Results 27,261-27,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the incidents to which the Deputy refers. The climate of violence and intimidation which exists for social leaders and human rights activists in marginalised rural areas of Colombia like Urabá continues to be a matter of great concern to the Government. I wish to express my sincere sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and to the communities...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and administers a number of funding schemes including under Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid. My Department has no particular scheme to fund programmes or projects seeking either the repeal of the eighth amendment or its retention. It is not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: A number of messages I receive at my personal email address make reference to Brexit in some sense. However, the last substantive email on Brexit I have identified which was sent to or from my personal account involved late drafting changes to a Brexit speech delivered in Cambridge on 9 September 2017. This speech was later publicly made available on my Department's website.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As outlined in the Department’s previous parliamentary question on this matter, all passport applications are subject to the provision of the Passports Act, 2008 which provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. Each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not own or control any vacant property or land. Any properties or land occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the State are rented and discharged by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 142 and 162 together. The overall human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the treatment of children in detention, remains a matter of concern. Ireland has repeatedly drawn attention to concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. We have paid particular attention over recent years to issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 145 together. Last week I undertook a four-day working visit to the Middle East, where I met with my counterparts as well as a range of other contacts in Cairo, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Gaza. In Cairo, I discussed with Foreign Minister Shoukry issues including our bilateral relationship, enhancing our trade, human rights, the Middle...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Parliament Elections (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Neither my Department nor I have received correspondence from Mr Tusk or his offices regarding possible changes to the European constituencies before the 2019 European Parliament elections. Changes to the European Parliament constituencies would require consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government, from the perspective of electoral administration and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of a new Executive, over many months. However, devolved power-sharing government can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two largest parties, while the other parties represented in the Assembly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Ireland’s candidacy was announced in 2005. The UN provides the foundation of an orderly, rules-based international system, which is essential for a small and globally trading country like Ireland. We have a responsibility to participate to the fullest extent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 7 December 2018, the European Commission announced that it was referring Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union in relation to three ongoing infringement proceedings. The first, also involving Poland and the Czech Republic, relates to the mandatory relocation issue and the failure to take refugees in accordance with the September 2015 Justice and Home Affairs Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Dialogue has been ongoing between the European Commission and Poland regarding the Rule of Law since January 2016. The Commission on 20 December 2017 adopted three complementary measures (i) a proposal to the Council under Art. 7(1) TEU on the risk of a serious breach by a Member State of EU values (ii) a 4th rule of law recommendation identifying concrete actions Poland should take...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As we enter a new year, the situation in Syria continues to be one of utmost concern. The conflict, which is now almost eight years old, has cost an estimated half a million lives. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including close to 3 million people trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Over 5.5 million have fled to neighboring countries and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas development cooperation programme and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy for International Development, “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), as economic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Projects (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I have responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, I am working closely with colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies. Work at Cabinet level is being prepared...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Data (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic network of missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals. These include to ensure the efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, support to emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence. Our Embassies and Consulates are contributing directly to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The budget for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2018 is €11.595 million and is unchanged in recent years. An increase of 5% on the 2018 budget would cost €579,750 An increase of 10% on the 2018 budget would cost€1,159,500 An increase of 15% on the 2018 budget would cost€1,739,250 An increase of 20% on the 2018 budget would cost€2,319,000

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Data (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The work of our embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic development and the enhancement of our international reputation. Our network promotes Ireland’s political, economic and cultural interests and values, provide services to our citizens, develop strategic stakeholder relationships and represent Ireland in international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff permanently employed by my Department and currently assigned to the Passport Service is 322. In addition, the Passport Service has received sanction for 210 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) this year to respond the seasonal demand for passports, which is normally between February and September annually. All sections in the Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. Over €48 million has been allocated to over 2,000 projects during this time. As part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the...