Results 8,321-8,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank both Deputies for their questions and for their clear interest in this issue. It is important to say that I have been consistently vocal with regard to settlements in occupied territory and their expansion in recent years. This is something of which Ireland and the EU have been consistently critical. I have been quite public in that regard through my statements at the level of the...

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: Motion (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, done at New York on 7th July, 2017, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 15th July, 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Withdrawal Agreement concluded between the EU and the UK is a binding international agreement.  The UK Government has made clear its intention to comply with its legal obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement, including through providing for its implementation in UK domestic legislation. Implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Withdrawal Agreement concluded between the EU and the UK is a binding international agreement.  The UK Government has made clear its intention to comply with its legal obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement, including through providing for its implementation in UK domestic legislation. Implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Human Rights Council (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: In her latest report to the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Ms Agnes Callamard, addressed the issue of targeted killings through armed drones, particularly in light of the proliferation in the use of drones and their expanding capability over the last five years. Her report made a number of recommendations designed to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland upholds measures to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, and to protect the integrity of the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. To achieve this, Northern Ireland will remain in the UK customs territory, but will continue to apply the rules of the Union Customs Code and certain other relevant EU legislation. Article 12 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Official Development Assistance (ODA) is an integral element of Ireland’s foreign policy. A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, provides a vision for Ireland’s development cooperation, including the clear commitment of the Government to direct ODA to reaching the furthest behind first.  Successive OECD Development Assistance Committee...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 49 and 60 together. No deal preparations were well advanced for the possibility of a no deal Brexit on 29 March, 31 October, 2019 and 31 January 2020. The additional time afforded by the transition period has allowed Departments to refine this work and re-calibrate it as necessary for the end of the transition period. The end of transition will involve...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 21 July, the Government agreed a list of fifteen locations for which the advice against non-essential  travel no longer applies. The travel advice for those locations now is to 'take normal precautions,' which is represented by a green bar under the system of country security ratings used by the Department of Foreign Affairs.  The fifteen locations whose security status was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 21 July, the Government agreed a list of fifteen locations for which the advice against non-essential  travel no longer applies. The travel advice for those locations now is to 'take normal precautions,' which is represented by a green bar under the system of country security ratings used by the Department of Foreign Affairs.  The fifteen locations are: Cyprus, Estonia,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I can advise the Deputy that, with unprecedented numbers of people stranded across the world as a result of COVID19, my Department developed a comprehensive approach to repatriation of citizens who wished to return home, taking account of the best interests of our citizens, including from a public health perspective.  Priority has been given to helping citizens who are normally resident...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report referenced by the Deputy, which emphasises in particular the urgent need for clarity for stakeholders in Northern Ireland with regard to implementation of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. We are fully cognisant of the need for all stakeholders in Northern Ireland, and particularly businesses, to have clarity and detail as soon as possible regarding all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The European Council agreed to establish a special Brexit Adjustment Reserve of €5 billion to counter the adverse consequences in those Member States and sectors that are worst affected. The Brexit Adjustment Reserve will be a Special Instrument outside the ceilings of the new MFF.   The European Commission has been tasked with presenting a proposal for the Brexit Adjustment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 21 July, the Government agreed a list of fifteen locations for which the advice against non-essential  travel no longer applies. The travel advice for those locations now is to 'take normal precautions,' which is represented by a green bar under the system of country security ratings used by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The fifteen locations are: Cyprus, Estonia, Finland,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 20 May, the UK Government published a Command Paper setting out its approach to implementing the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. The European Commission has already set out clearly and in detail the requirements for implementation of the Protocol, in its Technical Note published on 30 April. The UK Command Paper is an outline of the approach the UK Government is taking in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Since the launch in 2018 of Global Ireland - Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025, my Department has been working closely with a range of other Government partners to ensure the effective delivery of the ambition to double the scope and impact of our global footprint. This commitment has been further cemented in the new Programme for Government. Since August 2018, new Embassies have opened...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 56 together. Six rounds of formal negotiations have taken place between the EU and the UK on the future relationship. A further round is scheduled for 17 August. Intensified talks have also been taking place between the Chief Negotiators, and their teams, in between the formal negotiation rounds. We hope that this intensified schedule of talks can help...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Public Health Emergency Team (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: On 21 July, the Government agreed a list of fifteen locations for which the advice against non-essential  travel no longer applies. The travel advice for those locations now is to 'take normal precautions,' which is represented by a green bar under the system of country security ratings used by the Department of Foreign Affairs.  The fifteen locations are: Cyprus, Estonia,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and our EU partners, share a deep concern about the credible reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, including reports of restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance, and recent allegations of forced sterilisation in the region.  Ireland has been clear about expressing our concerns at this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (28 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a very clear position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory and the Golan Heights. They are illegal under international law, notably being contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention, and actively undermine the prospects for a two-state solution. Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed settlements, and this Government will continue to do so.  As...