Results 9,581-9,600 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: As I have stated in previous answers to parliamentary questions on this matter, I am aware of the complaints that have been made by some non-governmental organisations regarding private sector activities in the Cerrejón mine and I am aware of the negative publicity concerning the mine. I continue to be concerned by reports of the detrimental impact of the mine on the environment and on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I was pleased to launch the National Plan on Business and Human Rights (2017-2020) in November 2017 on foot of the Government's commitment to give effect to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.  The principle objective of the Plan is to promote responsible business practice at home and overseas by all Irish business enterprises.  Ireland is one of only...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. The Passports Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by Irish law and in particular the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The following figures...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. The Passports Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by Irish law and in particular the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The numbers of first time...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: As I have said repeatedly, Libya's system of detaining migrants is unacceptable and must end. Libya, like all other countries, must manage migration in full compliance with international law. This is a matter primarily for the Libyan Government, which bears the responsibility and has the presence on the ground, rather than for external actors such as the EU. The EU is maintaining its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are under eleven months remaining until the expected date of the election for the two available seats in the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. The campaign to secure a seat for Ireland is a priority across the whole of Government, which is taking the opportunity of all appropriate regional, multilateral and bilateral engagements...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The J1 visa programme for Irish citizens to work and travel in the US is managed by US based sponsors and their agents in Ireland under authority of the US Department of State’s Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs.  All figures related to the J1 programme are maintained by US authorities.  My Department, through the Americas Unit in Dublin and through our Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach appointed Deputy John Deasy as Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented Irish in June 2017. As the Taoiseach indicated at the time of the appointment, no additional remuneration is paid to the Deputy Deasy in his role as Special Envoy.   Deputy Deasy is supported, from a logistical perspective, by my staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Footprint Initiative (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since its launch a year ago my Department has been working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and a range of other Government partners to ensure the effective delivery of the ambitions set out in Global Ireland, Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025.  On July 8th, the Taoiseach and I hosted a summit in Dublin Castle to mark one year since the launch of the plan bringing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic network of Missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals such as ensuring the efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, supporting emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence. Our Embassies and Consulates contribute directly to safeguarding our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Brexit remains a priority issue for this Government, and the Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I take every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities.   Without the Withdrawal Agreement and the backstop, there are no easy answers. A no deal Brexit will have severe economic and political implications for Ireland, North and South....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 133, 138 and 154 together. Let me state clearly at the outset that the Government remains firmly of the view that the best and only way to ensure an orderly Brexit is for the UK to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed by the UK Government and endorsed by the European Council. However, given the ongoing political uncertainty in the UK, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I accompanied President Higgins and his wife Sabina on a State Visit to Germany last week, from 2 to 5 July.   The State Visit was a truly memorable event which highlighted the historic and contemporary links between our two countries.  The success of the visit will, I believe, form a strong basis for further deepening and growing our already excellent bilateral relations in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Living Wage (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The remuneration of the directly employed staff of my Department is sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. The most accurate estimate of the cost per annum is in the region of €836,000 to €1,500,000 to include permanent and temporary staff. It is difficult to determine the exact cost of introducing an hourly rate of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The principal income stream, directly paid by persons to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is the payment of passport fees. In this regard, there are no annual payments, staged or increment payments. For administrative and other reasons there is no proposal to introduce incremental payments.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 137 and 140 to 142, inclusive, together. The total capital allocation for my Department in 2019 across its two Votes – Vote 27: International Co-operation and Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade - is €21 million. The corresponding 2018 capital allocation, in the first year of Project Ireland 2040/National Development Plan 2018-2027...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The continuing absence of the power-sharing Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland and the North South Ministerial Council is of grave concern for the Government as it is for the British Government.  The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the effective operation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and the EU have been consistent in its support for the full implementation of the Basic Law and the 'One Country, Two Systems’ principle. This system provides Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, rule of law, an independent judiciary, democratic separation of powers, and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the freedom of assembly and expression. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government continues to be concerned at the credible reports with regard to the treatment of Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.  Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to raise this issue directly in our bilateral context with China, and at multilateral levels. These interventions have placed a particular focus on our concern with the...