Results 2,661-2,680 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's diplomats posted to Kyiv were evacuated as a result of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ireland's Embassy to Kyiv has continued to operate remotely, initially from Dublin. It is currently operating remotely from Warsaw. I believe that it is important to have a physical, sustained presence in Kyiv, as an integral part of our overall commitment to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 401, 410, 411, 421, 425, 426, 427, 428, 456, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 475, 480, 481, 487, 494, 508, 523, 537 and 557 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired the Passport Service has reviewed the applications and progressed as appropriate.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: In order to avail of the Urgent Appointment service for passport renewal, an applicant, or their guardians in the cases of children, must present themselves for the appointment with a fully completed APS 1E form and all necessary additional supporting documents. For a child renewal application via the Urgent Appointment service, there are two sections on the APS 1E form which must be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 388 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have inquired the Passport Service has cancelled these applications upon receipt of urgent counter appointment applications. Subsequently, rapid renewal passports have issued to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 496 together. As a close EU partner, the Government has remained in contact with the French authorities throughout the period of the recent French military exercise. The exercise in question was due to take place from 21 to 24 June and on 27 June in an area of the Atlantic Ocean, off the French coast. The exercise area was relatively large,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The institutions of power-sharing are at the centre of the Good Friday Agreement and it is paramount that those institutions are restored as soon as possible. It is for the parties now, and those representatives that have been elected by the people, to come together to establish an Executive, and the Irish Government will continue to work to support this vital goal. I have remained in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service cannot process an application until the required supporting documents have been received. The Passport Service emailed the applicant’s parent on 07/06/2022 requesting further documents. This email was sent within the correct turnaround time. The Passport Service emailed the parent again on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update as to the steps the applicant must take to progress their passport application. The applicants children's passports are within the turnaround times and have not reached their estimated issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: There are no State boards under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is the statutory responsibility of the Passport Service to ensure consent of all guardians is obtained for applicants under the age of 18. In cases where there are two guardians or more and one guardian is unwilling or unavailable to give their consent for the child’s passport to be issued, a court order dispensing with that parent’s consent must be submitted with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service requested a new consent form as the Verification of Identity section on the original consent form was not completed by the witness. 

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Flexible Work Practices (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: As of 20 June 2022, the Department currently employs 2,460 staff which comprises officers recruited and assigned at headquarters, posted officers, and local recruited staff in overseas missions. A formal blended working policy has been agreed by the Management Board recently and aligns with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service organisations. This policy will launch once...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is a unified service composed of three constituent offices located in Lower Mount Street and Balbriggan in Dublin and South Mall in Cork, respectively. Passport applications from all citizens - whether from anywhere in Ireland or abroad - are distributed for processing across the three Passport Offices on the basis of the type of application rather than the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 566 together. The United States will continue to play a vital role in supporting peace, stability and prosperity in Northern Ireland. The role of the US Special Envoy to NI has been greatly valued by the Irish government over many years, and the appointment of a new Envoy was something I emphasised in my exchanges during my most recent visit...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Human Rights (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 542 together. It is deeply disappointing that the British Government has chosen to unilaterally introduce its 'Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill', and has in so doing moved away from the process agreed in the Stormont House Agreement, a process that was agreed by both Governments, political parties and victims and survivors...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 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: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application is within the current turnaround times and has not yet reached the issue by date. The Passport Service has returned the Father's original passport.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017-2020 was launched in late 2017. The implementation of this whole-of-government plan was overseen by an Implementation Group comprised of representatives of government, civil society and business. Both the Plan itself and the Programme for Government included commitments to a review of implementation which was completed in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has a formal comments and complaints procedure in place to allow customers an opportunity to give feedback on the quality of the service they receive. The Passport Service is committed to providing a high quality, effective service to all of our customers and welcomes feedback on how the service can be improved. All feedback is dealt with in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Convention on Human Rights (28 Jun 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Good Friday Agreement cites the European Convention on Human Rights as a vital safeguard that ensures the successful operation of the Agreement's institutions and the protection of Northern Ireland’s communities. The British Government has now published legislation to introduce a UK Bill of Rights which, if enacted, would repeal and replace the Human Rights Act. The Bill...