Results 5,821-5,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (15 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 248, inclusive, together. Ireland’s position on the Middle East Peace Process and the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory is informed by international law, respect for human rights and the goal of a Two-State solution through a negotiated peace agreement. Ireland has been consistently vocal in its opposition to settlement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant on 14 July to provide an update on the status of the passport application and requested necessary documentation not originally provided by applicant. The Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Post Office Network (15 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: The building in the Defence Forces Training Centre, which housed a Post Office, was in use until 2019. The future use of this building will be informed by the Defence Forces plans for the long term configuration of this military installation. When such proposals are developed, any building works, if required, will be incorporated into the Defence Forces Built Infrastructure Plan.

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: I would like to set the record straight on a range of matters, given the debate we have just had. First, this legislation updates and clarifies the law relating to the maritime jurisdiction of the State into a single accessible stand-alone enactment. It describes the different maritime zones of national jurisdiction recognised by international law. It sets out the State's sovereign and...

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: My understanding from the Bills Office is that it has but let me-----

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that amendments Nos. 2 and 3 are linked and that amendment No. 2 is disallowed but I will happily deal with both amendments. My speaking note should cover both. Amendment No. 3 is overly prescriptive but I assure the Deputies it has always been the practice to attach an explanatory note to any order made under the Maritime Jurisdiction Acts as well as illustrative maps...

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: Which section are we dealing with, a Cheann Comhairle?

Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: I want to answer some of the points the Deputy raised but I will do so in the context of the amendments as we reach them.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: The bombing at Omagh on 15 August 1998, 23 years ago next month, is among the most appalling acts of terrorist violence committed during the conflict in Northern Ireland. It was a cowardly attack on innocent people enjoying a sunny afternoon in Omagh town centre. We must never forget those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and the families whose suffering for their lost loved...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Birth Certificates (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Broadband Plan (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have had no engagement with the National Broadband Plan in the past two months. There are no agencies under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Birth Certificates (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register. Prior to COVID-19 it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to the complex nature of FBR applications and the very high volume of applications due to Brexit. At present, there are just over 30,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that await...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Correspondence (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department takes the quality and standard of our interactions with the public and their elected representatives very seriously. Whether it is through the provision of consular or passport services to Irish citizens, at home and abroad, or answering queries from members of the public or their elected representatives, my Department has produced several policies underpinning its desire to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Appointments (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Governmentas wellin our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025). This Government has had a range of high level contacts with President Biden's Administration since it entered office. This includes the Taoiseach's virtual meetings with President Biden and Vice President Harris, among...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department has no plans at this time to run advertisements on the national print media and national radio stations reminding persons to check that their passports are still in date prior to booking flights abroad.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: Following a pandemic enforced postponement of one year, Expo 2020 will commence on 1 October 2021. Over 180 countries will be present at Expo, and Ireland’s participation will be a central plank in the country’s economic recovery as it is a unique platform to showcase Ireland to a global audience, and promote Ireland as a good place to invest, visit, study, work and do business....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Appointments (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Singapore have enjoyed close and fruitful diplomatic relations since 1974. Ireland's resident Embassy in Singapore, which was opened in 2000, is now located together with regional offices for IDA Ireland, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland within an "Ireland House". Singapore remains one of the most economically and politically important countries in South East Asia and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has already issued this passport. The Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. Passport Online will continue to be the priority...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service commenced the scaling up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”. The Service has been focused since then on four priority areas. - Clearing the COVID-19 backlog of 89,000 passport applications. - Processing all adult renewal applications (including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Birth Certificates (14 Jul 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register. Prior to COVID-19 it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to the complex nature of FBR applications and the very high volume of applications due to Brexit. At present, there are just over 30,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that await...