Results 6,581-6,600 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent implementing agreements is an utmost priority for this Government. The Government regularly engages with and supports the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland through the institutions provided for under the Good Friday Agreement,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is committed to the United Nations, which continues to play an indispensable role at the heart of the multilateral system. We believe that the UN system should be strengthened and revitalised so that it can continue to effectively address global challenges, and support reform where it is necessary. Discussions on reform of the Security Council take place in the General Assembly,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (11 May 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, including our trade, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have strongly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military, the arbitrary detention of political leaders, and the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters. The coup is a reversal of progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that has taken years to establish. It does nothing to tackle the public health, security or economic issues faced by the people of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) and all subsequent implementing Agreements is an utmost priority for this Government. The Agreements, as well as the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN peace-support missions and we have maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958. During our time on the Security Council we are pushing to improve the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations. We will work to ensure that the mandates for peacekeeping missions align with the needs of the populations that they serve...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 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”. Passport Online will continue to be the priority given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 387, 398 and 411 together. 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”. Passport Online will continue to be the priority given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Bodies (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Now that the UK has departed the European Union, it is particularly important that Ireland continues to foster its already close relationships with other like-minded Member States, and to enhance collaboration on key priority policies at EU level. Ministers and officials at home and in our European Missions, including staff posted to the Permanent Representation in Brussels, closely monitor...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Supports (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Government dedicated substantial time and resources into preparing for Brexit over a number of years. This intensive effort across Departments and Agencies included the development of two Brexit Omnibus Acts; three Brexit Action Plans; substantial investment in the State’s infrastructure and IT systems (including provision for 1,500 additional staff to support new checks and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent implementing agreements is an utmost priority for this Government. The New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) Agreement reached in January 2020 was a very significant shared achievement in restoring the devolved power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement to operation after three years of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: One of the most important channels for Ireland to influence global peace and security efforts at the current time is through our membership of the UN Security Council. Ireland has been engaging across the full range of issues on the Security Council’s agenda - actively promoting respect for international law, prioritising the protection of civilians and supporting the fight...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 414 together. Ireland is a strong contributor to European Union and United Nations efforts to eliminate human rights violations. This includes our work on human rights issues across the UN system, including at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council. Ireland remains actively engaged on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The position of the Government on Northern Ireland legacy issues has been clear and consistent. The Stormont House Agreement framework is the way forward on these issues. It was agreed by both Governments and the political parties after intensive negotiations, and it should be implemented. The Government has continued to engage on on this issue since the Stormont House Agreement was reached...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register. At present, there are 30,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that are awaiting processing. The Passport Service will be scaling up its services in the coming weeks including a return to more normal processing of FBR applications. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: Since 2015, the Department of Foreign Affairs has allocated €326,000 through Irish Aid to An Taisce's Green Schools programme as follows: Year Amount € 2015 40,000 2016 48,000 2017 58,000 2018 60,000 2019 60,000 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I have strongly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military, the arbitrary detention of political leaders, and the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters. The coup is a reversal of progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar that have taken years to establish. It does nothing to tackle the public health, security or economic issues faced by the people of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: In 2020, the Passport Service issued approximately 450,000 passports. Outside the period of the highest restrictions, the Passport Service met the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. This is 5 working days for simple applications and 10 working days for complex applications, once the supporting documentation has been received and 20 days for first time applicants. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is composed of three constituent offices located in Mount Street, Dublin, Balbriggan, County Dublin and South Mall, Cork. The total number of staff employed across all offices of the Passport Service is approximately 460. To assist with the wider State response to COVID-19, Passport Service personnel have been redeployed, at the request of different Departments, into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (11 May 2021)

Simon Coveney: I maintain ongoing contacts with British Government counterparts on matters of common interest, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. Last month, I held a series of meetings in London with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Dominic Raab, and a joint meeting with the Secretary of State Lewis, and Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, Lord...