Results 8,521-8,540 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 28 together. The Government is closely monitoring the situation in Hong Kong in light of the recent announcement by the Chinese National People's Congress to implement a national security law in Hong Kong. Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" under which Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: As part of the Government's ongoing Brexit readiness work, Government Departments have indicated the potential need for further legislation to be in force at the end of the transition period. Based on this analysis, the Government decided, at its meeting of 28 May, to approve the development of a scheme of a new Brexit Omnibus Bill. This work will now be brought forward across the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 23, 26, 31 and 38 together. Once the potential impact of Covid-19 became obvious, contingency planning commenced to minimise the impact of restrictions on the delivery of passport services. In particular, plans were put in place to ensure that we continued to provide an emergency service for the issuance of passports in cases of serious illness or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cycle to Work Scheme (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy on the participation of my Department in the Cycle to Work Scheme is outlined in the following table: Year Number of Applicants Cost € 2009 20 14,612 2010 40 28,978 2011 53 39,215 2012 48 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will understand that transit visas, as with all issues relating to visas, are a matter for the authorities in Australia. At present, the Australian Department of Home Affairs advises that Irish citizens transiting through Australia to another country are not required to apply for a transit visa, provided that their transit time is less than eight hours and they do not intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has strong bonds with both New Zealand and Australia, founded on shared values and on the vibrant Irish communities in both countries. I recently sent letters to my counterparts in Australia and New Zealand, Ministers Marise Payne and Winston Peters respectively, conveying our solidarity with the victims of the pandemic in their countries, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: In normal circumstances, opportunities to speak with Heads of Mission - Ambassadors or Chargés d'Affaires - arise on a frequent basis at different scheduled events. These include, for example, visits by my counterparts to Ireland; at regular events I attend across Ireland; when participating in credential ceremonies at Áras an Uachtaráin; and on numerous other occasions. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 36 together. The Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with EU partners and, as appropriate UK counterparts, to advance Ireland’s priorities in the context of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Over recent weeks, I have had contacts with UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, Foreign Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with our EU partners to advance Ireland’s priorities in matters arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU, including the EU-UK Future Partnership negotiations, implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. My engagement with key interlocutors on Brexit...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. I am aware of the worrying levels of insecurity and violence against human rights defenders and social leaders in Colombia, and across the wider region. The potential for COVID-19 to worsen an already grave situation is also of concern, as the pandemic may inhibit peacebuilding efforts and may lead to increased violence against human...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The state aid issue is a probing and good question in terms of how states use new flexibility around state aid. Some countries have far more available resources than others to spend in the absence of strict state aid rules. Therefore, they could potentially create competitive advantage within the Single Market. That is a concern and something we need to watch closely. I can give Deputy...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: That is fine. You were right to do it, Acting Chairman.

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The arrangement regarding Shannon Airport has been in place for decades between both countries. It operates to a pretty clear protocol in terms of the conditions of the use of the airport. The Government does not have any proposals to change that. Regarding racism, the Taoiseach made comments yesterday and I made comments today. We will have an opportunity to have what I hope will be...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: We will do everything we can to support the post offices.

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy. They are all good questions. On passports, we essentially have not had the Passport Express system working. Decisions were made on the basis of a significant reduction in applications and because we needed to ensure the protection of our own staff in passport offices. That is why the focus has been on getting the online process back up and running. If somebody has put...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for the compliments in regard to repatriation, particularly through our embassy in Washington, which got involved in a huge number of cases. With regard to his comments on the EU, the Deputy is right. While at election time we do not often get asked detailed EU institutional questions the truth is that many decisions that impact the lives of people in Ireland, whether...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am unsure that what is needed now is to link US capitalism with the protests taking place across America. What is needed is for political and community leadership to stand up against racism and reassure those who feel they are victims of it that things will change for them. As I stated, I have a very good relationship with the US ambassador. We have the kind of relationship whereby we...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: No, I will not. I have explained many times in much detail why I do not believe we can do that. I explained it to Senator Frances Black, who brought the legislation forward and for whom I have much time. I understand what she wants to achieve with the legislation, but, from a legal perspective, I do not believe that we can do what she is asking us to do. My view on the issue is backed up...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Nobody should pretend that the €750 billion solves the problem for the EU. Every individual country needs to make decisions for itself. We have extraordinary challenges in the next couple of years to budget appropriately and get the balance right between managing deficits, providing stimulus, getting people back to work, and ensuring we retain the trust and faith of international...

Covid-19 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I have not. If the Deputy wants to send me details of the concerns about that matter, he can do so. I speak to my Polish counterpart on a fairly regular basis about FAC meetings, although that has been somewhat limited in recent months because we have not been meeting in person. I know him very well. If there are LGBT exclusion zones in Poland, as the Deputy said, I expect that European...