. Internal Audit provides the Secretary General, as Accounting Officer, with independent and objective assurance on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Department s framework for these systems. As well as auditing the systems, we also provide advice to colleagues to help to reduce the risk of problems arising. The best part of my job is working with colleagues across the Department and around the world. 59

60 Brian Maxwell (CSD/Service Officer) I joined the Department in October I was hesitant accepting the position, but I m delighted I took the job. I ve learned very quickly that there s a lot more to being a Service Officer than initially meets the eye. You can never guarantee where you could be working I ve delivered post, covered the front desk in our offices in Iveagh House and Hatch Street, and I m currently based in Clonmel Street. I still haven t worked in the Passport Office in Mount Street or in Balbriggan but I ve the next thirty years or so to get around to it! Apart from the day to day security work detail, staff assistance and postal delivery I ve worked both early in the morning, late at night and over the weekend screening calls for the out of hours emergency telephone line and worked directly with our Duty Officers on some very serious cases. I ve recently started opening and locking up Clonmel Street making sure the doors are open and the lights are on ready for the rest of the staff as well as making sure I don t lock anyone in in the evening! I m very grateful to the other Service Officers and fellow staff who have provided me with lots of patience and support. It was a bit of a shock the first time I was left to do it all on my own but I ve managed not to cause too much chaos so far! I m very proud to be the first and hopefully smiling face people see when they come to The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I hope to continue to do my part to better assist my colleagues in the Department and the members of the public for next year and hopefully many years to come. 60

61 Sarah McCabe (APU) I joined the Department last year, assigned to Asia Pacific Unit, where I cover South East Asia, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The months since have been packed and really enjoyable. From Ireland s perspective the Asia Pacific region has never been more important politically and economically so it s a busy section. As a desk officer, I act as a contact point for local Embassies from Asia Pacific as well as Ireland s missions in the region. I assist with political visits to and from my countries, working on logistics, consulting with other Departments and state agencies and preparing comprehensive briefs for senior officials and politicians. One of my first tasks was to assist with briefing for the State Visit undertaken by President Higgins last November to Vietnam and Laos. I follow policy and political developments in the region and contribute to Parliamentary Questions submitted by TDs on Ireland s relationships with Asian countries, such as our position on the situation in Myanmar/Burma. In April I travelled to Singapore to participate in a regional Deputy Head of Mission meeting for South East Asia, meeting officers serving in the region to share views on consular, visa and administrative issues and give an update on progress towards Ireland s new Asia Strategy, which is under development. There have been lots of other opportunities outside of the day job to build experience, meet new colleagues and have a bit of fun. I am involved in the Public Service Executive Union (PSEU), which has two branches at DFAT. I ve also taken part in the Diplomats in the Classroom programme, in which Department staff visit schools around the country to talk to students about foreign policy and Ireland s place in the world. 61

62 Aoife Murphy (Embassy Maputo) As a Junior Professional Intern in Embassy Mozambique, I support the implementation of one of Irish Aid s largest programmes, where we work in health, education, climate change and other vital areas. Things move at a fast pace in the Embassy but meeting with programme partners, monitoring projects and managing communications are some of my day to day tasks was a very busy year owing in part to the severe drought that affected much of Southern Africa. In May, I visited Inhambane, a coastal province, north of the capital to help to evaluate work being done on food security and nutrition. The harsh effects of the drought were evident as people s ability to provide for themselves and their families was devastated by failed crops and a lack of safe water. The evaluation helped Irish Aid to respond in a timely manner to adjust the programme to support those affected. Another key moment of 2016 for me was overseeing an education project focused on improving literacy skills of primary school children. Having the opportunity to accompany this process from the initial teacher training to the end of year tests when we saw a marked improvement in literacy scores was a personal highlight of the year for me. I was fortunate also to be able to engage in the wider work of the Embassy taking a lead role in organising events to commemorate We had the pleasure of hosting a visit by the Irish historian Liz Gillis who spoke passionately about events of 1916 against the backdrop of the Portraits and Lives exhibition, which brought the story of the men and women of 1916 to the Mozambican audience. This was my first experience organising a cultural event and it proved to be a very memorable occasion that succeeded in sharing Irish culture with a wide audience. 62

63 Nuala Ní Mhuircheartaigh (PMUN Geneva) In 2016 I was posted at Ireland s Mission to the UN, Geneva, where the UN Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies are a major focus of our work. Ireland was a member of the Human Rights Council until December 2015 and as observers we continue to play an active role in all negotiations. In 2016 we led a resolution on civil society space, working with our partners Chile, Japan, Sierra Leone and Tunisia, which captures the best practices through which States can create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society. Working in this constructive and cross-regional way has been one of the hallmarks of our role here. We also contributed to the adoption of important resolutions, including e.g. establishing or renewing Commissions of Inquiry on Syria and Burundi; as well as fact-finding or similar missions in Myanmar, South Sudan and ongoing work on the DPRK. Mechanisms such as these do critical work documenting violations and laying the groundwork for future accountability, but some States reject all country-specific work as politicised. To counter this, in 2016 we delivered a statement at the Council on behalf of 32 countries setting out criteria by which we can ensure consistent and non-selective consideration of country situations. What are now known as the Irish principles are slowly beginning to bear fruit and may in time help re-shape how we discuss these controversial issues. Part of my role concerns examinations of Ireland s record in the UN human rights system. During 2016, Ireland was reviewed in the Universal Periodic Review, a unique process whereby the human rights protection in every State is publicly reviewed on a cyclical basis. A long process of preparations at home, led by the Department of Justice and Equality, culminated in a formal review at the Council in Geneva during May. Ireland received 262 recommendations from other States on how to improve our human rights protection, the vast majority of which were accepted. We will now be expected to make good on our commitments and report back to the UN on implementation. These are testing moments, which is exactly how it is meant to be. The beauty and the challenge of human rights is that the process is never complete - there is always room, for every State, to improve further. It is a privilege to work every day with the human rights team, led by our Ambassador, in furtherance of the human rights values at the heart of our 63

64 foreign policy- playing a part in encouraging other States to improve; holding them to account where they fail to meet their obligations; and expecting others to do the same for us. Much of this everyday work is not dramatic or high profile, but walking the halls of the Palais des Nations the home of the UN and former home of the League of Nations is a reminder of what can happen when these efforts fail. And so all in all, 2016 was another busy and memorable year professionally (as well as on a personal level, with the birth of my second child!) 64

65 Fearghal Ó Maolagáin (SCC) A chairde, beatha agus sláinte. My appointment as Irish Language Officer in April 2016 marked the first full-time appointment of an officer to this role by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. My predecessor, Breandán Ó Caollaí, and those before him ensured that I inherited the role with Irish in a very healthy state in this Department. We have a strong Irish Language Committee (Coiste na Gaeilge), with representatives from all over the world and a high level of fluency throughout our Embassy network. While the main function of the role is compliance-based, there is also scope for promoting the use of Irish through training and social events. Highlights of my first year include our Christmas Carol celebration and Seachtain na Gaeilge events, including a celebration of our language and culture through music, prose and poetry. It was great to see Minister of State McHugh and Secretary General Burgess attend and support these events. Keeping abreast of developments in Irish language legislation and policy, while ensuring the Department meets its compliance obligations at home and abroad has yielded a challenging and rewarding year. I look forward to continued engagement and interest from colleagues in the future. Ní neart go cur le chéile! 65

66 Brendan Watters (HR I) 2016 was a very interesting and extremely busy year for all the team in Human Resources, as we recruited over 400 staff in a full or temporary capacity. My first major project in 2016 was the recruitment of over 250 Temporary Clerical Officers to assist with the application for Passports in our Passport Offices in Balbriggan, Cork, Dublin and London. Having the right staff in place is so important, and with the success of the Irish football teams in getting to the Euros there were lots of additional passport requests for staff to process! I hope all the fans were issued with 10 year passports so Moscow 2018 will not require new applications all round! The HR unit itself had a major change with the introduction of Peoplepoint in April. This Department was one of the last to join, because of the complex nature of managing staff in so many different countries and locations. Once the dust had settled on that transfer, we also joined the Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Centre, which introduced even more changes, particularly to our Salaries section. The introduction of both shared services has led to a number of changes in the work practice of the section and a number of roles previously addressed directly by HR are now referred through both Peoplepoint and PSSC. Changes all round! For my role this meant [ additional material needed here] During our switch to shared services a new word was introduced - Brexit. This has implications right across the Department, but for my role, the vast increase in the number of applications for Foreign Birth Registration and Passports will result in the need to recruit extra staff throughout the Department, at home and abroad. One of my favourite parts of my role is that I get to meet and welcome staff when they are joining the Department and then follow their career path. All are given the opportunity to travel abroad, others like myself prefer to remain at home. I can honestly say that time passes so quickly in the HR Unit and if it were not for the commitment and excellent support of our team it would not be possible to provide information and assistance required by our colleagues at home and abroad. 66

67 Colin Wrafter (2016 Retiree) [video piece] 2016 saw my retirement, having joined the Irish Foreign Service in With a keen interest in international affairs and Ireland s evolution as actor on the world stage, I was delighted to serve my country in a career to which I was completely committed. In Buenos Aires in 1981, I compiled a list of the Embassy s objectives, the first was monitoring the situation in relation to the Falklands/Malvinas Islands. A year later Argentina launched its invasion that resulted in a considerable loss of life, demonstrating that failures of diplomacy can have awful consequences. The world of diplomacy has changed. In the early days we often had little information to work on, today colleagues have to manage information overload but the essential task remains the same, to help the Government navigate its way in the international sphere, promoting peace, human dignity and prosperity both in the island of Ireland and aboard. My last post was as director of Human Rights which I thoroughly enjoyed. If I were still in the Department I would love to work on Brexit, the most challenging and complex task facing Irish diplomats for decades. I wish my colleagues well, knowing that those involved are rising to the considerable challenges involved. 67

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