Results 34,721-34,740 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not spent anything on social media content during 2021 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not had any spend on public relations consultancy since January 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. One of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent Commission on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Equality Issues (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department promotes a fair, tolerant and inclusive work place. It is fully committed to equality of opportunity and this is a fundamental value espoused in its People Strategy. Civil servants in my Department are recruited through the Public Appointments Service, which has diversity and inclusivity as a central element in its recruitment practices. Recruitment to my Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that my Department provides consular assistance to all Irish citizens overseas where requested, in line with our Consular Assistance Charter. This Charter outlines the assistance our officials can and cannot provide and is available at the following link: Any Irish citizen in distress in Gaza is advised to contact the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv. Contact details...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs provides consular assistance to all Irish citizens overseas where requested, in line with our Consular Assistance Charter. Irish citizens requiring assistance in the Gaza Strip are advised to contact the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv. Decisions on entry into Israel, including for the purpose of transit to or from the Gaza Strip, are a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Malaysia have enjoyed close and fruitful diplomatic relations since 1974. In 1995 Ireland opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Ireland’s first resident Embassy in Southeast Asia. The Embassy of Malaysia in Ireland was established in Dublin in November 2001. Malaysia remans the only country in the region to have a resident Embassy in Dublin and we are appreciative of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government makes clear that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas.  Following upon a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government published a Policy Statement on May 2021 which outlines both constraints and opportunities for Government action in this area, including in the context of Ireland's obligations as a Member State of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Strengthening ties between the EU and the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region was discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting yesterday, 21 June 2021, We underlined the need to conclude the new modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement. The new aAgreement, once ratified, will replace the existing EU-Mexico Global Agreement which entered into force in 2001. Prior to this,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are no State Agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 342 together. The processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications has been temporarily paused as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions. There are nearly 31,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that await processing at present. Prior to COVID-19 it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The remuneration of directly employed staff in my Department is sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. There is currently one officer within the Department of Foreign Affairs who earns less than €12.30 per hour. This excludes staff who are absent on long term sick leave. There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are two State Boards that come under the aegis of the Department of Defence, namely, the Army Pensions Board and the Defence Forces Canteen Board. Neither of these boards have incurred any negative interest rate charges since negative interest rates were first introduced.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation which supports the frontline emergency services. It operates in partnership between the Department of Defence and Local Authorities throughout Ireland. The Government acknowledges the exceptional service given by Civil Defence volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Civil Defence have been, and continues to be, a core part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department employs civil servants and also, civilian employees attached to military installations. The Army Pensions Board, which is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, is the only body under the aegis of my Department and its secretariat is provided from within my Department's staff.  Of the civil servants and civilian employees...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (23 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Following its sixth session in October 2020, the Open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other enterprises with respect to human rights is continuing with its work. A third revised draft of the proposed legally binding instrument is due to be presented in July 2021. Once this draft is presented, it will be considered by all UN members, including EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Student Visas (23 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The processing of US student visas, and the provision of appointments at US Embassies, are solely a matter for the US authorities. My advice to those seeking to apply for a US student visa is to monitor the US Embassy in Dublin's website and to engage with them directly on visa appointment issues. I understand, however, that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for those who wish...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: In the absence of specific information on the individual being referred to, the military authorities advise that applicants who have been previously unsuccessful on the basis of medical examination are not precluded from submitting further applications. The required medical standards must be attained by all applicants. Any new application will be processed in compliance with the standards...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the state of Israel across a range of bilateral issues and will continue to do so. Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 in line with international law and the relevant UN Security Council...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I do not agree with the Deputy on this issue. The question of boycotts and sanctions has been discussed on many occasions in the Oireachtas. The Government does not support boycotts on Israel. Such sanctions would be ineffective and, more importantly, counterproductive. Although we differ on issues to do with the occupation, we do not regard ourselves as hostile to Israel. If we are...