Results 8,841-8,860 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Crime Investigation (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Maltese Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, announced on 1 December that he will step down as his party's leader on 12 January 2020 and as Prime Minister in the days after. This follows a number of significant arrests made in late November in relation to the October 2017 murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Allegations have been made against senior Government officials...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's position on settlement expansion, related infrastructure development, the demolition of Palestinian homes and other buildings, and the forced removal of Palestinians from their homes, is extremely clear. Settlements are illegal under international law, and all actions which compromise the viability of a future Palestinian state are very damaging. Such unilateral actions further...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Campaigns (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. In 2019, some examples of campaigns included the new Passport Online and ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’, both these campaigns will be ongoing in the first half of 2020. The estimated budget for the Passport Online Campaign will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Sharing Arrangements (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: Compliance with the GDPR is an ongoing obligation and my Department consistently reviews its data processing activities to ensure compliance. This includes ensuring that the appropriate data sharing agreements and data processor agreements are in place to provide for and protect the rights and freedoms of data subjects under the GDPR. My Department currently does not have data sharing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Information Data (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in tabular format below. The total number of requests refused includes cases refused on the grounds the record requested did not exist. In the interest of transparency and openness, details of all non-personal FOI requests which have been granted, part granted or refused are made available on my Department's website. In each case the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies Data (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are no agencies or organisations under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: In recent years my Department has recruited a significant number of additional staff. As well as recruitment to fill vacancies that arose during the embargo, staff have been allocated to support Brexit-related negotiations and preparations following the decision by the UK in 2016 to leave the EU. Further investment since then relates primarily to demands on the passport service and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 121 together. Last week, I undertook a three-day working visit to Israel and Palestine, which encompassed a wide range of engagements in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Gaza and Bethlehem. This was my fourth visit to Israel and Palestine as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I met with key representatives of the Government of Israel and the Palestinian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 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. While the issue of Bahrain has not been raised at the Foreign Affairs Council recently, the EU and Bahrain hold regular discussions on human rights...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has cost the lives of well over 400,000 people. Around 6.2 million people are displaced inside Syria, and a further 5.6 million have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. After almost nine years of conflict, nearly 12 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, and more than 80 per cent of people live below the poverty...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Disabilities Data (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The State’s network of diplomatic and consular missions plays a key role in promoting Ireland’s political and economic interests and in protecting our citizens abroad. High standards of health and safety and universal accessibility are prerequisites when the Department acquires new premises or refurbishes existing properties. Of the total of 93 Missions overseas, the 15 listed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels yesterday, Monday 9 December. The meeting was chaired by the newly-appointed High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Mr. Josep Borrell. Under current affairs, Ministers discussed the agenda for the forthcoming European Council, Libya and Hong Kong. Ministers also touched...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (10 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: 17 May last marked the 45th anniversary of the appalling attacks of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in which 33 people were murdered. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, represented the Government at the remembrance ceremony in Dublin. The Government stands in solidarity with all those who lost loved ones or were injured on that day, and who suffer still as a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (5 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: A case in a French court, challenging the implementation of EU rules on the labelling of foodstuffs originating from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, was referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union in June 2018. The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as Gaza and the Golan Heights, are all territories which have been occupied by Israel since 1967....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware of the recent reports in the media regarding the mass detention of Uighur and other ethic minorities in Xinjiang, but as a matter of practice, does not comment on leaked documents. Nevertheless, our position on the situation in Xinjiang is clear, and we remain deeply concerned over the credible reports of the treatment of ethnic Uighurs and other minorities in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (5 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: No agency staff are employed at the Headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Like the majority of Foreign Services, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s diplomatic missions are staffed by a mix of posted officers recruited at Headquarters and locally engaged staff. As posted officers rotate to and from HQ, locally engaged staff are essential to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (5 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Company in question provides a financial service which is licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the United Kingdom. It is a decision for customers what personal data they provide to the company. The Passport Service has not consulted with the company in any respect. I have not met with the owners or the directors of the company.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (5 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., represented Ireland at the General Affairs Coucil (GAC) meeting in Luxembourg on 15 October 2019. EU security issues were not on the meeting agenda for the GAC. At the Council meeting, Ministers discussed the EU Enlargement and the Stabilisation and Association Process for Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia. At the GAC...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (5 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: I would like to congratulate François-Philippe Champagne on his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada and to wish him success in his new role. While I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Minister Champagne, who took up office on 20 November last, I am looking forward to engaging with him in the near future. In particular, I look forward to briefing the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Consultation Process (4 Dec 2019)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with “Reaching Out - Guidelines on Consultation for Public Sector Bodies”, and its 2016 successor, “Consultation Principles and Guidance”, my Department aims to undertake consultation, where appropriate, with citizens in a meaningful and timely manner. The ultimate objective is to ensure better understanding and effective outcomes in relation to a...