Results 6,161-6,180 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Student Visas (23 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The processing of US student visas, and the provision of appointments at US Embassies, are solely a matter for the US authorities. My advice to those seeking to apply for a US student visa is to monitor the US Embassy in Dublin's website and to engage with them directly on visa appointment issues. I understand, however, that this is a very difficult and uncertain time for those who wish...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: In the absence of specific information on the individual being referred to, the military authorities advise that applicants who have been previously unsuccessful on the basis of medical examination are not precluded from submitting further applications. The required medical standards must be attained by all applicants. Any new application will be processed in compliance with the standards...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that my Department provides consular assistance to all Irish citizens overseas where requested, in line with our Consular Assistance Charter. This Charter outlines the assistance our officials can and cannot provide and is available at the following link: Any Irish citizen in distress in Gaza is advised to contact the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv. Contact details...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs provides consular assistance to all Irish citizens overseas where requested, in line with our Consular Assistance Charter. Irish citizens requiring assistance in the Gaza Strip are advised to contact the Embassy of Ireland in Tel Aviv. Decisions on entry into Israel, including for the purpose of transit to or from the Gaza Strip, are a matter for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and Malaysia have enjoyed close and fruitful diplomatic relations since 1974. In 1995 Ireland opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Ireland’s first resident Embassy in Southeast Asia. The Embassy of Malaysia in Ireland was established in Dublin in November 2001. Malaysia remans the only country in the region to have a resident Embassy in Dublin and we are appreciative of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government makes clear that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas.  Following upon a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government published a Policy Statement on May 2021 which outlines both constraints and opportunities for Government action in this area, including in the context of Ireland's obligations as a Member State of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Strengthening ties between the EU and the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region was discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting yesterday, 21 June 2021, We underlined the need to conclude the new modernised EU-Mexico Global Agreement. The new aAgreement, once ratified, will replace the existing EU-Mexico Global Agreement which entered into force in 2001. Prior to this,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are no State Agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 342 together. The processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications has been temporarily paused as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions. There are nearly 31,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that await processing at present. Prior to COVID-19 it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The remuneration of directly employed staff in my Department is sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. There is currently one officer within the Department of Foreign Affairs who earns less than €12.30 per hour. This excludes staff who are absent on long term sick leave. There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Bodies (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are two State Boards that come under the aegis of the Department of Defence, namely, the Army Pensions Board and the Defence Forces Canteen Board. Neither of these boards have incurred any negative interest rate charges since negative interest rates were first introduced.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Civil Defence is a volunteer based organisation which supports the frontline emergency services. It operates in partnership between the Department of Defence and Local Authorities throughout Ireland. The Government acknowledges the exceptional service given by Civil Defence volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Civil Defence have been, and continues to be, a core part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department employs civil servants and also, civilian employees attached to military installations. The Army Pensions Board, which is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, is the only body under the aegis of my Department and its secretariat is provided from within my Department's staff.  Of the civil servants and civilian employees...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport service has been in direct contact with the applicant referred to in the Deputy's question. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. With the UK’s departure from the EU at the beginning of 2020 it was important to highlight the substantial and lasting changes for businesses that were to come into effect at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 and into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department produces content for social media as part of information campaigns at home and overseas that promote Ireland’s economic, political and cultural interests and to engage with the Global Irish community. In 2021, expenditure on content production for initiatives included marking Ireland’s membership of the UN Security Council, St. Brigid’s Day, St....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not employ persons or firms to deal with public relations and has not incurred expenditure in this area.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Since the publication of the Programme for Government my Department has delivered against a number of the priorities and policy commitments contained therein. Earlier this year my Department published its new Statement of Strategy for the 2021-2023 period which outlines in more detail the key priorities for the next three years and how we will deliver meaningful outcomes for Irish citizens,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Equality Issues (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is fully committed to progressing the values of diversity and inclusion, promoting a fair and equal workplace for our people and ensuring that our staff and workplace are representative and reflective of the people and society we serve. Within my Department, a Sub-Committee of the Management Board on Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion has been in place since 2012,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 306, 307 and 309 together. All members of the Defence Forces, Permanent and Reserve, have a right to be treated with respect, equality and dignity and to carry out their duties free from any form of sexual harassment, harassment or bullying. These unacceptable forms of behaviour are not tolerated in the Defence Forces. The Military Authorities have...