Results 8,061-8,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The numbers of passports reported lost or stolen to the Passport Service in 2019 and to date in 2020 are detailed in the following table. - 2019 2020 Lost 30,415 10,559 Stolen 2,834 855 The figures for this year are accurate as of 30 September 2020. The Irish passport has a strong...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”, the Government affirms that it will work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government to commit to investment and development opportunities in the North West and Border communities, including third-level opportunities for young people from across the region at the Ulster University Magee Campus in Derry. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 401 and 402 together. I am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based there. The very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great suffering to those in the camp, as well as posing a huge logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 400 together. The victims of the so-called Glenanne gang, as with all victims and survivors, must have access to an effective investigation and to a process of justice in accordance with the law. There is also a clear need for the Stormont House Agreement to be implemented as a comprehensive framework for dealing with the legacy of the past, as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: From 1 January 2021, regardless of the outcome of the ongoing negotiations, the UK will no longer be part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union. This means any business that moves goods from, to or through Great Britain will be subject to a range of new customs formalities, checks and other regulatory requirements, that do not apply in any form today to such trade. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs has not paid any fines for non-transposition of EU Directives into Irish law.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly the State is subject to strict conditions. These routinely include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in question must not form part of military exercises or operations. Overflights by US military aircraft are permitted...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In advance of the provision of diplomatic clearance for overflight of Irish sovereign airspace by foreign State and military aircraft, my officials seek the views of the Department of Justice and Equality and other stakeholders. The procedures for the granting of diplomatic clearance are kept under review and my officials consult with the Department of Justice and Equality and other relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The ninth round of negotiations in the EU-UK Future Relationship concluded on 3 October. While some progress was made, there is still some distance to go on key issues including fisheries, a level playing field for open and fair competition and governance. Unlocking these issues is key to moving towards a more intensified phase of the talks. President von der Leyen spoke to PM Johnson on 3...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Conflict Resolution (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: At EU level the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region was discussed at the European Council on the 1st of October, where leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged parties to recommit to a lasting ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the conflict. The European Council stated that there can be no military solution to the conflict, nor any external interference...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: In March 2020, Member States agreed an enhanced accession methodology, which seeks to make the accession process more credible and dynamic, by clustering together negotiating Chapters and phasing in participation in EU programmes and policies. The enhanced methodology also recognises the need for more decisive measures proportionally sanctioning any serious or prolonged stagnation or even...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The recruitment and use of child soldiers remains a serious problem with tens of thousands of children recruited and used as soldiers in conflicts around the world. EU policy on child soldiers is set out in Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, first adopted in 2003 and revised in 2008. These aim to persuade governments and organisations around the world to fully respect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (6 Oct 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 as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence in the current Government. I have made four working visits to Israel and Palestine, most recently in December 2019. The Programme for Government states that the Government will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government has noted the announcement on 29 September last by the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland to uphold their decision not to prosecute 15 soldiers in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday, following an internal review. We understand the disappointment felt by all of the families involved in seeking this review, and who have spent so many years in pursuit of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Culture Policy (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The appointment of specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide was identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. This new strategic capability is being delivered in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains deeply concerned about the credible reports regarding the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, including reports on restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance, forced labour, and forced sterilisations and birth control in the region. Ireland has been vocal about raising...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ensuring that the UK landbridge remains an efficient and effective route to market for Irish traders is a priority of the Government's Brexit planning. When the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, operators will still be able to move goods via the landbridge but the way they use the landbridge will change. Each movement will involve new procedures and require a financial guarantee...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based there. The very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great suffering to those in the camp, as well as posing a huge logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the pandemic. My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: There were no such costs incurred by my Department in 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has procured an external monitoring service for press and broadcast media. While this contract allows for social media monitoring if required, this element is not currently utilised. The Department monitors its own and external social media activity through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (6 Oct 2020)

Simon Coveney: The arrangements for staff on sick leave are covered by the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) 2014 Regulations, SI 124 of 2014 and the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) (Amendment) Regulations 2015, SI No. 384/15. The below table highlights the number of staff recorded as being on sick leave with the associated number of sick accumulated sick days for the periods in question. These...