Results 35,821-35,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I am very sorry to hear of this case, which must be distressing for all involved. As the Deputy will be aware, matters related to Australia's border restrictions are managed by the Australian Government. The Department of Foreign Affairs role is therefore limited in such instances. However, the Consular Assistance team in my Department has engaged with the family in question on how to...

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: Official Engagements (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Strengthening the ties between Ireland and the United States is a priority for this Government as set out in our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025).Ireland has continually developed and maintained close relations with the US, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., our other diplomatic missions across the US and through the US Embassy in Dublin. I have spoken to my...

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

Simon Coveney: I made a statement on this issue on 27 October, as follows: "I am concerned at the designation by Israel’s Ministry of Defence of six Palestinian NGOs, including organisations in receipt of support from Irish Aid and the EU, as terrorist entities on Friday, 22 October. The EU is in touch with Israeli authorities to seek clarification. We were not informed in advance of these...

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

Simon Coveney: Mr Christos Stylianides was appointed ‘Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU’ in May 2021 but has since resigned. The EU are currently seeking a suitable replacement for Mr Stylianides. The EU has made clear that an appointment to the role will be made in due course and that the future mandate of the Special Envoy is currently being...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is a firm supporter of the role and work of the ICC in ending impunity for the most heinous crimes. One of the mechanisms provided by the Rome Statute to trigger the Court’s jurisdiction over these crimes is that the United Nations Security Council can refer a situation to the Court. Referrals by the...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland implements UN and EU sanctions, but does not plan to introduce any unilateral sanctions regimes. Ireland fully supports the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (GHRSR), which was adopted on the 7 December 2020. It allows the EU to target individuals, entities and bodies, including state and non-state actors, responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights...

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. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (“the 1956 Act”), as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by Naturalisation....

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

Simon Coveney: My Department operates in a number of locations in Ireland and approximately 90 locations worldwide. It comprises two Votes; Vote 27 International Cooperation and Vote 28 Foreign Affairs. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. The Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice...

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

Simon Coveney: I have followed developments in Hong Kong very closely over the last two years. Like our EU partners, Ireland is very concerned about the National Security Law in Hong Kong, which risks undermining the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong under the One Country, Two Systems principle. The recent decision relating to film restrictions is part of a wider context, under which we have seen the...

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's parent and is facilitating the return of documents as requested.

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

Simon Coveney: The Passport Online service offers a user-friendly, efficient and secure system through which citizens can apply for a passport. Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their...

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

Simon Coveney: Rinne mé ráiteas ar an gceist seo ar an 27 Deireadh Fómhair, mar a leanas: "Tá imní orm gur ainmnigh Aireacht Cosanta Iosrael sé eagraíocht neamhrialtasach Palaistíneacha mar aonáin sceimhlitheoireachta lena n-áirítear eagraíochtaí a fhaigheann tacaíocht ó Chúnamh Éireann agus an tAontas Eorpach ar an 22...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the average notice period given to applicants to the Reserve Defence Force for the various stages of the recruitment process for each of the years specified is as detailed in the following table: Applied Invite to Interview/Fitness Fitness/Interview Conducted Invite to Medical Medical Conducted ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The use of Defence Forces accommodation during the pandemic is considered under the Defence Forces Living with Covid-19 Plan, which is now in place and is reviewed by the Joint Operational Planning Group on a regular basis. This will afford more scope for Reserve Training within the parameters of government guidelines. Proposals have been submitted relating to the use of Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The White Paper on Defence is clear that there is a continued requirement to retain and develop the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very significant impact on Defence Forces recruitment, including to the Reserve, and has resulted in a pause to most collective training activities and induction processing. Nevertheless, 29 additional new members have been...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel, MRV, is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan and is provided for in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project. It is the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I assume that the Deputy's question relates to the capital infrastructure development plan at the DFTC, Curragh Camp. All building projects under the Plan are designed to meet current and future operational and training requirements. My officials are not aware of any disparity in relation to infrastructure provision as referred to by the Deputy. If there is a specific incident that the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Air Corps currently operates eight Pilatus PC-9M aircraft and also has four Pilatus PC 12 aircraft. The original order of three PC 12 aircraft which were delivered in September 2020 was augmented on an urgent basis by an additional aircraft delivered in April 2020. This additional aircraft provided the Air Corps with a very immediate additional fixed wing capacity to meet the unique...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The provisions for pay and allowances for both the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) are set out in Defence Force Regulation S.3. Prior to the Financial Emergency, the pay scales applying to the PDF also applied to the RDF. Under FEMPI measures, the pay cuts that applied to the PDF also applied to the RDF. An additional 10% reduction applied to the rate of paid...