Results 28,981-29,000 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 81 together. The sentencing this week of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters journalists working in Myanmar, to seven years in prison under the Official Secrets Act, is a cause of significant concern. That they were arrested for covering allegations of grave human rights violations by the Myanmar Military against the Rohingya community in Rakhine...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: Venezuela is currently experiencing the worst political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis in its history. I am deeply concerned about the serious, volatile, and rapidly deteriorating situation which is increasingly affecting neighbouring countries, and countries in the region. I continue to urge the Government of Venezuela to engage in dialogue with the opposition, to respect the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply troubled by the persistent human rights abuses that have been perpetrated against migrants in Libyan detention centres, as reported by the UN Human Rights Office and others. I have raised these concerns at the Foreign Affairs Council, as did the Taoiseach at the European Council in October 2017. I have repeatedly condemned these abuses, and will continue to raise my concerns at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 82 together. The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable framework for providing stable, inclusive, power-sharing government for all the people of Northern Ireland and for sustaining our interlocking relationships – within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland, and between the UK and Ireland. The devolved, power-sharing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s contingency planning for Brexit was initiated well in advance of the UK referendum in June 2016 and since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in May 2017 I have overseen a sustained intensification of these efforts. To this end, co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Supports (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: There is already a very strong awareness and understanding at EU level of the potentially significant and unique economic impacts of Brexit on Ireland and an openness to exploring ways in which the EU can play a helpful and supportive role. This was a particular focus of my meeting with EU Budget Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, during his visit to Dublin in March, and in subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: Advancing Ireland’s trade, tourism, education and investment objectives through economic diplomacy and related activities is at the forefront of Ireland’s foreign policy and is reflected in our approach to engaging with global challenges as set out in The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World. The Embassy network currently comprises 82 Embassies,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Staff (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 to 116, inclusive, together. The Government’s contingency planning for Brexit was initiated well in advance of the UK referendum in June 2016 and since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in May 2017 I have overseen a sustained intensification of these efforts. To this end, co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: It was announced on Friday 31 August by the White House that the US President proposed to visit Ireland in November as part of his trip to Europe to commemorate the end of the First World War. The Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade was informed of the proposed visit of the US President on Wednesday 29 August. Discussions took place at official level between the US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers Data (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: Details of Political Advisers employed by my Department since the commencement of this Government are outlined in the following table. Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan Special Advisor Date of Commencement Date of Cessation Sarah Kavanagh 6 May 2016 15 June 2017 Tom Fabozzi 27 May 2016 16 June 2017 Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy Special Advisor Date of Commencement Date of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland does not currently have plans to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism with Nepal. Ireland and Nepal, however, have strong and very friendly bilateral relations. The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, attended the Nepal-Ireland friendship day ceremony in Dublin on 18 August, which I understand was an extremely successful event. Ireland does not have a resident...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not have a role in regard to the issuance of visas for Irish citizens travelling to the Philippines. This is a matter for the Philippine authorities. In all circumstances citizens are advised to make contact with the closest Embassy or representative office of the country they intend to visit. An Irish citizen wishing to apply for a visa for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, BIIGC, took place in London on 25 July. I and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, represented the Government. The UK Government was represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, David Lidington MP, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP. The Conference was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together. SAFE Level 2, SAFE2, registration is a process that allows a person to verify their identity for a number of public services provided by specified bodies. The Public Services Card and the relevant issuing process, which is managed by the Department of Social Protection, requires SAFE2 registration and verification. SAFE2 is secure...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (18 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: In his “State of the Union” address to the European Parliament on 12 September 2018, the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, gave a wide-ranging speech in which he touched on numerous issues. One of these, following on from his address of 2017, was a request to Member States to examine if there are foreign policy decisions in certain areas that could be...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government’s contingency planning for Brexit was initiated well in advance of the UK referendum in June 2016 and since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit in May 2017 I have overseen a sustained intensification of these efforts. To this end, co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (19 Sep 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 the long campaign of the Ballymurphy families, including in 2015 in bringing forward the All-Party Dáil Motion, and the Government will continue to stand in solidarity...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland has consistently made clear our opposition to the building of Israeli settlements in occupied territory, which is illegal under international law. We have stated that both the overall policy and many of the actions taken to carry it out are likely to constitute serious breaches of international law. Ireland is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I welcome the families here today. They clearly made a strong impression on the Deputy when they met him. We want to support them. It would perhaps have been helpful had the Deputy given me a little notice that he would raise this. I could have provided a more detailed answer.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (20 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will commit to talk to the Minister, Deputy Harris, about getting a more detailed answer for the Deputy. I know this is a stressful time for those with spinal muscular atrophy and that patients and their families face enormous day-to-day challenges in dealing with this progressive and life-limiting condition. On 17 May, the European Medicines Agency granted market authorisation for...