Results 29,181-29,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to the Government. The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Relations Contracts Data (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Further to my reply to Question No. 61 of 27 September, I confirm that my Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations or communications advice in 2018. My Department has from time to time commissioned companies with a public relations and communications background to provide other professional services such as project management, logistics and event management,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Expenditure (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The purpose of the Brexit section of my Department’s website is to provide a resource that enables users to learn about work that the Government is undertaking to protect their interests in the Brexit negotiations and also about supports and resources that are available to help Ireland get Brexit Ready. The website section in question was recently revamped to reflect the latest...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s support for the Palestinian people, which so far this year amounts to almost €13 million, includes support for human rights NGOs and civil society organisations involved in a range of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding programmes. Ireland has for many years been working to maintain a focus on the justice and human rights issues affecting Palestinians on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: From 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017, the number of passport applications received was 789,024. In the recent 12 month period from 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018 the number of passport applications received was 796,327. This figure show an increase of 0.9% over the previous 12 month period. The percentage increase in applications year on year can vary depending on the period in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The UK decision to leave the European Union poses unprecedented challenges for the island of Ireland. The Government continues very much to regret the decision. But it is the policy of the British Government based on a democratic decision within the UK as a whole, notwithstanding the fact that a majority of voters in Northern Ireland, as in some other parts of the UK, did not support Brexit....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 71 together. The Embassy network is a vital resource for our state agencies through its active support of their daily work and strategic objectives in overseas markets. The Embassy network is an invaluable asset for trade promotion in locations with limited or no state agency presence. In addition to economic and public diplomacy, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Each year, Ireland attends the United Nations General Assembly held at UN Headquarters in New York. We take our place alongside the 192 other Member States of the UN at this important global gathering each September. The 73rdsession of the UN General Assembly got underway in early September. The theme for this year’s General Debate which took place from 25 September-1 October was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 70 together. Ireland is a strong supporter of the enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of the Western Balkans. We believe it is a transformative driver for stability and peace, and that it will enhance stability, political reform and economic growth. Providing the countries of the Western Balkans with a credible membership...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s policy on the Middle East has always been based on the belief that the two sides would need a degree of international assistance and pressure to reach a peace agreement. This is not dissimilar from our own peace process. For over a year, the United States Administration has been actively exploring the possibilities for re-launching the process to reach a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together. I am aware of reports that prisoners in Bahrain have been denied adequate healthcare in prison. Ireland attaches great importance to safeguarding the human rights of all prisoners, with due regard for the international standards enshrined in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. As I have stated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has no Embassy in the Philippines and no Irish officials working there. The Embassy of Ireland to Singapore is currently accredited on a non-residential basis to the Philippines. You will be aware, however, that the Government announced in June this year the opening of a new Embassy in the Philippines as part Global Ireland 2025. The new mission will be operational by the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: On 30 September, Macedonian citizens had the opportunity to vote on the Prespa Agreement, which was signed on 17 June by the Greek and Macedonian Foreign Ministers and proposes changing the name of the country to the Republic of North Macedonia, potentially ending a dispute between the two neighbours that has lasted for decades. I want to commend those who voted in the consultative...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Ireland’s candidacy was announced in 2005. The campaign leading up to 2020 is already well under way. I am using every opportunity during bi-lateral contacts and meetings to press the value of Ireland playing a strong and independent role on the Council. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (9 Oct 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 €8.60 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €9.60 per year for renewal of an American passport and €17.20 per...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The fees for citizenship through entry on the Foreign Births Register are set out in Statutory Instrument number 47/2013 - Foreign Births Regulations 2013, which provides for fees as follows: Under 18 Registration: €125 + €20.00 for the certificate Over 18 Registration: €250 + €20.00 for the certificate These fees are uniform irrespective of where a person applies...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Embassy of Ireland in Sofia, Bulgaria is accredited on a non-residential basis to Georgia. Ireland enjoys excellent relations with Georgia. With the launch of ‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’, the Government is committed to doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period ahead, while also continuously reviewing the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: An application for the individual named was registered with the Passport Service on the 2 October 2018. The Passport Service has been in touch with the applicant regarding the latest status of his application and has explained what is required to allow his application be processed as quickly as possible. The Passport Service aims to process all passport applications submitted via...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Based on 2017 application volumes, the Passport Service has calculated the potential annual cost of reducing the passport application fee to €60 for applicants over 75 years of age to be just under half a million euros. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Conferences (9 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: A number of developing countries, led by Ecuador and South Africa, have proposed the elaboration of an internationally legally binding instrument on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises and in this regard an Inter-Governmental Working Group was established in 2014 on foot of a resolution of the Human Rights Council. The next session of the Inter-Governmental Working...