Results 37,381-37,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (31 Mar 2022)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Minister for Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, responsibility for the security aspect of border control rests with An Garda Síochána, while the Revenue Commissioners also have responsibilities relating to their particular mandate. Among the roles assigned to the Defence...

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: From a legal perspective, it might be helpful to the House if I did. I thank Senators for their accommodation, in particular the other party spokespersons. I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne and the other proposing Senators for bringing this Bill before the Seanad. I appreciate the honourable intentions and efforts of Senator Malcolm Byrne and his colleagues in bringing forward this Bill and I...

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: We will work with the Senator on that to produce amendments that can be introduced on Committee Stage to try to deliver legislation that is fit for purpose and can secure the necessary prosecutions, should it come to that. I ask everybody to work with me on that and we will try to do this as quickly as we can.

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will be there tomorrow.

Seanad: Defence (Restriction on Use of Certain Titles) Bill 2021: Second Stage (6 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I do not think I can come back because I am not the sponsoring person.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The processing of Foreign Birth Registration applications has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Foreign Birth Registration applications are citizenship applications, and as in all jurisdictions involve a complex and lengthy process. Due to an unprecedented surge in applications as a result of the Brexit referendum in the UK, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is developing an online portal that will allow Oireachtas Members to query the status of passport applications on behalf of their constituents.  The testing element of this project is yet to be completed. Once the online portal is finalised, the Passport Service expects to roll it out over the summer of this year.  In the meantime, Members of the Oireachtas can...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to one of the applicants and has provided an update on the status of the other application to the applicant's parent.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Our network of diplomatic missions in the Asia Pacific Region 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 the Asia Pacific Region, we have recently expanded our network through opening a Consulate General in Mumbai and an Embassy in Manila. At present, there are no plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 402, 403, 417, 425, 426 and 430 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Staff (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Within the Department of Foreign Affairs there are currently no staff absent from work on full pay due to suspension or workplace disputes. The Department has no agencies or bodies under its aegis.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined below in tabular form. This information has also been sent to the Deputy by email. Passport applications submitted  Registration Date (as of 20 March 2022) - Total Passport Service Processing Requires further action from applicant % Total requiring further action from applicant ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously.  The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 5th in the Henley Global Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Following parliamentary elections held at the end of January, my colleague and outgoing Minister for National Defence H.E. João Gomes Cravinho was appointed as Portugal’s new Minister for Foreign Affairs last week. I have written to Minister Cravinho to convey my best wishes in his new role. I have also indicated that I hope to travel to Lisbon to meet with Minister Cravinho...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 408, 418, 427 to 429, inclusive, and 431 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 applications to the applicants. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has returned the requested passport to the applicant's parent.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is not a member of NATO, and accordingly does not contribute to NATO common costs or common funding. Ireland’s relationship with NATO is set within the framework of Partnership for Peace (PfP), which we have been a member of since 1999. Over the last two decades, Ireland’s participation in PfP has been of significant importance in the development of the peacekeeping...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware of the charges brought in US courts against four Russian government employees in relation to malicious cyber activity, targeting a range of critical energy infrastructure across 135 countries, including Ireland, between 2012 and 2018.  We will continue to engage with the United States, our fellow EU Member States and other international partners on next steps in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application. The Passport Service are currently processing this application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Apr 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent to provide an update as to the steps they must take to progress the passport application. The Passport Service regrets the delay in processing this application.