Results 32,841-32,860 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 28 September, I travelled to the United States for a series of engagements in Washington D.C. Over the course of the two-day visit, I met with senior members of Congress from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Richard Neal, Peter King, Brendan Boyle, Mary Gay Scanlon and other members of the Friends of Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Brexit Readiness Action Plan supports and assists business and citizens prepare for the significant changes that will arise on 1 January 2021. Extensive work continues across Government on implementing the Plan, coordinated by my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach. Following publication of the Action Plan, Revenue sent Brexit Readiness Checklists to over 90,000 businesses....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of Prime Minister Orbán’s recent letter to European Commission President Von der Leyen calling for the resignation of Commission Vice President Jourová. I want to make clear that I fully support the European Commission Vice President in carrying out her duties and that Ireland has full trust in the Vice President. The Commission has a role as the guardian of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In recent months, the United States have taken a number of different steps to reimpose sanctions on Iran. In August, the US announced its intention to impose "snapback" of UN sanctions against Iran, in response to Iran's breaches of the nuclear agreement, the JCPOA. The US asserted that this triggered a 30 day period for reimposition of UN sanctions. However, I note that the US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 133 together. The status of the undocumented Irish in the US has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with the US Administration and political leaders, including by the Taoiseach during calls to members of the US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services. Ireland and the EU fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. In particular, I welcome efforts made towards a Joint Declaration between...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware of and very concerned about the detention of 82 executives of the opposition party HDP on 25 September. Among the detained are seven former HDP MPs, including the current Mayor of Kars, and some of whom have serious health issues. These arrests apparently relate to protests which took place in 2014. The strong suspicion is that these latest arrests are politically...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 114 and 143 to 145, inclusive, together. It is vital that the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland be implemented in full and in good faith. The publication and passage through the House of Commons of the UK Internal Market Bill in September caused grave concern. The Bill, in its current form, undermines the Withdrawal Agreement and the Protocol....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: “Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025", sets out the Government’s ambitions for expanding and deepening our international presence. 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 relationships with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: On September 4, the European Commission issued a proposal on a co-ordinated approach to travel restrictions within Europe in response to COVID-19. The German Presidency has been leading intensive negotiations in Brussels at official level on the proposal. One of the measures under discussion is the introduction of a traffic light system under which countries and regions within the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 140 together. This is an issue of serious concern, as was underlined last week by the series of worrying reports on Xinjiang. Ireland has not been quiet on this matter, and I have spoken in this House about our concerns regarding the situation in Xinjiang on numerous occasions. We, along with our EU partners, remain deeply concerned about the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 126 together. I am deeply concerned by the recent clashes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in particular along the line of contact, which have regrettably led to the loss of life and severe injury, including civilian casualties. Ireland joins those calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the negotiating table, and we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Common Travel Area (CTA) will continue to facilitate the movement of staff and students between higher education institutions on the island of Ireland after the end of the Brexit transition period. Under the CTA, Irish and British citizens can move freely and reside in either jurisdiction and enjoy associated rights and entitlements including access to employment, education and social...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 124 and 134 together. I am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based there. The very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great suffering to those in the camp, as well as posing a huge logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 129 and 138 together. The deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus is appalling and Ireland strongly supports the Belorussian people in their clear and simple demands for free and fair elections and to have their basic human rights respected. Even before the 9 August election, Ireland, and the EU, highlighted concerns regarding crackdowns...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The approach of any Government in relation to Irish unity is guided by Article 3 of the Constitution, as amended by the people in 1998. The Government respects everyone’s right on this island to make the case for the constitutional future they wish to see for Northern Ireland - whether the continuation of the union with Great Britain or a sovereign united Ireland. The Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Protecting and promoting human rights is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland has consistently supported women human rights defenders and continually advocates for the freedom of all civil society actors to operate in a safe and enabling environment. The detention of women human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia is deeply concerning, and Ireland has consistently raised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Births Registration Section has now resumed the processing of applications. 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. At present, it takes between 12 to 18 months to process an application to completion. The section is operating at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 131 together. I am aware of the recent verdict of the Spanish Supreme Court against the former President of the Catalan region in connection with disobeying an instruction from the Electoral Commission to remove political symbols from public buildings during an election campaign. As in Ireland, we respect the separation of powers in Spain and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland will take up its seat as an elected member of the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term on 1 January. We intend to make a constructive contribution across the agenda of the Council, which has nearly tripled since Ireland last held a seat 20 years ago. Three principles will underpin our approach: Building Peace, Strengthening Prevention, and Ensuring Accountability. The...