Results 38,061-38,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I spoke by phone to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Monday, 13 June. During the call, I made it clear to Secretary Truss that publishing legislation would breach the UK’s commitments under international law, the Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, would be deeply damaging to relationships on these islands and between the UK and EU. Minister of State Byrne...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together. The Department of Foreign Affairs examines all formal complaints made to its HR Unit notwithstanding the category they fall under. Complaints in relation sexual harassment and assault are addressed under the Dignity at Work: An Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Irish Civil Servicepolicy, which is available on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Transport (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: No car or driver expenses were claimed by/paid to me in my capacity as Minister for Defence in 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is currently participating in one PESCO project, the Greek led Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance. The main objective of this project is to enhance the Maritime Surveillance, Situational Awareness and potential Response Effectiveness of the EU, by using the existing infrastructure and developing related capabilities in the future. The covered area of the project consists of all...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is currently observing on nine PESCO projects: (1) Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package; (2) Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures; (3)Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform; (4) European Secure Software Defined Radio; (5) Military Mobility; (6) Energy Operational Function; (7) EU Radio Navigation Solution; (8) Counter...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government and the Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022. The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference. The report contains...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not have public offices involving regular interface with members of the public. However, at all times my Department employees must operate within the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour which sets out the standards required of civil servants in the discharge of their duties. In the performance of their duties, civil servants must maintain high standards in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (16 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department employees are supported in working in a safe, inclusive environment through a Dignity at Work policy. The Policy is provided to all new staff joining my Department and is posted on the Department's Intranet as well as being communicated directly to all staff on an annual basis. This policy applies equally to the civil servants and the civilian employees of my Department. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a longstanding policy of military neutrality, meaning that we do not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. This policy, which has been implemented by successive governments, informs our active approach to peace support operations, crisis management, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. There are no plans to alter this policy at this time...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: On 17 June, the European Commission published its formal Opinion on Ukraine's application for membership of the European Union. As the Opinion states, the aspiration to belong to the European Union has for many years been an important priority for Ukraine, its governments and citizens. It has been an underlying motive for democratic changes over the past decade and a driver of a number...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 276, 277, 281, 283, 284, 288, 290, 292, 298, 299, 306, 311, 314, 322, 323, 339, 340, 342, 344, 346, 351, 355, 356, 358, 368, 369, 370, 395, 397, 401, 406, 407, 408, 411, 416, 418, 420, 426, 427, 428, 497, 498, 500, 503, 504, 508, 509, 510, 511, 514, 516, 521, 524, 526 and 531 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 315, 319, 335, 338, 367, 394, 409, 413, 414, 495, 517 and 520 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280, 286, 293, 294, 296, 302, 303, 305, 310, 312, 325, 327, 329, 334, 354, 359, 362, 374, 380, 382, 391, 393, 400, 410, 412, 419, 506, 512, 513 and 519 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications are within the current turnaround times and have not yet reached their issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 285, 287, 289, 295, 297, 300, 301, 304, 308, 316, 317, 318, 320, 324, 326, 328, 337, 341, 343, 345, 348, 352, 353, 357, 361, 363, 364, 365, 366, 371, 372, 375, 378, 381, 383, 386, 388, 389, 399, 421, 422, 423, 424, 435, 441, 443, 448, 454, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 473, 480, 481, 482, 485, 490 and 491 together. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 321, 333, 336, 349, 379, 429, 446, 447, 452, 502 and 528 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service Customer Service Hub is available to respond to customer queries by phone and webchat. The Customer Service Hub has handled over 123,000 queries to date this year and is currently handling an average of 1,200 queries per day. During times of peak demand, there can be delays in getting through to a service agent due to the high volumes of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Due to the complex nature of the FBR process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, ##applicant's should allow approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 445 together. With regard to the specific case about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 331, 332, 347, 350, 360, 390, 392, 398, 402, 403, 404, 405, 415, 417, 492, 493, 494, 496, 499, 505, 507, 515, 518, 522, 523, 525 and 529 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has reviewed the applications and progressed as appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant.