Results 27,461-27,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The application for Foreign Births Registration is under active consideration. A determination will be made in the coming week and the applicant will receive a response thereafter.

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

Simon Coveney: I welcome the decision of the European Council on 15 December that sufficient progress had been made in phase 1 of the negotiations and that the negotiations can now move to phase 2, as well as the adoption of additional negotiating Guidelines on the same day.The decision by the European Council that sufficient progress had been achieved was taken on the basis of a recommendation from the...

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

Simon Coveney: It is an internal matter for the European Commission as to how they set up the expert group which will advise the Commission on the spread of false information across traditional and social media. The Government was not involved in the selection process and was not asked to provide nominees. I am,however,pleased to welcome the appointment of two Irish members, Mr Noel Curran and Mr Stephen...

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: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 59 together. The additional Guidelines on the Article 50 negotiations adopted by the European Council on 15 December 2017 represented a very significant step in the Brexit negotiations. These Guidelines welcomed the joint progress report agreed between the European Commission Taskforce and the UK. On this basis, it was agreed that sufficient...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Advancing Ireland's trade, tourism, education and investment objectives through economic diplomacy and related activities is a high level goal of Ireland's foreign policy, informing and directing the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our mission network.The Department’s international network plays a crucial role in supporting Irish businesses to grow overseas, in...

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

Simon Coveney: The EU continues to foster good relations with Ukraine and Georgia. Both countries are active participants in the EU’s Eastern Partnership Initiative which provides a framework for cooperation with the six countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region. The EU has ratified Association Agreements with Georgia and Ukraine which aim to promote political association and economic...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace. It also includes action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 62 together. Ireland is a strong supporter of the EU’s policy on enlargement. It is a key driver for stability, security and prosperity in the Western Balkans. We believe that aspirant countries must be judged on the principle of ‘own merits’ and that those wishing to join the Union must give the rule of law, justice and fundamental...

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

Simon Coveney: Member States have the primary responsibility for the correct transposition, application and implementation of EU law. This effective application of EU law is essential to ensure that citizens and businesses enjoy the benefits and meet the obligations established by EU law.The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that EU law is complied with. If the European Commission considers...

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

Simon Coveney: Article II of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to which Ireland has acceded, defines genocide as any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: a. Killing members of the group; b. Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; c....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: This Government is fully committed to Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. This commitment was most recently detailed in the White Paper on Defence published in August 2015. This reaffirmed that Ireland’s policy of military neutrality remains a core element of Irish Foreign policy, as had been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 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 related...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The assignment and posting of officers to diplomatic missions overseas is an operational matter for the Department. Decisions are subject to a number of considerations including the matching of officers’ skills to posts and the staffing profile of missions, the Planned Postings Policy and wider staffing needs across the Department. Vacant positions abroad, including that referenced...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, applications for entry into the Foreign Births Register is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, and subsequent amendments, as well as the Foreign Births Regulations 2013. The duty of providing Irish citizenship to eligible individuals is a responsibility that my Department takes extremely seriously and all applications are thoroughly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Average processing times for all categories of passport applications are updated weekly on the Passport Service’s website, www.dfa.ie/passport. All passport applicants are advised to check the average processing time for their category of application before applying. Applications for the persons named were registered with the Passport Service on 17January 2018. Assuming that they...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Private Partnerships Data (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department is not currently engaged in any public private partnerships.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to advancing North South cooperation including through the work of the North South Implementation Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement. I do not have direct responsibility for any of these Bodies, as in this jurisdiction responsibility for them is exercised by my colleagues: the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Waterways Ireland...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I hope the Senator is not insinuating that civil servants have done something inappropriate here because I do not believe they have. I will answer the question I have been asked to answer. I welcome the opportunity to reaffirm this Government's full commitment to Ireland's long-standing policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Neutrality (30 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is important to say that, as would be customary in any routine refuelling stop, the Vice President of the United States of America availed of the facilities at Shannon Airport. My notes are very clear on this. During the course of this stopover, the Vice President availed of the opportunity to engage informally with a number of US troops since they were passing through also. To answer...