Results 26,441-26,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is one of six EU Member States that do not currently have resident missions in Iran. Our bilateral relationship with Iran is sustained and promoted on a concurrent basis through the Ireland’s embassy in Ankara. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul. The configuration and scale of the State’s diplomatic network is kept under ongoing review by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The position of foreign diplomats in the State is governed primarily by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, incorporated into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967. The Convention, which enjoys almost universal ratification, provides for various privileges and immunities for diplomats and diplomatic missions, while also providing for a duty to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, and as set out in the Passports Act 2008, it is only possible to issue Irish passports to Irish citizens. Entitlement to citizenship is in turn subject to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended. Accordingly, the Passport Service is obliged to seek documentary evidence of Irish citizenship by birth, parentage/descent, or naturalisation before a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Staff (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 671 and 673 together. In his response to Question 62 of 30 May 2016, my predecessor Minister Flanagan provided a comprehensive overview of the additional capabilities and resources that have been assigned across my Department to address issues arising from the complex process of the UK exit from the EU. As Minister Flanagan noted in that response, additional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: On 2nd May, the Government published a comprehensive document on Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.This document sets out the approach of the Government to the forthcoming negotiations, following the successful campaign to have key Irish issues recognised in the EU negotiation position....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 674 and 675 together. Regarding the former aircraft referred to by the Deputy, permission to land was sought in advance by the US Embassy from my Department. The US Embassy confirmed in writing that the purpose of the landing was refuelling, and that the flight was unarmed; carried no arms, ammunition or explosives; and was not engaged in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Pensions Data (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Least Developed Countries Fund was established to support Least Developed Countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as they carry out the preparation and implementation of the required National Adaptation Programmes of Action and National Adaptation Plans. This is in accordance with mandates of the Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC and the 2015...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Funding (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has committed to providing €3 million to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa over the period 2016-2020. This involves five annual payments of €600,000 to the Trust Fund. Our contribution is earmarked for the Horn of Africa Region, which includes Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda, key partner countries for our development programme. The Trust Fund was launched in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Part of the Government’s work in support of the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is promoting reconciliation on the island of Ireland. A significant expression of this is the Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department. The Fund’s aim is to enable organisations to pursue projects promoting genuine and lasting reconciliation and building...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Expenditure (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The work of our embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our Embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s interests includes: -...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The cost of operating the Passport Service in 2016 was €31.6 million. Revenue from passport book and card fees in the same period amounted to €46.9m. Any properties occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the State are rented and maintained by the Office of Public Works. As of 1 January 2017, 301.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff permanently employed by my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are currently more than 65 million people displaced from their homes worldwide, a greater number than at any time since the Second World War. More than 21 million are refugees and more than half of all refugees are children. A further 41 million people are internally displaced inside their own countries. Ireland partners with two of the UN agencies most closely involved in addressing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. My Department is committed to the provision of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the most effective way, providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to the fight to end global poverty and hunger, including through working with multilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: This Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. We are proud of its international reputation, with its sharp focus on reducing poverty, eradicating hunger and responding effectively to humanitarian crises. The geographic focus of the programme is on Sub-Saharan Africa, where we work with the poorest communities,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. I am also aware of the allegations of police harassment against him. I condemn any such actions. Three decades of civil war in Sri Lanka, which ended in 2009, caused the internal displacement of tens of thousands of Sri Lankans, many of whom are members of the Tamil population. This remains an issue to the present day. Given our own...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Equal Opportunities Employment (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies - to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities - to comply with any statutory Code of Practice - to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities - to report every year on achievement of these obligations The National Disability Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Incidences of violence and intimidation against local communities in the Department of Putumayo and elsewhere in Colombia, as well as the presence of armed groups in such communities, is a matter of great concern. I condemn unreservedly any intimidation, violence, or discrimination perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights, whether in Colombia or elsewhere. As well as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Regarding the aircraft referred to by the Deputy, permission to land was sought in advance by the US Embassy from my Department. The US Embassy confirmed in writing that the purpose of the landing was refuelling, and that the aircraft was unarmed; carried no arms, ammunition or explosives; and was not engaged in intelligence-gathering. The Embassy also confirmed in writing that the flight in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (20 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Regarding the former aircraft referred to by the Deputy, permission to land was sought in advance by the US Embassy from my Department. The US Embassy confirmed in writing that the purpose of the landing was refuelling, and that the flight was unarmed; carried no arms, ammunition or explosives; and was not engaged in intelligence-gathering; that the flight in question did not form part of a...