Results 38,081-38,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising these important cases of political prisoners in Belarus. The journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega were detained by Belarusian authorities following the forced diversion of a Ryanair aircraft to Minsk in May 2021. Reports indicate that Mr Protasevich and Ms Sapega were sent to prison until June and subsequently transferred to house arrest. Mr...

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

Simon Coveney: As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 146 of 10 May 2022, the Amnesty International report highlights the illegal and unacceptable treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli state. Ireland’s position continues to be based on international law including international human rights law, Israel’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention as the occupying power in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Jun 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 Index...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government currently has no plans to open a Consulate General in the Algarve area of Portugal.  The Embassy team in Lisbon manages Ireland’s relations with Portugal and provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in Portugal as necessary. The Global Ireland programme aims to double Ireland's international impact and influence in the period 2018 to 2025, including through an...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 425, 436, 437, 439, 450, 451, 455, 470 and 489 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. 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 438, 440, 442, 444, 453, 471, 472, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 483, 484, 486, 487, 488 and 501 together. With regard to the specific applications about which 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 case about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the person directly to advise as to what is required for their children's passport applications. 

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

Simon Coveney: Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration (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, applicants should allow over 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the...

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

Simon Coveney: The Deputy's correspondence has been received and will be responded to shortly. I will also outline here the current situation regarding the application in question. The Department of Foreign Affairs issues a Letter of Freedom to Marry or, ‘Certificat de Coutume’, to facilitate Irish citizens who intend to get married abroad. This is not an Irish requirement but may be a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware my Department and the Defence Forces worked closely with O.N.E to bring to fruition the completion of the veterans drop in centre in Wexford Barracks. The Defence Forces wish to facilitate access requests from O.N.E to ensure their inclusion in the Defence Forces community. Arrangements regarding access are a matter for the local military management to determine...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Civilian staff are employed at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum of roles and include craft workers, services, administrative, healthcare professionals and other specialist grades. My Department did not employ any qualified civilian fitness instructors during the period 2020 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (21 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish Horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Army Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I know we do not have a huge turnout for this legislation. It is important but I do not think it is controversial, which may explain why there is not a strong Opposition presence here. I am pleased to present this Bill to the House. While technical, it is important legislation. The principal purpose of this Bill is to provide for members of the Military Police to take and use DNA samples...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Senators for being both helpful and co-operative. I have a long closing speech here but I am just going to answer their questions if I can. No offence to the people who put the words together; they are very useful.

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Yes, absolutely. This legislation is technical. It is effectively ensuring investigations undertaken by the Military Police can be as comprehensive, using DNA samples in the way the Garda uses DNA samples in other criminal cases. It would be extraordinary if there were investigations taking place under military law that could lead to a court martial that could not use modern forms of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government has been very clear in its response to the British Government's decision to introduce legislation which, if enacted, would disapply core elements of the protocol on Northern Ireland and breach international law. The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and I, along with all other Ministers, have expressed our deep disappointment and concern at the British approach. Far from fixing...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I want to use this opportunity to try to speak directly to the Unionist community in Northern Ireland. I want to say to them that we in the Irish Government and, I can assure them, in the EU also, within the European Commission, want to respond to their legitimate concerns in regard to how the protocol is implemented and the need to make a clear distinction between goods that are staying...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is important to call out what is happening in an open and blunt way. The approach towards political stability and maintaining that in Northern Ireland post the Good Friday agreement, for nearly 25 years now, has been based on partnership and trust between the British and Irish Governments, when it was needed, to provide a platform and a foundation to help the parties agree to compromise...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There is no criminal court case. I do not know what Deputy Tóibín is talking about.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There is no criminal court case.