Results 7,501-7,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 29 and 36 together. Ireland's position on settlement expansion is absolutely clear. Settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory is clearly illegal under international law. On 16 October, I made a statement condemning a significant further settlement expansion of close to 5000 new housing units in the West Bank and in and around...

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

Simon Coveney: The issues of fisheries, along with governance arrangements and provisions for a level playing field, have been the most challenging issues in the EU-UK future relationship negotiations. Securing an overall future relationship agreement, including the best possible outcome on fisheries is a priority for Ireland. I have repeatedly raised fisheries as a priority for Ireland in my bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rockall Island Ownership (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Rockall is a small uninhabitable rock located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal. During the 1960s and 1970s the issue of Rockall was a source of legal and political controversy in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. The UK claimed sovereignty over Rockall in 1955 and purported to annex it under its...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government is opposed to any move to suspend Israel from the EU-Mediterranean Association Agreement and EU Neighbourhood Agreement. Such suspensions would not serve the interests of any of the parties and, in any case, would require consensus within the European Union. A proposal to suspend or review the terms of the agreement would result in a divisive debate which would divert...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: US Presidential Election (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government joins with other EU Members States and countries across the world in offering congratulations to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. We also recognise the significance of the Vice President-elect’s election as the first woman and first person of colour to hold that office. As this House will be aware, the Taoiseach and President-elect Biden spoke by...

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

Simon Coveney: The closing of our Embassy in Tehran in 2012 was a decision based on deep cuts to Government spending. We maintain open relations with Iran on a range of issues, and Iran continues to have an Embassy in Dublin. The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. The Ambassador in Ankara supports our engagement with Iran, including the development of political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is regularly discussed by the UN Security Council, and the international parameters for a Two-State solution, which we support, have been set out in Resolutions adopted by the Council. It is of course very challenging to reach agreement between members of the Security Council on the Middle East Peace Process, as on many other issues, but the Council...

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

Simon Coveney: The new Consulate General of Ireland for the North of England will be established in Manchester in 2021. The opening of this diplomatic Mission will advance Ireland’s interests in the region and illustrates our commitment to the British-Irish relationship – and to the Irish community in Britain and Irish business – following the UK’s departure from the EU. It is...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government's firm view remains that a satisfactory outcome to the Finucane case can only be achieved through a public inquiry, as was provided for under the Weston Park Agreement reached by the UK and Irish Governments in 2001. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has committed to take a decision on whether to order a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane by the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (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: EU Budgets (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Throughout the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and the Next Generation EU Recovery Fund, the Minister of State for European Affairs and I have had regular exchanges at the General Affairs Council with our EU counterparts. Additionally, I have had close, substantive exchanges with EU Commissioner Hahn on the special Brexit Adjustment Reserve which was part of...

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

Simon Coveney: This year marked the 46th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 in which thirty-three were killed and hundreds seriously injured, attacks which saw the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings that was adopted by Dáil Éireann on 25 May 2016, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, calls on the...

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

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. As it stands, however, EU law does already make a meaningful distinction between Israel, and settlements in occupied territory. This distinction has important practical effects. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (26 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: There is regular and ongoing North-South contact and cooperation on the island in response to COVID-19 at both operational and political level. As public health measures are under constant review in both jurisdictions, it is essential to maintain strong North-South collaborative arrangements and, wherever possible, consistency of approach. In April, this cooperation was formalised in a...

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

Simon Coveney: I remain deeply concerned by the serious and deteriorating political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The different elements of this crisis are inextricably linked and continue to have a grave impact on the people of Venezuela. I am very concerned at recent reports to the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation there. The COVID-19 pandemic has further...

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

Simon Coveney: The European Peace Facility, EPF, is a proposed new funding instrument, which is currently under negotiation by Member States. It is designed to provide the EU with a financing mechanism for a range of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) actions. The European Council agreed the EPF’s broad parameters in June 2020, including an overall financial ceiling of €5 billion...

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

Simon Coveney: I am concerned at proposed amendments to Hungary’s Fundamental law, which could have a significant impact on the lives and rights of LGBTI+ people in Hungary. The principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is important that these principles are protected and promoted throughout the Union. Advancing human...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland is working, as a Member of the EU27, to ensure that any Future Relationship agreement between the EU and the UK in the area of transport connectivity delivers to the full ambition of the EU’s negotiating mandate. On road transport in particular, as an island nation and the only EU Member State whose physical connection to the Single Market has a large dependence on transit...

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

Simon Coveney: The opening of the fenced-off area in Varosha, and the recent statements of President Erdogan advocating a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem, are backward steps that simply add to tensions in the region. Such actions and statements are particularly regrettable given the ongoing attempts to create the space for dialogue and to resume negotiations for a comprehensive settlement....

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

Simon Coveney: I am very concerned by developments in Belarus, which continue to deteriorate. We have seen mass and indiscriminate detentions, including of children, violence against peaceful protesters, evidence of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, including reports of sexual abuse, internet shutdowns and curbs on media freedoms. UN Special Rapporteurs have highlighted continued violations of...