Results 27,441-27,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 42 together. The loss of life and violence following elections which took place in Honduras on 26 November 2017 are a cause for concern. I have not hesitated to condemn unreservedly this or any violence perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights or peacefully demonstrate. My sincere condolences are with the families of the victims...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Strategies (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of the Taoiseach is leading a steering group of relevant Departments and agencies and is coordinating the Government’s plan to double Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. This will be ready for consideration by Government in the coming weeks, and it is envisaged that the initiative will be launched to coincide with the St Patrick’s Day period. The Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As stated previously, in this House and elsewhere, the Government is committed to recognising the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict. In all of my meetings during my recent visit to Israel and Palestine – with Israelis, Palestinians, and UN partners – I conveyed the importance the Irish people attach to the resolution of the Middle East Peace...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s priority of protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process, including avoiding a hard border on this island, has always been clear. In this regard, the Government welcomed the decision of the European Council on 15 December 2017 that sufficient progress had been made in phase one of the Article 50 negotiations. In phase one we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the reported remarks by President Trump on Thursday, 11 January. I obviously completely disagree with the tenor and substance of those alleged comments. The immigrant experience has particular resonance for Irish people and Irish emigrants know what it is to not feel welcomed in a strange country. Our own experience of emigration from Ireland - and, in recent years,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 41 and 43 together. Earlier this month I undertook a four-day working visit to the Middle East, with meetings in Cairo, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Gaza. In my visit to Israel and Palestine, I met with key representatives of the Government of Israel and of the Palestinian Authority, as well as leaders of other Israeli political parties, our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the recent repatriation agreement signed between the Governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar to provide for the repatriation of refugees, predominantly members of the Myanmar Rohingya community, currently living in refugee camps in Bangladesh having fled Myanmar over the last number of months. Officials from my Department continue to closely monitor developments and the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Brexit is an issue that naturally arises during the frequent bilateral contacts which I, my government colleagues and our officials have with our UK counterparts. While stressing that Ireland is a member of the EU27 and that the issues involved can only be substantively considered and addressed through the ongoing EU-UK negotiations, I have welcomed the opportunity that such discussions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach launched the Citizens’ Dialogue on the future of Europe in November. The dialogue was established to address the needs and concerns of Irish citizens on the future direction of the European Union and the feedback from these sessions will help formulate our own contribution to the wider European debate. My colleague the Minister for European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the attack on an arms depot outside Damascus on 9 January and I understand that the Syrian Foreign Ministry has written to the UN Security Council and UN Secretary-General regarding this incident. The conflict in Syria, which is now approaching its eighth year, has been extremely destabilising for the wider region. I call on all parties to exercise restraint in order to avoid...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens, at home and abroad.Advice and guidance on these channels and other useful information on passports is available on the Department’s website at The award-winning online Passport Renewal Service for adults was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland regularly raises human rights issues with third countries, including with the People’s Republic of China. Human rights issues are discussed with the Chinese authorities during bilateral meetings, including at the highest levels such as the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland in 2015; through EU engagement with China; and through multilateral channels. As planning is still...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service located in my Department is one unified service composed of 3 constituent offices in Dublin (Balbriggan and Mount Street) and Cork. The distribution of work across the 3 passport offices does not impact on members of the public or in any way limit the options available to the public in terms of passport application channels. Under the current distribution of tasks across...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government continues to seek a solution to the plight of thousands of undocumented Irish citizens resident in the US, and avails of all opportunities to raise US immigration reform and the status of the undocumented Irish with the US administration and with contacts on Capitol Hill. The forthcoming Ministerial visits to the United States over the St. Patrick’s Day period will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (25 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: Passport Services (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service located in my Department is one unified service composed of 3 constituent offices in Dublin (Balbriggan and Mount Street) and Cork. Occasionally work is redistributed between these 3 offices, on the basis of demand and availability of resources. The distribution of work across the 3 passport offices does not impact on members of the public or in any way or limit the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I was pleased to announce the ‘Promote Ireland’ programme of St Patrick’s Day Ministerial visits on 16 January. St. Patrick’s Day provides Ireland with an unparalleled opportunity to promote our political and economic interests abroad, as well as access to key political and business contacts in leading markets around world. Delivering a comprehensive, strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (25 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. We are one of three candidates for the two seats available to members of the Western European and Others regional group at the United Nations. Canada and Norway are the other two candidates. In order to be elected to the Security Council, Ireland will need to secure the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right, which is replicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The scale of humanitarian crises globally continues to increase. The UN estimates that over 145 million people are now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, mainly as a result of conflict, but also natural disasters. $24.7 billion is needed in 2018 to respond effectively to urgent humanitarian needs. Humanitarian crises are complex in nature, frequently resulting in...