Results 7,801-7,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together. I am aware of the worrying reported increased levels of insecurity and violence against human rights defenders, social and trade union leaders and activists in Colombia. It is of particular concern that levels of violence against those supporting the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement, including through the programme for voluntary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: A total of 177 meetings of the North South Ministerial Council, attended by Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government, have taken place since the start of 2010. These have comprised 15 plenary meetings, 6 meetings in institutional format and 156 sectoral meetings covering the agreed twelve areas of North South cooperation. These meetings bring our Government and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The EU’s General Affairs Council on 13 October adopted a recommendation to establish a coordinated approach to travel restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach, known as the traffic light system, will bring greater consistency and transparency across the European Union as we fight against the COVID-19 virus. On 20 October, the Government decided on the approach to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Programmes (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In her State of the Union address, delivered on the 16th of September 2020, President von der Leyen presented her vision for a Europe that emerges stronger from the pandemic while playing a key role on the global scene. The initiatives in the Commission’s Work Programme for 2021 reflect the Commission's ambition to relaunch our economies and strengthen our societies, making them more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The issue of Irish immigration, particularly the status of the undocumented Irish in the US, 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, including by the then Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day visit to the White...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply concerned by the recent clashes in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in particular along the line of contact, which have regrettably led to the loss of life and severe injury, including civilian casualties. I regret that none of the three recent ceasefires have been honoured and am troubled by continuing reports of hostilities in populated areas, which are having a devastating impact...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Equality Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 666 together. The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to addressing the needs and rights of people living with disabilities. This commitment is reflected in actions across our development cooperation programme as well as in our broader engagement with the EU, UN and other international bodies. The Department’s work complements many...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates in a number of locations in Ireland and approximately 90 locations worldwide. It comprises two Votes: Vote 27 International Cooperation and Vote 28 Foreign Affairs. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. The Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have noted with concern recent remarks made by President Erdogan of Turkey and directed against President Macron and the French nation. Like many others, I have made clear my dismay at these remarks and have expressed my full solidarity with President Macron and the French people. My concerns have been made known through official channels to the Turkish Government. These latest...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, bringing together the Irish and British Governments under Strand Three of the Agreement on matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. The continuing importance we place on this institution was also reflected in the Programme for Government. We believe it...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, whichaims to double the influence and impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. To date ten new Missions have opened. In considering expansion of the Diplomatic Network, a wide range of foreign policy factors and priorities will be taken into account as well as the availability of resources. At this stage, there...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Science Foundation Ireland (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, whichaims to double the impact of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Team Ireland – our Embassy network and State Agencies — plays a vital role in increasing our exports to existing and new markets, and attracting economic activity, investment and tourism to Ireland. Under Global Ireland, relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: Our diplomatic Mission network plays a key role in promoting and protecting the values, interests and economic well-being of the country and its citizens. My Department manages a total of 91 overseas Missions (plus offices in Armagh and Belfast) consisting of67 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions, 16 Consulates General and one Representative Office overseas. Heads of Mission positions are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2019, The Department of Foreign Affairs identified 124 data breaches which were notified to the Data Protection Commission, as required under Article 33 of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under attack....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Representative Organisations (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2017, the European Committee of Social Rights, in a non-binding ruling, found that Ireland was in violation of the European Social Charter in respect of the right to organise, that is to affiliate to certain organisations, and the right to negotiate collective agreements. It found that Ireland was not in violation of the Charter in respect of the prohibition of the right of military...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Reports (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Coast Guard has overall responsibility for Ireland's system of marine communications and surveillance in Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). I understand that the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, which is a statutory independent body, is carrying out an investigation into the grounding of the vessel in Cork earlier this year.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Properties (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with the Government’s decision on the establishment of the LDA, my Department have had proactive engagements with this Agency in relation to potential landholdings which may be of interest to them for the development of housing provision. The LDA have confirmed to the Department that they are interested in acquiring the St. Bricin's military medical facility in Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Honours (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3rd September 1961. On the 9th September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of the 13th September "A" Company came under attack....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 685 together. My immediate priorities in relation to air-based capability have been the acquisition of three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role and for two Airbus CN 295 maritime patrol aircraft. No decisions have made for the acquisition of additional aircraft in other roles....