Results 32,501-32,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (21 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: In June 2017, the Property Management Branch of my Department became aware that soil had been deposited to the rear of Donnelly's Hollow. The Department subsequently engaged environmental consultants to carry out an environmental risk assessment of the site. The material deposited has been identified as fill material comprising of clay with trace amounts of construction and demolition...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (21 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Correspondence containing allegations of inappropriate conduct in the workplace of an historical nature, has been received. In order for the matters contained therein to be attended to through the appropriate channels, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further. I can assure the Deputy however, that the matter is being treated with the utmost importance.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (22 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service commenced a phased return to full operations on 8 June 2020. Between 1 July and 16 July 2020, the Passport Service issued approximately 34,000 passport books and cards. Between 1 July and 16 July 2019, the Passport Service issued approximately 38,000 passport books and cards. On 16 July 2020, the Passport Online system had approximately 8,000 applications under process...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (22 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service commenced a phased return to full operation on 8 June 2020. The Passport Service has processed over 80,000 books and cards since re-opening and is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. The numbers of passport applications received from applicants for the year 2019 and until June 2020 are detailed in the following table. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Marine Accidents (22 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The details provided relate to an event which occurred in a location which is not part of Irish territorial waters and involved vessels neither of which were sailing under an Irish flag. The matter was investigated by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch who were the appropriate investigators. Their report on the matter can be found here: . I have no plans to commission a report...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (22 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: As of 8 July 2020, Ireland is contributing 541 personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 321 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 134 personnel. Ireland has always been a strong...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (22 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Lt Col Raymond Martin of the Air Corps is the Irish military member of Eurocontrol's Network Management Board which deals with air traffic management network functions and which is made up of both civilian and military members.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (22 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Information about the airspace used by the Defence Forces is published in the Irish Aviation Authority's Aeronautical Information Publication. In addition, ad hoc airspace structures (temporary restricted areas) may be filed with the Irish Aviation Authority for specific operations and/or training events and are known as NOTAM (Notices to Airmen). Each activation, deactivation and change...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Antarctic Treaty (23 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland holds the view that the management and use of Antarctica should be conducted in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation for the benefit of mankind as a whole. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to collective climate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (23 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government closely follows reports of human rights violations in China, including allegations of live organ harvesting, and we regularly raise human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings. New laws on organ donation came into force in China at the beginning of 2015 with a view to ending the practice of forced organ transplants,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (23 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Bahrain enjoy good bilateral relations, and there are significant links between the two countries, particularly in the medical field. I met with the former Foreign Minister of Bahrain at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019. In May 2020, I spoke on the phone with the current Foreign Minister of Bahrain. Our discussions on both occasions covered a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (23 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Defence Force Regulations contain the provisions by which the discharge of a member of the Permanent Defence Force can be effected. Within those provisions, there are a number of factors which may determine that a member be discharged, including the individuals' own circumstances. Where the request for discharge is not initiated by the individual, the process set out in Defence Forces...

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: Motion (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, done at New York on 7th July, 2017, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 15th July, 2020.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together. As the Deputies will know, I have given a very high priority to the Middle East peace process since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017 and I will continue to do so as Minister with responsibility for foreign affairs and as Minister for Defence. I have personally been very engaged in efforts to keep the issue...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank both Deputies for their questions and for their clear interest in this issue. It is important to say that I have been consistently vocal with regard to settlements in occupied territory and their expansion in recent years. This is something of which Ireland and the EU have been consistently critical. I have been quite public in that regard through my statements at the level of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: -----and its economic impact as well as health impact. That is my understanding of the priority and focus of the new Israeli Government right now. We will continue to do everything we can to discourage any moves to annex land that is not Israeli land.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I do not accept the point that the Israeli Government does not care. It does listen to what the international community says. Sometimes it takes action in a way that is contrary to the views of many countries, including in the EU. Recent years have been very damaging to a peace process that is very fragile right now in the context of the Middle East peace process. I understand why Irish...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: UN Security Council (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I question that we have had a disappointing start. We just got elected to the UN Security Council, against the odds, which was a significant achievement for Irish diplomacy. It reminds us that a small country such as Ireland matters and when we put our mind to it, we can persuade a significant majority of countries within the UN that Ireland is a country worth trusting on the UN Security...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: UN Security Council (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I can understand the frustration the Deputy has outlined. My position on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 has been made very clear to this House on many occasions. We cannot do something we are not legally allowed to do and that is the clear advice I have on that Bill. That being said, this week alone I have spoken to the new Israeli foreign minister, this...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: UN Security Council (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I wish to reassure the Deputy. This was the first opportunity I have had to speak to the new Israeli foreign minister. We had a long conversation lasting about 35 to 40 minutes. It was welcome. I have not spoken to him before this, he has not been in government before now. I believe in engagement. I believe in direct conversation and building relationships. That is the way to persuade...