Results 11,401-11,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 111 together. Since the Northern Ireland Assembly elections of March 2017, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a new power-sharing Executive. Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement...

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

Simon Coveney: The Programme for Government states that Ireland will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict." Successive Governments have seen recognition coming in the context of an overall peace agreement. We have discussed here in the Oireachtas on a number of occasions the question of whether the formal recognition of Palestine,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 112 together. A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place in Dublin on 2 November. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, and I represented the Government. The UK Government was represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, David Lidington MP, and the Secretary of State for...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland and the EU firmly believe that there can be no military solution to the Syria crisis. The misery caused by the long-running conflict in Syria has been further prolonged by military support which has been provided to the Assad regime. There are significant Iranian forces in Syria, which have been assisting the regime in the violent suppression of its own people. This is unhelpful and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In June of this year my colleagues and I in Government, launched ‘Global Ireland’, an ambitious plan to double the impact of Ireland’s Global Footprint by the year 2025. A key part of this plan is investing in our presence overseas – deepening our network by strengthening our presence in key existing locations and opening new offices which will leverage the...

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

Simon Coveney: The question of new structures for dialogue between Ireland and the UK post-Brexit was considered at a recent meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, which took place in Dublin on 2 November. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, and I represented the Government. The UK Government was represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, David...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 123 together. The recent large-scale outbreak of attacks in both directions across the Gaza border was reportedly preceded by an incursion of a covert Israeli unit deep into Gaza on 11 November, and subsequent fighting when its presence was detected. I do not know what the intended purpose of this incursion was, but the effect seems to have been...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government’s planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge, including by trucks originating in Rosslare Europort. This is a priority for the Government, given the importance of the landbridge in getting Irish products, in particular agri-food products, to market on continental Europe. This is an important issue...

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

Simon Coveney: I, and my Department, have been monitoring the increase in violence in Gaza over the past number of months with great anxiety. These events that have led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians, and the wounding of very many more, were senseless and avoidable. I have given a high priority to the Middle East conflict since I assumed office, and discuss it regularly with my European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (20 Nov 2018)

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 underway and intensifying as the election date draws closer. Alongside the Taoiseach and cabinet colleagues, I am taking advantage...

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

Simon Coveney: From the outset of the Brexit negotiations, the Government has been clear on the need to ensure that a hard border cannot return to the island of Ireland. The backstop, included in the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the draft Withdrawal Agreement agreed by EU and UK negotiators, and accepted by the UK Cabinet, achieves this. We hope it will not be needed. Both sides are committed...

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

Simon Coveney: I, as well as officials from my Department, am in ongoing contact with representatives of EU Member States, the Commission Task Force under Michel Barnier, and the UK. We liaise very closely on agricultural issues with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his officials.As regards the movement of animals and agricultural products between North and South, the backstop in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Director-General position referred to by the Deputy is filled by an officer on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and so was not advertised through the Public Appointments Service.

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 148 together. 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. I, as well as officials from my Department, remain in ongoing contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and...

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

Simon Coveney: Last week agreement was reached between EU and UK negotiators on the text of the Withdrawal Agreement and an outline of the political declaration on the future relationship. On 14 November, the British Government decided that the draft Withdrawal Agreement, with the outline of the political declaration, was an acceptable basis on which to proceed. Work continues on finalising the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I represented the State at the Armistice Day service at Belfast City Hall on the morning of 11th November, which was also attended by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley. During the ceremony, I laid a wreath on behalf of the Government of Ireland. Wreaths were also laid by local consuls and honorary consuls, local church leaders and representatives of various...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together. Since the Northern Ireland Assembly elections of March 2017, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a new power-sharing Executive. Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the...

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

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the publication to which the Deputy refers. The abduction and murder of Jean McConville by the IRA in 1972 was an appalling crime of the Troubles, and which had such a devastating and enduring impact on her young family. There remain proceedings before the courts in Belfast regarding a pending prosecution related to the case and I therefore do not intend to make any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government continues to pursue two key objectives with regard to Irish immigration to the United States; firstly, increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US; and secondly, seeking some form of relief for undocumented Irish citizens living in the US. The Taoiseach and I continue to prioritise this issue in all our engagements with the US Administration and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Travel Area (20 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together. The Common Travel Area is a long-standing arrangement between the UK and Ireland which means Irish citizens can move freely to live, work, and study in the UK on the same basis as UK citizens and vice versa. It is an arrangement that is valued on both islands and the continuation of this arrangement is a stated objective of both the...