Results 2,081-2,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Immediate action is needed. I am sorry. Does Deputy Gannon wish to speak?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: We can group priority questions.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I recognise that there is concern across the Chamber. If we are going to achieve what we need to achieve with the Defence Forces in the coming years, in simple terms, we have to take on 3,000 people in the Permanent Defence Forces and 3,000 people in the Reserve Defence Forces. That is a net increase of 6,000 people in six years. Looking at the numbers today, that looks like a huge...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: When our peacekeepers are in Mali, the Golan Heights, southern Lebanon or anywhere else in the world, I want them be well equipped. I want them to have modern equipment and software systems on their computers that keep them as safe as possible. I want to ensure the technology that is available internationally is also available for our people. That is not an arms industry. It is ensuring...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: That is the space we are in. Ireland will never be an arms producer or an arms exporter.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I just wanted to be clear on that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: In order for military forces to be effective, they need to have equipment. We are increasing our budgets, including our capital spend, on defence, which is about increasing capacity. Deputy Gannon and others in this Chamber will rightly ask me the hard questions on the capacity gaps we have in our Defence Forces today. To protect our sovereign territory and monitor essential...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I answered this question earlier. It is useful to have a channel of communication that allows us to communicate in no uncertain terms what we think of Russia's position on Ukraine and its aggression and invasion of a sovereign neighbour. We called the Russian ambassador into the Department on 3 October to make it very clear that we will never support the referendum results across four...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: However, it kept the Russian Embassy open.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is now five years since the Rohingya crisis began in Myanmar. The violence and terror perpetrated by the Myanmar military created conditions where 750,000 Rohingya people had no option but to flee their country. Conditions for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya people to Myanmar remain very uncertain. Approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees continue to seek refuge in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: On the question of genocide, we are monitoring the cases before the international court. In this respect it is important to note that the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court is continuing to conduct a criminal investigation into alleged crimes within the court's jurisdictions committed against the Rohingya people. That investigation was authorised by the pretrial chamber of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 30 together. 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, including through the Foreign Affairs Council. In this context, I attended informal meetings of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will put some numbers on the record to clarify the assistance on a bilateral basis that we have provided. Ireland has provided in-kind assistance of approximately 10 tonnes or 5,000 units of ready-to-eat meals as well as 200 units of body armour, which were shipped earlier this year from Defence Forces stock to Ukraine. Our focus has very much been on non-lethal equipment to help...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Communities Abroad (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for her latitude on the answer. It was important. There is consular assistance available. We have an embassy. It is not operating at full capacity because Russia has effectively expelled two of our diplomats in response to justified decisions we had to take. We have a presence there. We can and will help Irish citizens but are limited in what we can do...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Foreign Policy (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is right that it is an awful situation and, because there are so many other awful situations around the world, it may not be getting the attention it should. I remain deeply concerned by the deteriorating security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar. It has been 19 months since the military took control by coup and launched a brutal campaign to retain power and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I share the concerns of Deputies about this issue. Our voice needs to be heard in terms of condemnation and criticism. We must work with our EU colleagues as well in terms of being part of a collective EU response. In respect of the Iranian ambassador, my Department continues to closely monitor developments in Iran through our chargé d'affaires in Tehran. I raised the case of Ms...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I hear what the Deputies are asking for with regard to the Iranian ambassador. I ask them to trust me when I say the ambassador knows exactly what our views on this issue are. One of the differences between Iran and Russia is that I have had a number of conversations with my Iranian counterpart because Ireland has a specific role on the Security Council regarding trying to re-establish the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Communities Abroad (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation in Russia in consultation with the Irish Embassy in Moscow. The Department currently advises against all travel to Russia. The security status of our travel advice for Russia was raised to "do not travel", which is the Department’s highest level of warning, on 28 February 2022. On 7 March 2022, Irish citizens in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Irish Communities Abroad (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I will update the House because some questions have been asked in the media this morning about the remains of Rory Mason and also about Brian Maher, who was interviewed on "Morning Ireland" this morning. Our consular teams and our team in the embassy in Kyiv are working with Ukrainian authorities to ensure Rory Mason's remains are brought home to his family as soon as possible. Separately,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I believe the Deputy and his party are wrong to call for the expulsion of the Russian ambassador. I understand that sentiment, frustration and anger and wanting to send that clear signal. Keeping diplomatic channels open, in the context of making it very clear to Russia what we think of the illegality of its actions, and being able to call in an ambassador to send direct messages to Moscow...