Results 4,701-4,720 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together. With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I remain deeply concerned at the situation in Afghanistan, including the Taliban’s approach to religious and ethnic minorities. The recent report on Afghanistan from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is troubling, outlining the constraints on religious freedom in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, including the reinstatement of the Ministry for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns the coup carried out by the Myanmar military in February and its attempts to legitimise the military regime. The coup is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that has taken years to establish. I am appalled by the grave human rights violations perpetrated by the Myanmar military in recent months and deeply concerned by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to ensuring that standards of behaviour and levels of performance are maintained is guided by the relevant Civil Service codes including but not limited to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. The Department takes a robust approach to breaches of these standards and to all forms of professional misconduct and incompetence. This...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to Military Courts of Inquiry, the Defence Forces Regulation (DFR) A5, together with Rules of Procedure (Defence Forces) 2008 (SI 204/2008), set out the procedures for Courts of Inquiry. Defence Forces Regulation A5 provides that: “The findings and recommendations of all courts of inquiry shall be treated as confidential. They shall not be disclosed to interested parties,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence is responsible for the development of Civil Defence at national level. In this context my Department provides policy direction, centralised training through the Civil Defence College, administrative support, guidance and centralised procurement of certain items of uniform and equipment in support of local authority Civil Defence efforts. The local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: The civil servants of my Department are expected to operate to the highest standards as set out by the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Any breach of these standards, including professional misconduct or incompetence, is dealt with under the Civil Service Disciplinary Code which sets out the processes for investigating such matters and the range of sanctions which may be...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Update on Withdrawal Agreement, Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to return to the Seanad special committee. I thank members for their work and the excellent interim report they have produced. I look forward to the publication of the final report later this year. I thank the various witnesses who have shared their perspectives with the committee. The committee provides an important platform for voices from...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Update on Withdrawal Agreement, Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Chair, do you want me to deal with those questions first?

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Update on Withdrawal Agreement, Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: Let me start in reverse. First of all, it is welcome that the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme and transition cross-Border directive arrangements have been successfully in operation since 1 January. Both these measures continue to ensure that patients have access to healthcare in Northern Ireland and, in limited circumstances, the UK. While the scheme has been operating on an...

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Update on Withdrawal Agreement, Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: There is a systems failure here. Could Senator Gallagher go out and then come back in Microsoft Teams again maybe?

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Update on Withdrawal Agreement, Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: I apologise to the Senator.

Seanad Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Update on Withdrawal Agreement, Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland and Trade and Co-operation Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs (24 Nov 2021)

Simon Coveney: No, Senator McDowell asked a good question.