Results 6,061-6,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 112, 141, 155 and 160 together. I hope the Acting Chairman will give a me a bit longer to answer this group of questions. I wish to address the five questions and I have quite a detailed answer, which I would like to put on the record, if that is okay.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Thank you. The rights of LGBTQI+ people are essential human rights and Ireland strongly advocates for their promotion and protection throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary and Poland. On 15 June, the Hungarian National Assembly passed a bill with the official title "Stricter measures against paedophile criminals and on amending legislation related to the protection of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I would like to think we have been one of the most if not the most active country on this matter at the UN Security Council and within the EU. What we understand happened yesterday will increase even more the need for international intervention here. A crowded market seems to have been targeted with an air strike, and where we think up to 60 people have been killed, with hundreds of people...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The repression carried out by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus has intensified over recent months with widespread crackdowns against political dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists and media outlets, civil society organisations and minority groups. At our meeting on 21 June, EU foreign ministers adopted a fourth package of targeted sanctions against 78 individuals and eight...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I do not have a date for when the report will be finalised but I expect it to be public. This incident has, in many ways, galvanised the EU in its response to the Lukashenko regime. A Ryanair plane, registered in Poland but flying from Athens to Vilnius, was effectively hijacked in the sky - that is what happened - and the pilot was told there was potentially a bomb on the plane and it had...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: We had the opportunity, as foreign ministers, to meet Ms Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is one of the key opposition leaders in the democratic movement for, and in, Belarus. Of course, she is living in Lithuania now for her own protection. She is planning to come to Ireland and we have extended an open invitation to her. We expect she will be here next month and I look forward to welcoming...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Using terms like "coming to heel" probably is not appropriate in relation to-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I know it is.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Often the language used in this Parliament about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not helpful to what I am trying to achieve internationally on behalf of Ireland and the Government. I am trying to ensure we are a relevant partner internationally, influencing decisions that impact on the lives of young Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and indeed young Israelis as well, who have also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his question. I am really glad he asked it. I know there is huge interest in the Israel-Palestine question and that is always going to be a big feature of foreign affairs questions but there are so many other really significant issues and conflicts that Ireland is involved in also, particularly in the context of the UN Security Council, and this is one of them. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Relations (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is helpful to put some facts on the record, or certainly as they are understood. Food insecurity continues to be of serious concern. Over 5.2 million people are in need of emergency food aid right now. Alarmingly, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNOCHA, has confirmed that 350,000 people are in imminent danger of famine. There are grave concerns...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: It is clear that I am not shy to call out Israeli policy when it is not consistent with international law. I have repeatedly referred to the illegality of settlements, settlement expansion, demolitions and forced evictions. I have been highly critical, both nationally and internationally, of those policies because I believe they are counterproductive to achieving the outcome of a peaceful...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for his question. As he knows, I have strong views on this matter, as do many others in the House. I am deeply concerned by the impact of the recent escalation of the conflict on children in the occupied Palestinian territories and in Israel. I have been clear about the need to respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, particularly...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: As I said earlier, the only way sanctions are effective is if they are agreed collectively. Ireland, on its own, does not have the capacity to impose sanctions on Israel and should not do so. We would end up isolating ourselves, not Israel, if we tried to do that. The way to do this is to focus on the relationship between Israel and the EU because that is where there is real leverage. We...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: We will, of course, focus on supporting communities there. We are putting our money where our mouth is in that regard.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the state of Israel across a range of bilateral issues and will continue to do so. Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the state of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 in line with international law and the relevant UN Security Council...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I do not agree with the Deputy on this issue. The question of boycotts and sanctions has been discussed on many occasions in the Oireachtas. The Government does not support boycotts on Israel. Such sanctions would be ineffective and, more importantly, counterproductive. Although we differ on issues to do with the occupation, we do not regard ourselves as hostile to Israel. If we are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: On 9 January 2020, the Irish and British Governments published a new agreement, New Decade New Approach (NDNA), which was reached together with the political parties in Northern Ireland and restored the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. The Irish and UK Governments also set out their own respective commitments. The Government has remained focussed on implementing these important...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The recent escalation of violence which took place was deeply concerning. I welcomed the ceasefire which came into effect on 21 May and encourage all efforts to ensure that it holds. Tensions in the region are still high. There is a responsibility on all parties to ensure that the ceasefire is respected and to avoid all unilateral actions which can increase tension. The international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel to and from Ireland. The Government announced on 28 May that subject to the prevailing epidemiological situation, international travel will resume on 19 July. The EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), previously called the Digital Green Certificate, is intended to facilitate freedom of movement across the...