Results 8,741-8,760 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: That is all we have got.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 33 and 35 together. It is clear that this is the moment to finally secure an agreement that will restore the Executive, the Assembly and the North-South Ministerial Council to operation. The Taoiseach and Prime Minister Johnson spoke on Friday and agreed that achieving this is the top priority for both Governments. If the Executive is not in place by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have given a high priority to the Middle East Peace Process since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and have personally been very engaged in efforts to keep the issue high on the international agenda. Earlier this month I visited Israel and Palestine for the fourth time in the last two years. I have also consistently engaged on this issue at EU and UN level. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern. Although progress has been made in certain areas, there continue to be instances of violations of fundamental freedoms, including the targeting of human rights defenders. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government follows closely developments in Spain and I am aware of the report to which the question refers. The freedom to express competing views is essential in any democracy, but differences of opinion must be contested with full respect for the law and the rights of all citizens. The rule of law is a cornerstone of all modern democracies and it underpins the functioning of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I, and our colleagues in Government, look forward to meeting with the new UK Government in the coming weeks. The Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister Johnson on Friday last and they will meet in person as soon as is possible. For my part, I look forward to meeting with my counterpart, the UK Foreign Secretary, early in 2020, to discuss mutual interests and shared global...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government has been actively preparing for Brexit for more than two years to make sure that Irish citizens and businesses are as ready as possible for all scenarios. This has the highest priority across Government, and involves every Government Department and key Agencies, in tandem with the EU. Actions we took during this time included passing key legislation to protect our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The expected date of the election for the two available seats in the Western European and Others Group for the UN Security Council term 2021-2022 is June 2020. Canada and Norway, who are committed members of the UN and important bilateral partners of Ireland, are also competing for seats. Ireland last served on the Council from 2001-2002. In making our case to the 192 other Members...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: At our meeting on 9 December, EU Foreign Ministers discussed the proposal, first introduced by the Netherlands in 2018, to establish an EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. Over the last year, the proposal has been discussed at working level in the EU. These discussions have focused on the intended objective and scope of the proposed regime, and how to ensure its compatibility with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 60 together. From 2-4 December 2019, I undertook a three-day working visit to Israel and Palestine, which encompassed a wide range of engagements in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Gaza and Bethlehem, as well as visiting an Israeli community close to Gaza. This was my fourth visit to Israel and Palestine as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I met with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: As I have stated previously, the management of a State’s prison and judicial system is a matter for the Government and the relevant competent authorities in each European Union Member State, in accordance with domestic, European and international law. As such, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter in question. This issue is a legacy of a more troubled time in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: Upholding European values as set out in the EU Treaties, including the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, is at the core of the work of the EU. Ireland actively contributes through the appropriate mechanisms to ensure that all Member States respect shared European values and fundamental rights. Ireland has engaged in the ongoing Article 7 procedure on rule of law in Poland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland to seek the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework. The Government’s position is clear: there should be effective investigations into all Troubles-related deaths, regardless of the perpetrator. That is provided for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) was signed by EU Member States and Cuba in December 2016. The agreement is robust and comprehensive, consisting of three main pillars: Political Dialogue, Cooperation and Sectoral Policy Dialogue, and Trade and Trade Cooperation. The trade pillar is aimed at strengthening EU-Cuba trade and economic relations by promoting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since the outbreak of violence that followed the 20th October general elections, officials in my Department have been in regular contact with EU colleagues to discuss the ongoing situation in Bolivia. A preliminary report of the general elections issued by the Organisation of American States (OAS) had found irregularities in the electoral process. In its final report published on 4...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the protests in Malta in relation to recent developments in the investigation of the October 2017 murder of investigative journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia. In the past few weeks, a number of significant arrests have taken place and allegations have been made against senior Government officials. This has resulted in a number of resignations from the Government and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: Within the EU and the UN, Ireland has consistently engaged with the process of reconciliation, accountability and the protection of human rights in Sri Lanka. I have also expressed my sympathies to the people and Government of Sri Lanka in relation to the horrific bombing attacks on Easter Sunday. I was encouraged by the EU Election Observation Mission’s findings that the recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 61 and 63 together. The outcome of last week’s British General Election has clarified the way forward on Brexit. Prime Minister Johnson has indicated that he wishes to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as soon as possible and we look forward to working with the new Government. It is expected that the Withdrawal Agreement Bill will be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that the matter raised by the Deputy is of deep interest to many NGOS both internationally and here at home in Ireland and I have reported to the House on my contacts with the company that sources coal from the Cerrejón mine in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions. My Department has been monitoring issues surrounding the Cerrejón mine in Colombia, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: At the December General Affairs Council (GAC), Member States exchanged views on the revised Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposal put forward by the Finnish Presidency. This is the most recent iteration of the draft proposal by successive Presidencies in these complex negotiations, which are likely to continue well into 2020. The Presidency has proposed an overall level of 1.07% of...