Results 32,361-32,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department is aware of this case and is providing all possible and appropriate consular assistance to the citizens in question. We have already assisted 170 of our citizens to return home safely from South Africa. Of the citizens remaining there, 70 have indicated an interest in returning home, including the couple in question. The Deputy will be aware that all international commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Brexit remains a key issue for this Government. The Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with our EU partners to advance Ireland’s priorities in matters arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU, including the EU-UK future partnership negotiations, implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and preparations for the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Company Closures (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the situation to which the Deputy refers.  I regret the closure of BD Foods, and the job losses that will result.  The matter is one for my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and I have asked that it be brought to her attention.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with EU partners and, as appropriate UK counterparts, to advance Ireland’s priorities in the context of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Over recent weeks, I have had contacts with EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier, UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, and Secretary of State for Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have prioritised the issue of Irish immigration in the United States since taking office and the issue of the undocumented Irish remains a high priority for the Government.  We have both continuously raised immigration issues in interactions with the US Administration and political leaders, most recently by the Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day visit to the White...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong in light of the recent announcement by the Chinese National People's Congress to implement a law on national security in Hong Kong. Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" under which  Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy, along with an independent political and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens.  To date there has been no expenditure on advertising on social media platforms for campaigns in 2020.  However, some expenditure has occurred in 2020, which relates to campaigns that ran in 2019. In addition to the expenditure from 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 24, 25 and 37 together. Like the people of the United States, and indeed the people of Ireland, I was shocked and saddened by what happened on 25 May in Minneapolis. The death of George Floyd was appalling and the circumstances surrounding his death were deeply upsetting and unsettling. I am also deeply concerned at the underlying issues of racial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. With regard to the specific application the Deputy has enquired about, I can confirm that the Foreign Birth Registration team in my Department has been in direct contact with the father of the applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 28 together. The Government is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong in light of the recent announcement by the Chinese National People's Congress to implement a national security law in Hong Kong. Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" under which Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: As part of the Government's ongoing Brexit readiness work, Government Departments have indicated the potential need for further legislation to be in force at the end of the transition period. Based on this analysis, the Government decided, at its meeting of 28 May, to approve the development of a scheme of a new Brexit Omnibus Bill. This work will now be brought forward across the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 23, 26, 31 and 38 together. Once the potential impact of Covid-19 became obvious, contingency planning commenced to minimise the impact of restrictions on the delivery of passport services. In particular, plans were put in place to ensure that we continued to provide an emergency service for the issuance of passports in cases of serious illness or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cycle to Work Scheme (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy on the participation of my Department in the Cycle to Work Scheme is outlined in the following table: Year Number of Applicants Cost € 2009 20 14,612 2010 40 28,978 2011 53 39,215 2012 48 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will understand that transit visas, as with all issues relating to visas, are a matter for the authorities in Australia. At present, the Australian Department of Home Affairs advises that Irish citizens transiting through Australia to another country are not required to apply for a transit visa, provided that their transit time is less than eight hours and they do not intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has strong bonds with both New Zealand and Australia, founded on shared values and on the vibrant Irish communities in both countries. I recently sent letters to my counterparts in Australia and New Zealand, Ministers Marise Payne and Winston Peters respectively, conveying our solidarity with the victims of the pandemic in their countries, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: In normal circumstances, opportunities to speak with Heads of Mission - Ambassadors or Chargés d'Affaires - arise on a frequent basis at different scheduled events. These include, for example, visits by my counterparts to Ireland; at regular events I attend across Ireland; when participating in credential ceremonies at Áras an Uachtaráin; and on numerous other occasions. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 36 together. The Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with EU partners and, as appropriate UK counterparts, to advance Ireland’s priorities in the context of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Over recent weeks, I have had contacts with UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, Foreign Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with our EU partners to advance Ireland’s priorities in matters arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU, including the EU-UK Future Partnership negotiations, implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. My engagement with key interlocutors on Brexit...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. I am aware of the worrying levels of insecurity and violence against human rights defenders and social leaders in Colombia, and across the wider region. The potential for COVID-19 to worsen an already grave situation is also of concern, as the pandemic may inhibit peacebuilding efforts and may lead to increased violence against human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (16 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 21 and 24 together. As I stated last week, I was shocked by the tragic death of George Floyd on 25 May and the circumstances surrounding his death. I am also deeply concerned at the underlying issues of racial inequality and racism that gave rise to protests in many cities across the United States and elsewhere in recent weeks, including here in...