Results 38,181-38,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 310 together. The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was designed and agreed by the UK and EU to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions and to mitigate the inevitable disruption arising for the island of Ireland from Brexit. I spoke last week to Foreign Secretary Truss and speak on an ongoing basis with Secretary of State Brandon...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality has been implemented by successive Governments, and is characterised by non-membership of military alliances. This policy informs our active approach to peace support operations, crisis management, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. There are no plans to alter this policy. We must recognise however that the world has changed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicants as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 271, 272, 280, 281, 284, 285, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 298, 299, 300, 301, 303, 304, 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 316 and 317 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: Passport Services (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273, 276 to 279, inclusive, 282, 283, 287, 294, 295, 305 and 315 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 (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued full refunds for both of the cancelled urgent appointments. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (23 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 319 together. The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was designed and agreed by the UK and the EU to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, to mitigate the inevitable disruption arising for the island of Ireland from Brexit, and to protect the integrity of EU Single Market and Ireland’s place within it. It is deeply...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The further invasion of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, commencing on 24 February 2022, is a gross violation of international law. There have been many reports of shocking acts perpetrated by the invading Russian forces in Ukraine. On 19 April, I de-briefed the UN Security Council following my visit to Ukraine and bore witness in the Council Chamber to what I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: On 17 June the European Commission recommended, in a formal opinion, that Ukraine be granted candidate status, on the understanding that certain steps are taken. Ireland strongly supports the Commission's recommendation and the Taoiseach has stated that he will advocate for its endorsement by the European Council later this week. If endorsed by the European Council at its meeting of...

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

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his question and am pleased to refer him to my previous responses to closely related parliamentary questions number [4176/22] (www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-01-27/226/?highl ight%5B0%5D=top&highlight%5B1%5D=ten&highlig ht%5B2%5D=human&highlight%5B3%5D=rights) dated the 27thJanuary 2022 and number [15001/22]...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries. There are currently five recognised candidates for membership of the European Union: Turkey, North...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland has repeatedly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military over one year ago. It is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar which took years to establish. The people of Myanmar have consistently endorsed the democratic path and overwhelmingly reject the military coup. Ireland has repeatedly called for the release of all those...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly advocates for democracy, democratic values, the rule of law, civil society space and respect for human rights as key foreign policy priorities, across our bilateral, EU and multilateral engagement, including at the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN Security Council. Ireland calls on all States to adhere to their international commitments and obligations, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: For both Ireland and the EU, ensuring peace and stability throughout the Western Balkans continues to be a priority. The war in Ukraine has provoked a significant geopolitical realignment and shown us that we need to deliver on the expectations of the Western Balkans countries, while also strengthening their commitment to European values as future EU Member States. In particular, closer...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland is now in the second year of our term as an elected member of the UN Security Council. We have been actively engaged across the Council’s wide agenda since taking up our seat last year, and we are playing a constructive role in helping the Council fulfil its key role in the maintenance of international peace and security. We have brought our principled and independent...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s strong and enduring commitment to effective multilateralism, particularly through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations, is central to our response to international acts of aggression and the complex drivers of conflict around the globe.  There are a number of international bodies which seek to hold States to account for their actions. ...

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

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his question and am pleased to refer him to my previous response to a closely related parliamentary question no 4181/22 (www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-01-27/231/?highl ight%5B0%5D=conflict) dated the 27th  of January 2022 which included information from the most recent annual report by the UN Secretary General. We look forward to shortly receiving the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (23 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland is the agreed EU-UK solution to mitigate the impact of Brexit across this island, to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process as well as protecting the integrity of the EU’s single market. It remains a key part of the Withdrawal Agreement, under which the UK left the EU, and paved the way for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement...