Results 30,501-30,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: Mitigating in so far as possible the negative impacts of the UK's departure from the European Union has been, and continues to be, an absolute priority issue for this Government. The Taoiseach, my Cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with our EU partners and the UK Government to advance Ireland’s priorities in this regard. I did not have specific...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 143, 149, 150, 163, 164, 168 and 169 together. I am aware of the climate of violence and intimidation which exists for political and community activists and leaders in Colombia, as well as of the worrying figures and specific case to which the Deputy refers. This continues to be a matter of real concern for the Government. I wish, first of all,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. The Ambassador of Ireland in Ankara travels regularly to Iran in support of our broad policy objectives, including the development of political relations, trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses operating or hoping to operate there. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have regular contact with my EU counterparts covering a broad range of issues. I have not been contacted directly by my EU colleagues on the use of 5G technology by this company. However, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 18 March, where this topic was raised briefly during the course of a wide-ranging discussion on a variety of issues of mutual interest, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the concerns in Brazil, and across Latin America more widely, regarding environmental issues, land rights and the rights of indigenous communities. Sensitivities relating to development of indigenous lands without sufficient consultation or consent with the local population have been brought to my attention and I remain concerned at reports of unacceptable levels of violence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Reconciliation Fund awards grants to organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. The annual budget for the Fund was €2.7 million in 2018. In May 2018, on the 20th Anniversary of the referendums on the Good Friday Agreement, I announced that it would be increased to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: This application for Foreign Births Registration, citizenship by descent, was received by my Department on 1 March 2019, and receipt was acknowledged to the applicant on that date. At present it takes approximately six months to process a complete Foreign Birth Registration application. However, due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, certain applications may take...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Interdepartmental Working Groups (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The following interdepartmental working groups are currently established in which my Department has a role along with a number of intradepartmental working groups: Name: Interdepartmental Working Group to the National Archives Amendment Act (2018). Focus: Agree an implementation plan for the amendments to the National Archives Act (1986) and to move to release official records to the public...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. I am well aware of the vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan and will continue to raise the issue with the Pakistan Government as well as through the framework and mechanisms of the European Union and the United Nations. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through its Consular offices in Dublin and Cork and through its network of missions abroad, may issue a civil letter of freedom to Irish citizens getting married abroad. It is important to note that this is not an Irish requirement, but is based on the requirements of the country where the marriage will take place. Each country has its own...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: From time to time my Department receives comments from members of the public giving feedback on how we could improve our services both at home and at our 82 Missions abroad. We are committed to constantly improving how we conduct our business and to ensuring that our staff across all offices, both in Ireland and our global network of Embassies and Consulates, act in a highly professional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (26 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply troubled by the grave human rights abuses that migrants and refugees are reported to be suffering in Libya, in particular the persistent abuses that have been reported in Libyan detention centres by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and others. At the Foreign Affairs Council in December, the EU committed to continue working with the Libyan...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (27 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: If the Deputy wants, I can try to come back to him later with a detailed answer. My understanding, in simple terms, is that a person can continue to drive in Ireland on a British licence if he or she is visiting Ireland, but if that person is permanently resident in Ireland and driving on a British licence, he or she needs to swap that licence for an Irish licence before Britain leaves the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy may be aware, the Business and Human Rights Implementation Group is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights. Officials in my Department act as the Secretariat to the Group, which is independently chaired by Ms. Breege O'Donoghue. It is intended that once the minutes of the Group’s meetings have been approved by its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Controls (27 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by Passport Service staff that the passports in question are valid and in date. Passports are internationally recognised travel documents which attest to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Passport Service, within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is responsible for the issuance of passports to Irish citizens and for the maintenance of the security and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: At the 40th and most recent session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights presented the Guiding Principles on Human Rights Impact Assessments for Economic Reform Policies in response to Resolutions on the matter from the 34th and 37th Sessions of the Council. The implementation of these guiding principles is a matter for each...

Seanad: Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland: Statements (27 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I welcome this opportunity for discussion with the House on the critical issue of dealing with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. The key principles of the Government’s approach to that legacy are based on the commitments enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement. We must address the legacy of the past and we must remember what happened. We also have a duty to the families of...

Seanad: Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland: Statements (27 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank Senators for the way in which this debate has proceeded. It is appropriate in some ways that members of a family directly involved in this issue are present in the Visitors Gallery. The commentary has been respectful and dignified, which is what we are trying to achieve in this political and cross-community discussion on how we deal with the real challenges of reconciliation which,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: We are listening. Nobody is denying the figures or the fact that there are far too many individuals, families and children who are homeless in Ireland. Rebuilding Ireland is a plan to try to respond to that problem, as well as to a whole series of other challenges in the housing market, a market that was fundamentally broken and that we are fixing. It is important to deal with the facts,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is true.