Results 29,361-29,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Finance Bill 2018: Referral to Select Committee (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: As has been repeatedly stated, the Government is fully committed to that longstanding policy of military neutrality, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. This commitment was most recently detailed in the White Paper on Defence published in August 2015. This reaffirmed that Ireland’s policy of military neutrality is a core element of Irish foreign policy,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I continue to be deeply concerned about the situation in Nicaragua. The violence, intimidation and arbitrary arrest and detention of those seeking to peacefully protest is wholly unacceptable and I have unreservedly condemned these actions on a number of occasions. The right to freedom of expression and to peaceful demonstration are fundamental to a functioning democracy. I am aware...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of full time equivalent staff by grade in my Department as at 30 September 2018 is outlined in the table. Grade Number of Staff Secretary General 1 Second Secretary General 4 Deputy Secretary General 1 Assistant Secretary 23 Counsellor 84 Principal Officer 20 Principal Development Specialist 3.9 Senior Development Specialist 10 Assistant Legal Adviser 8 First Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The regulation of civil aircraft is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention). From that Convention and subsequent international treaties, international rights and freedoms of air for civil aircraft, including the right to refuel, are derived. Ireland’s rights and obligations under the Convention have been incorporated into Irish law...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of passport applications received in the categories and years requested are outlined below. 2016 2017 2018* Applications received from outside of Ireland 190,905 227,223 191,271*1 January to 30 September All Passport applications must meet the requirements of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended (“the Act”) before they can be processed. In all cases, the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Budgets (25 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 to 80, inclusive, together. The total capital allocation for my Department in 2019 across its two Votes – Vote 27: International Co-operation and Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade – will be €21 million, €17 million of which had been allocated under the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The 2019 allocation will represent an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The regulation of civil aircraft is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention). From that Convention and subsequent international treaties, international rights and freedoms of air for civil aircraft, including the right to refuel are derived. Ireland’s rights and obligations under the Convention have been incorporated into Irish law through the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Implementation Bodies (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In this jurisdiction, responsibility for the North South Implementation Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement is exercised by several of my Government colleagues: the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (InterTrade Ireland), the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Waterways Ireland and the Language Body which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place in Dublin on 2 November. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, and I 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 Set up under the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Development (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The debate on the future of Europe was launched by the Heads of State and Government of the EU27 in Bratislava in September 2016. The European Commission subsequently published a White Paper on the issue and followed it up with a series of Reflection Papers on EU finances, harnessing globalisation, defence, the social dimension and completion of economic and monetary union. In September...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: FBR Application Numbers based on Place of Birth 2016 - Place of Birth No of online applications - WORLDWIDE TOTAL 13,982 1 ENGLAND 6,137 2 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 3,621 3 AUSTRALIA 846 4 SOUTH AFRICA 629 5 CANADA 533 6 SCOTLAND 491 7 NEW ZEALAND 403 8 WALES 136 9 GERMANY 91 10 CHINA 68 11 ZIMBABWE 62 12 FRANCE 57 13 PAKISTAN 57 14 UAE 50 15 SWITZERLAND 39 16 INDIA 38 17...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. I have taken note of the declaration, adopted last month at the 42nd Plenary Meeting of the World Forum of United Nations Associations in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, calling for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Association. Ireland remains open-minded on the concept of such an assembly. My Department will consider how best to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: All correspondence received by me or by my Department concerning Brexit is brought to the attention of the appropriate officials. On Brexit, we receive correspondence from a wide variety of organisations, groups and individuals. The subjects range from views and queries on technical aspects of the negotiations or our preparedness activities to more general observations regarding Brexit itself.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the past three years, I have not met with representatives of the named company or organisation. In the course of the work of my Department, there is regular interaction with prominent Irish citizens, including for example at Irish community or other official functions and correspondence can arise in relation to such events. For example, an invitation issued to a person from the named...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government continues to pursue two key objectives with regard to Irish immigration to the United States; firstly, increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US; and secondly, seeking some form of relief for undocumented Irish citizens living in the US. The Taoiseach discussed the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office last March and also in his meetings on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department regularly reviews the network of Honorary Consuls and, in the context of making new appointments, it takes into account the need to provide for the welfare of Irish citizens, resident or visiting, as well as the prospect of developing trade and economic relations with the country or region concerned. In principle, I am open to the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Haiti if...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not received a request to send international observers to observe the upcoming elections in Bahrain at this time. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of individuals which can be drawn upon in the event of a request for election observers from the EU or OSCE. In the event that there is a decision to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I remain gravely concerned about the escalating crisis in Yemen and deeply troubled by reports of the threat of famine, of widespread disease, and of violations of basic human rights. After over three years of armed conflict, a stalled peace process and a severe economic decline which has accelerated the collapse of essential basic services and institutions, Yemen is in the grip of a...