Results 28,061-28,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The long-standing tradition of meetings at the highest level in Washington DC around St. Patrick’s Day affords Ireland a unique opportunity to engage with the US Administration and Congressional leaders at the highest level on issues of particular interest to Ireland, including immigration reform. For many years now, during the annual St. Patrick’s Day visits and throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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. Recommendations for Ministerial travel over the 2018 St. Patrick’s Day period were based on input from our Team Ireland network of diplomatic missions and state...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 87 and 99 together. I have clearly communicated Ireland’s position and priorities in relation to the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland to the EU Taskforce as well as to my UK counterparts in recent weeks. I met with Michel Barnier immediately on 26 February and again on 19 March, following the recent round of intensive negotiations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Training (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together. The Training needs of my Department are identified as part of the annual goal setting phase of the Performance Management Development System (PMDS). They are then analysed and necessary training is provided in a number of areas including social media. In-house expertise is used wherever possible and training on the use of social media is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: No contracts have been awarded by my Department to the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 100 together. Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department. Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The budget for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2018 is €11.595 million and is unchanged in recent years. An increase of 5% on the 2018 budget would cost €579,750. An increase of 10% on the 2018 budget would cost €1,159,500. An increase of 15% on the 2018 budget would cost€1,739,250. An increase of 20% on the 2018 budget would cost€2,319,000.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: As I indicated in my reply to the same question from the Deputy on 16 January, the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important to Ireland’s economic development and the enhancement of our international reputation. The total network, of currently some 73 embassies and consulates and 7 multilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service stood at 322 at the beginning of the year. This compares to 310 FTE staff assigned to the Passport Service at the same point last year. This year, since these figures were released, over 20 additional permanent staff have started with the Passport Service. In addition to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. Over €48 million has been allocated to over 2,000 projects during this time. As part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (29 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 96 and 97 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 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...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The EU is doing exactly that: it is advocating for an end to all military activity in Syria because no lasting solution in Syria will be delivered through military means alone. The apparent chemical attack in the city of Douma in Syria on 7 April was horrifying, even by the standards of the Syrian conflict to date. It was distressing to see images of children choking to death, their lives...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Do I not have more time, given that four Members posed questions on the matter?

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I had four minutes to reply but those raising the Topical Issue had four minutes each.

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do not want to break the rules.

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Time could, perhaps, be taken from my next contribution. I ask to be allowed to finish my contribution and put several things on the record of the House.

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is strongly supportive of efforts to strengthen prohibitions on the use of chemical weapons and supports a range of initiatives to increase accountability for their use, as well as supporting an end to all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. It supports the international, impartial and independent mechanism established by the UN General Assembly, the...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My record is pretty strong in relation to disagreeing with the United States on certain issues in the United Nations. We voted for a motion that was very critical of the United States on the Jerusalem issue, despite being asked not to. My record is pretty clear in that regard. I do not think some of the comparisons are relevant. As far as I am concerned, it is a warped idea that one...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: What I have said-----