Results 28,561-28,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service’s Cork office at the end of May 2018 was 85.9. The number of FTE Staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service’s offices Mount Street, Dublin and Balbriggan, Co. Dublin office at the end of May 2018 was 266.9 In addition...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Budgets (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for two Votes, Vote 27 – International Co-operation and Vote 28 – Foreign Affairs and Trade. The net Estimate for Vote 27 in 2018 is €498,956,000 and the net Estimate for Vote 28 is €192,898,000. A full breakdown of the 2018 allocations to the two Votes can be found in the Revised Estimates for the Public Services 2018, which were...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is currently in its peak season for passport demand with the vast majority of applications being received between February and August each year. The number of applications received from January to May this year is up by over 5% on the same period last year The Passport Service is currently processing over 80,000 passport applications. These applications are going through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: As part of an ongoing Passport Reform Programme, an online passport application service was launched on 30 March 2017. To date over 200,000 adults have renewed their passport using the online facility, with an average processing time of less than 10 working days. At present, the online passport application service accommodates adult passport renewal applications and passport card...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Passport application forms are distributed to members of the public through public offices such as post offices, garda stations and libraries. The same application form is applicable irrespective of whether the applicant is a renewal or a first time applicant. The notes accompanying the application form have recently been updated to include information on the Online Passport Application...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service provides a range of application channels to Irish citizens wishing to apply for a passport. These include a postal application system, an online passport renewal application service and the network of Irish Missions worldwide. In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I met with the families of some of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre in Belfast on 22 November 2017 to hear their views and experiences and to express the Government’s support. The Government has supported their campaign, including in 2015 in bringing forward the All-Party Dáil Motion, and the Government will continue to stand in solidarity with the families. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 108 and 131 together. We have now entered a crucial phase of the negotiations. The overall objective is that the full legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement, as well as a detailed political declaration on the framework for the future relationship, be concluded by the October meeting of the European Council. With a view to achieving this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I most recently met Michel Barnier on 14 May in the margins of the General Affairs Council (Article 50) in Brussels and on 30 April during his visit to the All-Island Civic Dialogue in Dundalk. I will meet Mr Barnier again this week when he accompanies Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, on his visit to Dublin. This will be an important opportunity to take stock of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Work has begun on the initial phase of the expansion of Ireland’s diplomatic network following the launch of “Global Ireland” by the Taoiseach on 11 June. The locations for new missions agreed by Government were identified on the basis of maximising impact in promoting Ireland’s economic and political interests; expanding our influence in terms of values and in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I visited Germany on 12 and 13 June. My visit began in Munich where I had talks with Niels Annen, Minister of State at the German Foreign Ministry. Our discussions included Brexit, developments in the EU generally and our respective bilateral relationship with Africa. In Munich I also met with the Bavarian Minister for Digital, Media and Europe Georg Eisenreich. Brexit, the opening...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 121, 123 and 125 to 127, inclusive, together. This was my third visit as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to Israel and Palestine, and my first to Jordan and Cyprus. I visited Jordan on 5 June, for a visit focused on bilateral relations with Jordan, and the decision to open an Irish Embassy in Amman next year. I met Foreign Minister Safadi,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (19 Jun 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 are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement and are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The maintenance of the Common Travel Area (CTA) is one of the Government’s priorities in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The CTA is a long-standing arrangement between the UK and Ireland which means Irish citizens can move freely to live, work, study, and access social benefits in the UK on the same basis as UK citizens and vice versa. The CTA is an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Commercial advertising is undertaken by my Department in relation to important information with a significant public interest dimension which requires communication to national, regional or local audiences. Typical examples include notices about existing and new services to citizens, employment opportunities and certain public policy initiatives or announcements. Any such advertising occurs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Consultation Process (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with “Reaching Out - Guidelines on Consultation for Public Sector Bodies”, and its 2016 successor, “Consultation Principles and Guidance”, my Department undertakes consultation, where appropriate, with citizens in a meaningful and timely manner. The ultimate objective is to ensure better outcomes and understanding by all of a particular policy or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the difficult situation which currently pertains for human rights defenders in Guatemala and elsewhere in Latin America. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade remains committed to supporting the advancement of human rights in the region, and I condemn unreservedly any act of intimidation or violence perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights. Guatemala has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Rather than unilateral actions by any Member State, the migration crisis requires solutions at European level and, though recent discussions, particularly on the reform of the Dublin Regulation, have been very difficult, efforts to reach agreement on a revised common approach to refugees and asylum seekers must continue. This will be an important subject at the European Council next week. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together. The UN General Assembly voted on 22 June 2017 on a Resolution put forward by Mauritius to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965, prior to Mauritian independence from the UK. The vote on the resolution was 95 in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Programme for Government (19 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government “will honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict.”Successive Irish Governments have looked forward to being able to recognize a fully sovereign State of Palestine, and have seen this coming about as part of a lasting settlement. In recognition of...