Results 31,121-31,140 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rockall Island Ownership (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: On 31 May, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, wrote to me to indicate that, subject to operational priorities, the Scottish Government intended to deploy vessels to the area one week after the date of the letter (i.e. from 7 June) and intended to take enforcement actions against any vessel, regardless of nationality, that it considered to be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 68, 78 and 81 together. The recent political events and violence against protestors in Sudan follows over six months of demonstrations, triggered initially by spiralling costs of living. On 11 April, it was announced that President Omar al-Bashir had been removed from power and that a Transitional Military Council (TMC) had assumed control in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Committees (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: The establishment of the Business and Human Rights Implementation Group was a key commitment of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017-2020. The Plan, which was launched in November 2017, gives effect to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and sets out a range of actions to progress the business and human rights agenda. The Implementation Group, established in...

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

Simon Coveney: Protecting Ireland's interests in the context of the UK decision to leave the EU continues to be a priority for this Government. The Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with EU partners and with the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities, interests and concerns in this regard. I have repeatedly discussed the Government’s concerns...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: The attacks on the Al Noor mosque and the Linwood Islamic Cultural Centre in Christchurch in March were horrifying, and have made a strong impact around the world. In the statement I issued condemning the attacks, I sent my sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of those injured and killed and I would like to do so again today. We must hope that the injured recover as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Committees (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the recently released opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to which the Deputy refers.  As judicial proceedings are on-going it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.  It remains my view that the constitutional and political arrangements of Spain are matters that are best determined by its citizens and their public representatives.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: Fundamental values and the rule of law are a shared EU interest and call for a common approach.  Rule of law issues in Hungary have been discussed at the General Affairs Councils on a number of occasions since last Autumn. These discussions have involved the Commission, Hungary and other Member States. Ireland has actively participated in these discussions to highlight the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since its launch a year ago my Department has been working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and a range of other Government partners to ensure the effective delivery of the ambitions set out in Global Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will open at least 26 new diplomatic Missions over the life time of Global Ireland and will further strengthen the existing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Religious Persecution (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: The heinous attacks which took place at various locations across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday were an affront to humanity. At the time, I condemned them in the strongest possible terms as a violation of the freedom of religion and belief. Shortly after the attacks took place, the Taoiseach, wrote to his counterpart, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, condemning those attacks and...

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

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is currently in its peak season for passport demand with the vast majority of applications being received between February and August each year. At present, renewal applications received through the Online Passport Renewal Service are being processed within the target turnaround time of 10 working days plus postage time. A large proportion of applications submitted...

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

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Affairs Council met in Luxembourg yesterday (17 June) and the decision by Turkey to purchase a Russian anti-aircraft missile system was not on the agenda. It is not our normal practice to comment on the defence procurement policies of third countries.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: Throughout the Article 50 process, I, as well as officials from my Department, have had frequent and ongoing contact with representatives from other EU27 Member States and the Commission. In recent weeks, I met with my Dutch, Maltese and Swedish counterparts, and will hold further meetings with other EU colleagues throughout the summer.  The European Council on 10 April agreed to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report commissioned by the Northern Ireland Civil Service to which the Deputy refers and which my officials are examining it in detail. The report makes clear that micro and small enterprises in Northern Ireland will be the most adversely affected in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit, with the agrifood sector especially vulnerable. This scenario would also have the...

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

Simon Coveney: The European Council on 10 April agreed to extend that Article 50 process to 31 October, providing the UK with more time to ensure an orderly withdrawal. It also provided flexibility for the UK to leave before that date if Westminster ratifies the Withdrawal Agreement. It would be for the UK alone to decide to request a further extension of the Article 50 process. We expect that should...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (18 Jun 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. Irish citizenship is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: The recent visit of the President of the United States of America and First Lady Melania Trump to Ireland served to support the promotion of Ireland’s interests in the US and also contributed to the development of our strong economic, political and cultural links with the US. Costs relating to the visit which will be charged to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are not yet...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: The negotiations on the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union are concluded. On 25 November 2018, the European Council endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement and approved the Political Declaration on the EU-UK future relationship. The Withdrawal Agreement was also agreed by the British Cabinet, although it has yet to be ratified in the UK. Throughout the negotiations there has been a...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 108 together. The absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is a matter of grave concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. On 26 April, the Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister announced a new phase of political talks in Northern Ireland, involving the five main parties, together with the British and Irish...

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

Simon Coveney: At the Foreign Affairs Council on 13 May 2019, my EU counterparts and I had the opportunity to discuss recent developments in Libya, including the ongoing fighting around Tripoli, with the United Nations Special Representative for Libya, Ghassan Salamé. This conflict is endangering civilians, including vulnerable migrants and refugees, and disrupting efforts to find a political way...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (18 Jun 2019)

Simon Coveney: 17 May last marked the 45th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, represented the Government at the remembrance ceremony in Dublin. The Government stands in solidarity with all those who lost loved ones or were injured on that day, and who suffer still as...