Results 30,921-30,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: These are very delicate and difficult issues for families to deal with and we should think about how we speak about them and the language we use. Mental health among young people is a very serious issue and this Government has debated how we can improve services and increase funding, both of which are happening, but we should be very careful about talking about individual cases.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Peter, be careful what you say.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: As Deputy O'Reilly is aware, an expert has examined this issue. Dr. Anderson has finished the assessment process and his report on the Rosalie unit concluded that two of the patients require inpatient psychiatric care in a different setting and the remaining ten patients require general nursing as opposed to psychiatric nursing. That was at the time of the inspection. I accept the point...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I know that the families are stressed and this has become a big political issue locally as well. Communication regarding the facilities and supports available to the residents, and indeed their families, needs to be carefully managed. I assume that will happen.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is quite a technical question. I will try to get an answer for the Deputy from the Department of Finance. My understanding is that the Minister for Finance has recommended to the Government, and we have accepted it, that we effectively freeze the current arrangements. The review of the property tax that is needed will be pushed back by 12 months. I will respond to the Deputy with a...

Ireland's Position on the Future of Europe: Statements (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The national statement on the European Union sets out Ireland's priorities for the European Union for the next five years. It will guide the Taoiseach's contribution to an informal debate between EU leaders at Sibiu, Romania, on 9 May on the development of a strategic agenda for the EU for the period from 2019 to 2024. The strategic agenda will be agreed at the June European Council. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies Data (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are no State agencies or bodies under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement. Entitlement to Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Brexit was not on the agenda of the most recent Foreign Affairs Council on 8 April. However, it was discussed at the General Affairs Council (Article 50) on 9 April, which I attended together with Minister of State McEntee. At that meeting, the Ministers prepared the agenda for the European Council the following day. In light of Prime Minister May's letter of 5 April, Ministers considered the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Civil Service Staff Data (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The total number of permanent full-time equivalent staff in civil service grades in my Department at the end of years 2016, 2017 and 2018, the grades of these officers and the proportion of female and male staff in each grade is in tabular form below. My Department also employs locally engaged staff in Missions abroad, and temporary staff on a seasonal basis. My Department is committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The following table summarises the turnaround times for the Passport Service’s main application channels. Turnaround times for individual Missions outside Ireland and the UK are omitted as these will vary for each individual Mission and are dependent on local postal services. Type of Passport application Target turnaround time Average turnaround time  Online Passport Renewal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The number of first-time passport applications received from applicants who were resident in Northern Ireland and Great Britain at the time of application during the period 2014 to 2019 is detailed in the table below: Year First-time applications from applicants resident in Northern Ireland First-time applications from applicants resident in Great Britain 2014 18,370 5,676 2015 20,676...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (18 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The continuing absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a source of deep concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. The devolved...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Security Authority (8 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The National Security Authority is an interdepartmental committee with membership from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. An Garda Síochána and the Irish Defence Forces also participate and the Department of Business, Enterprise and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (8 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement. Entitlement to Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 78, 80, 87 and 89 together. The human rights situation in Bahrain is a matter of concern. Citizens in Bahrain are living in an increasingly restrictive society and there has been further erosion of fundamental freedoms in recent years, including freedom of opinion and expression. I remain concerned about the detention of a number of people in Bahrain,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (8 May 2019)

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 €8.75 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €9.90 per year for renewal of an American passport and €18.50 per...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, together with our EU partners, is deeply concerned over the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (IIFFM) of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and of other reports which conclude that gross human rights violations were committed in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States in particular by the Myanmar/Burma Military (Tatmadaw), many of which amount to the gravest crimes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (8 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: As only limited details have been supplied about the individual in question, it is not possible to provide specific guidance on the case. I can, however, provide general advice on establishing eligibility to hold an Irish passport. All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (8 May 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have prioritised the issue of Irish immigration in the US since taking office. We will continue our efforts in this regard until we secure progress – both in terms of future legal immigration opportunities for Irish citizens, and also in securing a pathway for those Irish who are undocumented in order to regularise their status. Special Envoy to the US Congress on...