Results 33,961-33,980 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: On 1 January this year the transition period provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement ended. For almost nine weeks now, the UK has been outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) has applied to our trade and cooperation with the UK. The Government has been assisting businesses as they adapt to the new trading environment, including the...

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

Simon Coveney: Having survived an attempted poisoning on Russian soil, Mr. Navalny chose to return home of his own free will. His imprisonment raises serious questions around the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. I am deeply concerned by the mass detentions and scenes of police violence during peaceful protests, linked to his arrest and imprisonment, across Russia in January and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (4 Mar 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 Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The American Irish Historical Society, a registered not-for-profit organisation, is a cherished symbol of the profound relationship that has grown between our two countries through the centuries. While the Society is more than its premises, the building on Fifth Avenue is an iconic emblem of Ireland in New York and a vital part of the infrastructure that underpins US-Ireland relations. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The conflict in Syria continues to generate significant humanitarian needs and to have profound repercussions for the overall stability of the entire region. More than 13 million people are in need inside the country and more than 5.6 million refugees in neighbouring countries. The onset of winter and the threat Covid sees many millions of people in an enormously vulnerable position ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Mar 2021)

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. We acknowledge the progress that Saudi Arabia has made in recent years on human rights in a number of areas,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in Belarus. We continue to see the daily harassment and intimidation of civil society, journalists and independent media, unjust detentions and apparent attempts to criminalise human rights work. The repression of the Belarusian people, who are peacefully and courageously defending their democratic and human rights, is totally...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (10 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 has requested more information and clarification on the current situation. We fully support the High Commissioner’s intervention and look forward to a full and early...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to support international efforts to achieve a democratic solution to the Venezuelan crisis. Ireland works closely with our EU and international partners to seek to ensure a coordinated approach to the political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, based on shared democratic, rule of law and human rights values. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The recent changes to laws concerning abortion in Poland are of great concern to many people in Poland and the EU more generally. We hope that the Polish authorities will pursue a compassionate and fair approach to this issue, taking into account the important issues that have been raised in response to the recent developments. Ireland has its own recent experience of these issues and we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 431, 434, 435 and 440 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of security features within the book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Integrity Section of the Passport Service was established in 2015 to improve all aspects of fraud detection...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Although I have not had occasion to speak formally to the Consulate General during the past year, I am kept fully informed of the Consulate General’s activities by officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs who are in almost daily communication with the Consulate General’s Office. I wish to pay tribute to the staff of the Consulate General for their exceptional efforts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Internships (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: There were no State or semi-State agencies under the aegis of my Department in 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (“the 1956 Act”), as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation. The 1956 Act provides that great-grandchildren of Irish-born persons are not eligible for entry into the Foreign Births Register (FBR) unless their parents were...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am responsible for diplomatic clearance for overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft, on the basis of applications made by accredited Embassies of the countries concerned. It is not the policy of my Department to disclose the details of requests for diplomatic clearances, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First Minister and deputy First Minister, and other political leaders on a range of issues, including in relation to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. On 3 March, I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, and with Lord Frost, who since 1 March is the Cabinet Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: One of the Government’s key tasks is to see the New Decade, New Approach agreement implemented. It was agreed that there would be regular review meetings involving the two Governments at Ministerial level and the parties to monitor progress on implementing the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, and the delivery of commitments by each Government. On Monday 11 January, I...