Results 33,301-33,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.  While the main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, the Naval Service also carries out a number of non-fishery related tasks including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The capacity of the Defence Forces toinduct and train recruits was severely impacted by the COVID-19 situation but those aspects of the induction process that could be conducted remotely continued throughout the year and inductions/training have been resumed taking public health guidelines into account.  While additional safety measures have necessitated the re-scheduling of aspects of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Records (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In the timeframe available for answering PQs it is not possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that neither my Department, or any agencies operating under the remit of my Department, have entered into third-party contracts for the operation of community and voluntary organisations.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (19 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service Sea-going Service Commitment Scheme recently introduced, is targeted at retaining and incentivising personnel of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) who have accrued an appropriate level of service and experience. It is one of a number of measures aimed at addressing retention issues with Naval service PDF personnel. The Scheme is not open to members of the Naval Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commemorative Events (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, participation in Armistice commemorations in 2020 was different to that of previous years. This included smaller and more restricted formats to most events, and the restriction of travel of Government Ministers to Armistice Day services. On Sunday, 8 November, the Taoiseach attended the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 414 together. In relation to the case raised by the Deputy, I am aware of reports about it. I condemn in the strongest terms any attempts to commit violence or acts of terrorism. However, as the situation is subject to an ongoing criminal investigation in another jurisdiction, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The demolition by Israeli authorities of private property is of grave concern. Demolition and confiscation of humanitarian assets, including education infrastructure, is contrary to Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention. I was deeply dismayed to learn of the demolition by Israeli authorities on 3 November of more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates in a number of locations in Ireland and approximately 90 locations worldwide. It comprises two Votes; Vote 27 International Cooperation and Vote 28 Foreign Affairs. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. The Department is focused on good practice in procurement and that procedures...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Since 1 January, 2017, the Department has sought approval from the Oireachtas Business Commitee to waive pre-legislative scrutiny on two occasions, both in relation to Brexit legislation. A request was made on 24 January 2019, in respect of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019, and a further request was made on 23 September...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I wish to confirm that the member of staff in my Department assigned to the role of Data Protection Officer is employed at the level of Assistant Principal Officer.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are no tribunals, enquiries or investigations being undertaken currently by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The issues of fisheries, along with governance arrangements and provisions for a level playing field, have been the most challenging issues in the EU-UK future relationship negotiations. Securing an overall future relationship agreement, including the best possible outcome on fisheries, is a priority for Ireland. I have repeatedly raised fisheries as a priority for Ireland in my bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The July European Council reached agreement on the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and Recovery Fund, totalling an unprecedented €1.82 trillion. The aim of the Recovery Fund is to support the sustainable and resilient recovery of Member States’ economies from the COVID-19 pandemic. The overall MFF/Recovery Fund package is a fair and balanced outcome and is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Negotiations on an EU-UK future relationship have entered an even more intensive phase since 21 October with negotiating teams working on a daily basis to close the gaps between the two sides. The Deputies will appreciate that this process has reached a particularly sensitive point. It is clear that unlocking a deal will only be possible if appropriate arrangements are found on the key...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs has been monitoring this case concerning the detention of a human rights defender in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Our Embassy in New Delhi has been engaged with the EU Delegation and other EU Embassies on this matter. The EU Delegation has contacted the National Human Rights Commission of India to enquire about the conditions of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am very concerned by developments in Belarus, which continue to deteriorate. We have seen mass and indiscriminate detentions, including of children, violence against peaceful protesters, evidence of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, including reports of sexual abuse, internet shutdowns and curbs on media freedoms. UN Special Rapporteurs have highlighted continued violations of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I was concerned by the reports of an exchange of gunfire between Polisario and Royal Moroccan Army (RMA) positions in the buffer zone at Guerguerat, on the border with Mauritania, on Friday 13 November. We have not seen any confirmed reports of any casualties. The United Nations Secretary-General has made multiple contacts with the parties to avoid an escalation and to warn against...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have asked our Embassy in Ankara, which is accredited to Pakistan, to make enquiries about this matter. It appears that the individual in question is not an Irish citizen and therefore the Embassy could not provide consular assistance and no such assistance has been requested. However, the Embassy will make further enquiries in liaison with the EU Delegation in Islamabad. Although the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The importance of the olive harvest to the economy in the occupied Palestinian territory is heightened this year due to the impact of Covid-19. I am very concerned by reports over the past few weeks of attacks on olive farmers escalating as the harvesting period takes place. Officials from Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah recently visited Palestinian olive farmers in...