Results 11,321-11,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: As it stands, the political situation in Sri Lanka remains uncertain and is still evolving. President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to replace Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with a new appointee, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and to dissolve the parliament has led to protests across the country. The decision to dissolve parliament has since been suspended by the Supreme Court until 7th...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Mr. Jair Bolsonaro was elected as President of Brazil on 28 October 2018 and will be inaugurated on 1 January next year. Officials in my Department in Dublin, at our Embassy in Brasília, and at our Consulate-General in São Paulo followed the election process closely, and have continued to monitor political developments since, including proposals the incoming Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Refusals (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008. The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is in turn determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, under which and in general, Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy’s understanding is correct.On 29 March 2017, Prime Minister May notified the President of the European Council, Mr Donald Tusk, of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the European Union. Under the terms of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties will cease to apply to the UK, which will therefore cease to be a Member State of the EU, at 11.00 pm...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The European Council (Article 50) on Sunday 25 November formally endorsed the Withdrawal Agreement, approved the Political Declaration on the framework for the future relationship between the EU and the UK, and thanked Michel Barnier for his efforts over the course of the negotiations. The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU. The Protocol on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I regularly meet with Ambassadors, from the European Union and elsewhere, who are accredited to Ireland. I addressed a meeting with EU Heads of Mission on 19thJune last, organised by the Bulgarian Ambassador on the occasion of the Bulgarian Presidency of the European Union. I recently had the opportunity to meet all resident Heads of Mission at the inauguration of President Michael D. Higgins...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Maritime Jurisdiction (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory to the adjacent band of water and to the seabed and subsoil beneath it. This band is called the territorial sea and, under the Convention, may extend to a maximum breadth of 12 nautical miles. The Convention provides that where the coasts of two states are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is determined to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, and the gains and benefits of the Peace Process, are protected for people on the island of Ireland, North and South. The Government appreciates the solidarity and support which has been shown by all of our EU partners in respect of Ireland’s unique issues and concerns, throughout the Article 50...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Documents (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The North South cooperation we enjoy today brings tangible benefits to the daily lives of people in the border region and contributes to economic opportunity and development. It is also a very practical outworking of the peace process which allows for the normalisation of relationships between people across the island, to mutual benefit. The Government is therefore firmly focused on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Supports (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 122, inclusive, together. 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 and contingency planning across Government. As part of these efforts, the Government is organising “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” public information...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 132 together. Mr. Jair Bolsonaro was elected as President of Brazil on 28 October 2018 and will be inaugurated on 1 January next year. Officials in my Department in Dublin, at our Embassy in Brasília, and at our Consulate-General in São Paulo, followed the election process closely and have continued to monitor political developments...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have received the correspondence from the Irish Medical Organisation referred to. The draft legislation in question is indeed a matter of concern, and we have noted the statements against the draft bill issued by the World Medical Association, the Standing Committee of European Doctors, and the Irish Medical Organisation. The principle that medical practitioners must be allowed to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 141 together. Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Ireland works within and alongside the EU and UN to address the persecution of religious minorities wherever it occurs. Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Missing Persons (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that officials at the relevant Irish Embassy have been in direct contact with the individual’s mother and continue to provide consular assistance. I note that members of An Garda Síochána have been in contact with their counterparts in the relevant policing authority in relation to this matter. Officials in my Department’s headquarters continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 to 138, inclusive, together. The situation in Syria continues to be a matter of grave concern, and I take this opportunity to reiterate my condemnation of the violence against civilians that has been the hallmark of this conflict to date. The conflict was sparked, more than seven years ago, by brutal repression of dissent by the Assad regime. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. Officials from my Department, based both in Dublin and Belfast, monitor this case as part of their wider engagement with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland on justice and prison matters. The persons concerned were convicted of murder by joint enterprise at their trial in 2012. Their appeal against their convictions failed at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (27 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not engaged the named person to provide any services during the period 2013 to date in 2018 and therefore no fees have been incurred.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (22 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Nicaragua remains deeply concerning. The reports of violence, arbitrary detention, and persecution of civil society leaders, peaceful protesters and those who have assisted them paint a troubling picture of repression. I once again strongly condemn any use of violence and reiterate my calls on all actors to respect the right to peaceful protest and to freedom of expression. I...

Brexit: Motion (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: She could do a lot worse.

Brexit: Motion (21 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: That is not what the Taoiseach said.