Results 4,141-4,160 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354, 355, 356, 359, 363 and 386 together. In January 2022, the Passport Service received over 137,000 new passport applications. This is the highest volume of monthly applications ever received and indicates that there is pent-up demand for passports following the relaxation of necessary travel restrictions due to the Covid pandemic. The Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. I note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy. Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the Bahraini...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. I am aware of the concerns regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain. Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department engages external contractors, consultancy services, professional services and outsourcing services where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is necessary. The Department did not engage any Covid-19-related consultancies in the years in question. There are no agencies under...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the applicant mistakenly applied for a first time passport rather than a passport renewal when completing the application form online. As a result, the estimated issue date given was in line with processing times for first time applications. The Passport Service has issued a passport to this applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 365 and 368 together. The tables below outline the numbers of passport applications on hand with the Passport Service from overseas by country. Table 1 details the number of complete online applications that are with the Passport Service for processing. Table 2 details the number of incomplete online applications that require additional action by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 367 together. The tables below outline the numbers of first time and renewal applications on hand with the Passport Service. Table 1 details the number of complete and incomplete online and postal first time applications that are with the Passport Service. Table 2 details the number of postal or Passport Express renewal applications. Both tables...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The decision to open new Consulates General in Lyon, Miami and Toronto was taken as part of the Government's Global Ireland initiative to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint to 2025. The Consulates General are scheduled to open in late 2022. No Consulate premises or official accommodation have been procured to date. Such procurement will commence later this year...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's strong relationship with the United States is based on close historical ties and people to people connections. Strengthening the relationship even further is a priority for the Government, and high-level visits are a crucial part of this. During my visits to New York and Washington last year I once again experienced the importance of bringing people together to develop and nurture...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is outlined in tabular form below. Passport Applications Received Bangkok Hanoi 2020 111 125 2021 74 101 2022 2 4

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together. The Government of Ireland today announced the 2022 St Patrick's Day programme which will see the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers travel to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world. In-person Ministerial level visits were possible only in a very limited way in 2020 and not at all in 2021. This year’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: On 31 January, my Department published a Review of workplace arrangements in Iveagh House on the day of the UN Security Council vote on 17 June 2020. The Review Team established that there is no evidence of, nor were invitations issued to, a preplanned celebration in the event of a successful outcome on 17 June. The officers working in Iveagh House on 17 June 2020 were conducting essential...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this passport application has been cancelled and a refund has been issued.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional resources. Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, the large increase in applications received following the Brexit vote in the UK, and the pause in the Service due to necessary Covid-19 restrictions, applicants should allow...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: The landing in question was by a US military aircraft, with five crew and no passengers on board. It had sought and received prior diplomatic clearance to land subject to our routine stipulations, including that it did not carry arms or ammunition. The US authorities have confirmed that this condition was met. Sovereign immunity, a long-standing principle of customary international law,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update to the applicant's parent as to the steps they must take to progress their passport application.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: This application was submitted to the Passport Service in April 2021. It is incomplete despite several requests from the Passport Service to the parents for additional information and documents in an effort to finalise the application under the Passports Act 2008, as amended. In light of the above and given that the validity of the submitted application has expired at this stage, it...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has repeatedly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military and the attempts by the military to consolidate or legitimise its regime. We continue to call for a cessation of violence, the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, including the President and State Counsellor, and the restoration of legitimate, civilian government. Ireland’s practice...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (8 Feb 2022)

Simon Coveney: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, and the subsequent reassignment of Foreign Birth Registration staff to assist in the provision of essential passport services, the Foreign Birth Registration Service had to be paused for nearly 15 months during 2020-2021. The processing of Foreign Birth Registration has resumed and will be gradually scaling up in line with the recruitment of additional...