Results 27,981-28,000 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Maybe I will give the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, a rest on this one. Two tangible examples are that the next significant national consultation of the all-island Brexit forum will happen in the Border region, and this morning, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, launched a €300 million loan...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I met with US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, in Washington, D.C., on Friday 23 February, 2018. I would like, at the outset, to take this opportunity to wish Secretary Tillerson, who has now left his position, all the best for the future. I look forward to working with his successor in due course, once the nomination process has been completed. The meeting with Secretary Tillerson...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 61 together. The continued suffering of civilians in Syria remains a source of deep concern. I am particularly concerned by the impact of the recent fighting in the Afrin region, including the displacement of over 100,000 civilians. Ireland strongly welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2401 calling for an immediate ceasefire...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The funding to which the Deputy refers is the Communicating Europe Initiative. This year’s grant scheme was launched by the Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee, TD on 8th March last, coinciding with the Regional Citizen’s Dialogue on the Future of Europe in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. This year, funding up to a total of €100,000 will be available to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 62, 66, 75, 86 and 92 together. The Government follows the political developments which are taking place in Hong Kong on an ongoing basis, including the by-elections which took place on 11 March. In the lead-up to my recent visit to China, and during my visit to Hong Kong on 12 March, I was briefed on the most recent developments by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand. In order to respond to anticipated application increases and to seasonal demands, the Passport Service received sanction for 220 Temporary Clerical Officers (“TCOs”) this year to be appointed to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. The vast...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Human Rights Judgments (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 20 March the European Court of Human Rights issued its judgment on the Government’s application for a revision of the ruling in the 1978 Ireland v UK case. The ruling will be fully considered by the Government. It is important to note that, although the Court dismissed the Government’s application for a revision, nothing in last week’s judgment alters the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 68, 85 and 97 together. I am aware of the letter to which Deputy Kenny refers. The situation in Syria is indeed unconscionable, and I take this opportunity to reiterate my unreserved condemnation of the barbarous violence against civilians that has been the hallmark of this conflict to date. The brutal repression of dissent by the Assad regime, which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is undertaking extensive analysis of the impact of Brexit on Ireland, much of which is in the public domain. This comprises research and outreach being carried out by individual Government Departments and agencies, as well as by stakeholder organisations, academic and others. Recent publications include the detailed response plan "Building Stronger Business - Responding to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I discuss Brexit collectively with my EU27 counterparts on a monthly basis at the General Affairs Council (Art. 50). Maintaining frequent bilateral contact with EU partners is also a priority, both at political and official level. Such meetings provide an opportunity to communicate Ireland’s priorities, including in relation to agriculture, with a view to shaping the EU’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 26 February. The Council discussed developments in Moldova, the situation in Venezuela and the Middle East Peace Process. EU Foreign Ministers had a comprehensive discussion on Moldova and adopted Council Conclusions taking stock of the reform process and setting out expectations for the period ahead. Ministers also discussed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council Membership (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is seeking election to a UN Security Council non-permanent seat 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 UN. Canada and Norway are the other two candidates. Like Ireland, both countries have strong records of engagement at the UN and we co-operate closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 77 together. From the start of the EU-UK negotiations Ireland has been to fore in arguing for a transitional arrangement that ensures an orderly UK withdrawal from the Union, minimises disruption for citizens and businesses and leads to an ambitious and comprehensive future relationship agreement. Through the General Affairs Council (Art. 50) and its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: On foot of the work last year by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which is chaired by the Minister of State for the Diaspora, my colleague Ciaran Cannon TD, my Department commissioned an independent economic report on difficulties experienced by Irish people returning home. This report has now been completed and considered by Government, and has been published on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question no 50 today on this topic, which was as follows: The treatment of Palestinian minors under the Israeli occupation and military justice system has long been an issue of serious concern, which we have discussed here and which the Government has raised with the Israeli authorities and at EU and international level, including statements by Ireland at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The decision to open an Irish embassy in Colombia, which was announced last October, is an important next step in expanding Ireland’s footprint in Latin America. It represents a very positive development in Ireland-Colombia relations. While the embassy will seek to develop all aspects of the bilateral relationship, Ireland has made a particular commitment to supporting the peace...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Successive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the peace process over the last three decades. This support continues to be provided by the current US Administration, as well as by our many friends in Congress. The Government strongly appreciates the sustained engagement by the current US Administration, including by the US State Department, in relation to Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I share the Deputy’s concern about this recent legislation. Israel has already used other measures in certain cases to revoke residency rights of East Jerusalem Palestinians, quite clearly in order to alter the demographic balance of the occupied area. This is explicitly prohibited in international law, and Israel has no right to do it. The European Union issued a very clear statement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Catalan Referendum (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned about the situation in Catalonia and the civic unrest and violence that we saw this weekend and I would join with those calling for calm at this time. I am aware that judicial proceedings are under way and that nine Catalans have been remanded in custody pending trial, and the former President has been detained in Germany on foot of a European arrest warrant. As these are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Over the course of many months, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form an Executive. The devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern...