Results 11,421-11,440 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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 aware of the case of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman convicted in 2010 of Blasphemy and sentenced to death. Following an appeal, the...

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

Simon Coveney: State Visits provide an important opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests internationally and contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links between Ireland and other States. A State Visit is the highest level of official visit from one country to another. It is undertaken by a Head of State and takes place at the invitation of one State to...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government’s preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government given its importance for Irish exporters and importers as a means of access to the rest of the single market, in particular with regard to agri-food products. This is an important issue...

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

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service receives applications through a range of channels, including the online passport application service. The following figures reflect the numbers received through all channels. Year Passport applications from Great Britain Passport applications from Northern Ireland 2012 45,646 41,124 2013 42,441 44,122 2014 43,449 48,475 2015 46,229 53,715 2016 63,453 67,582 2017...

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

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the Deputy’s ongoing concerns about the accommodation situation for prisoners in Maghaberry Prison. The management of the prison is a matter for the Northern Ireland Prison Service, an agency of the Department of Justice at Stormont. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s day-to-day role is limited to adjudicating on prisoners' access to the separated...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 159 together. Last week agreement was reached between EU and UK negotiators on the text of the Withdrawal Agreement. On 14 November, Prime Minister May and her cabinet indicated that, for the British Government, the draft text of the Withdrawal Agreement is an acceptable basis on which to proceed. This is a very significant and welcome breakthrough in...

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

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in advertising and public awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. Some examples of these campaigns have included the Online Passport Renewals Service and a ‘Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe’ initiative. A public information campaign to promote awareness of Government-wide...

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

Simon Coveney: Over the past seven years, we have been horrified by the suffering caused by the Syria conflict, and by the acts of the Assad regime in relation to its people. This conflict actually began, in March 2011, as a result of popular revulsion against the mistreatment of people in custody. Ireland and the EU have repeatedly condemned violations of international humanitarian law and...

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

Simon Coveney: The Brexit negotiations have been a long and complex process, and we should first welcome the progress made in getting to the current juncture. Prime Minister May’s Cabinet have indicated that, for their side, the draft text for the Withdrawal Agreement is an acceptable basis on which to proceed towards a meeting of the European Council to sign-off on it. We can now look ahead to a...

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

Simon Coveney: The promotion and protection of human rights internationally is a foreign policy priority for my Department. Ireland works closely with EU and UN partners in the multilateral fora to monitor non-compliance with international human rights standards. Ireland frequently raises issues of human rights abuses, in a national capacity, through the human rights mechanisms of the UN including the...

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

Simon Coveney: The peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and I have made clear my view that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued political vacuum. Ireland has worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the issue, and support for the two...

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 colleagues,...

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

Simon Coveney: The Government is acutely conscious of the potential impact on Northern Ireland of the UK decision to leave the European Union. 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. In this regard, the Government appreciates the solidarity...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together. The crisis in Yemen is a source of grave concern. Three years of armed conflict has been the driving force in a devastating, protracted humanitarian crisis. I most recently discussed the situation in Yemen with my EU counterparts at yesterday’s meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. [We were all in agreement on the need to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will certainly raise the issue with the Minister for Justice and Equality and come back to the Deputy on it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: We are taking the national broadband plan deadly seriously.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: A Minister lost his job because of it. There is a new Minister, Deputy Bruton, who is determined to take this forward in a way that can allow the Government to deliver on the commitments in its programme. We will have a report from the auditor soon, giving advice to the Government on the integrity of the process. We will act on the back of that report. I assure the Deputy that, from the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, can build on my response if necessary but the straight answer is more gardaí in urban and rural areas, which is what is happening now and we have the budget to deliver it.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I will ask the Minister for Finance to come back to the Deputy on that issue.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (15 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy. A lot of contingency planning is under way. Details have either been published or spoken about, but the contingency plan in the public domain is very much a central-case scenario whereby there would be a deal and a transition period-----