Results 6,281-6,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: For reasons of operational security, It would be inappropriate for me to comment on specific matters relating to the Defence Forces' Communications and Information Service (CIS). 

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: It has not been possible to gather the required information in the tunraround time for PQs. I will revert to the Deputy when the information has been gathered.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: In 2021, 19 courses were paused in January in response to COVID-19 pandemic conditions at that time and rescheduled for later in the 2021 training year. One (1) course of training was cancelled and deferred until 2022 pending a Training Needs Analysis. In 2020, the DF Training Management System records that 77 courses were cancelled. 153 courses are recorded as pending, commenced, deferred or...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: Last April, the former Minister with responsibility for Defence, launched a scheme to re-enlist former Permanent Defence Force (PDF) enlisted personnel. The focus of the scheme was those former PDF personnel with particular skillsets, identified by the Chief of Staff, where shortages exist  The scheme allows for initial re-enlistment for a minimum of six months and up to 3...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Jun 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. In this context, I would highlight the security role of the Naval Service, a role which by its nature can go unrecognised or unacknowledged. I am advised that the fleet is managed to ensure maximum availability to meet operational requirements. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, trade and economic promotion is an important part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ overseas Mission network. The Mission network works to diversify our markets, to increase trade and investment with Ireland, to enable Irish companies to better take advantage of new opportunities, and to support Irish businesses in markets, by providing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Charter of the United Nations foresees that each Member State of the United Nations will contribute to the costs of running the organisation, generally referred to as UN budget contributions. Contributions are apportioned based on a scale of assessment designed to reflect the capacity of Member States to pay. At present, Ireland’s scale of assessment is 0.371% of the overall UN...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together. On 17 March 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation to introduce a ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to facilitate free movement in the EU, described as a common framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of certificates relating to vaccination, testing and recovery. Trilogue...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The repeal of the Presidential Order under section 212 F of the US Immigration and Nationality Act 1952 is solely a matter for US authorities. However, ease of travel is vital to our economic relationships and for building connections across the Atlantic. Ireland is deeply committed to people-to-people links with the US. We will work to ensure that the restrictions will not have any long-term...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Patent Applications (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Passport Service that a search was completed for a passport application using the details supplied by the Deputy but no application was found as the application number is not valid. The Passport Service will be happy to provide information and guidance to the person in question. The Passport Service operates a Customer Service Hub which provides information via...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit a complete application form with supporting documents positively confirming,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 179 together. UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on 23 December 2016, calls on all States to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General on the Middle East Peace Process reports to the UN Security Council on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is wholly opposed to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, which are contrary to international law, and is committed to upholding relevant UN Security Resolutions on settlements. It is critical however that action against settlements must be both lawful and well-considered, since actions which are not fully thought-through risk ultimately being unwound, thereby...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The situation is unavoidably unchanged since my reply of 21 April to the original question. COVID-19 restrictions on physical attendance at Departmental premises continue to prevent my staff from accessing the physical files required to compile data for the pre-2015 period. My Department will make direct contact with the Deputy at a later stage with regard to the remainder of the data requested.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns the forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft by the Belarusian authorities on 23 May. It is clear that this action was taken with the sole purpose of detaining a journalist whose views are critical of the Lukashenko regime. These totally unacceptable actions put the safety of the passengers and crew at risk. Ireland calls for the immediate and unconditional release...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Our new Consulate General in Manchester will be operational from 1 July 2021. I plan to formally open this diplomatic Mission later this year. To advance preparations for the Mission, a site visit to Manchester and Liverpool was undertaken last week by my officials. They visited the temporary premises that has been secured for the Consulate General, adjacent to Enterprise Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent Agreements is an utmost priority for this Government. The various measures included in the package agreed at Weston Park in August 2001 addressed four issues to assist in the successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: policing, normalisation, the stability of the institutions and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Last month saw the 47th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, in which thirty-three people were killed and hundreds seriously injured; the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles. The Government will continue to seek the full truth of these appalling attacks, and some measure of closure for those affected, in accordance with the three Motions passed unanimously by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward. We have supported legal avenues to differentiate between settlements and Israel, for example by joining a case before the European Courts in 2019 on labelling of certain goods produced in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The murder of Gavin McShane and Shane McArdle in Armagh City on 17 May, 1994, was a senseless tragedy. Following the 27th anniversary of their deaths last week, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences and those of the Government to the McShane and McArdle families. It is particularly frustrating for the McShane and McArdle families that, 27 years on, the full truth about what...