Results 11,821-11,840 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 70 together. Ireland is a strong supporter of the enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of the Western Balkans. We believe it is a transformative driver for stability and peace, and that it will enhance stability, political reform and economic growth. Providing the countries of the Western Balkans with a credible membership...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (4 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s policy on the Middle East has always been based on the belief that the two sides would need a degree of international assistance and pressure to reach a peace agreement. This is not dissimilar from our own peace process. For over a year, the United States Administration has been actively exploring the possibilities for re-launching the process to reach a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of irregular arrivals to the European Union have fallen by over 90% this year since their peak in 2015. But, while the overall number of deaths at sea in the Mediterranean has dropped significantly, any death at sea is tragic. Ireland supports efforts made by the European Union and its Member States to put a stop to the unnecessary deaths in the Mediterranean. Ireland has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The demolition by Israel of structures belonging to inhabitants of occupied territory, including both Palestinian Territory and the Golan, is in almost all cases illegal under international law. This includes structures provided by the EU or its Member States as humanitarian relief, in the form of emergency shelters for people or animals, schools, and structures for water and power supply,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (IIFFM) on Myanmar makes for harrowing reading. Ireland has strongly supported the mandate of the IIFFM since it was established in March 2017 and I offer my thanks to them for their work and for this report. The findings of the IIFFM corroborate many of the eyewitness accounts which have emerged from Myanmar in recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to the Government. The implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings is a priority for the Government, as highlighted in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s candidature for election to the United Nations Security Council is a central foreign policy priority. Our candidature, for election in the Western Europe and Others Group, was first announced in 2005. We are one of three candidates for the two available seats in this group, at an election in June 2020. The other two candidates are Canada and Norway. Along with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department is unable to advise in relation to entry requirements for travel to other countries as such requirements are a matter for the immigration authorities of the individual country and subject to change at short notice. Our general advice is to consult the Italian Embassy in Ireland or the Italian Immigration authorities who will be able to provide advice on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Communications Unit of my Department provides support to me in my capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and to my Minister of State colleagues at the Department and at wider Government and State levels on all issues affecting Irish interests that have an international communications/ public diplomacy dimension. It is also tasked with strengthening the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is not currently a member of the UN Security Council, and is therefore not in a position to formally offer support on the question of referring Myanmar to the International Criminal Court. I note that while the UN Security Council has discussed the situation, and has visited Myanmar in May of this year, no resolution to refer Myanmar to the International Criminal Court has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Project Ireland 2040 Expenditure (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not held any seminar to date on Project Ireland 2040 and, given the nature of the Department’s funding under this Programme, is unlikely to organise any seminars in the future.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not incurred expenditure on third party public relations or communications advice in 2018. My Department engages in online advertising and public awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. In 2018 these have taken place to raise awareness of the Online Passport Renewals Service, a ‘Citizens Dialogue...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Bilateral relations with Portugal are managed by our Embassy in Lisbon. Ireland enjoys a strong and positive relationship with Portugal. With the launch of ‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’, the Government is committed to doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period ahead, while also continuously reviewing the scale...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The appointment of officials of the Commission is solely a matter for the Commission itself and Member States have no role in this process.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the context of “Global Ireland” the Department is currently managing the opening of 13 new Irish Embassies and Consulates General. A project team has been appointed to manage the expansion and extensive planning is underway to ensure the initiative makes the most efficient use of the Department’s human and financial resources. The first phase of the expansion was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Foreign Ministers of all EU Member States meet on a regular basis at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. These meetings provide me with an invaluable opportunity to engage with all of my counterparts, including Minister Kotzias, and to discuss a broad range of issues. At present, no specific bilateral meetings are planned with my Greek counterpart. This year, there has been a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 159 together. The Government is acutely conscious of the potential impact on Northern Ireland of the UK decision to leave the European Union. The means by which these obligations can be upheld by the UK requires further discussion between the EU and the UK. As in all other areas of the EU-UK negotiations, the operation of EU law will need to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Status (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Based on the documentary evidence supplied in support of the application in question, it is not necessary for the applicant to have their birth entered on the Foreign Births Register as they were born abroad to an Irish-born parent. The applicant in question is automatically an Irish citizen and is eligible to apply for an Irish passport. This has also been communicated directly to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Status (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: Based on the documentary evidence supplied in support of the application in question, it is not necessary for the applicant to have their birth entered on the Foreign Births Register as they were born abroad to an Irish-born parent. The applicant in question is automatically an Irish citizen and is eligible to apply for an Irish passport. This has also been communicated directly to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (2 Oct 2018)

Simon Coveney: The UK Government White Paper of 12 July, following the UK cabinet discussions at Chequers, on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union remains the stated position of the UK Government on the framework which is to be agreed alongside the legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement. The EU’s negotiating approach remains as set out in the European Council...