Results 8,421-8,440 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Government has always been clear that Brexit will mean change. Whatever the outcome of the EU-UK future relationship negotiations, the UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union at the end of the transition period. Therefore, even the best possible FTA between the EU and UK will impact supply chains and trade flows and will involve checks and controls in both directions on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic Missions around the world play a critical role in promoting and advancing Ireland’s interests through international engagement. A range of factors is taken into account in considering representation overseas, including political, economic, foreign policy, trade and development priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Mission network performs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I refer to my previous reply to Parliamentary Question 14526/20. My Department will be arranging for the publication of briefing material, in accordance with the usual procedures, provided to me upon taking up my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and to the Ministers of State assigned to this Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department publishes Travel Advice for over 200 countries. The advice provides 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 460 together. There are two Ministers of State at my Department, Thomas Byrne T.D. and Colm Brophy, T.D.. Minister Byrne was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs at my Department and at the Department of the Taoiseach on 1 July 2020. Minister Brophy was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service begun a phased return to full operation on 8 June 2020. The Passport Service has processed over 65,000 books and cards since re-opening.. The Passport Service is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. This is 10 working days for simple applications and 20 working days for complex applications, once the supporting documentation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 476 together. The Government is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong, following the adoption of a national security law on the 30 June by the Chinese National People's Congress. I made a statement on the 1 July to express my concern at the adoption of this law and reiterated Ireland's full support for fundamental freedoms in Hong...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Data (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 463 to 465, inclusive, together. Recruitment to the EU’s Institutions is carried out centrally by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). EPSO regularly runs open competitions to recruit generalist and specialist EU civil servants. The most common form of entry to the EU Institutions is through the AD5 Generalist competition, which is the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Data (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2013 the Government approved a range of measures to support the placement of Irish officials on secondment to the EU institutions and other international organisation as part of our efforts to maximise our influence internationally. This included the establishment of a Centrally Funded Scheme, coordinated initially by the Department of the Taoiseach, and by my Department since 2017....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s approach on the Security Council will be informed by our record as a country that has a consistent, principled and independent foreign policy. Ireland is now working on preparations for taking up our Security Council seat in January, including by reviewing all items on the Council’s agenda, which includes the situation in Western Sahara. Our position on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service begun a phased return to full operation on 8 June 2020. The Passport Service has processed over 65,000 books and cards since re-opening.. The Passport Service is currently meeting the target turnaround times for Passport Online applications. This is 10 working days for simple applications and 20 working days for complex applications, once the supporting documentation has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s network of diplomatic and consular Missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy objectives. The network also ensures efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, support to emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence. The work of my Department in promoting a more just, fair,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic and consular missions play a crucially important role in the achievement of foreign policy and economic objectives. Currently they occupy a total of 165 premises, of which 130 are rented and 35 are State-owned, as set out in the following table: Chancery/Office Owned Official Residence Owned Combined Office and Official...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Embassy network plays a key role in the pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy objectives. At present, the Department is responsible for the management of 166 properties comprising of Embassies, Consulates General, Permanent Missions, Permanent Representations, Secretariats, Representative Offices and official accommodation Ireland’s diplomatic network has expanded...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has exchanged views with a number of other interested EU Member States on the draft legally binding instrument circulated last year by the chair of the inter-governmental working group. Ireland has not undertaken a formal legal analysis in respect of the draft instrument with other EU Member States and the exchange of views that we have had with other MS is intended to inform policy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland enjoys excellent relations with Japan, fostered by strong cooperation at all levels, both here and in Japan. Since my meeting in December last with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Toshimitsu Motegi, we have exchanged a number of letters covering topics such as the ongoing COVID-19 situation and Ireland's election to the UN Security Council, and have also reaffirmed our mutual...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Foreign Births Registration (FBR) team was reassigned to our consular services at the beginning of the current public health emergency to operate a COVID-19 crisis call centre, assisting our citizens abroad. Foreign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation related to three generations and issued by several...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: Over the past nine years in Syria, deliberate repression by the Assad regime against its own people has caused enormous suffering. Ireland has provided financial support to the UN International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, which was established to gather evidence of abuses and facilitate accountability. Ireland has also called on numerous occasions for the situation in Syria to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: I most recently addressed our Heads of Mission, including our Ambassador to Russia, Ambassador McElduff, at the recent virtual European Heads of Mission conference held on 29 June. I have regular engagement with Irish Ambassadors across our Mission network as part of my role, as do my Minister of State colleagues and senior officials at my Department. Acting on my behalf, officials from my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Inquiries (14 Jul 2020)

Simon Coveney: There are no tribunals, public investigations or commissions of investigations underway within my Department.