Results 38,121-38,140 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I first thank the Deputy for raising this issue and, in particular, for the way in which he done so because he has been sensitive to the issue here. I have been to Warsaw and have visited the largest Ukrainian refugee hub, if one wants to call it that, just outside Warsaw. There are about 7,000 Ukrainian people there. Approximately 2,000 come and go every day. It is just extraordinary...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for this question and am glad to be able to put a number of things on the record in respect of this agreement. A trilateral memorandum of understanding with Israel and Egypt on co-operation relating to trade, transport and the export of natural gas to the European Union was signed by the European Commission on 15 June in Cairo. Ireland supports the agreement, which is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As I said in my response to the Deputy, this agreement does make a distinction between occupied territory and Israel proper, for want of a better term. That is appropriate. As I said my reply, the legal framework underpinning the EU-Israel partnership is provided by the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which has been in force since 2000. Unlike Russia, Israel is part of the European...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Do I get a last word?

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 72, 73, 74, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 114 and 116 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: Human Rights (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case raised. Ireland is opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and has made this clear in both bilateral contacts with the Saudi authorities, as well as appropriate international fora. I raised our opposition to the use of the death penalty directly with the Saudi Foreign Minister when I visited Riyadh in June 2021. Officials from my Department have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 86 and 98 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: Departmental Correspondence (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I regret the delay in responding to the Deputy on this matter. An official from the Passport Service will contact the Deputy directly to ensure that no further delay is experienced.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Jun 2022)

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: Passport Services (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 96, 108, 117, 119 and 120 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 (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant and a full refund has been processed.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration 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 approximately 2 years from the receipt of supporting documentation for processing of FBR applications at this time. Arising from Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 112 together. Ireland remains gravely concerned at the deteriorating security, human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar and recognises the need for a unified international response to ensure an end to the crisis. Ireland is actively engaged on Myanmar in our role as an elected member of the Security Council, including by calling on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is unequivocal in its stance against the death penalty and the abolition of capital punishment is one of Ireland’s international priorities. I am gravely concerned by the passing of death sentences on a number of those arrested for peaceful protest and support for democracy in Myanmar. I understand that 114 people have been sentenced to death, primarily by military courts,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible for the Passport Service to provide the historical figures requested for the number of passport applications that were incomplete or experienced delays as this is only a temporary status for the application until such time as the application is complete. The other information requested by the Deputy is outlined below in tabular form. Applications received by month 1...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is already outperforming any previous year, despite the challenges that it has encountered over the past two years. The Passport Service continues to outperform its previous busiest year, 2019, by over 20%. Over 623,000 passports have been issued to date in 2022. This is 105,000 more passports than were issued at this point of the year in 2019. In the past four weeks, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: In recent months, it has become increasingly clear that we are living in a new era in Europe, in which Ireland faces significant new security and defence challenges. In this context, we will need to have a mature debate about our broader approach to security and defence issues in Ireland, including opportunities for cooperation and collaboration at EU level. The Taoiseach has indicated...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The situation as set out in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 905 of 21 April 2021 remains unchanged. The firing range at Cushla, County Roscommon is administered by the Department of Defence on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in whom the land is vested. While the Cushla Rifle Range is not currently in use and there are no immediate plans to reactivate this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 105 and 109 together. Ireland takes a very active role in supporting human rights defenders, indigenous communities and civil society space in Colombia and engagement on these issues is a strong component of our bilateral relations with Colombia and our support to the Colombian Peace Process. Ireland is a longstanding supporter of comprehensive...