Results 28,081-28,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: What I have said is that I condemn any chemical attack on any population, military or civilian. We are trying to put chemical weapons out of use permanently. The reason behind the motivation for targeted strikes was to act as a very clear deterrent to make sure that we do not see repeated use of chemical weapons on civilian populations and targets in Syria, which is a country that has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Registration of Births (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department takes very seriously its responsibilities in relation to determining entitlement to Irish citizenship. State-issued photographic identification forms an essential part of the documentary requirements for all applications for Foreign Birth Registration, and this is clearly stated on my Department’s website and on the application form for citizenship through Foreign Birth...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 136, reference No. 14154-18, of 28 March 2018. Since then, on 2 April 2018, the Russian Ambassador contacted the Secretary General of my Department to advise him of Russia’s decision to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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 within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Location of Victims' Remains (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I recently met with the family in the case referred to by the Deputy. I subsequently tasked officials in my Department with engaging with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the issue. My Department will keep the family informed as to the progress of these efforts. As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a private and most difficult matter for the family and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department was made aware of this case in March 2018 and officials have been providing all appropriate assistance to the individual and his family since then. Consular Assistance officials in Dublin and in the Consulate General of Ireland in Boston continue to be in regular contact with the individual, his family, the correctional centre, and the Irish Pastoral Centre. As the Deputy knows,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The passport application form is distributed with accompanying notes which provide an overview for the main categories of passport application, a section by section guide on how to complete the application form and contact details for the Passport Service. The Passport Service processes passport applications from many different categories of applicant, through a range of different...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions Application (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together. 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 criticised their failure to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mr. Magnitsky’s death. A...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Election Monitoring (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together. The first round of presidential elections are due to take place in Colombia on 27 May 2018, following national legislative elections which took place on 11 March 2018, the first since the country’s historic peace accord was approved in November 2016. I am aware of the reports of violence in Colombia in the electoral season...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Co-operation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). The Department seeks to minimize expenditure on consultants and commissions external expertise only in areas where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, where independent evaluation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 191 together. The consultative relationship between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) is governed by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, which outlines the eligibility requirements for consultative status; rights and obligations of NGOs in consultative status; procedures for withdrawal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Law Reform Commission (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: No legislation originating from work carried out by the Law Reform Commission has been enacted by my Department in any of the past ten years.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul. A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Government is conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178, 181 and 184 together. The 132 members of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were elected in 2006 for a four year mandate. The PLC has not held a regular session since 2007 and its mandate has since expired. I regret that it has not been possible to hold long overdue elections. I note that there are currently twelve members of the PLC currently...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 182, 183, 185, 190, 193 and 194 together. I have been greatly concerned by the events in Gaza over recent weeks, and especially by the appalling number of serious injuries and deaths to people engaged in demonstrations. Every country is entitled to defend its border, but the use of force, and particularly deadly force, must only be used as a last...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: A State Visit is the highest level of official visit from one country to another. It is undertaken by a Head of State and takes place at the invitation of one State to another. State Visits to Ireland include an official welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, a State Dinner hosted by the President and calls on the Taoiseach...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The quickest and easiest way for an adult to renew a passport is to apply online. These passports are being turned around in 10 working days or less, plus postage time. This service is currently only available for adults renewing their passport but it is planned to extend this service to other renewal categories by the end of this year.Renewals applications, through Passport Express, are now...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Apr 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: Diplomatic Representation (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Following on from extensive briefings by the United Kingdom at senior official level and to EU Foreign Ministers, Prime Minister Theresa May addressed the European Council on 22 March. She made a compelling case in support of her government’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation was responsible for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Passport Service that the correspondence to which the Deputy refers concerns a passport renewal application that was processed in March of this year. I am advised, that this correspondence was answered by my Department on 5thApril 2018. I understand that the essence of this correspondence concerned a data breach that was promptly brought to the Passport Service’s...