Results 31,261-31,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (3 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The United States introduced the economic element of their long awaited plan for the Middle East Peace Process, entitled Peace to Prosperity, at a meeting described as a workshop, which took place in Bahrain on 25-26 June. The published document sets out a range of possibilities for economic revitalisation and growth for Palestinians and the neighbouring countries, which could be achieved if...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (3 Jul 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Offices (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: At present, my Department is responsible for 12 buildings in various locations in Dublin, Balbriggan, Limerick and Cork which have a total of 185 bicycle parking spaces and 188 lockers.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: It has been reported that a number of arrests took place on 25 June in Egypt, including the case raised by the Deputy. The arrest of journalists is always a matter of concern, given the important role which the media plays in holding governments to account. I believe that a strong and stable democracy cannot flourish without full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The United States introduced the economic element of their long awaited plan for the Middle East Peace Process, entitled Peace to Prosperity, at a meeting which took place in Bahrain on 25-26 June. The published document sets out a range of possibilities for economic revitalisation and growth for Palestinians and the neighbouring countries, which could be achieved if the parties can agree a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The trade agreement reached last week is part of a comprehensive new Association Agreement under negotiation between the EU and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). The Association Agreement is composed of a political and cooperation pillar – on which negotiators already reached a general agreement in June 2018 in Montevideo – and the trade pillar. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is of grave concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. I have been working intensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in recent weeks in the talks at Stormont to support the leaders of the political parties in finding an agreement that will get all of the institutions of the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Commission’s 2019 Enlargement Package report on Turkey noted that there are serious concerns regarding the protection of the fundamental rights of LGBTI persons. It found that, over the past year, LGBTI activities and Pride parades have been banned or stopped by police in several provinces; that hate speech against the LGBTI community is a common occurrence; and discrimination...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Online Passport Renewal Service was launched on March 30 2017. Since its launch, 545,542 passports have been issued on foot of online applications. During the same time period, a total of 92,934 passports were issued on foot of applications submitted through the public counter at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and 1,155,458 passports were issued on foot of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Irish citizens living overseas can submit their passport application via Ireland's network of Embassies and Consulates overseas. The following table outlines the number of passport applications made via each Embassy or Consulate for the years requested. Many Irish Embassies have accreditation for other countries and provide passport services for Irish citizens for more than one...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. The Passports Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by Irish law and in particular the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, under which and in general, Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The development of a site in central Tokyo, Japan, to establish a new Ireland House is advancing. This is the first time that the State has invested in a brownfield urban site overseas to facilitate the design and build-out of an Ireland House. This multi-year project includes the construction of a bespoke, modern building comprising an official residence and office accommodation for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply troubled by reports of adults being executed by Saudi Arabia for alleged crimes committed when they were children. These death sentences directly contravene Saudi Arabia's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states, “Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public information advertising and awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens.  Social media and online promoted content play a significant role in this connection.  Examples of where my Department has advertised using social media have included public information campaigns in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The European Commission is taking a number of values-related infringements proceedings against Hungary regarding the NGO law and the Higher Education Law and its impact on the operation of the Central European University as well as in relation to asylum procedures. Rule of law issues in Hungary have been discussed at the General Affairs Councils on a number of occasions since Autumn...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I met with Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow on 2 July. Agenda items for our consultations included our bilateral political and economic relations, as well as a range of regional and international issues such as the situation in Ukraine, Syria, Iran, the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, non-proliferation, the Council of Europe, human rights, cyber-security, disinformation, and Brexit. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The Department seeks to minimise expenditure on consultants and commissions external expertise only in cases where highly specialised skills are not available internally. During the course of engagement, these consultants and experts may...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: In 2016, my Department made a payment to Deloitte of €8,034 for an ICT licence renewal.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I was shocked to learn of the attack on the detention centre in Tajoura, Libya, last week. Attacks against civilians, including refugees and migrants, are totally unacceptable, and contrary to International Humanitarian Law. On 3 July, I issued a statement condemning the attack, and supporting the calls of the EU and the UN for an investigation into the facts of what may well constitute a war...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The award-winning Online Passport Renewal Service was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world. In November 2018, the Online Passport Renewal Service was expanded to include the online renewal of children’s passports, to introduce a passport card for children, and to expand...