Results 2,121-2,140 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I just wanted to know that before I started. This is a slightly longer answer but I would like to give quite a lot of detail to the House on this particular issue.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: This is an important and current issue. I believe we currently have a window of opportunity for a much-needed reset in EU-UK relations. I welcome the positive statements from the new UK Government about its desire to find a negotiated settlement on the protocol on Northern Ireland. We now need to see those sentiments turned into constructive engagement between the UK and the European...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I took careful note of the addresses of both Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the United Nations General Assembly in September. It was disheartening, but not surprising, that we heard two very different perspectives of the current state of play. At the same time, both leaders acknowledged the need to work towards a two-State solution, a point that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Can I just say, first and foremost, that Prime Minister Lapid is personally committed to a two-state solution. I met him a number of times before he became Prime Minister, when he was foreign minister. Certainly, it is my view that he is committed to that outcome. Unfortunately, the government that he has been part of for the last number of years has allowed an awful lot of actions on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I certainly think the international community needs to do more. We are trying to find ways in which we can both encourage and push for that. The Deputy and I have had conversations about that both on and off the record in terms of how we might be able to do that, whether it is through our role on the UN Security Council or our role in the EU, and so on. I would say that Ireland is the most...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 16, 35 and 48 together. As I set out earlier, we have a real opportunity for a return to substantive talks aimed at finding jointly agreed solutions around the implementation of the Protocol on Northern Ireland. I have been clear in my view that with political leadership the genuine issues arising in the implementation of the Protocol can be resolved, in...

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

Simon Coveney: The EU is a union of laws and values. The rule of law is a fundamental principle for all EU Member States and it is of vital importance that the rule of law is preserved, protected, and promoted across the Union. I welcome Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s strong words on protecting the Rule of Law and our European values in her most recent State of the Union address. Ireland...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government is deeply concerned by the sudden and extensive gas leaks detected in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines last week. There has been ongoing contact with our EU partners since early last week at political and senior official level on this issue. I spoke with my Danish counterpart on Wednesday last week to express Ireland’s support and solidarity with Denmark and the Danish...

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

Simon Coveney: Global Ireland 2025 is a whole-of-Government strategy that aims to double Ireland’s global impact and influence in the period 2018 to 2025. A mid-term review, is currently being coordinated across Government by the Department the Taoiseach. It is planned that the review will be completed by the end of the year, and subsequently made public. The review process has been very positive,...

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

Simon Coveney: The introduction of Passport Online in 2017 has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing, resulting in greater efficiencies for the Passport Service and our citizens. Passport Online is the quickest and easiest channel for passport applicants. Passport Online is used by over 90% of applicants and is available to 97% of applicants worldwide. Currently, 84% of online adult...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 40 together. Since its formation over the summer, the Government has continued the pattern of active engagement with the new government in Colombia, in line with the Global Ireland 'Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean to 2025'. I met with the new Colombian Foreign Minister, Álvaro Leyva, at the United Nations in September. We discussed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (6 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: This year marked the 48th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered, the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles. Together with the families of those killed and injured, the Taoiseach attended a ceremony in Talbot St this year to remember those that lost their lives in those attacks. The Taoiseach assured those...

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

Simon Coveney: The Middle East Peace Process, as well as the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, remain key priorities for Ireland and continue to be a significant focus of my engagement. I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as with my counterpart, Foreign Minister Riad Malki, during their recent visit to Dublin on 17-18 September. Their visit...

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...