Results 34,501-34,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am gravely concerned by the continued violence, in which so many innocent Palestinians and Israelis have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and across Israel. I call for an end to violence and for all parties to abide by international law. On 16 May, I addressed an emergency open session of the UN Security Council on this issue. I called for a cessation of hostilities and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am looking forward to speaking with Foreign Minister Marise Payne on a suitable occasion in the near future, in follow-up to my discussion last October with the Australian Ambassador.  In this regard our Ambassador in Canberra is in direct contact with Minister Payne's office. Through these and other high-level contacts, Ireland is maintaining excellent relations with Australia...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am gravely concerned by the continued violence, in which so many innocent Palestinians and Israelis have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and across Israel. I call for an end to violence and for all parties to abide by international law. The provocations and clashes in East Jerusalem, which led to many injured at the holy site of Haram al–Sharif/Temple Mount, are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department documents any personal data breaches that have occurred in the Department in accordance with its obligations under Article 33(5) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).The table below provides the number of data breaches by year since the introduction of the GDPR on 25 May 2018 to date.   Year Total Breaches 2018 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the province of Xinjiang. We are closely following the situation, including in relation to reports of systemic abuse, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief. As part of these efforts to remain informed about the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The position of the Government with respect to dealing with the legacy of the Troubles has been clear and consistent. The Stormont House Agreement framework is the way forward on these issues. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented.  Where the British Government are proposing significant changes to that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland remains engaged in international efforts seeking to bring about a peaceful and democratic solution to the crisis in Belarus. Mr. Lukashenko has sought to legalise the severe repression of his regime, which has produced a chilling effect on dissent within the country. Impunity breeds violence and we have been clear in publicly calling for that impunity to end. We continue to work with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Travel Area (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government has had to introduce a range of restrictions on domestic and international travel to address the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. These restrictions were developed on the basis of public health advice and are being amended on the basis of such advice, as conditions allow.   Our current arrangements are set out on the “Travelling...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Citizens’ rights were a priority issue in the negotiations which ultimately led to the Withdrawal Agreement. The Agreement protects those EU citizens who were lawfully residing in the United Kingdom, and UK nationals lawfully residing in one of the 27 EU Member States at the end of the transition period. It also protects the family members that are granted rights under EU law to join...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have made my position on Ireland's firm and sustained commitment to academic freedom as a cornerstone of an open and democratic society publicly clear, including in the context of the matter raised by the Deputy. I am certain it is well known by both Embassies.  I would recall that Ireland's support for the promotion of respect for academic freedom and freedom of speech form key parts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 438 together. The Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. The Passport Service is now processing all Passport Online applications. It is expected that the 89,000...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Diplomatic relations between States, and with their diplomatic missions, are regulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, as transposed into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967. Under the Vienna Convention, there are a suite of measures provided for the conduct of relations between States including measures to allow States to express...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department's Property Management Unit in our Corporate Services Division, has a number of architects employed to manage the professional and technical elements of development and maintenance of my Department's properties overseas. Please see below the number of architects in my Department for the years requested in tabular form. There are currently no vacant architect posts in my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Social Media (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department takes its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 seriously, and we are committed to providing services in both official languages, including communications campaigns promoting the Irish language at home and overseas around International Mother Language Day, Seachtain na Gaeilge, and European Day of Languages. The Department, including through our network of global...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Queries in relation to pension entitlements in respect of serving or deceased members of the Permanent Defence Force can be directed to Pensions Administration Section, Department of Defence, Áras an tSáile, Renmore, Galway, H91 AN2E, telephone number 091 743900 or email pensions.admin@defence.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Sustainable Development Goals (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together. The Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 was published in direct response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provides a whole-of-government approach to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has lead...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Social Media (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages the company Truehawk Media for media monitoring to include print, broadcast, online and Twitter, and provide reports as required. The cost for complete service to include social media, print, online and broadcast is €798.27 per month inclusive of VAT.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Social Media (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently has a communications specialist at Higher Executive Officer grade.  As part of his role he is tasked with monitoring and completing reports on social media coverage of my Department and Ministerial activities. This official spends between 3 and 5 working hours per week on these activities.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Investigations (18 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: In the past three years my Department has not engaged any private investigation companies or persons.