Results 2,481-2,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person.  In order to meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service is in direct contact with the applicant's parent in relation to the application and is working to ensure no further delays are experienced. The Passport Service regrets any inconvenience caused to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are currently no bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to the answers provided in Question 384 of 21 June and Question 146 of 10 May with regard to Ireland’s position on the recent reports by human rights organisations.  The Middle East Peace Process remains a key foreign policy priority and Ireland makes consistent efforts to support a two-State Solution based on international law, the relevant UN Security...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired the Passport Service has reviewed the application and taken action as appropriate and contacted the applicant to advise as such.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and procedures that are applied by the Passport Service in the issue of passports. Section 10 of the Act provides that a passport will issue in the name of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is committed to the preservation and promotion of the rule of law both within the European Union and beyond. Ireland has consistently supported the development of a more comprehensive range of tools by the European Commission to ensure that EU Member States adhere to their rule of law obligations under the EU Treaties. This includes the Commission’s Annual Rule of Law Report...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply disturbed by the violence in Melilla on 24 June 2022. I am also shocked at the tragic deaths of at least 23 migrants and injury to many other migrants, as well as to Moroccan and Spanish personnel. My thoughts and sympathies go to all those who lost loved ones and to those who sustained injuries. I welcome that the Spanish authorities have quickly announced an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has excellent bilateral relations with Australia, anchored in shared values and close people to people links. I met with Australia’s then Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, last February in the margins of an international conference in Munich. This was our first opportunity to meet in person since the onset of the pandemic. We discussed a range of topics, including bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Defence, I am in daily contact with my officials as part of the on-going business of the Department including the recruitment and retention challenges in the Naval Service.  In response to such challenges I approved a comprehensive Naval Service regeneration plan in 2021 which is being progressed and monitored by a high-level civil/military team. The aim of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Airport Security (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 331 together. At last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the Government supported a request from the Minister for Transport for members of the Defence Forces to undergo training and certification and to be on standby to assist the daa with the provision of aviation security duties at Dublin Airport.   While I recognise that the role of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Appointments to State Boards (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board.  The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces.  The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: Operational Capability Concept (OCC) is an evaluation and feedback process that provides for external evaluation by trained evaluators of declared military capabilities in accordance with NATO standards. The White Paper on Defence 2015 refers to utilising NATO as the standard and benchmark for the Defence Forces, it being the ‘ISO of the military world’. The Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in line with other Government Departments, operates a Refund/Advance of Fees Scheme. This is in line with Department of Finance Circular 23/2007, which guides how Refund of Fees Schemes are operated across the Civil Service. The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 31 May 2022, 313 personnel were discharged from the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) comprised of 21 officers and 292 enlisted personnel. The military authorities have provided the following tables which detail the reasons for discharge and the numbers discharged as at 31stMay 2022. Officers Reason Total Discharged Voluntary Retirement 16 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board.  The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 to provide for the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities in certain circumstances to members of the Defence Forces.  The pay rise referenced by the Deputy is not applicable to the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Military Authorities have confirmed to me that there were no medals awarded, or disciplinary procedures actioned, by the Defence Forces as a result of shots being fired in relation to an incident at Portlaoise prison on 18 May 1988.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Visits (5 Jul 2022)

Simon Coveney: I most recently spoke with my German colleague by telephone on 10 June in relation to Ireland’s decision to conclude our engagement with MINUSMA at the end of our current commitment in September. While I currently do not have any plans to invite my German counterpart to Ireland before the end of 2022, I anticipate that there will be an opportunity to meet fellow EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (30 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are no State or semi-State bodies under the remit of my Department.