Results 31,341-31,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh (Atógáil) - Questions on Promised Legislation (Resumed) (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is an important issue. I will try to get somebody who can give the Deputy the answer.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh (Atógáil) - Questions on Promised Legislation (Resumed) (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I will have the Minister revert to the Deputy with an exact answer on that. It represents positive progress. I take the opportunity to wish him well in the next few weeks. He is getting married, which is to enter a new institution that I can highly recommend. I wish good luck to him over the summer.

Twenty-fifth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection: Motion (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I move:That Dáil Éireann:(a) approves the Twenty-Fifth Report of the Standing Committee of Selection in accordance with Standing Order 27F, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 11th July, 2019, and discharges and appoints members to Committees accordingly; and (b) pursuant to Standing Order 93(2), appoints Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire as Chair of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: As part of the National Payments Plan objective to increase the use of secure and efficient electronic payments methods and reduce reliance on cash, from the 15 July 2019 cash will no longer be accepted at the Passport Service public counters in Dublin and Cork. Payments from that date onwards can only be made via Credit/Debit card, Postal order or Bank Draft. This decision was taken for a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cyber Security Protocols (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department has a robust monitoring system and an incident response plan in place to deal with cyber security incidents. The Department works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to identify and understand risks and act accordingly, and systems are kept under constant review and updated regularly.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: As I have stated in previous answers to parliamentary questions on this matter, I am aware of the complaints that have been made by some non-governmental organisations regarding private sector activities in the Cerrejón mine and I am aware of the negative publicity concerning the mine. I continue to be concerned by reports of the detrimental impact of the mine on the environment and on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I was pleased to launch the National Plan on Business and Human Rights (2017-2020) in November 2017 on foot of the Government's commitment to give effect to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.  The principle objective of the Plan is to promote responsible business practice at home and overseas by all Irish business enterprises.  Ireland is one of only...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. 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. The following figures...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. 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. The numbers of first time...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: As I have said repeatedly, Libya's system of detaining migrants is unacceptable and must end. Libya, like all other countries, must manage migration in full compliance with international law. This is a matter primarily for the Libyan Government, which bears the responsibility and has the presence on the ground, rather than for external actors such as the EU. The EU is maintaining its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are under eleven months remaining until the expected date of the election for the two available seats in the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. The campaign to secure a seat for Ireland is a priority across the whole of Government, which is taking the opportunity of all appropriate regional, multilateral and bilateral engagements...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The J1 visa programme for Irish citizens to work and travel in the US is managed by US based sponsors and their agents in Ireland under authority of the US Department of State’s Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs.  All figures related to the J1 programme are maintained by US authorities.  My Department, through the Americas Unit in Dublin and through our Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach appointed Deputy John Deasy as Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented Irish in June 2017. As the Taoiseach indicated at the time of the appointment, no additional remuneration is paid to the Deputy Deasy in his role as Special Envoy.   Deputy Deasy is supported, from a logistical perspective, by my staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Footprint Initiative (11 Jul 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, Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025.  On July 8th, the Taoiseach and I hosted a summit in Dublin Castle to mark one year since the launch of the plan bringing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic network of Missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals such as ensuring the efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, supporting emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence. Our Embassies and Consulates contribute directly to safeguarding our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (11 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 commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Brexit remains a priority issue for this Government, and the Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities.   Without the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop, there are no easy answers. A no deal Brexit will have severe economic and political implications for Ireland, North and South....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 133, 138 and 154 together. Let me state clearly at the outset that the Government remains firmly of the view that the best and only way to ensure an orderly Brexit is for the UK to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed by the UK Government and endorsed by the European Council. However, given the ongoing political uncertainty in the UK, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I accompanied President Higgins and his wife Sabina on a State Visit to Germany last week, from 2 to 5 July.   The State Visit was a truly memorable event which highlighted the historic and contemporary links between our two countries.  The success of the visit will, I believe, form a strong basis for further deepening and growing our already excellent bilateral relations in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Living Wage (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The remuneration of the directly employed staff of my Department is sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. The most accurate estimate of the cost per annum is in the region of €836,000 to €1,500,000 to include permanent and temporary staff. It is difficult to determine the exact cost of introducing an hourly rate of...