Results 36,301-36,320 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The processing times for all passport applications are based on current average application turnaround times and apply to passport applications that are fully complete, where all required supporting documentation has been correctly submitted to the Passport Service by the applicant. Applications can take longer than the average turnaround time if applicants have not provided all of the...

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 regrets that this application was not checked within the current average turnaround time of 40 working days. The Passport Service contacted the applicant on 17 November 2021 to request a document that was required to complete the application. A document has been submitted by the applicant and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Travel Area (15 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 Defence: Defence Forces (15 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The alleged offences are currently under investigation and for this reason, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the case.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The incident referred to in your question is currently under investigation and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment. With regard to the decision to employ a no-alcohol policy, the military authorities have informed me that this decision was made by the General Staff, to replicate a policy that has already been successfully employed in other troop missions overseas. This...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (15 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government contains an ambitious range of commitments concerning the Defence sector that my Department will continue to implement over the lifetime of the Programme. During 2021, one of the key commitments was to establish a Commission on the Defence Forces. On the 15th December 2020, the Government approved terms of reference and the membership of an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 to 354, inclusive, together. I propose to group the Deputy’s four questions together for answer. The Government, on foot of proposals made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, nominates officers for Ambassadorial posts. The nominated Ambassadors are subsequently appointed by the President and take up duty abroad following the receipt of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Bodies (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are no State boards or agencies under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: Diplomatic and official passports are issued in accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. Section 16 of the Act makes particular provision for the issuance of diplomatic passports to persons who hold a diplomatic rank or to persons whom the Minister for Foreign Affairs considers it appropriate to issue such a passport in order to carry out their duties. Official...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has not proved possible to collate the information requested within the time allocated for responding to this PQ. The Department has followed up with the Deputy's Office directly and will provide the information requested as soon as possible and no later than 31 January 2022.  

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 362 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, and return of supporting documents, to the applicant. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 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: Middle East (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. Irish officials are monitoring this matter, in cooperation with partners on the ground.  As I outlined in my response to Questions 16, 23 and 24 of 18 November, Ireland supports the statement by the EU Delegation in Jerusalem on 5 November, calling on Israel to respect international law and avoid loss of life in this case, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a strong and consistent supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and has condemned Russian violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. The build-up of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine is a matter of great concern. The potential effect of the build-up on the security situation in the non-government controlled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk, which border...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Victim Support Services (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government has always sought to acknowledge and address the legitimate needs and expectations of victims’ families and survivors of Troubles-related attacks in this jurisdiction. We are deeply conscious of the enduring suffering and hardship that survivors of Troubles-related violence bear, both North and South, and indeed in Britain and Europe. The Government...

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

Simon Coveney: It has been the clear and consistent position of the Government that the Stormont House Agreement provides a balanced and comprehensive framework to address the legacy of the Troubles. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented – for the families and victims who have waited for too long.  We have taken...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are now over 900 political prisoners in Belarus, according to the Belarusian human rights organisation, Viasna. They have been detained for challenging the rule of Alexander Lukashenko. Their ongoing detention is inexcusable. It is vital that human rights violations in Belarus are independently investigated. Ireland and the EU have clearly stated that the impunity enjoyed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Bodies (16 Dec 2021)

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces. The 1927 Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary...

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

Simon Coveney: A joint civil/military review has been conducted on mandatory retirement ages for all ranks in the Permanent Defence Force. As Defence Forces superannuation arrangements are based on contracts of service and mandatory retirement ages, the recommendations in the review require consideration from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to implications on costs and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 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...