Results 35,381-35,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has been the consistent position of the Government that the Stormont House Agreement provides a balanced and comprehensive framework, to address the painful legacy of the Troubles based on the principles of truth, justice, rule of law and reconciliation. Progress on its implementation is crucial, for families and victims and for society as a whole. It was agreed in 2014 by both Governments...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence has complied with both the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Covid19 public health guidelines, providing all staff with barrier facemasks (black reusable) to be worn while in attendance in any of the Department's buildings. Masks provided meet the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) certified standard. With regards to Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: All members of the Defence Forces have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. Unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces and where there are allegations of offences having been committed, investigations will be initiated by the appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: In relation to the Deputy's query a passport has already been issued to the applicant in question.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 320, 324 and 337 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant. The current turnaround times are 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, 15 working days for Complex renewals, 40 working days for First Time...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 321 together. I strongly condemn the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and the attempts to consolidate or legitimise the military regime. I call for an end to violence, the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, including the President and State Counsellor, and the restoration of a legitimate, civilian Government. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Protection (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together. I wish to reiterate my deep concern at recent developments in Afghanistan to which Ireland has been responding in a number of ways. At international level, Ireland is working to address a range of issues particularly through our role as President of the UN Security Council. When I chaired the meeting of the Council on 9...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The application to which the Deputy refers was received on 10 February 2020, and is currently waiting to be processed. All documentation submitted is being stored in a secure environment. My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (“the 1956 Act”), as amended. We take our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs occupies twelve buildings in the State. The locations of those that have reception areas to which members of the public normally have access are set out in the following table. The operation of our public offices has necessarily been restricted due to health and safety considerations arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with our continued scaling...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 326, 333 and 338 together. The current Passport processing turnaround times are: - 10 working days for Simple Adult renewals, - 15 working days for Complex renewals, - 40 working days for First Time applications on Passport Online and - 8 weeks for Passport Express. Almost 45% of passports for simple adult renewals continue to issue within one business...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 329 together. My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (“the 1956 Act”), as amended. We take our legal responsibility in relation to Foreign Birth Registration very seriously and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing time for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department continues to work closely with the Public Appointments Service to recruit additional resources to meet demands across the Department, including in the Passport Service, which has responsibility for the delivery of both passports and foreign birth registrations. Ongoing contact between my Department and the Public Appointments Service has continued as part of the recruitment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department makes available to the public a wide variety of records and information as part of our FOI Publication scheme. Most recently we oversaw the largest ever release of records in the history of the Department under the scheme, which included a significant volume of email correspondence and text messages, including messages from my phone. In respect of emails related to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 334 together. I note with concern the details in the cases referred to by the Deputies. 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. Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs has regular engagement with ADHRB on human rights issues in Bahrain. Officials from the Department have met with representatives from ADHRB on a number of accessions in the past 12 months. At the invitation of ADHRB, officials from the Gulf and Middle East Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs also attended a conference in May on the Covid-19 crisis in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: In relation to the Deputies query the person in question must request a replacement Foreign Birth Registration Certificate. The application must be made through my Department's website, www.DFA.ie.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Offices of the Department of Defence are secure and access controlled. They are not buildings that are usually open to the general public. As such, services in these buildings are not accessible to the general public. Defence buildings occupied by the military are not open to the general public. On occasion some organisations, such as schools and sporting clubs, apply for use of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 to 343, inclusive, together. In the course of her wide-ranging State of the Union Address to the European Parliament last week, President von der Leyen made a number of remarks on defence-related issues. Some of the issues referenced in the President's speech will require further elaboration and may require specific proposals from the European...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ilistened with concern to the women who recounted their experiences on the Women of Honour programme on RTE Radio on the 11 September 2021. I expressed my willingness to meet with the participants, should they wish to do so, and I am pleased to say that my offer has been accepted. I have instructed my officials to make the necessary arrangements without delay. In the meantime, I also wish to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I receive information on an ongoing basis from serving and former personnel on a range of issues in relation to their experiences within the Defence Forces. The action taken on foot of such information is dependent on the circumstances of each individual case and whether the complaints are already the subject of investigation by other statutory authorities or within other grievance...