Results 32,581-32,600 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that the Government decision of 21 July regarding travel advice for certain locations made no change with respect to either the Isle of Man specifically or Great Britain more generally. It remains the situation that persons arriving into Ireland from the Isle of Man and Great Britain,  including citizens and residents returning to Ireland, are required to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Since the launch in 2018 of Global Ireland - Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025, my Department has been working closely with a range of other Government partners to ensure the effective delivery of the ambition to double the scope and impact of our global footprint. This commitment has been further cemented in the new Programme for Government. Since August 2018, new Embassies have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: No deal preparations were well advanced for the possibility of a no deal Brexit on 29 March, 31 October, 2019 and 31 January 2020. The additional time afforded by the transition period has allowed departments to refine this work and re-calibrate it as necessary for the end of the transition period. The end of transition will involve both immediate challenges and long term, permanent changes....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s approach on the UN Security Council will be informed by our record as a country that has a consistent, principled and independent foreign policy, guided by the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Disarmament and non-proliferation is one of Ireland’s signature foreign policies and will continue to be a priority throughout our membership on the UN...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s approach on the Security Council will be informed by our record as a country that has a consistent, principled and independent foreign policy. Ireland is determined to be an effective, credible and influential member of the Council. My Department, in Dublin, New York and in relevant Missions, is currently preparing for taking up our seat in January, including by reviewing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together. On the basis of information provided by the Irish Aviation Authority, as well as records held in my Department, there have been no recorded instances in which an ARES area of Irish sovereign airspace has been used by foreign military aircraft during the period in question. Similarly, there have been no recorded instances in which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ensuring the UK Landbridge remains an effective transit route to market for EU traders has been a key priority for the Government.  I have had numerous discussions with my counterparts in the UK and across the EU.  All understand the importance we attach to maintaining the Landbridge as an efficient route At an EU level, there have been substantial engagements at political and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland denounces the inexcusable acts of violence and terror perpetrated by Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. Ireland supports a number of important international initiatives to undermine their influence and their impact on populations. The EU is one of the main financial contributors to the UN-mandated African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which supports the Federal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: EU policy on child soldiers is set out in Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, first adopted in 2003 and revised in 2008.  These aim to persuade governments and organisations around the world to fully respect international humanitarian law and human rights law that protects children from armed conflict. The Guidelines commit the EU to address the impact of armed conflict on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The human rights of women and children are protected under international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  The compliance of countries with their obligations is kept under review by the relevant treaty monitoring bodies.    In addition, a number...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 396 together. I have given a 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 for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence. I have personally been very engaged in efforts to keep the Israeli-Palestinian conflict high on the international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland continues to be a friend and supporter of the Western Balkans, and we continue to advocate for the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union, believing this to be the best path for the continued peace and prosperity of the region. The EU agreed to open accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia in March this year, and Member States are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Managing the response to Brexit continues to be a priority for my Department. The approach has been to prioritise effective policy and operational measures across the Department to manage Brexit impacts, with additional staff assigned or recruited as required. The staffing of key divisions at Headquarters with responsibility for Brexit matters, namely the European Union Division and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's priorities for the Future of Europe are closely aligned with the delivery of the EU Strategic Agenda as agreed last year at the June 2019 European Council.  These priorities include: protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; completing the Single Market fit for the digital age; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the recent developments related to the case of the October 2017 murder of investigative journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia. While it is not our practice to comment on ongoing criminal investigations in other EU Member States, Ireland and our EU partners have condemned in absolute terms the murder of Ms Caruana Galizia, which represents an attack on freedom of expression; a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government makes a commitment to forge alliances with other Member States with which we share common goals and interests. This is a vital objective that is necessary in order to ensure we can advance our overall national interests within the EU and internationally. Since the Brexit vote, Ireland has engaged in an unprecedented campaign of outreach and visits across the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The ‘Ireland House’ concept brings Embassies or Consulates and State Agencies under one roof in critical overseas markets to ensure a joined-up Team Ireland approach to promoting Ireland abroad. My Department is working together with other Government Departments and State Agencies to support the development of the Ireland House model, as committed to in the Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland was granted Observer Status at the International Organisation of the Francophonie (IOF) in 2018. The IOF was created in 1970 and has 88 Member States (54 Members, 7 Associate Members and 27 )bservers). The Organisation’s Charter (to which all Members and Observers must sign up) underlines the IOF’s commitment to, inter alia, the promotion of human rights, the rule of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: In recent years, the Arctic has become a region of increasing geopolitical importance.  The growing environmental and strategic importance of the Arctic has very significant impact, with melting ice having far-reaching implications for climate change and maritime access across the region. It is clear there is a rationale for enhancing Ireland’s engagement on the Arctic across...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government states that the Government will “Honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-state solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.  In recognition of the lack of progress towards a...