Results 26,701-26,720 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The EU remains fully committed to assisting Ukraine in delivering its political and economic reform programme and has provided unprecedented levels of support to underpin the Government’s efforts. This support includes loans, budget support, humanitarian aid, technical assistance and trade preferences. In addition, the EU is playing a key role in helping to reform the civilian security...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The EU continues to engage with Armenia and five other countries in the Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) through the Eastern Partnership Initiative. At the most recent Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga in May 2015, the EU re-affirmed its determination to pursue closer relations with these six countries but also recognised the need...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine State, in particular the violence which has ensued following attacks committed by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army militants on 25 August. The excessive response by the security forces of Myanmar/Burma following these attacks is deeply troubling. It is critical that violence in Rakhine State be brought to an immediate end. It has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Syria continues to be a matter of grave concern. About 13.5 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria including 6.3 million internally displaced people, 1.5 million are living under siege conditions, and a further 5 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. Clearly, the situation at present is far from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am sure that all members of the House joined me on Monday last, 18 September in welcoming the news from Cairo that this young Irish citizen had been acquitted at the conclusion of the trial in which he was a defendant along with almost 500 others. This young man’s name has been cleared and his innocence is confirmed. The Government’s priority now is to support this citizen...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, and particularly by Daesh, has been and remains high on the EU agenda. Foreign Ministers have consistently underlined that ultimately there will be no defeat of Daesh without a political solution to the crisis in Syria. This is reflected particularly in the comprehensive conclusions on a ‘Regional Strategy for Syria and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: Ireland does not provide development or humanitarian aid directly to the Government of Myanmar. Our support is directed to key civil society and other trusted partners in Myanmar with the objective of meeting the needs of some of the poorest and most marginalised communities there, and to help underpin peace, prosperity and the political transition to full democracy. Ireland’s...

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: First, I apologise to colleagues opposite for not being available to take parliamentary questions last week.

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I hear I was well represented. I do not intend on making a habit of being absent for my questions in the future, but it was unavoidable last week. I thank the House for its accommodation in that regard.

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: Great. She is more than capable. I hope we will be able to do this at different stages as the Brexit negotiations proceed. It is good to keep the House, the various other forums and the public informed of our position because the enormity of these issues for Ireland in the future is such that this is required. We will have an all-island forum on Brexit on Thursday and I presume some of the...

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: That is not what is happening in Germany.

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: That is not true.

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: Verhofstadt.

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy was just going to tell us about his courting.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government closely follows developments in relation to the treatment of members of the LGBTI community in Russia and, in particular, the widespread reports of the persecution of gay men in Chechnya. On 5 May, senior officials of my Department met the Russian Ambassador to convey the grave concerns of the Government, and of the Irish public, at these reports. During the meeting, my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: A passport is an internationally recognised travel document which attests to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Passport Service does not have any plans to expand the purpose of a passport to indicate a parental relationship between a child and his/her parent(s). Parents are encouraged to complete the emergency contact details page at the back of their child’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, One World, One Futurecommits to supporting efforts, consistent with the Cairo Programme of Action, to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and promote universal access to reproductive healthcare, including antenatal care and family planning services. In this context, Irish Aid supports a range of programmes related to sexual and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of Amnesty International’s report “ We Need Support, Not Pity” which gives a very disturbing account of the legacy of wartime violence, and in particular the horrific crimes of sexual violence which were perpetrated against the women and girls of Bosnia during the Balkan Wars. I support all efforts to ensure that those affected are afforded access to adequate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Missing Persons (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware that International Commissions that assist victims and their families and take a strong role in capacity building are important to efforts to contribute to international peace and security. In this respect funding totaling €300,000 was provided to the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) in 2005 and 2006 by Irish Aid, for their work in the Western...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together. I am aware of the deportation of these four persons. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was notified immediately by one of the persons, and we have since received letters from each of them about this incident. The leader of the group has led study groups to the West Bank for over ten years, a total of 17 tour groups...