Results 11,381-11,400 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy. I will give a much longer response when four questions on the issue are taken together later. I hope to be allowed time to do so, given the number of questions involved.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I know. Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. This is an extraordinarily tragic situation. The Yemeni people have suffered over three years of unrelenting conflict and are in the midst of the world's largest humanitarian crisis. While I am glad to say recent weeks have seen indications that a ceasefire could finally be in prospect, there has also been an alarming increase in fighting around...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland's position is that the European Union makes collective decisions on trade. It is an EU competence. A number of member states spoke yesterday to make the point that, even though they had sold arms to Saudi Arabia in the past, they had a policy of not selling arms to countries currently involved in conflict and, therefore, were not continuing to sell to Saudi Arabia. I do not believe...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The recent large-scale outbreak of attacks in both directions across the Gaza border has shown again how dangerous and easily combustible is the situation. There were hundreds of aerial attacks in each direction, causing the deaths of eight people. In addition, very large numbers of civilians on both sides had to spend hours in shelters. Hamas knows only too well the response that is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy and I share similar frustrations about what has happened in the past 12 to 18 months in the Middle East. Like many others, I await a new peace initiative led by the United States and it will only have a chance of success if there are a number of countries involved in the negotiations that may follow and if the content of the initiative is fair to both sides. There must be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Since military security operations began in Rakhine State, Myanmar in August 2017, approximately 720,000 refugees, mostly Rohingya, have fled to Bangladesh. The people and government of Bangladesh have demonstrated extraordinary generosity in receiving such a large influx of refugees in very difficult circumstances. I remain very concerned at the ongoing situation in Myanmar and the plight...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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. I am, of course, aware of the case of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman convicted in 2010 of Blasphemy and sentenced to death. Following an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service does not provide a reduced fee to any category of adult applicant for a passport, whether for the renewal of a passport or for a first time application. A reduced fee is applied on applications for passports for minors in recognition of the fact that a minor’s passport is valid for only five years. Most adult passports will be issued for a period of ten years. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government has supported the long campaign of the Ballymurphy families, including in bringing forward the All-Party Dáil Motion in 2015, and the Government will continue to stand in solidarity with the families.I have welcomed the new inquest in Belfast which commenced on 12 November. An official of my Department attended the opening day of the inquest, to express the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Priority Question Number 5, in relation to the Government’s contingency and preparedness planning for all Brexit scenarios.This planning, as appropriate, includes any specific responses necessary according to regional needs and at the county level, including those of Cork, of which I am, of course, acutely aware. As part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 99 together. I have already answered a number of questions setting out my views on the situation in Yemen, and the actions which Ireland, the EU and UN are taking in this regard. In relation to the specific question of an arms embargo, decisions at EU level to stop exports of arms require the agreement of all EU Member States. Although some have called...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has been strongly committed to the values and principles of the UN Charter, since joining the United Nations in 1955. As a strong supporter of the UN, for more than 60 years, Ireland continues to advocate, through a range of fora, for reform of the UN’s structures and systems. Reform, in the political and administrative fields, is necessary to furnish the United Nations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: It was announced by the White House on 31 August last that the US President proposed to visit Ireland in November as part of his trip to Europe to commemorate the end of the First World War. As the Deputy will be aware, this visit was subsequently postponed, with the US Administration citing scheduling reasons. There are frequent and ongoing contacts between the Government and the US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Online service was first launched on 30 March 2017 to facilitate the online renewal of the majority of adult passport types. To date, over 288,000 adults have renewed their passport using the online service. I am pleased to inform you that the Passport Online service will be expanded at the end of this month to encompass online renewals for children. In the interest of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. I am aware of the Reports to which the Deputy refers. I very strongly condemn any violent attacks faced by the Christian community in India and all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where it occurs, or who the victims...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 113 together. Any Brexit scenario will mean considerable change and impact for Ireland. We are taking forward extensive and detailed Brexit preparedness and contingency work across all Government Departments and Agencies. This planning, as appropriate, includes any specific responses necessary according to regional needs and at the county level,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In June, the European Council reconfirmed that a precondition for a functioning EU policy on migration relies on a comprehensive approach to migration which combines effective controls of the EU's external borders, external action to strengthen co-operation with countries of transit and origin and dealing with the management of migrants within the European Union, where a balance of solidarity...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Firstly, I wish to extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to all of those affected by these acts of violence in Colombia. Such violence is entirely unacceptable, and I would once again call on the Government of Colombia to ensure that all such incidents are thoroughly investigated and their perpetrators brought to justice. I continue to be concerned about the attacks targeting social...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 125 together. Last week, the draft text for the Withdrawal Agreement was agreed by the EU and UK negotiating teams and subsequently accepted by the UK cabinet. This is an important and welcome breakthrough in the Brexit process. It would not have been achieved without the commitment and professionalism of EU and the UK negotiators who have worked...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 115 together. As I have stated on a number of occasions, Ireland believes it is very important that an independent and impartial investigation into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi takes place. On 20 October, High Representative Federica Mogherini issued a statement on behalf of the European Union insisting on the need for...