Results 10,041-10,060 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply concerned about the situation in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, in particular the treatment of Uighur Muslims and the detention of a significant number of people in re-education camps.  We take the reports regarding this situation very seriously and have raised our concerns with our Chinese counterparts, in bilateral meetings, through our EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Inward visits to Ireland by foreign Heads of State or Government provide an important opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests and values internationally and contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links between Ireland and other States. Depending on the nature and timing of such visits, they can include elements such as an official welcome...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have prioritised the issue of Irish immigration in the US since taking office. We will continue our efforts in this regard until we secure progress – both in terms of future legal immigration opportunities for Irish citizens; and in securing a pathway for those Irish who are undocumented in order to regularise their status.  Special...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I was pleased to launch the National Plan on Business and Human Rights 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 21...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am deeply concerned by the unacceptable manner of, and practices around, the detention and trial of Palestinian children in Israeli prisons and the Israeli military court system. As a contracting party, Israel is bound by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). I am not satisfied that Israel is meeting its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 77 together. I regret the decision of the United States to recognise Israeli sovereignty over territory captured in the 1967 war. This is a breach of a central principle of international law, which will have unfortunate repercussions well beyond the immediate context of the Golan Heights. Annexation of territory by force is prohibited under...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service issued over 860,000 passports in 2018, which was the highest number ever issued in a single year. This represented an increase of more than 10% on the previous year. We expect the number of passport applications to continue to increase throughout 2019. The Passport Service is currently in its peak season for passport demand with the vast majority of applications being...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The final results of the Israeli election were only declared last Friday. The consultation process for coalition building has only begun, and it may be some weeks before the new Government is formed. As had been widely predicted, a coalition similar to the outgoing Government seems the most likely outcome. I have not yet discussed the results with EU colleagues.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I have repeatedly stressed my deep regret at the breakdown of the ceasefire between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish Government in 2015. The escalating tensions and violence in the south-east are a cause for concern, as is the shrinking space for civil society due to breaches of human rights and democratic norms. I would like to reiterate that the rights of all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Recent socio-economic reforms in Saudi Arabia have been overshadowed by reports from the UN and a number of human rights agencies of an intensive crackdown on domestic dissent and the imposition of significant restrictions on civil society.  The ongoing detention of a number of women activists in Saudi Arabia is a particular cause for concern. As I have previously stated, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Catalan Referendum (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The question of Catalan independence remains a deeply divisive and contentious issue in Spain.  The Government continues to follow developments there with interest and has consistently said that constitutional and political arrangements in Spain are matters that are best determined by its citizens and their public representatives. I am aware that judicial proceedings are underway and a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 88 together. The 1996 Helms Burton Act is a US federal law which reinforces the US's long standing economic embargo against Cuba. Since 1996, European persons or entities have remained potentially affected by the extraterritorial elements in Titles III and IV of the Act, but a 1998 Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and US has waived Title...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government believes in the politics of engagement, rather than the politics of boycott or non-participation.  Consistent with that, we operate on the principle that the Government and Government representatives should engage in forums and at events where Ireland's interests and values might possibly be advanced.  There has been some public discussion about men-only...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 86 together. I am aware of the recent implementation of certain measures under the Penal Code of Brunei-Darussalam which includes the potential imposition of the death penalty and corporal punishment against those engaging in consensual same-sex sexual activity. I add Ireland's voice to that of the EU and many other international partners in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service located in my Department is one unified service composed of 3 constituent offices located in Mount Street, Dublin, in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and in South Mall, Cork.  The Passport Service operates three passport printing machines, two of which are located in our main production facility in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin and one located in the Passport Office in Mount...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Rule of law matters are of serious concern to Ireland. We have always said that fundamental values and the rule of law are a shared EU interest and call for a common approach.   Rule of law issues in Hungary have been discussed at the General Affairs Councils since last Autumn. These discussions have involved the Commission, Hungary and other Member...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Complaints by groups from Western Sahara in relation to the issue of fishing in Western Sahara have been discussed by EU Member States on a number of occasions, and in a number of settings, in recent years. The EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement was concluded in 2006, and entered into force the following year. Following a legal challenge, the Court of Justice of the European Union...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: Throughout the Brexit process there has been a strong understanding from EU partners of the need to address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. This was once again reiterated by partners, including at the highest levels, in the lead up to the European Council meeting on 10 April. Ireland and the EU are at one in our determination to do all we can, deal or no deal, to protect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Office in Cork is one of the three constituent offices that make up the Passport Service; the other offices are in Mount Street, Dublin, and Balbriggan, Co Dublin.  Improvements to the current internal office accommodation in the Passport Office in Cork are under consideration, in consultation with the Office of Public Works.  Plans to expand the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (16 Apr 2019)

Simon Coveney: The campaign to secure a non-permanent seat for Ireland on the UN Security Council is a priority across the whole of Government. With approximately fourteen months remaining until the election, An Taoiseach, I, in my capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ministers across Government, as well as Ministers of State, are actively promoting Ireland’s...