Results 28,021-28,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides consular assistance to any Irish citizen imprisoned overseas who requests our help. Our Embassies and Consulates provide direct assistance in many cases, through consular visits and practical advice and assistance to individual detainees, and our consular assistance team at HQ provides ongoing support and assistance to the families of such...

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

Simon Coveney: Following on from extensive briefings by the United Kingdom at senior official level and to EU Foreign Ministers, UK Prime Minister Theresa May addressed the European Council last Thursday. She made a compelling case in support of her government’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation is responsible for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia,...

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

Simon Coveney: The EU’s engagement with NATO is governed by the Lisbon Treaty, including the legally-binding Irish Protocol which expressly states that “The Treaty of Lisbon does not affect or prejudice Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality”. EU-NATO cooperation, focused on promoting security and maintaining peace and stability, is developed with full respect for...

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...

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

Simon Coveney: EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Syria at the Foreign Affairs Council on 19 March, following discussions at our informal meeting on 15 February and at the Foreign Affairs Council on 26 February. At the Foreign Affairs Council in February, Ireland added its voice to calls for the immediate and full implementation of the ceasefire demanded by the UN Security Council in resolution...

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

Simon Coveney: I travelled to the United States between 20-23 February last, visiting New York and Washington DC, where I engaged in an extensive programme of events which involved UN, Irish community and bilateral elements. My programme at the United Nations was focused around Ireland’s candidacy for election to the UN Security Council in 2020. It included meetings with representatives of the UN...

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

Simon Coveney: It is quite clear that Russia’s support for the Assad regime has prolonged the suffering of the Syrian people. Russia has also repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria, which has seriously undermined the protection of Syrian civilians. Ireland’s has communicated its concerns directly to the Russian authorities on numerous occasions. In October 2017, I relayed...

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

Simon Coveney: A Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is an integral part of the draft Withdrawal Agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and the UK. It is drafted to give legal effect to the commitments and guarantees provided in the EU-UK Joint Progress report of last December on avoiding a hard border and protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, including North South...

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

Simon Coveney: Making the case for supporting measures at EU level that recognise where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy is a key pillar of the Government’s response to Brexit. This was a particular focus of my recent meeting with EU Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, on 6 March. Commissioner Oettinger also met with the Taoiseach, Minister Donohoe and Minister of State...

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

Simon Coveney: At its meeting on 22-23 March, the European Council adopted Guidelines on the framework of the future EU-UK relationship. These Guidelines restate the Union's determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the UK in the future. However, they also expressly state that the EU’s position has to take into account the repeatedly stated positions of the UK, which limit the...

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

Simon Coveney: The circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky in 2009 remain deeply disturbing. From the outset, the EU called on the Russian authorities to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation, and has criticised their failure to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mr. Magnitsky’s death. A number of countries, including some EU Member States, have put in place...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: US Travel Restrictions (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I was sorry to learn of the difficulties which this person has experienced in endeavoring to travel to the United States. As the House will appreciate, US immigration procedures are a matter for the US authorities. As visa applications are subject to the relevant data protection legislation, it is the US Embassy’s policy not to discuss individual cases with a third party. As such, I...

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

Simon Coveney: With the busy St. Patrick’s Day just over, a full breakdown of the figures requested is not yet available. I undertake to provide the Deputy with the full breakdown as soon as the figures do become available. I can assure the Deputy that the reinforcement of our close historical and personal ties with the United States through the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: As of 31 December 2016, 3.64% of staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had a declared disability in accordance with the definition in the Disability Act 2005. The 2016 figure is the most recently available and was submitted to the National Disability Authority (NDA) for inclusion in their Annual Report 2017. Figures for 2017 are expected to be available in the second quarter...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland appreciates the magnitude of the challenges facing Egypt and we are committed to supporting Egypt in dealing with these. This weekend’s bomb attack in Alexandria highlights in particular the security challenges, and I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the victims. However, a strong and stable democracy cannot flourish without full respect for...

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...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. In an address I gave earlier this year on the future of Europe I spoke about the many changes taking place in Europe. But the Deputy will be pleased to know that I was clear that there was one thing we did not wish to see changing in Europe and that is the European Union’s commitment to its values. I am pleased to reiterate that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is a requirement of all grant agreements that partners in receipt of Irish Aid funding provide annual audited accounts. With regard to International Organisations such as UN bodies, audit requirements are laid down in international agreements. The Department usually receives audited financial statements from these bodies. In addition, with regard to the UN bodies, the Department...

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

Simon Coveney: The European Commission presented its Strategy for the Western Balkan Countries in February 2018 and is scheduled to publish country reports in April. The Strategy confirmed the European perspective of the region, while emphasising that accession for all countries was strictly contingent on their meeting the relevant accession criteria. In particular, the Strategy stressed that the rule of...

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

Simon Coveney: The situation in Syria continues to be one 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, and a further 5.5 million have fled to...