Results 10,641-10,660 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 25 and 30 together. The Government fully supports the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), which was signed by each EU Member State and the Cuban Minister for Foreign Affairs in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2016. This is the first bilateral agreement between the EU and Cuba. Its signature marked a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland strongly condemns all manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance, including anti-Semitism. Ireland is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Through our multilateral engagement, Ireland consistently raises the issues of racism and intolerance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service has seen significant increases in passport applications received in recent years. The increase in demand is driven by a number of factors including a general increase in the number of Irish residents travelling abroad, a growing population, as well as a rise in passport applications from Irish citizens residing in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach and I have prioritised the immigration issue 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 Envoy to the US Congress on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 43 together. Throughout the negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement, I, as well as officials from my Department, engaged in extensive contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and the Article 50 Task Force headed by Michel Barnier, as well as the UK, to advance Ireland’s priorities with the regard to the negotiations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government remains firmly of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal from the EU is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the UK Government. The Protocol includes a commitment that "The United Kingdom shall ensure that no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in that part of the 1998...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The negotiations on the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union are concluded. On 25 November 2018, the European Council endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement and approved the Political Declaration on the EU-UK future relationship. These were also agreed by the British cabinet. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council are now taking the necessary steps to ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Last year, the Government hosted a series of Citizens’ Dialogues on the Future of Europe. My Department published a narrative report on these consultations in October and similar citizens’ consultations have taken place across the EU. EU leaders will meet for a special informal summit in Sibiu, Romania, on 9 May. During the meeting, leaders are expected to discuss...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the initiative to which the Deputy refers, and also about concerns raised by non-governmental organisations regarding mining activities in Colombia. I remain concerned at reports of these activities having a negative impact on local populations, and also on the environment. The EU Delegation in Bogotá monitors this issue closely and has met with relevant stakeholders,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The last number of years have been marked by a period of reflection and debate on the future direction of the European Union, with a strong focus placed on listening and responding to the concerns of citizens. This has included addressing challenges such as euroscepticism and the rise of nationalism in some Member States, which, while not new, have in recent years become more vocal. In 2017,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. The election will take place in the General Assembly of the United Nations in June 2020. Ireland’s candidature was announced in 2005 and the campaign is underway and intensifying as the election date draws closer. There are two seats available on the Security Council for elected...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The cases mentioned by the Deputy are indicative of the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain. Bahraini citizens are unfortunately living in a society characterised by increasing infringements on fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of opinion, expression and association. I am aware of recent reports alleging serious human rights abuses in Bahrain. Those persons...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Footprint Initiative (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: 'Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025', sets out the Government’s ambitions for expanding and deepening our international presence. It includes the expansion of Ireland’s mission network which will deepen our impact across priority regions, provide opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, strengthen political relationships with our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Withdrawal Agreement, agreed between the EU and the British Government on 25 November 2018, includes a legally binding Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland to address the Irish specific issues related to the UK’s departure from the EU. The Protocol fully achieves Ireland’s priorities, through protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, avoiding a hard border...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Ireland continues to monitor developments in Sri Lanka. Under the terms of resolution 30/1, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 1 October 2015 and later extended by UNHCR Resolution 34/1 on 23 March 2017, which Ireland co-sponsored, the Council welcomed the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to undertake a comprehensive approach to dealing with the past and to promote...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Government is aware of and very concerned about the case of Kurdish MP Leyla Güven. As the Deputy would know, the case was raised recently in Dáil Éireann, and we urged the Turkish authorities then to take urgent measures to alleviate the situation, including her release from prison and her immediate transfer to a hospital in order that she receive adequate medical...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I met with Michel Barnier on 18 February, in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. We discussed the state of play with regard to the Article 50 process and reviewed political developments in London. We also discussed ongoing contacts between the EU and UK teams on foot of the meeting between Prime Minister May and President Juncker on 4 February when it was agreed that their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The UK is leaving the EU and some things are going to change. However, British citizens in Ireland are not required to take any action to protect their status and rights associated with the Common Travel Area (CTA), a long-standing arrangement between the UK and Ireland which means British citizens can move freely to live, work, and study in Ireland on the same basis as Irish citizens and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Data (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together. The Embassy network plays a central role in advancing Ireland’s international trade as part of Team Ireland overseas. Embassies and Consulates around the world provide vital support for Ireland’s state agencies, including by supporting their strategic objectives and activities in overseas markets. The role of Embassies in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (27 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The resolution of the conflict in the Middle East through a negotiated peace agreement is a foreign policy priority of this Government, of myself as Minister, and of the European Union. It is a regular subject of discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council, and in official level EU discussion in Brussels and at the UN and other international fora. EU and Member State Missions in Israel and...