Results 9,601-9,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Last 17 May 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: British-Irish Co-operation (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I and my Government colleagues have always been clear that we will seek to maintain the closest possible bilateral relationship with the UK post-Brexit. On a political level, we already cooperate closely through a number of institutions, most notably the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference and the British-Irish Council, both of which are institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. ...

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

Simon Coveney: In June, the European Council adopted a new Strategic Agenda 2019-2024 to guide the work of the Union over the next five years. The Strategic Agenda focuses on four overarching priorities: protecting citizens and freedoms; developing a strong and vibrant economic base; building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe; and promoting European interests on the global stage. The new...

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

Simon Coveney: The launch of ‘Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’ in June 2018 set out the Government’s ambitions for expanding and deepening our international presence, including through the opening of new Embassies and Consulates. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plans to open 26 new diplomatic Missions during the lifespan of Global...

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

Simon Coveney: The Asia Pacific region has grown significantly in importance and influence, and the Global Ireland strategy has set out clear goals and targets for how we meet the challenge posed by changes in the region, and the opportunity presented by greater trade, investment and tourism links. Central to our approach is the commitment to double our impact in the region by 2025.   In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (11 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. Appropriate consular assistance is provided to all Irish citizens abroad where this is possible. While our capacity to do so in a zone of conflict is necessarily limited, we will do what can and should be done to assist Irish citizens in distress or danger overseas, including helping them to return home. In the case in question, the presence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Jul 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 bilateral meetings, I have strongly emphasised to the Secretary of State the urgency of...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department continually monitors compliance with its relevant legislative, regulatory and internal procedural obligations. Adherence to compliance deadlines is monitored and evaluated throughout the year with regular reporting to senior management on performance.   There are a number of compliance functions operating across key business units. The civil service renewal plan...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Any extension of the Article 50 process beyond 31 October would have to be based on a UK request, which remains a matter for the UK. Should the UK not ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, and in the absence of an agreed extension of Article 50, then the UK will leave with EU with no deal on 31 October. In such circumstances, the EU would apply the contingency measures the European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Shareholdings (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Neither I as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, nor my Department, hold shares in entities.

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

Simon Coveney: For the provision of security services, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently in contract with Manguard Plus Limited, General Secure Logistics Service (GSLS) and Information Security Assurance Services Ltd. The details sought in relation to these particular contracts are set out in the following table. Company Service Contract Start Date Duration Procurement Process...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The absence of vital institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is of grave concern for the Government, as it is for the British Government. I have been working intensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in recent weeks in the talks at Stormont to support the leaders of the political parties in finding an agreement that will get all of the institutions of the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Inter-Governmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises was established on foot of a resolution to the Human Rights Council in 2014, led by a number of developing countries, including Ecuador and South Africa. Four sessions of the Inter-Governmental Working Group have taken place to date. In advance of the fourth and most recent session in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Commission’s 2019 Enlargement Package report on Turkey noted that there are serious concerns regarding the protection of the fundamental rights of LGBTI persons. It found that, over the past year, LGBTI activities and Pride parades have been banned or stopped by police in several provinces; that hate speech against the LGBTI community is a common occurrence; and discrimination...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Online Passport Renewal Service was launched on March 30 2017. Since its launch, 545,542 passports have been issued on foot of online applications. During the same time period, a total of 92,934 passports were issued on foot of applications submitted through the public counter at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and 1,155,458 passports were issued on foot of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Irish citizens living overseas can submit their passport application via Ireland's network of Embassies and Consulates overseas. The following table outlines the number of passport applications made via each Embassy or Consulate for the years requested. Many Irish Embassies have accreditation for other countries and provide passport services for Irish citizens for more than one...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. 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, under which and in general, Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The development of a site in central Tokyo, Japan, to establish a new Ireland House is advancing. This is the first time that the State has invested in a brownfield urban site overseas to facilitate the design and build-out of an Ireland House. This multi-year project includes the construction of a bespoke, modern building comprising an official residence and office accommodation for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply troubled by reports of adults being executed by Saudi Arabia for alleged crimes committed when they were children. These death sentences directly contravene Saudi Arabia's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states, “Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in public information advertising and awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens.  Social media and online promoted content play a significant role in this connection.  Examples of where my Department has advertised using social media have included public information campaigns in relation to...