Results 28,261-28,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Topical Issue Debate: Middle East Issues (9 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Quite frankly, I do not know whether it would be helpful right now but I am happy to talk to the Deputy about that. My only objective is to find a way to move forward a negotiated peace process that can provide medium to long-term solutions for people in Gaza in order that they can see some hope for the future. That could mean removing a blockade, trying to improve living conditions or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (9 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Irish citizens who are visiting Washington, D.C., and who would like to visit the White House should of Ireland in Washington, D.C., at least 21 days before the date of their arrival, supplying their full names (as they appear on their passports) and country of citizenship for each person requesting a tour. The maximum number of visitors that can be accommodated in a visit application is 5....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (9 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government has consistently affirmed our unwavering commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and determination, as co-guarantor of the Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. To this end, over the course of many months, we have been working tirelessly in partnership with the British Government to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (9 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 to 88, inclusive, together. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a capital allocation in the 2018 Revised Estimates of €13 million across its two Votes (Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade). Under the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027, the Department will have capital allocations, across its two...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (10 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I had a useful bilateral meeting with my Polish counterpart, Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 19thMarch last. We discussed a number of issues including bilateral relations and Brexit. I continue to have regular engagements with my Foreign Ministerial colleagues from other EU Member States including at the monthly Foreign Affairs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (10 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Since joining the United Nations in 1955, Ireland has been strongly committed to the values and principles of the UN Charter. As a steadfast supporter of the UN, Ireland continues to advocate, through a range of fora, for reform of the UN’s structures and systems to best equip the organisation to respond to the many and interlinked global challenges of the twenty first century....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (10 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The determination of visa requirements is primarily a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality. I understand however that the existence of a visa requirement is dependent on the citizenship and travel document held by the traveller, and not on their home address.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (10 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The EU’s Chief Negotiator for the Article 50 negotiations, Michel Barnier, attended the All-Island Civic Dialogue in Dundalk on 30 April. Mr Barnier’s visit was yet another demonstration of the EU’s continued steadfast support for Ireland and commitment to addressing our specific concerns in the Brexit negotiations. Mr Barnier delivered the keynote address to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (10 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In November 2017, I welcomed UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson MP, for his first visit to Ireland since being appointed to the position. A number of areas of mutual foreign policy interest were discussed, including the Middle East and Africa, in addition to the strong British-Irish bilateral relationship and how this relationship can be strengthened in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Data (10 May 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 is on...

Order of Business (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Our view is that we do not solve problems by way of one-off messages. In a few weeks' time I will have an opportunity to meet the Israeli Prime Minister in Jerusalem for the fourth time in about nine months. I suspect it will be a very straight conversation. In my view, the idea that we assist Palestinians by cutting off all diplomatic ties with Israel is fundamentally flawed. What...

Order of Business (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: We have engaged and continue to engage with the Palestinian Authority. We have been and continue to be supportive of the ongoing reconciliation process and have supported Egypt in those efforts. What I am serious about trying to do on behalf of the Government and the country is to offer real criticism when necessary, as we have done today very directly with the Israeli Government. We will...

Order of Business (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am listening.

Order of Business (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do not believe the EU approach on the Iranian nuclear deal is about sending the US a message. It is about trying to send Iran a message that the EU and others want to maintain this nuclear deal because we believe it is working. We also believe Iran is complying with its terms. Although the US has taken a different approach, we would like to see that deal remain intact. EU countries are...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: EU Membership (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The election in Hungary resulted in a two thirds majority for the ruling party led by the Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Orbán. Engagement with all EU member states is a key imperative for Ireland in advancing and protecting our interests in the European Union. In that context, we raise not only issues of shared interest with our partners but also issues of concern.The Government will...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: EU Membership (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The role of Hungary as a member of the European Union needs to be one of respecting the treaties and rules so that all member states, including Hungary, have laws that are consistent with those. If they do not, then it is the job of the European institutions, primarily the European Commission, to raise concerns and, if necessary, take action. The threat of action or the taking of legal...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: EU Membership (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: EU Membership (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: There are concerns about the anti-immigrant feeling and anti-Brussels rhetoric that at times come from the Hungarian Government, but the way to address that is to challenge and debate where possible. If policy decisions are contrary to the treaties, we should deal with the issue in a way that is consistent with how the treaties are supposed to function, that is, the European Commission does...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: We have discussed this issue and will do so again as these negotiations proceed, as this is one of the complex areas of negotiation on which we need to make progress. We are making some. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined to ensure it is fully protected in all its parts throughout the process of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. This includes the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Those are fair questions, and that is what these negotiations have to deliver. For the first time, we are effectively discussing a birthright to EU citizenship for our citizens in Northern Ireland even though they will be born outside the EU. That is new. It shows the importance of the Good Friday Agreement, which allows people to choose British, Irish or dual citizenship. That will...