Results 10,821-10,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: This Government is committed to making it as easy as possible for Irish emigrants to return to live and work in Ireland. Reducing barriers to returning emigrants has important implications for national competitiveness; in a growing Irish economy facilitating the return of skills will be of importance in sustaining economic growth. My colleague, the Minister of State for the Diaspora,...

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

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 as amended ("the 2008 Act"). The 2008 Act, provides among other things, that the Passport Service must be satisfied as to the identity of an applicant. Since March 29th, 2016, the Passport Service has required all first time passport applicants, aged 18 and above, who are resident in Ireland to submit a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers Data (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I appointed four Special Advisers in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2017. - Mr. Matthew Lynch is my Special Adviser on Cabinet, Oireachtas and Leader’s Questions. - Mr. Chris Donoghue is my Special Adviser and Communications Director. - Ms. Caitríona Fitzpatrick was my Special Adviser and Political Director. She has recently concluded her role with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has no boards or agencies under its remit and consequently no officials from my Department have been appointed to any boards or agencies.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Syria conflict, which will have lasted eight years next month, has cost the lives of well over 400,000 people. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, over 6 million people are displaced internally, and a further 5.6 million have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. The Assad regime and its allies have repeatedly targeted civilians,...

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

Simon Coveney: The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is currently accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. The Ambassador of Ireland in Ankara travels regularly to Iran in support of our broad policy objectives, including the development of political relations, trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses operating or hoping to operate there. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together. I absolutely and unreservedly condemn the vile and criminal acts committed against Yazidis by the terrorist group ISIS in Iraq and Syria. I am appalled by the suffering which the innocent people caught up in these events have endured, especially women and girls who were the targets of sexual and gender-based violence. While the situation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Reform Programme (2016 - 2021) is delivering major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as making significant customer service improvements to the Passport Service. The Programme consists of over 30 individual projects and the award winning online passport renewal service has been the most significant project launched under the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I travelled to the United States from 5 - 7 February, for a series of engagements in New York and Washington, D.C. In New York, I met with representatives of a number of UN Member States for wide-ranging discussions, including on Ireland’s candidature for a seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2021 – 2022. In Washington DC, I attended a Ministerial meeting of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: In the context of my recent visit to the US, I attended a Ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat-ISIS on Wednesday 6 February in Washington DC. The meeting was chaired by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and we had the opportunity for a useful and wide-ranging discussion over lunch. As with all of my meetings with the US Administration and Congressional leaders,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Government is not considering a time limit on the backstop. The backstop acts as an insurance policy to avoid a hard border in all scenarios, and a time-limit would be contrary to its purpose. The EU27 have consistently, and unanimously, stated that they stand by the Withdrawal Agreement and that it is not open for renegotiation. President Juncker reiterated this to Prime Minister May...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Sanctions (12 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: 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 III every six months and, as a result, European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Question Heading (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 50, inclusive, together. The total capital allocation for my Department in 2019 across its two Votes – Vote 27: International Co-operation and Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade - will be €21 million. The 2019 allocation represents an increase of €8m on the 2018 capital allocation. The main focus of capital investment in 2019 will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Economic Sanctions (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 56 together. The 1996 Helms Burton Act is a US federal law which strengthens and continues 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: In meetings and other contacts with representatives of the Chinese Government, we have engaged in discussions on a range of bilateral issues, including our political engagement, our trade and investment relationship, cultural and educational exchanges and other matters of shared interest, including issues of regional and international interest. I have not however been contacted by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Passports Act 2008 (the “2008 Act”) does not deal with the attribution of legal parentage for the purposes of Irish law. The 2008 Act deals with the issue of passports by my Department to Irish citizens and sets out a number of conditions in this regard. The 2008 Act contains a number of provisions in relation to the issue of passports to children. In particular section 14...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Mission in Ramallah played an active part in the production of the report to which the Deputy refers. It was completed in August 2018. It therefore reflects and incorporates our own views and analysis of the situation and issues in the West Bank. The report underlines the views I have expressed many times here in the Dáil, highlighting the many difficulties and injustices faced...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Preparations (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: The Withdrawal Agreement covers all elements of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. This includes the protection of the ongoing rights of EU frontier workers, who have exercised these rights prior to the end of the Transition period provided for under the Agreement. The focus of my Department, and of this Government, continues to be on securing ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Comprehensive progress on legacy issues from the Troubles is crucial in order to meet the legitimate needs and expectations of victims and survivors, and to contribute to broader societal reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process. The Government will continue to engage in support of that, consistent with our role and responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Coveney: Brexit is a priority issue for this Government, and the Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities. Throughout the negotiations, this Government stressed the necessity of protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, and ensuring that there will be no hard border on the island...