Results 38,781-38,800 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 50 together. The Passport Service has issued over 940,000 passports to date this year and 2022 will be the first year ever that over 1 million passports will be issued. The Passport Service is currently out-performing its previous busiest year (2019) by 17%. Thanks to significant investment by the Government, substantial improvements have been made...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As per the UN designation, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory. Ireland’s consistent position, over many years, has been to support the right of the Saharawi people to decide their future through self-determination, and there is an ongoing UN process, led by Staffan de Mistura as the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, to provide good offices in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: My colleague, Minister of State Byrne, attended the General Affairs Council meeting on 20 September 2022 in Brussels. Among the items discussed was preparation for the European Council meeting on 20-21 October. At the European Council, Leaders will discuss Russia/Ukraine, energy, the economic situation and external relations. Ministers also received an overview of the key priorities that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the French naval exercise that took place in late June and early July this year in an area of the Atlantic Ocean, off the French coast. As close EU partners, Ireland and France remained in close contact throughout the period of the exercise. The full extent of the area that could potentially have been affected included a small piece of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Work Permits (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government of Ireland opened a new Embassy in Manila, the Philippines, in October 2021. This was one of a suite of initiatives designed to deliver on the Government's Global Ireland initiative, which aims to double the scope and impact of Ireland's global footprint by 2025. The opening of the Embassy in Manila seeks to expand Ireland’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region, while...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 36, 41 and 62 together. Strong relationships and honest conversations East-West and North-South are at the heart of this Government's approach to Northern Ireland. To this end, I spoke to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, on 7 September immediately following his appointment. Most recently, I met with the Secretary of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Russia’s appalling military aggression against Ukraine has highlighted more than ever the importance of European unity and solidarity in response to the challenges we face. I am in regular contact with my European Union counterparts, both bilaterally and also collectively, including through the Foreign Affairs Council. In this context, efforts have been underway at European Union...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 55 together. At the Foreign Affairs Council in July, EU Foreign Ministers discussed the resumption of Association Council meetings with Israel, which had not taken place since 2012. It was agreed that we should start work to determine the EU position for an Association Council meeting with Israel, and that a meeting would only go ahead once an EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Recent global crises have once again highlighted the need for a reformed UN development system and Security Council. Ireland is making a positive impact across the work of the United Nations and is engaged in seeking reforms, including in support of the UN Secretary General’s efforts, and his vision on the future of global cooperation: ‘Our Common Agenda.’ UN...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since Russia commenced its unjustified and unprovoked further invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, I have consistently expressed Ireland's unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We have used our voice at the UN Security Council, UN Human Rights Council and other multilateral fora to call for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 44 and 57 together. The Passport Service has issued over 940,000 passports to date this year and 2022 will be the first year ever that over 1 million passports will be issued. The Passport Service is currently out-performing its previous busiest year (2019) by 17%. The total number of fully complete online and postal applications on hand with the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The ongoing programme of Passport Reform focuses on the future of service delivery by continuing to identify and implement projects to enhance the customer experience and provide for business continuity while maintaining the integrity of the Irish passport. The first iteration of the Passport Reform Programme ran from 2016 – 2021 and delivered significant customer service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has unequivocally rejected the recent sham referendums in Russian partially-occupied regions of Ukraine. The votes were illegal and illegitimate. I categorically condemn the announcement by the Russian Federation of its intention to illegally annex the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Such a decision has no basis in law and this move does not reflect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have been clear in my engagement with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority of the commitment of this Government to advancing a two-State solution, in line with the agreed parameters for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Programme for Government states that the Government will “Honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The response by the European Union to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. It has encompassed political, financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. Member States, including Ireland, have collectively welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees under the Temporary Protection Mechanism. The EU has also imposed the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 30 September, the Security Council has met 33 times so far in 2022 to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Ireland has pushed for the Council to hold Russia accountable, to urge it to end its illegal war in Ukraine immediately, and to call out Russia’s cynical attempts to use the Council and other UN bodies to spread disinformation. On 22 September I addressed the Council and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland supports initiatives to bring to account perpetrators of atrocity crimes, including war crimes, committed in Ukraine since Russia’s latest invasion of that country last February. To that end Ireland, along with its EU partners, joined with over 40 States earlier this year to refer the situation in Ukraine to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 60, 63 and 64 together. The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in Iran on 16 September, was a tragedy. The fact she was arrested simply due to the way she was dressed understandably provoked a strong response from the Iranian people and the international community. The subsequent response by the Iranian authorities to largely...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to closely engage with the company and communities in Colombia referred to in the Deputy’s question. This a multi-layered, highly complex situation with various differing viewpoints, legal considerations, and other perspectives at play. As previously outlined, officials from my Department have met with all parties to gain a deeper...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s policy of military neutrality has long been an important strand of our independent foreign policy. In practical terms, as followed by successive Governments, the policy means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. However, our approach has never been one of isolationism; rather our neutrality has informed our active...