Results 9,621-9,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: The European Commission is taking a number of values-related infringements proceedings against Hungary regarding the NGO law and the Higher Education Law and its impact on the operation of the Central European University as well as in relation to asylum procedures. Rule of law issues in Hungary have been discussed at the General Affairs Councils on a number of occasions since Autumn...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I met with Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow on 2 July. Agenda items for our consultations included our bilateral political and economic relations, as well as a range of regional and international issues such as the situation in Ukraine, Syria, Iran, the Middle East Peace Process, Iran, non-proliferation, the Council of Europe, human rights, cyber-security, disinformation, and Brexit. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (9 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 seeks to minimise expenditure on consultants and commissions external expertise only in cases where highly specialised skills are not available internally. During the course of engagement, these consultants and experts may...

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

Simon Coveney: In 2016, my Department made a payment to Deloitte of €8,034 for an ICT licence renewal.

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

Simon Coveney: I was shocked to learn of the attack on the detention centre in Tajoura, Libya, last week. Attacks against civilians, including refugees and migrants, are totally unacceptable, and contrary to International Humanitarian Law. On 3 July, I issued a statement condemning the attack, and supporting the calls of the EU and the UN for an investigation into the facts of what may well constitute a war...

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

Simon Coveney: The award-winning Online Passport Renewal Service was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world. In November 2018, the Online Passport Renewal Service was expanded to include the online renewal of children’s passports, to introduce a passport card for children, and to expand...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The demand for Irish passports has grown significantly in recent years. The Passport Service issued over 780,000 passports in 2017, over 822,000 passports in 2018 and so far this year, over 490,000 passports have been issued. The increase in demand for Irish passports is driven by a number of factors including a general increase in the number of Irish residents travelling abroad and a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government and I were pleased to receive confirmation on 27th June last that the new US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Crawford, had been sworn into his new role by US Vice President Pence. Ambassador Crawford then travelled to Ireland and presented his credentials to President Higgins on 01 July. My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan T.D., attended this...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department had no tribunals, commissions of investigation or statutory inquiries in the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (9 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: My Department has ceased the purchase and use of single-use plastics as per the directive issued by the Department of Communications, Climate action and the Environment on 3rdJanuary 2019. There are no public bodies or agencies under my remit.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Offices (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: At present, my Department is responsible for 12 buildings in various locations in Dublin, Balbriggan, Limerick and Cork which have a total of 185 bicycle parking spaces and 188 lockers.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: It has been reported that a number of arrests took place on 25 June in Egypt, including the case raised by the Deputy. The arrest of journalists is always a matter of concern, given the important role which the media plays in holding governments to account. I believe that a strong and stable democracy cannot flourish without full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The United States introduced the economic element of their long awaited plan for the Middle East Peace Process, entitled Peace to Prosperity, at a meeting which took place in Bahrain on 25-26 June. The published document sets out a range of possibilities for economic revitalisation and growth for Palestinians and the neighbouring countries, which could be achieved if the parties can agree a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The trade agreement reached last week is part of a comprehensive new Association Agreement under negotiation between the EU and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). The Association Agreement is composed of a political and cooperation pillar – on which negotiators already reached a general agreement in June 2018 in Montevideo – and the trade pillar. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (4 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: Passport Applications (3 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: One of the four applications referred to is for the renewal of an existing Irish passport and was submitted via the online renewal system. The remaining three applications are paper-based applications which were submitted by the applicants to the Embassy in Ottawa on 26 June and are currently at the initial registration stage.  These applications will be processed under the terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since 2011, the Syria conflict has cost the lives of well over 400,000 people. The Assad regime and its allies have repeatedly targeted civilians, through deliberate attacks, including chemical attacks, on civilian infrastructure such as homes, hospitals and schools, the use of “starve or surrender” techniques and the denial of humanitarian assistance, and forced displacement in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: I and my officials are aware of changes in US migration policy, which has seen an increase in the detention of child migrants, particularly along its southern border. We are also aware of reports on the conditions in which some migrant children and their families are being kept. I have not specifically raised this issue with the US Administration;  however, I and my officials hold...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The ongoing political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continues to have a devastating effect on the Venezuelan population, and an ever-growing impact on the wider region. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation of Migration announced last month that the number of Venezuelans who have left the country since 2015 has now reached over 4...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (3 Jul 2019)

Simon Coveney: The United States introduced the economic element of their long awaited plan for the Middle East Peace Process, entitled Peace to Prosperity, at a meeting described as a workshop, which took place in Bahrain on 25-26 June. The published document sets out a range of possibilities for economic revitalisation and growth for Palestinians and the neighbouring countries, which could be achieved if...