Results 35,441-35,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 417 and 418 together. The Passport Service maintained operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, notwithstanding the fact that the processing of passports requires physical attendance on site to deliver this service. As a result of well implemented safety protocols, our staff were able to assist citizens both at home and abroad who required passports for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: To assist with the response to COVID-19, 166 Passport Service personnel were redeployed into essential public service roles, such as contact tracing for the HSE, assisting the Department of Social Protection to facilitate the processing of COVID-19 related benefits, providing consular assistance to Irish citizens overseas and assisting the Public Appointments Service. Two officers from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: From the 23 August to date, 44 Temporary Clerical Officers were assigned through the Public Appointments Service. Nine TCOs who were assigned did not take up employment with my Department. I can assure the Deputy that staffing needs for the Passport Service, including additional resources to meet the projected demand continues to be an ongoing priority for my Department and an issue which is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has already issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that a pre-budget submission was received in to my Department on 24 September relating to a sail training ship. Officials in my Department will now review and assess the submission. I also understand that officials have contacted the organisation to arrange a meeting in order to discuss the details of the proposal. The State operated a national sail training programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Further to the Deputy’s earlier question, I wish to advise that places on this programme were initially facilitated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department availed of the opportunity to send participants on this programme but was not involved in the original procurement process. Interest in participating in the programme was sought from employees in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: Civil Defence operates on a partnership basis between the Department of Defence and the local authorities. Civil Defence policy is set down by the Minister for Defence through the Civil Defence Branch of the Department of Defence and Civil Defence services are delivered at local level by the relevant Local Authority. The 2015 White Paper on Defence states that it is the responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: There has been considerable interaction between my officials and some of the women who participated in the documentary mentioned before the documentary aired. This took the form of written correspondence, phone calls and a meeting between an individual and officials. All requests for meetings in person are considered within the circumstances pertaining to individual cases.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (28 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that following the broadcast of the Documentary a representative from my Department contacted RTÉ for the purpose of providing Departmental contact details to the Women of Honour. As a result of this contact, an initial meeting subsequently took place between the Secretary General of my Department and the Women of Honour last week and I am scheduled to meet...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy. I am aware of the European citizens' initiative to which he refers. Following its registration, the European Commission has six months to consider the initiative and any proposals arising from it. My officials will actively follow developments on the issue. Ireland has previously raised at EU level the question of whether goods from occupied territories, including...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: The case the Deputy makes reinforces the position I am taking. I have always said in respect of the occupied territories Bill that this is a trade matter for the EU collectively and the European Commission to make recommendations and decisions on. That has always been our position. It is why Ireland on its own cannot make decisions in this area. If it did, would not be able to implement...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I received extensive advice from the previous Attorney General and the current one. The advice is the same. It is that this is an EU competence, not a member state competence, in regard to taking the actions the Deputy has suggested. The threshold that would need to be overcome for Ireland to act on its own is not deemed to be met. If there is to be a sanction or trade measure introduced...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: That is why we should focus on what is possible and is already there, which is clear differentiation on labelling. That should be implemented across member states.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: IDA Ireland is an autonomous statutory agency, which operates in accordance with the Industrial Development Acts, 1986 to 2019, and under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who is best placed to comment on the agency’s activities and decisions and is responsible for trade. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has answered a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am sorry, but we make a distinction between Israel and the occupied territories. I do not believe that settlements are legal and I have said many times on the record that settlements and their expansion in occupied territories is illegal under international law. I raise that issue probably more than any other EU Minister on an international stage, whether it is in EU Foreign Affairs...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is not a contradiction at all.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: My position on Israel and on our relationship is important and this also an important agent to deliver change in its policy towards Palestinians, which I have been very critical of and I continue to be. I am not responsible for IDA Ireland and the line Minister has answered questions on this and will continue to answer questions if they are raised. My position is clear, however. Ireland...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: They talk to each and when there are differences, they discuss them. Ireland continues to be one of the most outspoken countries in the world in the context of the relationship between Israel and Palestine-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: ----- and the need to move towards a negotiated peaceful with solution and that is what we will continue to do.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Birth Registration (30 Sep 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am glad that the Deputy has asked this question because it is good to put this issue on the record. My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the processing time for foreign birth registrations, FBR, applications stood at 18 months due to an...