Results 33,041-33,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Offices (20 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department strictly adheres to the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, including the associated Regulations which provide for the protection of mothers who are breastfeeding. My Department has offices in Newbridge, Galway, Roscrea and Dublin.  On request, suitable facilities are provided for breastfeeding in the workplace. These arrangements are in place to support a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The EU adopted a new coordinated approach to travel measures at the meeting of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 13 October 2020. As already set out in the Living with COVID-19 Framework, the Government supports this effort to improve coordination within the Union and has made clear our intention to align with the new Recommendation. The new system categorises regions across...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The demolition of Palestinian homes, and demolition or seizure of related structures such as water tanks, wells, solar panels, schools and animal housing, are cruel and unjust actions. These practices also cause suffering to ordinary Palestinians, and impinge on the right of children to an education. We are concerned by an acceleration in demolitions in 2020. Demolitions and seizures of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern. Although progress has been made in certain areas, there continue to be instances of human rights violations. I am aware of the cases raised by the Deputy, and the decision of the Court of Cassation in Bahrain to confirm the death penalty ruling in their cases. A moratorium on the death penalty had been in place in Bahrain...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (21 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 2021. 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. In recognition of the areas of focus by the Security Council, both geographically and sectorally, additional posts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Officials at our Embassy in London and Consulate General in Cardiff are in ongoing contact with the UK Government and with other stakeholders in relation to the operation of UK ports, including Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke, after the end of the transition period. This includes contact with the Border Protocol and Delivery Group at the Cabinet Office, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, has been active in raising our concerns regarding the treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the region of Xinjiang. We remain deeply concerned regarding the reports of arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief.  Most recently, on 6 October, Ireland was one of 39...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Upholding European values as set out in the EU Treaties is at the core of the work of the EU. The rule of law is a fundamental principle for all EU Member States. Under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, there have been a number of hearings at the General Affairs Council over the past three years involving Poland, the Commission, and other Member States. Ireland has actively...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Upholding European values as set out in the EU Treaties is at the core of the work of the EU. The rule of law is a fundamental principle for all EU Member States. Our concerns about issues relating to the rule of law in Hungary are well known, particularly around: judicial independence; civil society space; media freedom; academic freedom; and fundamental rights. Under Article 7 of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”), which provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices which are applied by the Passport Service in the issue of passports. Section 10 of the Act broadly provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate or...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Veterans (21 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under...

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

Simon Coveney: Whilst the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, as defined in the Framework for Major Emergency Management, they provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role.  In this regard, the full spectrum of Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case concerning the arrest of a human rights defender in India on 8 October who is currently detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Our Embassy in New Delhi has engaged on the matter through the EU Delegation,  including with the National Human Rights Commission of India, particularly in view of the advanced years...

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

Simon Coveney: Since 2004 the Irish Coast Guard has had overall responsibility for the provision of Search and Rescue services within the Irish Search and Rescue domain. The Irish Coast Guard fall under the remit of the Minister for Transport. From within the Defence Organisation, both the Naval Service and the Air Corps provide support to the Irish Coast Guard in maritime Search and Rescue operations...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Investigations (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: While it was not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy at the time within the given timeframe, I am now in a position to do so.   I am advised by the Military Authorities that as of 20 October, there are currently 22 Redress of Wrongs (ROW) cases active within the Defence Forces as the table below illustrates: Location of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I refer to the previous reply to the Deputy and the website referenced whodoeswhat.gov.ie.  If one clicks on my Department listing on that site, it provides an initial organisation chart of the Management Board.  However, by clicking on each individual Board member, the Principals and those directly reporting to that member are shown. Therefore, the details as...

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

Simon Coveney: In 2017, the European Committee of Social Rights, in a non- binding ruling, found that Ireland was in violation of the European Social Charter in respect of the right to organise, that is to affiliate to certain organisations, and the right to negotiate collective agreements. It found that Ireland was not in violation of the Charter in respect of the prohibition of the right of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised)
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: It is a pleasure to be here. I can come back if people want to spend a bit more time on policy issues because I know that we are tight for time today and that it is really important to get these Revised Estimates passed today. If members want me to come back in to speak about different elements of policy or policy development, I would be more than happy to come back in respect of either...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised)
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: That would be great. Literally the only change in the Revised Estimate reflects the fact that, under the programme for Government, a decision was made to transfer responsibility for trade from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A small number of staff and an associated budget will also shift from one Department to the other. We are...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised)
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (22 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: During and following the talks on the programme for Government, the party leaders decided that, when the Ministries were shaped, they would revert to their previous model. I am open to correction if I am wrong on this, but I understand that trade was moved to the Department of Foreign Affairs when Eamon Gilmore became Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Tánaiste. This was done...