Results 7,481-7,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Data (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I can assure Deputy Harkin that we are thinking about it and have been thinking about it all year in the context of international travel. It would be safe to say that Ireland has been one of the most restrictive countries in the EU in terms of international travel. We have taken a lot of criticism from the airlines and there has been huge frustration at our airports because of that. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: This Government has offered congratulations to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. We look forward to working with the new administration, once it is in place, to progress international peace and security, including during our time on the UN Security Council and on the important global challenges of Covid-19, economic recovery and climate change. Deputy Connolly refers...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: We have discussed this matter of demolitions and settlements before at Question Time. The demolition by Israeli authorities of private property is of grave concern. Demolition and confiscation of humanitarian assets, including education infrastructure, is contrary to Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention. The only...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: We are taking action. I understand the frustration in this House about the Israel-Palestine matter in general. I am glad it is raised every time I take questions. However, I assure the Deputy that we are using all the tools we think can be most persuasive in bringing about change in that relationship. We potentially have an opportunity, with a change of US President, to be able to refocus...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I understand the Deputy's perspective on this. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs, my job is to use my judgment to consider how we can create a position where Ireland can be as influential as possible in the bigger picture. That is how to work with other governments around the world to create an environment where Israeli and Palestinian negotiators can sit around a table negotiating a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Data (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Passports are internationally recognised travel documents that attest to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Irish passport is an invaluable identity document and its integrity is paramount to the maintenance of the level of visa-free access that Irish citizens enjoy to 93 countries worldwide today. Any changes to the format of the Irish passport must be fully compliant with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Budgets (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: This is a very relevant question given the broader multi-annual financial framework, MFF, considerations generally, and the fact that very significant funds could be held up, which Ireland may well need to access, in particular in the context of the Brexit adjustment fund. As the Deputy will be aware, agreement was reached in the European Parliament on 5 November for a general scheme of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Budgets (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I do not disagree with the Deputy's concerns but we still have to find a way forward. That is the nature of politics. It is the responsibility of whoever holds the Presidency of the European Union to try to find a way forward. Respect for the rule of law is one of the EU values enshrined in the treaties, alongside respect for human dignity, equality and human rights, including the rights...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Budgets (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: We need to find a way forward that respects the values of the EU but that also allows us to go ahead with the budget.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Budgets (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has welcomed the agreement reached on the rule of law conditionality mechanism, which has been an important issue for Ireland and for the wider MFF negotiations. We support the current text as the best possible compromise available. The agreement has a broader scope than the Presidency proposal and we have welcomed it as an improvement on the original text from 2018. Ireland has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: We have been working on the Santa Claus issue for a number of weeks. It is important to point out to all children in the country that we regard the travels of Santa Claus as essential travel for essential purposes, so he is exempt from the need to self-quarantine for 14 days and should be able to come in and out of Irish airspace and homes without having to restrict his movements. However,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have been asked questions on this issue a number of times previously and I have said we have an open mind on it. This is more than a conversation across the EU as it is something on which the European Commission is also giving leadership. While corporate governance in a domestic context falls outside the remit of my Department, the European Commissioner for Justice has announced he will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland remains open to looking at options for progress on a legally binding treaty. The sixth session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises took place from 26 to 30 October last. The European Union delivered a statement and separately raised specific concerns relating to the draft text on behalf of Ireland and other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The demolition by Israeli authorities of private property is of grave concern. Demolition and confiscation of humanitarian assets, including education infrastructure, is contrary to Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention. I was deeply dismayed to learn of the demolition by Israeli authorities on 3 November of more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 14, 23, 30, 46 and 56 together. The issue of Irish immigration to the US, particularly the status of the undocumented Irish, has been a high priority for successive Governments and continues to be one of my key priorities. Immigration issues have been raised on an ongoing basis in our engagement with the US Administration and political leaders. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: EU Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (CP) defines common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment, and sets out eight risk assessment criteria to be taken into consideration when assessing military goods applications. These criteria include respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, internal situation in the destination country and risk of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Post transition, operators will still be able to move goods across the UK Landbridge but the way they use the Landbridge will change. The UK's accession to the Common Transit Convention (CTC) is welcome. It allows EU goods to move under transit through Great Britain without undergoing full import and export formalities on entry and exit. However, to avail of the benefits of the Convention,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's relationship with the US is built on a deep foundation of ancestral ties and decades of close political, diplomatic and economic engagement. Strengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government,as wellin our Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025. With each successive administration in the White House and each...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland will take up its seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term on 1 January. We will engage constructively across the Council agenda, on the basis of three core principles: Building Peace, Strengthening Prevention, and Ensuring Accountability. A key aspect of Building Peace is peacekeeping. We will look to improve peacekeeping mandates, and strengthen the link with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions with respect to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, as highlighted in the Programme for Government, and has consistently raised the issue with the British Government, including at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference. I raised this issue most recently in my meeting with the Secretary...