Results 8,701-8,720 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: In 2020, Ireland will open three new Embassies in Kyiv, Manila and Rabat. These openings reflect the expansion of Ireland's Diplomatic Network as part of 'Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025'. These openings will contribute to the expansion and deepening of Ireland's international presence across priority regions, provide opportunities to grow our trade and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46, 49, 52 and 53 together. Brexit was not on the agenda for discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council on 17 February. The General Affairs Council on 25 February, adopted a Council Decision authorising the opening of the negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK, together with a detailed set of negotiating directives. I also met...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: The United Kingdom formally left the European Union on 31 January 2020 and discussions on a future EU-UK relationship got underway on 2 March.  It is important to recall that a range of key issues are resolved by the Withdrawal Agreement (i.e. citizen’s rights, financial settlement and the Northern Ireland Protocol), as well as by the Common Travel Area.  The transition...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur. We are committed to promoting freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities. This commitment to promoting freedom of religion or belief is reaffirmed in  Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 61 together. The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement is a priority for this Government. The principle of consent and the possibility of change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland are fundamental elements of the Good Friday Agreement, endorsed by the people of this island North and South. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Disease Management (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: My Department has been providing ongoing consular advice and assistance to our citizens overseas who have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Our consular efforts were initially focused on Irish citizens in Hubei Province in China but, with the continuing spread of the virus, these have evolved to include a wide range of countries around the world.  We are working closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report mentioned by the Deputy. While I have not discussed the details of this specific report with ESB, I wrote to them in September 2019 requesting further information regarding their sourcing of coal from Cerrejón. I received a response in October 2019 in which the ESB outlined a recent assessment of the mine carried out by Bettercoal. Bettercoal is an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Officials at my Department met with Berta Zúñiga Cáceres during her recent visit to Ireland. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the challenging situation for human rights and environmental defenders in Honduras. Officials also expressed condolences on behalf of my Department to Ms Zúñiga Cáceres on the tragic death of her mother, Berta Cáceres,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's position on settlement expansion, related infrastructure development, demolition of Palestinian homes and other buildings, and forced removal of Palestinians from their homes, is extremely clear. For example, I made a statement in November 2019 reaffirming our long held position, as follows: “Ireland’s position on Israeli settlements remains clear and unchanged....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the incident to which the Deputy refers. The circumstances in which this person was killed are unclear, and therefore I will not comment on the events leading to their death. However, the apparent manner in which the Israeli Defence Forces removed the body of the deceased, as shown in a video and in images widely circulated on social and traditional media, is deeply...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply concerned by the ongoing political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which is having an ever-worsening impact on the population and on neighbouring countries, as over 4.5 million people have left the country since 2015. I continue to believe that only a peaceful, democratic solution to this crisis will offer the people of Venezuela a return to stability...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, the elections that took place in Bolivia on 20 October 2019 were followed by violence and reports of excessive force by the authorities. On 10 November 2019, the Organisation of American States (OAS) released a preliminary report indicating that it had found clear irregularities, and that it could not verify the result of the October elections. A further...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am strongly of the view that the EU needs to take a more proactive approach to make progress with the achievement of a peaceful and sustainable solution to a conflict that has been going on for far too long. The EU needs to defend the two-state solution as an outcome of that process and to stand up for international law and its interpretation. As a result of my efforts and those of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: These are two really serious matters and in some ways separate questions would probably be justified. Ireland is trying to use the influence we can bring to bear in the international fora in which we operate. Within the United Nations we have been both vocal and, I would like to think, quite courageous when many other countries were not signing a joint statement at the UN General Assembly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is not true to say that trade dictates our response. It is true to say we have an increasing trade relationship with China but we have trade relations with many countries which, at times, have had questions to answer in respect of human rights. We have raised those questions. Ireland needs to continue to be courageous in raising these matters, shining a spotlight on parts of the world...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy and I am glad we got to this question. As some people who know me will be aware, I have given a high priority to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict over the past two years and I have worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the matter and support for the two-state solution. From 2 December to 4 December 2019, I undertook a three-day working visit to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is important not to confuse two issues, namely, the aspirations some in Scotland hold for independence and what this review is trying to do. Regardless of the future of Scotland, this review is focusing on areas of co-operation that involve devolved powers for a devolved government in Scotland as opposed to anything else. It is important not to create expectation on some of these issues....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ministerial Meetings (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have a huge personal affection for Scotland. I worked there for a while after being a student. I lived in a little mining town called Armadale for six months. I also worked in Edinburgh. Scotland has so much in common with Ireland. We want to be supportive and we want to develop an even closer relationship, with a structure around that relationship, for the future. We want to be a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 46 together. Ireland, along with our EU partners, is closely following developments in China, including in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. As I have stated on several occasions in this House in recent weeks, Ireland and our European partners remain deeply concerned about the credible reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Passport Services (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: Given that I am from County Cork, this is a particularly pointed question, which is fair enough. The Passport Service of my Department is one unified service composed of three constituent offices located in Lower Mount Street and Balbriggan in Dublin and South Mall in Cork. It operates three passport printing machines, two of which are located in the main production facility in...