Results 26,541-26,560 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: In appointing me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, the Taoiseach has asked me to coordinate the whole-of-Government approach to the EU-UK negotiations and to preparations for Brexit, with a view to securing the best possible outcome for Ireland. Coming shortly before the formal launch of the Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: Following the publication on 2 May of the comprehensive document setting out the Government's approach to the Brexit negotiations, which drew on the findings of sectoral dialogues held to date in the framework of the Civic Dialogue, work is underway across Government to prepare adaptive Sectoral Brexit Response Plans to mitigate emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The configuration and scale of the State’s diplomatic network is kept under ongoing review by the Government. The Government is of course conscious of the political, economic, trade and other factors that might warrant the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in a number of countries. However, resource constraints do not allow us to have resident representation in all the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: Italy and Greece have for the past two years been at the centre of the EU migration crisis. Following the deal agreed between EU Heads of State and Government and Turkey in March 2016 the migration pressure moved from Greece to Italy. More than have risked the Mediterranean crossing to reach Italy so far this year, a 20% increase over the same period in 2016, according to figures from the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I began my engagement with all parties in Northern Ireland immediately upon being appointed to the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since 19 June I have represented the Government at the talks’ process in Belfast to support the formation of an Executive and as part of this process I have engaged with all the political parties, including the SDLP, UUP, and Alliance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: Protecting the Northern Ireland peace process is one of the Government’s priorities in the Brexit negotiations. The Government’s focus in relation to Northern Ireland is the substantive outcome to the key issues. The Government’s objectives in the withdrawal negotiations are well-known: to secure the avoidance of a hard border, respect for the provisions of the Good...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: Safeguarding the rights and entitlements of EU citizens resident in the UK as well as UK citizens resident in the EU has been identified as a key priority by both the European Union and the UK within the context of the Article 50 negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. As set out in the comprehensive document published on 2 May entitled Ireland and the negotiations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The increase in terrorist attacks in Europe in recent months has highlighted once again the need to address the diverse threat posed by terrorism. The EU is working to strengthen its response to international terrorism through multilateral cooperation, political dialogue and concrete support to third countries. EU Foreign Ministers remain focused on implementation of the recent Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The issue of euroscepticism is not new but in recent years it has become stronger and more vocal. That is why this year in the Rome Declaration of 25 March, the leaders of the 27 Members States and of the EU Institutions pledged ‘to listen and respond to the concerns expressed by our citizens’ and committed to offering citizens ‘both security and new...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is continuing to work very hard on this Irish citizen’s behalf, and this case remains the top consular priority of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Very significant resources continue to be deployed to support this citizen and his family.The trial in which he is a defendant was back in court twice in the past week – on 4 July and again on 9 July - for further...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The stability of the countries of the Western Balkans continues to be a priority for the European Union. The region is currently facing many challenges, and internal political difficulties are frequently compounded by the impact of external influences. On 9 March, the European Council reaffirmed its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the region and stressed the importance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (12 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 203, inclusive, together. The Taoiseach has appointed Deputy John Deasy as a Government envoy to the US Congress to work on the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States. While Deputy Deasy will work under my overall direction and that of the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon, TD, there...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The UK government assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle has never been accepted by Ireland and this position remains unchanged.Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to resolve jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department expects a full spend of the 2017 voted budget allocation and a surplus/unallocated amount at the year end is not anticipated. The 2017 budget programme expenditure is as follows: 2017 Programme Expenditure €000 To serve our people at home and abroad and to promote reconciliation and co-operation, (Our People). 79,044 Protect and advance our values and interests in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Services for People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is improving services and increasing supports for persons with disabilities.During 2017 a project to modify and upgrade a Departmental building to better meet the access and internal mobility requirements of all staff and visitors with a disability was initiated. The Department continues to work to improve conditions for staff with disabilities...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not made any investments since March 2016 in County Louth and parts of east County Meath.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 380 together. I am currently visiting Israel and Palestine, meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, UN bodies including OCHA, and others, in order to discuss these and other issues. I will report fully on my visit later. However, it is important to address one point that has been raised in the Israeli and Irish media in the context of my visit....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European External Action Service (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The EU Ombudsman report on unpaid internships in the European External Action Service is an own initiative report that has not been the subject of formal discussion among EU foreign ministers. I note that High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Mogherini has responded to the EU Ombudsman on the report outlining how the EEAS...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together. Significant progress has been made in the talks, although a number of key issues remain to be resolved. Notwithstanding the challenge of the remaining issues to be resolved, I believe than an agreement can be reached – an agreement that would allow a power-sharing Executive to be formed on a sustainable basis. All parties are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and on behalf of the Government as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, I will maintain regular engagement with a broad range of civic society organisations, groups, and representatives, across all communities and parts of Northern Ireland. I look forward to deepening this engagement in the weeks and months ahead. My focus will be to hear...