Results 6,861-6,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: There are no significant capital construction projects, that require my sanction, underway in my Department currently. The Department is in the early design phase of our new Embassy in Abuja and the new Ireland House in Tokyo. Construction has not commenced on either project.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: In line with Government guidance that at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19. This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: In line with Government guidance that at Level 5 of the National Framework on Living with COVID-19 only essential work should take place, the Passport Service continues to provide a high quality essential service in line with Government measures to reduce social contact and combat the spread of COVID-19. This essential service is available for those who are required to travel due to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The roots of this grave humanitarian crisis – the most severe in the world - lie in conflict. Ireland strongly supports the work led by UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, which aims to enable the resumption of a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process.  As a Member of the UN Security Council Ireland will press this case. which offers a meaningful...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Transport (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs purchases motor vehicles to facilitate the functioning and operations of its HQ units and its Missions abroad and we are committed to procuring vehicles with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle. In particular, Mission staff abroad are required to undertake a significant volume of travel in the performance of their official...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Functions (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has paused the processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications as Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas.  While applicants can continue to apply using the online service, Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 774 and 776 together. I would like to thank the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for their recent Report on the Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to Developing Countries, whose recommendations are being considered by the relevant Government Departments. Ireland is fully supporting efforts by the international community to ensure fair...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs enables participation in a range of overseas deployment opportunities for suitable qualified and vetted volunteers, typically involving placement with, or by, third party organisations, facilitated by the Department through a range of rosters, registers, initiatives and programmes, including the Election Observation Roster and the Rapid Response Corps. I also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment leads on World Trade Organisation (WTO) matters, including on the current discussion on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.  My Department continues to liaise with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on this and a number of related matters, on an ongoing basis. In the meantime,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Over the past twelve months I have had contact with my counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a number of occasions on bilateral and broader international issues including in the framework of Ireland's membership of the UN Security Council.

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

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that my Department has not issued letters to exempt individuals from quarantine requirements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has paused the processing of Foreign Births Registration (FBR) applications as Ireland is at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. Passport Service staff have been temporarily reassigned to provide consular assistance for Irish citizens overseas.   My Department operates a clear and transparent general policy of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Programme (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Maritime Jurisdiction Bill will consolidate the State's existing maritime jurisdiction legislation in one enactment and revise it to make further provision in domestic law for the the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Bill is partly intended as a complement to the streamlined, single marine planning consent system to be established under the Maritime Area...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I visited Tehran on 7 March, and met with the President of Iran, Dr. Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister, Dr. Javad Zarif. The visit took place in the context of Ireland's role on the Security Council as Facilitator for Security Council Resolution 2231. This Resolution provides for the engagement of the Security Council with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran nuclear deal. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: In 2020, the total Covid-19-related spend by the Department of Foreign Affairs was €2,556,158. The largest element of that spend was on the repatriation of Irish citizens and residents abroad. With unprecedented numbers of people stranded across the world in 2020 as a result of Covid-19, the Department developed a comprehensive approach to repatriation of citizens who wished to return...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Administrative Arrangements (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Department for Foreign Affairs provides a number of services to the public in Ireland and through its Embassies and Consulates abroad including passport services, consular services such as authentication and apostille services, and visa services. The methods of payments available depend on the service and the location. These payment methods include debit and credit cards, online...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces are currently serving in 13 missions in 12 countries worldwide in the cause of peace, and this service has continued throughout the pandemic. In preparing for overseas deployments, 'Host Nation' national requirements and cultural sensitivities must be considered, and this extends to official documentation. I am informed by the Military Authorities that in a limited number...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 788, 794 and 808 together. The following table shows the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 28th February 2021, the latest date for which such data is available, broken down by rank, service and gender. In line with current policies and commitments a number of initiatives have been implemented to increase the level of female participation in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Process (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: Bills from my Department are drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on foot of a general scheme prepared by the Department which has been approved by Government. Once drafting of a Bill has been completed, approval is sought from Government for the publication of the Bill and its introduction to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The preparation of secondary legislation is carried...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (24 Mar 2021)

Simon Coveney: The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is comprised of the Army Reserve (AR), the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and the First Line Reserve (FLR). Defence Force Regulation CS4 determines the regulatory establishment limits for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the RDF. The establishment figure for the RDF as provided in this Regulation, is 4,069 personnel comprising 3,869 for the Army Reserve...