Results 31,361-31,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The principal income stream, directly paid by persons to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is the payment of passport fees. In this regard, there are no annual payments, staged or increment payments. For administrative and other reasons there is no proposal to introduce incremental payments.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137 and 140 to 142, inclusive, together. The total capital allocation for my Department in 2019 across its two Votes – Vote 27: International Co-operation and Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade - is €21 million. The corresponding 2018 capital allocation, in the first year of Project Ireland 2040/National Development Plan 2018-2027...

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

Simon Coveney: The continuing absence of the power-sharing Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland and the North South Ministerial Council is of grave 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...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland and the EU have been consistent in its support for the full implementation of the Basic Law and the 'One Country, Two Systems’ principle. This system provides Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, rule of law, an independent judiciary, democratic separation of powers, and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the freedom of assembly and expression. As...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government continues to be concerned at the credible reports with regard to the treatment of Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.  Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to raise this issue directly in our bilateral context with China, and at multilateral levels. These interventions have placed a particular focus on our concern with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Last 17 May 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, Charles Flanagan TD, 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 a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I and my Government colleagues have always been clear that we will seek to maintain the closest possible bilateral relationship with the UK post-Brexit. On a political level, we already cooperate closely through a number of institutions, most notably the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and the British-Irish Council, both of which are institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. ...

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

Simon Coveney: In June, the European Council adopted a new Strategic Agenda 2019-2024 to guide the work of the Union over the next five years. The Strategic Agenda focuses on four overarching priorities: protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe; and promoting European interests on the global stage. The new...

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

Simon Coveney: The launch of ‘Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’ in June 2018 set out the Government’s ambitions for expanding and deepening our international presence, including through the opening of new Embassies and Consulates. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plans to open 26 new diplomatic Missions during the lifespan of Global...

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

Simon Coveney: The Asia Pacific region has grown significantly in importance and influence, and the Global Ireland strategy has set out clear goals and targets for how we meet the challenge posed by changes in the region, and the opportunity presented by greater trade, investment and tourism links. Central to our approach is the commitment to double our impact in the region by 2025.   In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. Appropriate consular assistance is provided to all Irish citizens abroad where this is possible. While our capacity to do so in a zone of conflict is necessarily limited, we will do what can and should be done to assist Irish citizens in distress or danger overseas, including helping them to return home. In the case in question, the presence...

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

Simon Coveney: I have engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland to seek the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework. At the meetings of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and in our bilateral meetings, I have strongly emphasised to the Secretary of State the urgency of...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department continually monitors compliance with its relevant legislative, regulatory and internal procedural obligations. Adherence to compliance deadlines is monitored and evaluated throughout the year with regular reporting to senior management on performance.   There are a number of compliance functions operating across key business units. The civil service renewal plan...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Passport Service that the application referred to was registered with the Passport Service on 5 June this year. All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“The Act”). Section 14 of the Act provides, among other things, that for a passport to issue to a child under 18 years of age, the consent of all the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a matter of concern, in view of the frequency with which violations take place. This includes the treatment of prisoners in detention, and I have raised the subject of detention conditions directly with the Israeli authorities on my visits to the region. Ireland has also raised these issues at EU level and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade closely monitors the situation on the ground in Syria through its accredited Embassy in Cairo and Honorary Consulate in Damascus, as well as through cooperation with international partners. The Department does not comment on individual consular cases. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Appropriate consular assistance is provided to all Irish citizens abroad where possible. Given the complex and sensitive nature of this consular case, it is not appropriate to go into details about options under consideration and ongoing contacts.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“The 2008 Act”). 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 legal requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship in his/her passport application. The applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers Data (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are currently four Special Advisors working in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as outlined below: Name Salary Scale Matthew Lynch Special Advisor to Tánaiste Principal Officer Salary Scale Chris Donoghue Special Advisor to Tánaiste Principal Officer Salary Scale Laura McGonigle Special Advisor to Tánaiste Principal Officer Salary Scale Paul Fox...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Passport Service that a member of Passport Service staff was in contact with the applicant by phone in mid-August. As per her request, the applications referred to were formally cancelled. The Passport Service has returned all supporting documents that were submitted with these passport applications and has requested that the applicant provide bank account...