Results 26,721-26,740 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The regulations governing immigration into the United States are a matter solely for the U.S. authorities and immigration from Ireland to the U.S. is not and has not been the subject of bilateral agreements, formal or informal. Until 1965, immigration into the United States was based on a system of national quotas, with the quota per country set at two per cent of the foreign-born population...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The United States has provided immensely valuable support to the Peace Process over the last three decades and, as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government wishes to see this continue to the fullest extent. At numerous critical moments, the friendship, encouragement and support of the United States Administration, Congress and people, has proved essential in providing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 111 and 112 together. Ireland, like all EU Member States and the EU itself, adheres to the One China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as a State. As a result, Ireland does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but does engage with Taiwan on an economic and cultural basis. Ireland enjoys a strong trading relationship with Taiwan....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are two Ministers of State at my Department, Ciarán Cannon T.D. and Helen McEntee, T.D. Minister Cannon was appointed Minister of State with special responsibility for the Diaspora and International Development at my Department on 15 June 2017. Minister McEntee was appointed Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs at my Department on 20 June 2017. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Subsidiary Protection (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the legal status of any non-national in the State is a matter for the Irish immigration authorities which comes under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality. Clarification is being sought from the Department of Justice and Equality on whether residence under Subsidiary Protection could be reckoned for the purposes of Section 6A of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Deportation Orders (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: 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 involving over 400 people. These groups met a range of Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North South Inter-Parliamentary Association (27 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The operation of the North South Inter-Parliamentary Association is a matter, in this jurisdiction, for the Houses of the Oireachtas. The establishment of a North South parliamentary forum was envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrews Agreement. Following an agreement by working groups of both the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly on 4 July 2012, the inaugural...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the Emigrant Support Programme, provides significant funding and support to organisations, including Crosscare Migrant Project and Safe Home Ireland, which work with citizens who wish to return to Ireland. Over the last decade over €4 million has been allocated to Irish based organisations working with returning emigrants. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: Indecon was appointed to this project following a competitive tendering process undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The report will focus on identifying solutions to disproportionate or unnecessary administrative burdens that negatively affect people wishing to return to Ireland to live. This economic report will complement the work that the Inter-Departmental...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs provides travel advice for around 200 countries on its website at www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice and also through our free-to-download SmartPhone App TravelWise and via our social media presence. The information provided is continuously reviewed and updated to ensure that it is as accurate and relevant as possible. The travel advice is developed based on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 212 together. 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 take this opportunity to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 211 together. Demolitions, evictions and related policies threatening Palestinian communities in the West Bank are a central focus of the Government’s engagement on the conflict in the Middle East. These policies drive Palestinians off the land in Area C, which comprises the majority of the West Bank, facilitating subsequent occupation by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The cost of the standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €9.60 per year for a French passport, €8.20 per year for a British passport, €9.40 per year for an American passport and €18.50 per year for an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Conflict Resolution (3 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I strongly condemn the violence taking place in Rakhine State. I am also deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis which has developed both within Rakhine State, and in neighbouring Bangladesh, where over 500,000, mostly Rohingya, refugees have arrived since 25 August. This Government has consistently raised its concerns at the situation through our own statements, in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (4 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers, as well as of the difficult situation which currently pertains for human rights defenders in Honduras more generally. While Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in Honduras, officials at my Department raise issues relating to human rights in Honduras both at EU and UN level, including through direct contact with the EU Delegation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (4 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is determined, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to do everything in our power to ensure that all of its institutions are operating effectively, including the devolved Assembly and power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland and the North-South Ministerial Council. I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The third plenary session of the All Island Civic Dialogue took place on Thursday 28 September in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and brought together almost 300 representatives across industry and civil society to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by the decision of the UK to leave the European Union. This event focused on the impact of Brexit on enterprise and society on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Controls (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: Passports are internationally recognised travel documents which attest to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for the issuance of passports to Irish citizens and for the maintenance of the security and integrity of the Irish passport. However immigration or administrative requirements for entry into third States are not a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not provide grants or subsidies to any particular category of applicant for a passport. The cost of the standard ten year (adult) Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.30 per year for a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Functions (10 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are two Ministers of State at my Department, Ciarán Cannon T.D. and Helen McEntee, T.D. Minister Cannon was appointed Minister of State with special responsibility for the Diaspora and International Development at my Department on 15 June 2017. Minister McEntee was appointed Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs at my Department on 20 June 2017. ...