Results 35,801-35,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am assuming that the Deputy's question relates to capital building investment at the DFTC, Curragh Camp. The table below sets out the information sought. 2019 2020 2021 Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett Replace Ammo Depot Building Replace...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Offices (19 Oct 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 535 together. The Department’s Expenditure in the past ten years to date on new or refurbished office accommodation and related equipment for those offices is as follows: 2011 - 2019€ Zero Expenditure 2020 €1,435.84  Rental costs of Porta Cabins to provide for temporary accommodation during refurbishment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service issued over 455,000 passports books and cards between 1 April and 15 October 2021. During that period, almost 430,000 passport applications related to the Passport Online system, while over 25,000 were postal applications. Approximately 75% were renewals and 25% were first time applications. Almost 45% of passports for simple online adult renewals issue within one...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant and is assisting them with submitting a new passport application. The Passport Service regrets the inconvenience caused to the applicant and will ensure the new application is expedited as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 418, 428 and 437 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has already issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Malicious cyber activities are increasing exponentially with attacks on critical infrastructure, such as the HSE ransomware attack, causing widespread disruption and endangering the lives of our citizens. We must anticipate and prepare effectively for future cybersecurity incidents. This is best achieved through a strengthening of ICT systems, deterring threats and working with other states...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 420, 429 and 430 together. Operations of the Passport Service were severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, as were many Government services. Emergency passport services were maintained during the pandemic, which required staff to be on site to process and issue passports. On that basis, and taking account of the COVID protocols in place at the time,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to doing everything possible to support and facilitate the resumption of safe international air travel, and especially to ensure that Irish citizens living abroad are able to return home to Ireland for visits and to reunite with friends and family here. I know that this is a matter of great concern for the approximately 5,000 members of our Irish community in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland are fundamental elements of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South. The Government respects and affirms everyone’s right on the island to make the case for the constitutional future for Northern Ireland they wish to see, whether they are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Our network of diplomatic missions in Asia is kept under constant review, in the context of commitments set out in the Programme for Government, in Global Ireland 2025 and in our Asia-Pacific Strategy. In Asia, we have opened a Consulate-General in Mumbai and a new Embassy in Manila will open very soon. However, at present there are no plans to open either a new Consulate General or Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: This is a complex case involving an Irish citizen who has been prevented from leaving China since March 2019. My Department has been providing ongoing consular assistance to the citizen since that time through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, our Embassy in Beijing and our Consulate General in Shanghai, while he and his legal teams work on the legal, commercial and financial issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service of my Department is one unified service composed of three constituent offices located in Lower Mount Street and Balbriggan in Dublin and South Mall in Cork. Passport applications from citizens residing in Ireland or elsewhere in the world are distributed for processing across the three Passport Offices. All passport applications are processed through the centralised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: 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 FBR applications stood at 18 months due to an unprecedented surge in applications as a result of Brexit, and the necessary rigorous processing that applies to citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service cannot process an application until the required supporting document has been received. The Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps the applicant must take to progress the passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together. As the Deputy is aware, 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 resolutions. This position is common across all Government Departments. Consequently, as noted in the response to Parliamentary Question...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

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

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: While the operation of the Passport Service public offices was necessarily restricted due to public health measures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Passport Office in Mount St, Dublin 2 and the Passport Office in Cork are now offering an Urgent Appointment Service for the renewal of passports. To avail of the Urgent Appointment Service for Passport Renewal, applicants must first...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: 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 FBR applications stood at 18 months due to an unprecedented surge in applications as a result of Brexit, and the necessary rigorous processing that applies to citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Tracker provides applicants with an indication of how their application is progressing through the system and gives an estimated issue date based on the current average application processing time. The ‘bar level’ is only indicative and applicants should refer to the text box below the ‘bar level’ which gives the most up to date position. Once the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: On 18 October, 2021, a number of Embassies in Ankara (Canada, France, Finland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the USA) issued a joint statement regarding the ongoing detention of Turkish businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala, noting that the date marked four years since his detention. The joint statement called for a just and speedy resolution to his...