Results 33,941-33,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon and covers all aspects of defence within overall security policy. Since publication of the White Paper, a total of 95 separate projects have been identified for completion over a ten-year period. To provide flexibility, projects may be sub-divided or merged, changing the top-line number. Project and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Paper on Defence (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government recognises the importance of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in contributing to Ireland's defence capabilities. The 2015 White Paper on Defence sets the defence policy agenda over a ten year planning horizon, to 2025. While the majority of projects arising from the White Paper are primarily focused on the Permanent Defence Force, there were 13 White Paper projects relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reviews (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Action 20 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan, which is overseen by the Civil Service Management Board, provides for a programme of organisational reviews to embed a culture of regular and objective assessments of the capacity and capability of each Department to achieve its objectives, and take the necessary action to close any gaps. Preparatory work is at an advanced stage for an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Broadband Plan (3 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that neither I, nor officials of my Department, have engaged with National Broadband Ireland on any aspect of broadband provision in the past six months.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: My thoughts, and the thoughts of the Government, are with the family and friends of Noah Donohoe at this extremely distressing time, and as they contend with such a profound personal loss. The case of Noah’s death is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and an investigation is underway. There has been a renewed appeal for witnesses, and we would encourage anyone who may...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 105 together. The Passport Service has paused the processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework 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 and urgent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Investigations (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the province of Xinjiang, including in relation to reports of systemic abuse, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief. We have been active in raising our concerns in relation to this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has paused the processing of routine applications while Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. The Passport Service continues to provide an emergency and urgent service. The emergency service is available for those who are required to travel due to the death or serious illness of a family member or because the applicant requires...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Under its Border Operating Model (BOM), the UK is progressively introducing new checks and controls on its trade with the EU on 1 January, 1 April and 1 July. From 1 April, the UK will begin to apply documentary controls to the import into the UK of a much wider range of products, including food and agricultural produce. The new UK controls will impact on exporters of all products of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 108 and 118 together. Ireland plays an active role in promoting and protecting human rights at the United Nations, including through our active engagement in the Human Rights Council in Geneva and the Third Committee of the General Assembly. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland assumed its seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021. We are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers, and the reports are a cause for serious concern. We note that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has raised the case with the UAE authorities, and we encourage the UAE to engage fully with the UN's efforts. My Department will continue to closely monitor this case, and we await the outcome of the UN engagement.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military on 1 February and the unlawful and arbitrary detention of political leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. We call for the results of the November 2020 democratic elections to be respected and the legitimate civilian Government restored. The coup is a reversal of progress made...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly supports the strengthening of the multilateral human rights framework to protect both human rights, and human rights defenders, across the globe. Membership of the United Nations is central to Ireland’s engagement on human rights. Ireland is committed to ensuring that the UN is capable of continuous reform to adapt to emerging as well as to traditional global...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question no. 397. Efforts continue on the Middle East Peace Process. On 15 February the Envoys of the Middle East Quartet met virtually to discuss developments and the situation on the ground. The Envoys agreed to meet on a regular basis to continue their engagement. At the briefing by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East on 26 February,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 116 together. The International Criminal Court was established as the first permanent international court to end impunity for the perpetrators of international crimes. The Court was established in 2002 with the entry into force of the Rome Statute. By its very existence, the Court promotes and upholds not only the rule of law but also provides a means...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Over six years of conflict have left over 24 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland is deeply concerned at the ongoing conduct of this conflict. I spoke this morning with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, about the situation. There have been numerous reports of acts which are contrary to international law,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Conflict regrettably continues to be prevalent throughout the world, in spite of the call made by the UN Secretary-General to all warring parties to pull back from hostilities during the current pandemic. It is the most significant driver of humanitarian crises. The number and complexity of these crises globally has increased in recent years, as evidenced by a UN estimate that a record 239...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together. UN peacekeeping is one of the most collaborative, effective and visible tools of the UN in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security across the globe. There are currently 12 UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over 95,000 uniformed personnel from over 120 countries. It is a global effort to which Ireland is fully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland recognises the value of EU accession as a transformative driver for stability and peace in the Western Balkans. We have always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. In this regard, we welcome the reform agenda underway in the countries of the Western Balkans and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and the EU are monitoring developments in the region closely. The cessation of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains intact under the November 2020 agreement. This is welcome, but important issues have yet to be addressed, including the full exchange of Prisoners of War, the removal from the region of foreign fighters, and the issue of the final status of...