Results 38,581-38,600 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and UN Security Council: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: That is not how it works. It has to apply to Ireland if it has an emergency reason to enter our airspace. Notification procedures relating occasions on when that happens are in place. The question about non-lethal support for Ukraine is fair. The programme for Government is clear. We had significant involvement in finalising the wording of the European peace facility so that every...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and UN Security Council: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (12 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will highlight one final matter. It relates to ports. The way to do this is not to try to militarily force our way into Odesa. The way to do it is through negotiation. The UN has invested much time in it, as have Turkey, Moscow and Kyiv, to try to find a solution that can get ships out of Port in Odesa safely without allowing Russian ships in to conduct a military attack. I hope that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: The overall human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a key priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Ireland takes every opportunity to stress the need for respect for human rights and full accountability, including regarding the actions of the Israeli security forces. I draw the attention of the Deputy to the joint statement released by Ireland with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”. Ireland plays a leadership role at both EU and UN level...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department’s formal blended working policy came into effect on 5 September 2022 and aligns with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service organisations. Those members of staff whose roles are deemed suitable for blended working arrangements are permitted to work up to a maximum of 50% of their regular attendance pattern remotely over a 4-week period, subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 to 247, inclusive, together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service will contact the Deputy's office directly in relation to the applications.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. My Department is committed to helping people with disabilities to access its services, and engages with disability services to provide training and awareness courses for staff covering areas as defined under the Disability Act 2005. Passport Online has been designed to be very accessible. In developing the Passport Online service a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: I spoke to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heatton Harris, on 7 September immediately following his appointment. We had a constructive phone call where we discussed a number of matters, including our shared priority of addressing the ongoing absence of the power-sharing Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland. I underlined the importance of the partnership approach...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Sep 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: Citizenship Applications (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (14 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department, in line with other civil and public service organisations, has adhered to public health advice and to the Guidance for Public Service Employers published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This has meant employees working from home, but also attending the workplace to carry out essential work that cannot be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (15 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 217 and 218 together. My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (15 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (15 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: Within my Department 643 officers have received special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1 July 2022. 4 officers have availed of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more. 106 officers have availed of the special leave with pay for COVID-19 since 1 July 2022 and 61 officers have been in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (15 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: I accepted the recommendation of the Working Group on Decommissioning, dated December 2021 that the decommissioning and disposal of namely LÉ Eithne P31, LÉ Orla P41, and LÉ Ciara P42, should be progressed as soon as is practicable, taking into account resourcing and the current impact of maintaining the ships. Officials in my Department are examining options on how to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (15 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: Special leave with pay is currently used in lieu of sick leave for Covid-19 to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of Covid-19 in the work premises. In all cases, evidence from HSE is required in the form of a PCR test result or antigen test result registered on the HSE portal. From 1st July 2022, any periods of Covid-19 related illness which extend beyond the stated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is deeply concerned by Nicaragua's continued campaign of repression against all dissenting voices, which includes religious leaders, NGOs, human rights defenders, political opposition and independent media. I wish to assure the Deputy that we are closely monitoring reports of the recently intensified crackdown on religious leaders, including those of the Catholic Church, which are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department raised the issue with Lebanese officials shortly after Archbishop El Hage was detained and has continued to monitor developments. Religious leaders can play an important role in promoting tolerance, inclusivity and religious freedom, including in Lebanon. The general situation in Lebanon is of great concern. The devastating explosions in Beirut on 4 August 2020, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Transport (20 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs purchases motor vehicles to facilitate the functioning and operations of Headquarters and its Missions abroad. The Department is committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle. Under the Department’s official vehicle management policy and in line with our Green Foreign Ministry policy new and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (20 Sep 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the situation of the persons identified in Pakistan. I can reassure the Deputy that the Embassy of Ireland in Turkey, which is accredited to Pakistan, and the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Pakistan, are actively engaging at present on the matter.