Results 33,601-33,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The issue of Irish immigration to the US, particularly the status of the undocumented Irish, 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. I have raised these issues in contacts with the US Ambassador, as well as with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to resolve jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough. Since that time, a series of meetings and contacts have taken place at official level between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Legislation (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: Now that the UK has departed the European Union, it is particularly important that Ireland continues to foster its already close relationships with other like-minded Member States, and to enhance collaboration on key priority policies at EU level. Ministers and officials at home and in our European Missions, including staff posted to the Permanent Representation in Brussels, closely monitor...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government is closely following the situation in Hong Kong following the mass arrest of over 50 people on charges pursuant to the National Security Law, in relation to pro-democracy primary elections held in July 2020. The EU issued a statement on 7 January which called for the immediate release of those arrested, and urged the authorities to respect Hong Kong's rule of law, human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has paused processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide Consular Assistance for Irish citizens overseas. The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency passport service for Irish citizens at home and abroad. The service is available for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The EU and UK agreed to create a joint body, called the Partnership Council, to efficiently manage the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Partnership Council is co-chaired by a Member of the European Commission and a representative of the UK at Ministerial level. It meets at least once a year, but can meet more often at the request of either the EU or the UK. Any decision is taken by mutual...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs procured the services of Quadra Consulting in 2020 to undertake Covid-19 workplace risk assessments for our offices in Ireland. The service provider was selected from the Office of Government Procurement National Health & Safety Training & Consultancy and Advisory Services Framework. The total value of the services outsourced is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are no issues with training requirements for helicopter operations into Galway Hospital. Night landings are a matter of routine at that location for inter-hospital transfers. The Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) Service is limited to daytime operations only in line with government decision S180/20/10/1996. This is incorporated in the White Paper on Defence 2015. There are no plans...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: In the period since 2016, my Department has no record of having awarded any contracts to the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 410 together. As of 4 January 2021, Ireland is contributing 586 Defence Forces personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The main overseas missions in which the Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Fire Safety (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. The acquisition of new equipment and the upgrading of equipment for the Defence Forces remains a clear focus for me. Future equipment...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are currently thirteen (13) vacancies for Nurses and four (4) for Dental Officers in the DF medical corps. Both the Army Nursing Service and the provision of dental services to DF personnel are currently under review. Following a previous review of the DF Physiotherapy service, sanction was received to appoint 5.5 civilian phyiotherapists on a full-time basis. There are currently 3.5...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Resources (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that the upgrade of the dining hall at Gormanston Camp forms part of the Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025, with a planned commencement in 2024 for completion in 2025. This Programme is a five year plan that provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government both at home and overseas. The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

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 Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (13 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The table below provides details of external consultants engaged by my Department for Covid-19 related work, services, or advice. Consultancy Firm Service Provided Cost Quadra Ltd. Completed Covid-19 risk assessments for Department buildings; Provided input to Department's Covid-19 Response Plan; Provided Covid-19 updates for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: In 2020 the ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’ public information campaign continued to run over TV, radio, print and social media. This campaign followed on from similar campaigns that ran in 2018 and 2019. With the UK’s departure from the EU at the beginning of 2020 it was important to highlight the substantial and lasting changes for businesses that were to come into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105, 108 and 110 together. The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of serious concern. Although Bahrain has repeatedly stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, we are concerned by ongoing instances of violations of fundamental freedoms, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Trafficking (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. The trafficking of women, men, girls, and boys, is a grave violation of the human rights of the individuals concerned under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ireland supports all action to prevent trafficking. Countering trafficking is a priority for the EU, and the key elements of the EU’s multifaceted approach are set...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rockall Island Ownership (14 Jan 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware of contact between a Scottish marine patrol vessel and an Irish fishing vessel, the Northern Celt, near Rockall on 4 January. The Minister for Foreign Affairs met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 7 January to discuss developments in relation to Rockall. The skipper of the Northern Celt also contacted my Department and a response has now issued...