Results 8,581-8,600 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: To be helpful, I will focus on trying to answer specific questions, rather than making general comments.

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

Simon Coveney: I am almost finished.

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

Simon Coveney: No problem. I can deal with it in questions.

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

Simon Coveney: I join the Deputy in condemning racism in all its forms and I am sure that is reflected across this House. Many of us are pretty disturbed and shocked by the images we are seeing coming out of the United States for what I think is the eighth day in a row. What everybody wants to ensure is that peaceful protest is part of any democracy, as is the need for robust and independent journalism. ...

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

Simon Coveney: I welcome this opportunity to discuss my Department's role in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, including our immediate consular response to the crisis, our wider contribution to the whole-of-Government response, the impact on the passport service and our plans for the coming months. The scale of the consular challenge caused by the Covid-19 pandemic saw an unprecedented number of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will understand that any questions regarding access to Irish social welfare payments abroad are a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. In terms of consular assistance for citizens overseas, the Consular Directorate in my Department, in close cooperation with our Embassies and Consulates overseas, supports thousands of citizens across the world....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 18, 19, 24, 25, 29, 31, 36 and 38 together. With the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 22 together. The human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern. This includes in relation to freedom of expression and assembly, arbitrary arrest, and torture in detention. Human rights issues therefore continue to constitute an important part of Ireland's engagement and dialogue with Iran. I am aware of the two cases...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Defence Action Plan (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chairs the National Security Authority (NSA), which is an interdepartmental group and the relevant authority for the protection of EU classified information (EUCI) in the State.  In this role my Department convenes the NSA and coordinates its work across its member Departments and Agencies.  The Departments of An Taoiseach, Justice and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together. With the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: With the commencement of the COVID-19 public health emergency and the introduction of widespread travel restrictions both nationally and internationally, Irish citizens have ceased nearly all non-essential travel. This has led to a large decrease in the number of passport applications received by the Passport Service, including a decrease in applications received from applicants. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: While the Government engages frequently with the US Administration and US elected representatives from across Congress, I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mitch O'Connell, this year. The Government has however had many opportunities to engage with high-level US officials, including during visits last year by President Trump, Vice President...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department is aware of this case and is providing all possible and appropriate consular assistance to the citizens in question. We have already assisted 170 of our citizens to return home safely from South Africa. Of the citizens remaining there, 70 have indicated an interest in returning home, including the couple in question. The Deputy will be aware that all international commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: Brexit remains a key issue for this Government. 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 Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, and preparations for the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Company Closures (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the situation to which the Deputy refers.  I regret the closure of BD Foods, and the job losses that will result.  The matter is one for my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and I have asked that it be brought to her attention.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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 EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier, UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove, and Secretary of State for Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have prioritised the issue of Irish immigration in the United States since taking office and the issue of the undocumented Irish remains a high priority for the Government.  We have both continuously raised immigration issues in interactions with the US Administration and political leaders, most recently by the Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day visit to the White...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: 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 law on national security 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 autonomy, along with an independent political and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising (3 Jun 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens.  To date there has been no expenditure on advertising on social media platforms for campaigns in 2020.  However, some expenditure has occurred in 2020, which relates to campaigns that ran in 2019. In addition to the expenditure from 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (27 May 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s candidature for election to the UN Security Council is a priority across the whole of Government. The UN is central to Ireland’s foreign policy and our engagement in multilateralism receives strong political and public support. Our effort to secure a seat, following the announcement of our candidature in 2005, reflects this. I am particularly conscious that we are...