Results 31,841-31,860 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 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 regular bilateral meetings, I have strongly emphasised to the Secretary of State the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Footprint Initiative (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: ‘Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025', sets out the Government’s ambitions for expanding and deepening our international presence and influence. It includes the expansion of Ireland’s mission network which will deepen our impact across priority regions, provide opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, strengthen political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the concerns regarding attacks on indigenous communities and environmental defenders in Brazil, and concerns that such groups are often a target of violence due to their concerns around the development of indigenous lands without sufficient consultation or consent. A report released in August 2018 by UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Victoria...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I very much welcome the publication of the second report of the Independent Reporting Commission. I commend the Commission for its valuable work so far and the efforts it has put into this report. The IRC report is a sobering reminder of the continuing adverse impact that paramilitarism continues to have on society in Northern Ireland and brings an important and timely focus on what...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade closely monitor international affairs, and situations such as the protests in Algeria, Chile, Ecuador, Haiti, Iraq and Lebanon are regularly discussed with EU counterparts, in Brussels and by Embassies in-country. Where it is necessary in order to set the strategic direction for the EU response, these issues are discussed at Ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government follows developments in Spain closely. I am aware of the verdict of the Spanish Supreme Court to which the question refers, as well as of reactions to the decision across Catalonia and the rest of Spain. I maintain contact with my Spanish counterpart on a range of issues, including the situation in Catalonia. We respect the importance of the principle of the separation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: EU-NATO cooperation is focused on promoting security and maintaining peace and stability and is developed with full respect for the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations, as well as respecting the specific character of the security and defence policies of EU Member States. This includes those which are not members of NATO. The EU’s cooperation with NATO is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a high priority for Ireland, for the European Union and for me personally. While in New York in September for the high level week of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, I attended a number of events and meetings and also held a series of bilateral meetings with a range of Ministers and other interlocutors. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that the Gambia has just yesterday submitted an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging breaches of the Genocide Convention by Myanmar. Ireland remains deeply concerned over the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (IIFFM), and other special mandate holders regarding gross human rights violations committed by the Myanmar Military...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: On 17 October, the EU and UK agreed a revised Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on future EU-UK relations. Finalisation of the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement still needs to be completed. Although the House of Commons voted in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at second reading, elections are now scheduled in the UK for 12 December, and that process is on hold....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Official Development Assistance (ODA) is an essential element of Ireland's foreign policy. In line with the Government’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the new policy for international development, A Better World - published in February - Ireland's international development programme is focused on reaching the furthest behind first through delivery of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that the Deputy has raised concerns about the length of## time some prisoners in Northern Ireland spend on remand and on bail prior to facing trial. Officials from my Department based in Belfast have engaged with the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice in relation to this issue. The NI Department of Justice Prison Population report from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Economic Sanctions (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and our EU partners have long monitored the US embargo on Cuba, which ultimately is a policy issue for the US Administration. Fundamentally, Ireland believes that the US embargo on Cuba serves no constructive purpose and that its lifting would facilitate an opening of Cuba’s economy to the benefit of its people. In addition, we are not persuaded that the continued embargo is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's position on settlement expansion, related infrastructure development, demolition of Palestinian homes and other buildings, and forced removal of Palestinians from their homes, is extremely clear. All actions which compromise the viability of a future Palestinian state are very damaging. Such unilateral actions further diminish the prospects for successful negotiations and an end to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 78 together. My officials and I remain in close, ongoing contact with representatives of the EU institutions regarding Brexit, as well as other areas of importance to Ireland. I participated in the meeting of the GAC in Article 50 format held on the morning of 15 October, during which Mr. Barnier briefed Ministers on the status of the then...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service, located in my Department, is one unified service composed of three constituent offices located in Mount Street, Dublin, in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and in South Mall, Cork. The Passport Service operates three passport printing machines, two of which are located in our main production facility in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and one located in the Passport office in Mount...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 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. I have engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland throughout the latest talks process, to encourage the parties to reach an accommodation that will get the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The North South Cooperation that we enjoy today brings tangible benefits to the daily lives of people, across the island of Ireland, particularly to those living in the border region, and contributes to economic opportunity and development. It is also a very practical outworking of the peace process which allows for, and in turn encourages, the normalisation of relationships between people...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government has expressed its deepest sympathy for the enormous suffering of the Armenian people during the terrible events of 1915 which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire. No Irish Government has taken a position on the recognition of the events of 1915 as genocide, believing that it is not in a position to adjudicate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since March 2011 my Department has sponsored six items of legislation, as set out in the table below. Post-enactment scrutiny was adopted for the duration of the 31st Dáil through Standing Order 141A, effective from 5 November 2013, and was adopted by Standing Order 164A for the 32nd Dáil. In that light, the requirement to report does not apply to the first three pieces of...