Results 7,561-7,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: From the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, the UK will be outside the EU single market and the customs union. This means that new rules and procedures will apply to goods moving to, from or through the UK, excluding Northern Ireland. From 1 January, businesses that trade with the UK, excluding Northern Ireland, will be subject to a range of new customs formalities...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department publishes Travel Advice for over 200 countries to provide an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas, with a view to helping them to make informed decisions for themselves. It is based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country and our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have given a high priority to the Middle East Peace Process since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017, and I continue to do so in the current Government. I have made four working visits to the region, most recently in December 2019. This priority is set out in the Programme for Government, which states that the Government will “Maintain and build our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: UN peacekeeping is one of the most effective and visible tools of the UN in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security across the globe. There are currently 13 UN peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over 95,000 uniformed personnel from over 120 countries. It is one of the world's most collaborative efforts to deliver stability and safety to millions of people and it is a global...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The recruitment of child soldiers remains a serious problem with tens of thousands of children recruited into conflicts around the world. EU policy is set out in the Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, as revised in 2008. These aim to persuade Governments and other actors to fully respect international humanitarian law and human rights law which protects children from armed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland recognises the value of EU accession as a transformative driver for stability and peace in the Western Balkans. We have always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. In this regard, we welcome the reform agenda underway in the countries of the Western Balkans and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: There is no doubt that challenges to the rule of law are present in both EU and non-EU countries, and the rule of law cannot be taken for granted. Ireland is a firm supporter of the rule of law and the values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union. The rule of law is and should remain a fundamental principle that all EU Member States respect, protect and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am very aware of the multi-faceted economic and political challenges that many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face and the disproportionate affect that COVID-19 has had on the region. Ireland, together with EU partners and others in the international community, continue to support countries in the region to respond effectively to these challenges. The long-standing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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 raised these issues in recent contacts with Special Envoy Mick Mulvaney...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Collection (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has made no data access requests to telecom companies and social media companies here in the past three years to date in 2020 under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The service by Irish Defence Forces’ personnel in the Congo was significant and has made a lasting contribution to the history of the Defence Forces and its proud tradition of peacekeeping. The Defence Forces have participated in overseas missions mandated by the UN since 1958. We can be justifiably proud of the fact that they have completed approximately 70,000 individual tours of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Housing Issues (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The provision of housing for members of the public is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and my Department assists in any way it can in support of such applications for housing assistance, when requested to do so. Currently, there are six properties being overheld at O’Higgins Terrace, the Curragh Camp. My Department seeks to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2019, total Non-Pay Expenditure by my Department was some €248m. I am advised that my Department complied with the guidelines for all purchases with the exception of five contracts (in excess of €25,000) totalling €161,297 (excluding VAT) relating to various services contracts, which were extended beyond their original contract terms. Each of these five contracts have...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Traffic Control Services (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The historical information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. My Department has requested the military authorities to commence a search and retrieval of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Process (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: There have been no applications from my Department to the Oireachtas Business Committee to waive pre-legislative scrutiny in respect of legislation sponsored or initiated since 1 January 2017. My Department since 2017 to date has submitted one piece of legislation for pre-legislative scrutiny. The general scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The officer with responsibility for fulfilling Data Protection Officer duties in my Department is employed at the grade of Higher Executive Officer.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are currently no tribunals being undertaken by my Department. One enquiry is in the process of being set up (the terms of reference are not complete or agreed). Two investigations have recently been established. No costs have been incurred to date in respect of these matters.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The overall Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps and training lands. The following is a list of the 12 permanently occupied Defence Forces installations in which the Army is located across the State: - Collins Barracks, Cork - Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal - Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: There is one Naval Base in the State which is located at Haulbowline, Co. Cork. Within an overall Permanent Defence Force establishment of 9,500 personnel, the establishment for the Naval Service is set at 1,094. In addition, the Naval Service Reserve operates from four locations; Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford, and comprises a total establishment of 200 personnel.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Army Barracks (24 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 to 458, inclusive, together. The general provision of housing quarters to serving personnel is no longer undertaken. This has been a long standing established policy since the late 1990's to withdraw from the provision of housing quarters for Defence Forces personnel. Provision is made for accommodation for serving personnel where same is required...