Results 9,481-9,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern. Citizens in Bahrain are living in an increasingly restrictive society and there has been further erosion of fundamental freedoms in recent years, including freedom of opinion and expression. I was alarmed to learn of the executions of three people in July, including two human rights activists. A moratorium on the death...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The expected date of the election for the two available seats in the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) for the UN Security Council term 2021-2022 is approximately nine months away. The campaign is a priority across the whole of Government. The UN is central to Ireland’s foreign policy. Our effort to secure a seat, which was announced in 2005, reflects this. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Throughout the Article 50 process I, as well as officials from my Department, have had frequent and ongoing contact with representatives from other EU27 Member States, the Commission and the Article 50 Task Force headed by Michel Barnier. I spoke with Mr Barnier by phone on Monday (16 September), ahead of President Juncker’s meeting with Prime Minister Johnson. As in my most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement is a priority for the 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. The approach of the Government in relation to Irish unity...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Discussions with European Leaders (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I continue to have frequent and ongoing contact with representatives from other EU Member States and the European Commission on a range of EU issues including Brexit. Over the last few weeks, I have held bilateral meetings with the Czech Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš, and Foreign Minister, Tomáš Petrícek, in Prague; the French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has a clear, long-standing policy of promoting effective multilateral cooperation, the rule of law and good global governance. We consider it an imperative to seek multilateral solutions to global challenges and threats to international peace and security, including those arising from new technological developments and advancements. Ireland regards the area of Lethal Autonomous...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: There has been a worrying increase in the number and tempo of dissident republican attacks  in Derry and other parts of Northern Ireland. In the past ten days, the PSNI have recovered two bombs which they have attributed to the 'New IRA' and which they believe were intended to kill PSNI officers. During the search operation to retrieve the second bomb, in the Creggan...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am very concerned at the recent increase in dissident republican activity in border areas. The discovery of bombs in Wattle Bridge, Fermanagh; Strabane, Co. Tyrone; and Derry city were all linked to dissident republican activity and were all intended to kill PSNI officers and risked the lives of people living in these areas.    It is well understood that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that I am aware of this difficult and long-running consular case and that officials from my Department have been in ongoing contact with the citizen, most recently on 10th September 2019. My Department has been providing consular assistance to the family of the citizen since first being made aware of the case. Officials continue to engage with the appropriate local...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The human rights situation in Bahrain is a matter of concern. Citizens in Bahrain are living in an increasingly restrictive society and there has been further erosion of fundamental freedoms in recent years, including freedom of opinion and expression. I remain concerned about the detention of a number of people in Bahrain, both in respect of the grounds for detention, and their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Services Card (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since March 29 2016, the Passport Service has required all first time passport applicants, aged 18 and above, who are resident in Ireland to submit a copy of their Public Services Card (PSC) with their passport application. This also applies to adult applicants whose most recent passport has expired more than five years previously and to adult applicants whose passport was issued before 1...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Colombian Peace Process (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has been a long-standing and committed supporter of the Colombian peace process. Ireland has committed more than €14 million in funding to Colombia since 2007 to prevent conflict, build peace, protect human rights and support the livelihoods of rural populations.  Ireland was a founding member of the EU Trust Fund for Colombia, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I continue to be gravely concerned about the ongoing crisis in Yemen. Over four years of conflict have resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with the country’s economy decimated and millions on the brink of famine. It is vital that we continue to push for a political resolution to the conflict that is driving this crisis. Ireland supports the efforts of the UN...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (17 Sep 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: Brexit Negotiations (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Among the priorities of the Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations is the need to protect the Good Friday Agreement and protect the EU’s Single Market and Ireland’s place it.  The ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement remains the best plan to deliver these twin objectives.  Only the backstop provides an all-weather legal guarantee through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Promises made during the election campaign in Israel, including threats to annex lands in the West Bank, are irresponsible and have a damaging impact on the prospects for a peace agreement and an end to the conflict. Unhelpful election rhetoric is not unique to Israel, and Ireland and the EU will ultimately judge the next Israeli Government on its actions. But such words are not without...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the ongoing situation in Kashmir and my Department is monitoring developments closely. I hope that the situation will be resolved peacefully, and support the EU’s position, which is in favour of direct dialogue between India and Pakistan. Ireland also supports UN Secretary-General Guterres' call for restraint from all parties, and continues to work within the EU and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland enjoys very good bilateral relations with Croatia, and, as has been the case with all EU member states, the Government has maintained frequent contact with our Croatian counterparts with regards to Brexit. Most recently, I met with the new Croatian Foreign Minister, Gordan Grlic-Radman, on August 10th and was able to comprehensively brief him on Brexit and the details of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have made clear on a number of occasions Ireland’s full support for Michel Barnier in his role as the EU’s chief negotiator regarding the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.  We fully support Ursula von der Leyen’s assessment, as incoming President of the European Commission, that he has done an outstanding job since his appointment in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (17 Sep 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have maintained close contact with Commissioner Hogan throughout his time in office and publicly congratulated him on his nomination as the new European Commissioner for Trade, which was announced by President-elect von der Leyen on 10 September 2019. The European Parliament will hold hearings with all Commission nominees between 30 September and 8 October, with a vote on the whole...