Results 27,921-27,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 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: Israeli Settlements (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The construction and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory has been a central focus of Ireland’s approach to the Middle East conflict for some years. The settlement project is contrary to international law, gravely threatens the prospects for a peace agreement, and inherently involves continuing and cumulative injustices and provocations to Palestinians. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: In October 2017 Ireland and eight other EU members of the West Bank Protection Consortium delivered a formal demarche to the Israeli authorities protesting the demolition or confiscation of structures in the West Bank provided as humanitarian relief by the EU and member States, and calling for compensation or restitution by Israel. The Israeli authorities responded that the structures...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service on January 1 for 2017 was 301.7 and in 2018: 322.5. This year, since these figures were released, over 20 permanent staff have started with the Passport Service. In order to respond to seasonal demands and anticipated application increases, the Passport Service received sanction...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have noted the report, referenced by the Deputy, which was published by the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on Friday 16 March. While there are elements of the report with which I do not agree, it nonetheless raises a number of important points. The report highlights the challenges posed for the border if the UK leaves the Single Market and Customs Union. It also...

Government Response to Salisbury Attack: Statements (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I want to begin by expressing my shock and sadness at Sunday’s devastating fire in a shopping centre in the Russian city of Kemerovo, which claimed so many lives. The fact that a number of children were among the victims is particularly tragic and upsetting. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their loved ones and the Russian community here in Ireland at this very...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 151 together. Maintaining frequent contact with EU partners, including the EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, has been a priority for Ireland throughout the Article 50 negotiations process. I have met with Mr Barnier on a number of occasions since taking office, most recently in Brussels on 19 March. Mr Barnier updated me on the progress made with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: A programme of events is underway, at home and abroad, to highlight this important anniversary and to mark the achievement of the Agreement, which continues to be the cornerstone of our commitment to peace and reconciliation. My Department continues to engage with other Government Departments and, both here on the island of Ireland and through our overseas Embassy network, with a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Saint Patrick’s Day presents a unique platform for promoting Ireland’s political and economic interests around the world. Recommendations for Ministerial travel over the Saint Patrick’s Day period are based on input from our Team Ireland network of diplomatic missions and state agency offices overseas and wide consultation and advice from across Departments and Agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is currently processing over 70,000 passport applications. These applications are going through the normal checking, processing and security stages. The target turnaround time for applications made via the online passport application service is 10 working days plus postage. The majority of online applications are currently being processed within 5 working days, well...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 168 together. The situation in Syria remains of utmost concern. The conflict, which is now in its eighth year, has cost over 400,000 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 6 million people are displaced internally,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The conflict in Syria, and the destabilising impact it has had on the wider region, remain a source of deep concern. Clearly, a comprehensive, inclusive political solution to the conflict is urgently needed, both to end the suffering of the Syrian people and to prevent any further turmoil in the Middle East. Ireland fully supports the UN-led political negotiations to end the conflict...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Controls (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Passports are internationally recognised travel documents which attest to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport. For example in a type 3 document (a standard passport book) the machine-readable zone must span two lines, and each line must be 44...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The agenda for the next EU Foreign Affairs Council does not include trade ties between the EU and India as a topic for discussion. As such, raising the issue would not be appropriate. The EU-India Strategy will be reviewed in the coming months, so the issue of increasing trade ties between the EU and India will undoubtedly be raised for discussion in due course. Trade issues were discussed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 165 together. I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and I would like to avail of this opportunity to convey my condolences to the family of the victim. Such acts of violence are entirely unacceptable. I echo the comments of Minister Joe McHugh who, in the course of his recent St. Patrick’s Day visit to Brazil, publicly condemned the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extradition Arrangements (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case in question and I understand that proceedings in the Czech Republic have been halted since the individual concerned is no longer in that country. The execution of extradition warrants is a matter for the courts and it would not be appropriate for me, therefore, to comment on the merits of individual cases. The European Union is involved in a process of engagement and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: School Placement (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Officers serving the state abroad may be accompanied by family members on postings and supports are in place to ensure that children of school-going age are in a position to continue their education with minimal disruption. As officers prepare to return from posting, they are on request provided with a letter from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade attesting to their service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Working Holiday Agreement between Ireland and New Zealand has given thousands of young people the opportunity to live and work overseas since its introduction. It is a programme which offers valuable experiences both personally and professionally. The terms and conditions for the programme are well-defined and subject to an international agreement between New Zealand and Ireland. One...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”), which provides the legal basis for the policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service. Section 10 of the Act broadly provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate. Issuing a passport in a different name is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy Review (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 11 December last year I announced a review of Ireland’s relations with the Federal Republic of Germany and charged our ambassador in Berlin with undertaking the task. My aim in announcing the review was to strengthen this most important of relationships for Ireland both at the bilateral level and in the context of our common EU membership. The review – which began before...