Results 11,501-11,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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 Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP Set up under the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the months 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. I remain very concerned at the ongoing situation in Myanmar and the plight of these refugees...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: As it stands, the political situation in Sri Lanka remains uncertain. President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to replace Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with a new appointee, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and to suspend the parliament has led to protests across the country. I have been closely monitoring these recent political developments in Sri Lanka, which have received extensive international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Our thoughts and condolences in recent weeks have been with Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée, family, friends and colleagues, all of whom have been affected by this appalling and outrageous crime. Neither I nor my officials have been in contact with President Erdoðan or other Turkish political leaders in relation to the death of Mr. Khashoggi. However, we are closely following the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Documents (7 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: Departmental Staff Data (7 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic network of missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals such as ensuring the efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, supporting emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence. Our Embassies and Consulates contribute directly to safeguarding our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (7 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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 Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP Set up under the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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 formation of an Executive, despite intensive...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: As the House will be fully aware, not least through the important work of the Seanad Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, Brexit poses a unique and unprecedented challenge for Ireland. Ireland will be more affected than any other member state by the UK's departure from the EU. While we respect the UK's decision to leave, we certainly regret it....

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: For accuracy, there is no concession here. It should not be sold as that.

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is always dangerous giving me 20 minutes, particularly on this topic where I could stay for the night. I am glad to have the opportunity to speak without reading to try to address some of the issues that have been raised. It is worth saying that the Irish position on the choice of our closest neighbour is one of regret and also a recognition of what I have often described as a "lose,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The regulation of civil aircraft is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention). From that Convention and subsequent international treaties, international rights and freedoms of air for civil aircraft, including the right to refuel are derived. Ireland’s rights and obligations under the Convention have been incorporated into Irish law through the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Implementation Bodies (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In this jurisdiction, responsibility for the North South Implementation Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement is exercised by several of my Government colleagues: the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (InterTrade Ireland), the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Waterways Ireland and the Language Body which comprises Foras na Gaeilge and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: 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 Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP Set up under the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Development (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: The debate on the future of Europe was launched by the Heads of State and Government of the EU27 in Bratislava in September 2016. The European Commission subsequently published a White Paper on the issue and followed it up with a series of Reflection Papers on EU finances, harnessing globalisation, defence, the social dimension and completion of economic and monetary union. In September...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: FBR Application Numbers based on Place of Birth 2016 - Place of Birth No of online applications - WORLDWIDE TOTAL 13,982 1 ENGLAND 6,137 2 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 3,621 3 AUSTRALIA 846 4 SOUTH AFRICA 629 5 CANADA 533 6 SCOTLAND 491 7 NEW ZEALAND 403 8 WALES 136 9 GERMANY 91 10 CHINA 68 11 ZIMBABWE 62 12 FRANCE 57 13 PAKISTAN 57 14 UAE 50 15 SWITZERLAND 39 16 INDIA 38 17...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. I have taken note of the declaration, adopted last month at the 42nd Plenary Meeting of the World Forum of United Nations Associations in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, calling for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Association. Ireland remains open-minded on the concept of such an assembly. My Department will consider how best to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: All correspondence received by me or by my Department concerning Brexit is brought to the attention of the appropriate officials. On Brexit, we receive correspondence from a wide variety of organisations, groups and individuals. The subjects range from views and queries on technical aspects of the negotiations or our preparedness activities to more general observations regarding Brexit itself.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (6 Nov 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the past three years, I have not met with representatives of the named company or organisation. In the course of the work of my Department, there is regular interaction with prominent Irish citizens, including for example at Irish community or other official functions and correspondence can arise in relation to such events. For example, an invitation issued to a person from the named...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (6 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 discussed the issue with President Trump in the Oval Office last March and also in his meetings on...