Results 36,281-36,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the UK’s Nationality and Borders Bill, which was recently passed in the House of Commons and has now proceeded to the House of Lords. As currently drafted, this Bill would provide that the UK’s immigration rules may require that specified categories of individual, to be set down in the rules, have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in order to travel to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the province of Xinjiang. We are closely following the situation, including in relation to evidence based reports of systemic abuse, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labour, forced sterilisations, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief. I raised our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The recruitment of children remains a significant and deeply worrying issue with thousands of children recruited into conflicts around the world each year. This timely report from Save the Children reinforces the findings of the UN Secretary-General's annual report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) which examines both trends and specific country situations, listing all armed groups that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Yemen continues to be the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis. Seven years of conflict, accompanied by economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services, have left over 24 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland, along with all EU member states, fully supports the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in his...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland stands in solidarity with Poland and other affected Member States amid this deeply challenging situation at the Polish-Belarusian border. We are mindful that frontline EU Member States like Poland face immense pressures and we recognise that the unprecedented state of affairs at the Polish-Belarusian border has been a major factor in Poland’s state of emergency decision. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Office continually examines how to improve its processes and turnaround times, including examining the process for the submission and verification of supporting documentation. Preparation is currently underway for several system and service improvements that will enhance the customer service experience and will improve processing times. These improvements will be rolled out in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 to 369, inclusive, together. Under Ireland’s inaugural National Plan on Business and Human Rights, the multi-stakeholder Implementation Group developed Guidelines on Business and Human Rights for business enterprises. These Guidelines have been published on the Department of Foreign Affairs’ website and members of the Implementation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: There has not been a recent review of service user experience undertaken by the Passport Service. Passport Service operations have been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as were many Government services. Despite the consequences of the pandemic, the Passport Service has issued almost 600,000 passports to date in 2021 and 45% of simple adult renewals issue within one business day....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is intended that the contract will be signed early in the New Year, with a construction programme of 12 months expected to complete the project.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. In terms of fishery protection the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: A person who enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) before 1 January 1994 may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of 60 years. The normal maximum periods of service for personnel enlisted to the PDF post 1 January 1994 are: - Line Privates, Line Corporals (and Naval Service equivalent ranks) and those in receipt of Technical Pay Groups 1 or 2, may not serve beyond 21...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a formal mechanism for the determination of claims and proposals from the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, relating to remuneration and conditions of service. Officials from my Department continue to work with the Representative Associations in a positive and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Military Authorities advise that it is not possible to collate the required information in the time available. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is made available to me.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government committed to an independent commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. The independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Commission’s overall approach is guided and informed by both the White Paper on Defence 2015 and the White Paper...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (14 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that the Air Corps operate a maintenance plan which endeavours to ensure that the maximum number of operational flying hours is available from the current aircraft fleet when most needed. The maintenance of the Air Corps fleet falls into three broad categories: scheduled, unscheduled and routine/daily. The use of performance based maintenance contracts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (15 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can reassure the Deputy that my Department is aware of this case and is continuing to provide consular assistance to the citizen through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, the Irish Embassy in Abuja, and with assistance from the Embassy of France in Togo - as Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in the country. My Department is also liaising with the Irish Council for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (15 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: This year my Department published its new Statement of Strategy for the 2021-2023 period which outlines in more detail the key priorities for the period, and frames our efforts to protect and promote the values and interests of Irish citizens, at home and abroad. Over the past year, my Department has continued to make an important contribution to the Government response to the pandemic,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant and their documents will be returned as requested.