Results 9,061-9,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Migrant Integration (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy whom I congratulate on being given this spokesmanship. I look forward to working with him for however long we have left in this Dáil which I imagime will be a few months. The number of international migrants has risen to 272 million in 2019. That is an extraordinary number and it represents an increase from 221 million in 2010. Clearly, migration is a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance, including anti-Semitism, and we take the fight against anti-Semitism very seriously. Ireland is a signatory of the Stockholm Declaration of the International Forum on the Holocaust, and is a member of the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. In December 2018, all 28 EU Member States adopted a Council Declaration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is deeply troubled by Turkey’s unilateral military action in Syria, which has severely destabilised the region. I am particularly concerned about the humanitarian impact of the action and the further displacements of civilian populations that have been and continue to occur as a result. The Turkish incursion has had severe consequences for civilian infrastructure, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Indecon Economic Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants made thirty recommendations. These covered a wide range of Government activities, including housing; registration of driving licences; easing access to motor insurance; information on, and access to, employment opportunities in Ireland; improving the recognition of academic and professional qualifications;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 60 together. The expected date of the election for the two available seats in the Western European and Others Groupfor the UN Security Council term 2021-2022 is approximately seven months away, in June 2020. Canada and Norway, who are committed members of the UN and important bilateral partners of Ireland, are also contending for a seat. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a committed supporter of human rights defenders, open civil society space and the protection and promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms. I am aware of the recent events in Cauca province, which unfortunately act as a reminder of the challenges that Colombia is facing as it implements the peace agreement. The absence of the State in former conflict areas following the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern. Although Bahrain has stated its commitment to improving its human rights record and safeguarding human rights as enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution. Progress has been made in certain areas, but there continue to be instances of violations of fundamental freedoms there including the targeting of human rights defenders. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government-wide ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’public information campaign was launched on 20 September 2018. In the initial phase of this campaign, my Department organised “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” public information events in Cork, Galway, Monaghan, Dublin, Limerick and Donegal throughout autumn 2018 to inform and advise citizens and businesses about...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Both I and my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, both personally and through our officials, engage regularly with the PSNI and other stakeholders to discuss a wide range of issues. Minister Flanagan and I have both expressed our ongoing support for the PSNI and I pay tribute to the excellent cooperation in place with An Garda Síochána. The PSNI...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (12 Nov 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: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 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. At the meetings of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and in our regular bilateral meetings, I have strongly emphasised to the Secretary of State the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Footprint Initiative (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: ‘Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025', sets out the Government’s ambitions for expanding and deepening our international presence and influence. It includes the expansion of Ireland’s mission network which will deepen our impact across priority regions, provide opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, strengthen political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the concerns regarding attacks on indigenous communities and environmental defenders in Brazil, and concerns that such groups are often a target of violence due to their concerns around the development of indigenous lands without sufficient consultation or consent. A report released in August 2018 by UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Victoria...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I very much welcome the publication of the second report of the Independent Reporting Commission. I commend the Commission for its valuable work so far and the efforts it has put into this report. The IRC report is a sobering reminder of the continuing adverse impact that paramilitarism continues to have on society in Northern Ireland and brings an important and timely focus on what...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade closely monitor international affairs, and situations such as the protests in Algeria, Chile, Ecuador, Haiti, Iraq and Lebanon are regularly discussed with EU counterparts, in Brussels and by Embassies in-country. Where it is necessary in order to set the strategic direction for the EU response, these issues are discussed at Ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government follows developments in Spain closely. I am aware of the verdict of the Spanish Supreme Court to which the question refers, as well as of reactions to the decision across Catalonia and the rest of Spain. I maintain contact with my Spanish counterpart on a range of issues, including the situation in Catalonia. We respect the importance of the principle of the separation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: EU-NATO cooperation is focused on promoting security and maintaining peace and stability and is developed with full respect for the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations, as well as respecting the specific character of the security and defence policies of EU Member States. This includes those which are not members of NATO. The EU’s cooperation with NATO is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a high priority for Ireland, for the European Union and for me personally. While in New York in September for the high level week of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, I attended a number of events and meetings and also held a series of bilateral meetings with a range of Ministers and other interlocutors. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that the Gambia has just yesterday submitted an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging breaches of the Genocide Convention by Myanmar. Ireland remains deeply concerned over the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (IIFFM), and other special mandate holders regarding gross human rights violations committed by the Myanmar Military...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Nov 2019)

Simon Coveney: On 17 October, the EU and UK agreed a revised Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on future EU-UK relations. Finalisation of the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement still needs to be completed. Although the House of Commons voted in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at second reading, elections are now scheduled in the UK for 12 December, and that process is on hold....