Results 28,101-28,120 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: My Department has been in direct contact with the family of the individual involved and has advised that he should make direct contact with the US authorities and with the airline in order to ascertain the reasons he was prevented from travelling. I note from correspondence received by my office that the Deputy has also raised the matter directly with the US authorities. I will be...

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

Simon Coveney: Officials of my Department have viewed an excerpt from the video interrogation record, and read a transcript. It is disturbing to see that a 16 year old child was aggressively interrogated at close quarters for a long period, especially when it is not clear that any family or legal representative was present. I was particularly shocked that threats to detain other family members were made...

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

Simon Coveney: Each year my Department recruits Temporary Clerical Officers for the Passport Service to meet the seasonal demand in passport applications. We have seen a marked increase in demand for passports and citizenship via foreign birth registration from applicants since the Brexit vote. Therefore, Temporary Clerical Officers have also been recruited to assist with this extra demand in both the...

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

Simon Coveney: My colleague the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon T.D., last month published a new Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants. That Report’s analysis of census data shows that, in 2016, 26,428 Irish emigrants returned home and that in the previous year the United States was the usual residence for 2,566 of...

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

Simon Coveney: In 2008 Ireland and the US signed a memorandum of understanding on a 12 month Intern Work and Travel Pilot Programme (a.k.a. the Working Holiday Agreement) that enables Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's country for up to 12 months. The agreement reflects not only the close historical and cultural links between Ireland and the United States of America, but also the...

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

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens at home and abroad. For citizens resident in the state, applications can be submitted through the Passport Express postal service, through the award-winning online passport application service or, in certain circumstances, in person through the counter service in Dublin and...

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

Simon Coveney: The cost of the standard ten year adult Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.70 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €8.90 per year for renewal of an American passport and €17.70 per...

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

Simon Coveney: The length of time it takes to process an adult renewal passport application will depend on the channel through which the application is made. The award winning online passport application service is currently processing applications in 10 working days, plus postage time. It is the fastest and most convenient way for an adult to renew a passport. An adult renewal application submitted...

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

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has established a dedicated Communication Unit to respond to queries from passport applicants. This Unit can be contacted by telephone, email or by web chat on the contact details provided on the Passport Service website, www.dfa.ie/passport. Due to the high volume of calls currently being received, the Passport Service may not be able to answer as many as it would like...

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

Simon Coveney: The target turnaround time for passport applications made via the new, online passport application service is 10 working days, plus postage time. This target turnaround time is currently being met and in many cases being exceeded by up to a week. The online passport application service is the cheapest and most convenient way for an adult to renew a passport as it can be done online anywhere...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. The elections in Hungary last Sunday week resulted in a two thirds majority for the ruling party led by Prime Minister Victor Orban. The Irish Government will continue to work with the Prime Minister and his administration to ensure that the European Union is equipped for the collective challenges we face, not least in addressing the...

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

Simon Coveney: I was shocked and sickened by the images from the chemical attack which took place in Douma on 7 March, and I condemned it unreservedly in a public statement. In response to that horrific attack on civilians, a number of states took action against facilities related to the production of chemical weapons, with the stated objective of ensuring that such attacks do not recur. Yesterday, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 Apr 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...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: That is not exactly a balanced view on Irish-British relations coming from Sinn Féin, and not for the first time. With regard to the issue of substance the Senator has raised, I made two statements on behalf of the Government, on 31 March and on 9 April, on the recent violence on the Israel-Gaza border. I called on all parties to show restraint, in particular on the use of force by...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Senator does not have a clue what I am doing. The only time he ever talks to me about this issue is when motions like this are tabled. Unlike many others who have a deep interest-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: With respect, that is what is coming towards me from Senator Gavan. He said that I am doing nothing but he has no idea what I am doing.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am responding to the Senator's suggestion that we advance Israeli-Palestinian relations and the pathway towards a negotiated solution by expelling the Israeli ambassador from Dublin. I think that would be counterproductive. In fact, I know it would be. That does not mean that we should not speak up and be critical of Israel's actions. I do that all the time. I speak directly to Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (18 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I was delighted to welcome Heiko Maas, the new German Minister for Foreign Affairs to Dublin on 12 April, less than a month after his appointment as foreign minister. We had a warm and constructive meeting. Germany is a hugely influential EU member state. It is Ireland’s fourth largest goods trading partner and our third most important tourism market. Having excellent working relations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (18 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: While the UK’s decision to leave the EU has serious implications for Ireland, we maintain a strong and constructive bilateral relationship with the UK. We are fully committed to developing and enhancing this relationship over the coming years. Additionally, we will work to secure the closest possible positive relationship between the UK and the European Union. There are already a...

Seanad: Northern Ireland and 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement: Statements (18 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am glad to participate in the Seanad statements on Northern Ireland as we mark and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. I welcome that this House is taking the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which comes at another critical time for Northern Ireland. Twenty years on, it is important that everyone should recognise...