Results 32,401-32,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned regarding developments relating to LGBTI+ rights in Poland. The principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is important that these principles are protected and promoted throughout the Union. Advancing human rights is central to Ireland’s foreign policy, The Global Island.  Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER) is developing guidelines for civil service organisations (Working from Home during COVID-19 – Guidance for Civil Service Organisations), which is intended to assist Departments for as long as necessary to address the health and safety risks of COVID-19.  These guidelines are due to issue shortly.  D/PER has also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Early in 2020, an initial approach was made to my Department by a Hong Kong-based consortium exploring the feasibility of a potential large-scale urban development.   The potential development is at a preliminary conceptual stage and it is understood that the consortium has spoken to contacts in a number of jurisdictions.  The promoters were encouraged to carry out more research on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have been forthright on my views about Israeli Government statements regarding the possible annexation of territory in the West Bank.  The unilateral annexation by Israel of any part of the occupied Palestinian territory would be a clear violation of international law. It would have no legitimacy, and would not be recognised or accepted by Ireland, or by the international community...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (30 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Following our election on 17 June, Ireland will take a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2021 and 2022.  Our approach to the work of the Council will be guided by the principles and values enshrined in the United Nations Charter, which have informed Irish foreign policy over many decades.  The Council’s workload is very heavy, dealing with more than 30...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 335, 343, 344, 351 and 352 together. Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services. 24 million people, 80 per cent of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance. In both 2019 and 2020 Ireland has provided €5 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned regarding developments relating to the LGBTI+ community in Poland. The principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is important that these principles are protected and promoted throughout the Union. At EU level, the European Parliament has adopted a number of Resolutions relating to LGBTI+ rights...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Working Holiday Agreement (WHA) with Canada gives young people from Ireland and Canada the opportunity to live and work in the other country. The Agreement reflects the excellent relationship we enjoy with Canada and contributes further to that relationship by fostering increased personal, cultural and professional ties between our peoples. The individual referred to by the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Officials from the Embassy of Ireland in Rome were in contact with the brother of the applicant in question in November 2019 and in January and March 2020. An official from the Embassy also spoke directly to the brother of the applicant on the phone on the 3 July 2020 to help him with any questions he had and to outline that new applications and additional supporting documentation are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 341 together. Ireland and our EU partners remain deeply concerned about the credible reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in the Xinjiang region, including arbitrary detentions, widespread surveillance, restrictions on freedom of religious belief, and recent media reports on forced sterilisation in the region. We have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Programme for Government (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department, which has responsibility for Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade), is currently examining the detail of the Programme for Government. My Department will prepare a new Statement of Strategy which will encompass the Programme for Government commitments. The cost of the delivery of this Strategy will be met from the Department’s Vote...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am committed to progressing the values of diversity and inclusion and promoting a fair and equal workplace for our people. My Department works to ensure that our staff and workplace are representative and reflective of the people and society it serves. A number of training programmes to raise awareness and build the capacity of our staff in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Legal Costs (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department generally seeks advice on domestic legal matters from the Office of the Attorney General and/or the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. Depending on the subject matter, litigation is dealt with on my Department’s behalf by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency which engage lawyers to act for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Births Registration (FBR) team was reassigned to our consular services at the beginning of the current public health emergency to operate a COVID-19 crisis call centre, assisting our citizens abroad. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The increasing spread and impact of COVID-19 in South Africa is of serious concern. The Government of South Africa adopted early and extraordinary measures in response to the pandemic and Ireland has been closely monitoring the situation, including the human rights implications of COVID-19, through our Embassy in Pretoria. I am aware that the Government of South Africa introduced a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Foreign Affairs publishes Travel Advice for over 200 countries. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas, with a view to helping them to make informed decisions for themselves. The Travel Advice is based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Functions (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The transfer of functions between Departments is governed by the Ministers and Secretaries Act and will be determined by a Government Decision and resulting Transfer of Functions Order under Section 6 of that Act. Detailed provisions on managing the transfer of functions are set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Transfer of Functions – Guidelines and Best Practice...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 350, inclusive, together. I am concerned at the persistent high levels of violence in some areas of Colombia, including in the Chocó and Urabá regions, and the effect that this is having on local populations and the environment. The signing of a peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP in 2016 led to a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be arranging for the publication of briefing material, in accordance with the usual procedures, provided to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, upon my appointment to the Cabinet.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Programme for Government (7 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The recently agreed Programme for Government contains a range of actions concerning the defence sector that will be implemented over the lifetime of the Programme. The potential cost implications arising from implementation of the actions will be determined in the context of the normal planning, estimates and budgetary cycles governed by any relevant separate Government decisions where these...