Results 10,481-10,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: Let us be clear on that. We were open to suggestions from all sides. On preparations for a no-deal Brexit, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, outlined in some detail yesterday after the Cabinet meeting the financial challenges Ireland will face in the context of a no-deal Brexit and the need to support vulnerable sectors with significant financial support. We are in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are a lot of questions there and I will try to address them. First, however, I wish to address the Taoiseach's comments this morning. He stated that for the remainder of the day the Houses should be conscious that another Parliament will vote on this deal this evening and Members should, therefore, be careful what we say. He is correct in that regard. I do not want to see debates in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I did not use the word "curtailed".

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: It is important to make a distinction between the legal changes made last night to the Brexit process by adding an extra layer in the legal instrument that was agreed and legal changes to the backstop in terms of what it looks like and how it delivers an outcome. On the second point, there are no changes to the text of the withdrawal agreement or the Irish protocol it contains and,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am grateful to the Deputy for the support of his party and, indeed, the support of other parties for the decisions the Government has had to make, working with the European Union to try to protect the interests of Irish people and Ireland, but also to protect the relationship we have with our closest neighbour, the United Kingdom. It is clear from the text agreed last night that the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I agree with the Deputy that in a no-deal scenario, everybody loses. It would be hugely damaging to the United Kingdom on many levels but also it would be hugely challenging for us. We have spent many, many months putting contingency plans in place. We will be finalising the legislation, hopefully with the support of other parties, in the Seanad this week. We continue to work with the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy. As the House knows, Prime Minister May met with President Juncker in Strasbourg last night. They announced at a joint press conference that they had agreed on a number of things - an interpretive instrument on the withdrawal agreement that has legal effect, and a joint statement on the political declaration on the future relationship between the EU and the UK. Those...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Expenditure (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in June 2017, I have overseen and co-ordinated a sustained intensification of Brexit preparedness. As part of these efforts, the Government has organised “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” public information events around Ireland to inform and advise about Brexit preparedness and the range of support measures and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government has noted the important judgment of the UK Supreme Court in the Finucane case on 27 February last, including the declaration that an investigation compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights has not been held into the murder of Pat Finucane. The Finucane family and the British Government will wish to consider this judgment in full. The Government is also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: In response to the violent incidents in Gaza last summer, I called for an independent investigation of these tragic events. Ireland subsequently supported moves at the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the events. I therefore welcome the fact that the Commission has now published its Report. The Commission has clearly carried out...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: On 17 February 2019, the Government of Israel decided unilaterally to withhold the equivalent of 123 million euro in Palestinian tax revenue transfers. This decision is a result of legislation adopted by the Knesset last year that instructs the Government to withhold money equivalent to what the Palestinian Authority pays to Palestinians convicted by Israeli courts of involvement in terrorism...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service receives applications through a range of channels, including the online passport application service. The following figures reflect the numbers received through all channels in the years requested. Year Applications from Great Britain Applications from Northern Ireland 2012 45,646 41,124 2013 42,441 44,122 2014 43,449 48,475 2015 47,603 54,026 2016...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The following table summarises the turnaround times for the Passport Service’s main application channels. Turnaround times for individual missions outside Ireland and the UK are omitted as these will vary for each individual mission and are dependent on local postal services. Type of Passport Application Target turnaround time Average turnaround time Online passport renewal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: There are no immediate plans to make further amendments the Passports Act, 2008 as amended ("the Act”). The Act is up to-date and reflects any recent legislative changes that impact on the issuance of passports to Irish citizens. My Department will continue to keep the legislation under review.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: The risk management process within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade involves as a matter of course consideration of risks in relation to the political situation in Northern Ireland and the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. The Department's risk management process is outlined in its Risk Management Policy, which is guided by the Risk Management...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 69 together. In November 2017, my Department launched the National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 -2020 to give effect to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Plan is a whole of Government initiative which has been developed with the support and cooperation of a number of Government Departments and State Agencies. Its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy mentioned, Ireland has long been a committed supporter of the peace process in Colombia, with a particular focus on the protection of human rights and human rights defenders. Ireland has committed more than €10 million in funding to Colombia since 2007 to prevent conflict, build peace, protect human rights and support the livelihoods of rural populations, including women....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 76 and 77 together. I met with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley, at the Embassy of Ireland in London, on 6 March. Our meeting focussed on Troubles legacy issues. I made clear to the Secretary of State the Government's deep concern at the statement she had made earlier that day, regarding deaths caused by British soldiers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 78 together. On Wednesday 6th December, I welcomed the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to a special dinner at the Embassy of Ireland in London, hosted by Ambassador Adrian O’Neill. The dinner marked the start of the St. Patrick’s Day programme in Britain and celebrated the close ties and enduring friendship between our two...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 82 together. I understand that these Questions refer to victims of violence during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The Government's position is that there is no hierarchy of victims, whether killed or injured during the conflict in Northern Ireland by the actions of paramilitaries or by state forces. This is also the official position of the...