Results 28,341-28,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen. Three years of war have had devastating consequences for civilians, with allegations of violations of human rights, international humanitarian law, and significant loss of life. Three quarters of the population are estimated to require some form of humanitarian assistance. At the Foreign Affairs Council in December last...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The crisis in Syria is high on the agenda for me and my Department. My colleague Ciarán Cannon T.D., Minister for State for the Diaspora and International Development, led Ireland’s delegation to the Second Brussels Conference for Syria and the region on 24-25 April. At that conference, Ireland reaffirmed its support for the UN-led efforts to bring about a resolution of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The 70th anniversary of the events of 1948, which is also the anniversary of Israel’s independence, serves to remind us all that the objective of two sovereign states, Israeli and Palestinian, living side by side in peace and prosperity, has yet to be realised. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the hardship it has caused, has gone on for far too long. This has been underlined...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of passports applications processed by the Passport Service in each of the years requested is as follows: YearNumber of passport applications 2015 679,944 2016 750,833 2017 789,701 Jan 1 to April 30 2018 358,572 The figure given for the period covered in 2018 represents a 9% increase on the same period last year.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: All-Island Civic Dialogue (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The fourth plenary session of the All-Island Civic Dialogue took place on Monday 30 April, 2018, in Dundalk Institute of Technology. Over 400 representatives across industry and civic society attended the plenary session and were provided with updates on the main developments in the Brexit negotiations, with an emphasis on the all-island aspects as well as the Government’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: On March 27, in light of the European Council conclusions on the nerve agent attack in Salisbury and based on an assessment of all relevant political, diplomatic and national security considerations, I took the decision to terminate the accreditation of a diplomatic staff member of the Russian Embassy. It is longstanding policy not to comment on the detail of security briefings provided...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The elections in Hungary resulted in a two thirds majority for the ruling party led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Engagement with all EU Member States is a key imperative for Ireland in advancing and protecting our interests in the EU. In that context, we raise not only issues of shared interest with our partners but also issues of concern. The Irish Government will continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 75 together. Firstly, in terms of next steps in the Article 50 negotiations, following on from the March European Council, the EU and UK agreed to five additional formal rounds of negotiations between April and the next European Council in June when progress on all issues will be assessed. These negotiations are focused on all outstanding issues in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply troubled by the abuses perpetrated against refugees and migrants in Libya, as reported by a number of NGOs and other sources. My EU colleagues and I have raised these concerns on a number of occasions at the Foreign Affairs Council, as did the Taoiseach at the European Council in October 2017. I will continue to raise these concerns when appropriate. I reiterate my call on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The arrangements around a visit by the President of the United States to the United Kingdom are a matter for the US and UK authorities and we would have no involvement in such discussions. Given the exceptionally close relations between Ireland and the United States, and the generous hospitality extended to successive Taoisigh by US Presidents at the White House during St Patrick’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the week of the 44th anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings, which saw the biggest loss of life in a single day during the Troubles, I think it is important to acknowledge those across the House who work on a cross-party basis with the Government on this issue, and the tireless efforts of Justice for the Forgotten. The Government will be represented at the wreath-laying ceremony on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 77 together. 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 are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means for achieving...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process is at the forefront of the Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations. This includes the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts and the gains of the peace process, maintaining EU support for the Peace Process, supporting continued North South cooperation and ensuring there is no border infrastructure of any kind...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are in another crucial stage in the Brexit negotiations. Work on drafting the Withdrawal Agreement has been a key focus since December. Published on 28 February, it contains a draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is an integral part of the Agreement. The UK has accepted that a legally operative version of the ‘backstop’ for the border will be included...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the case referred to, I am aware there was considerable pressure from within the Israeli political system against this soldier being tried at all, so it was significant that he was tried, convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. The apparent disparity between the sentence passed, and the sentences regularly imposed on Palestinians for much less serious actions, has been widely...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process is at the forefront of the Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations. This includes the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts and the gains of the peace process, maintaining EU support for the Peace Process, supporting continued North South cooperation and ensuring there is no border infrastructure of any kind...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Staff (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: As Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I have responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government approach to the EU-UK negotiations and to preparations for Brexit, with a view to securing the best possible outcome for Ireland. I work closely with the Taoiseach, who as a member of the European Council, provides strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: An Teanga Gaeilge (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Is nithe tábhachta de Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta iad éagsúlacht teangeolaíoch agus an Ghaeilge. Tá roinnt eilimintí de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm go hiomlán go fóill, iad siúd a bhaineann le hAcht Gaeilge ina measc. Is é seasamh daingean an Rialtais...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Since 29 March 2016, the Passport Service has required all first time passport applicants, aged 18 and above, who are resident in Ireland to hold a valid Public Services card. This requirement also applies to the small number of adult passport applicants, whose passport was issued before 1 January 2005 and has been reported as lost, stolen or damaged and those whose passport expired more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Registration of Births (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade us responsible for processing applications for Irish citizenship via descent and determining entitlement for eligible applicants to be entered on the Foreign Birth register under the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts. This is a very important and onerous matter, and my Department takes very seriously its responsibilities in this...