Results 11,921-11,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Sep 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 times....

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

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the difficult situation that currently exists for environmental activists and other civil society actors in Guatemala, and across Latin America, and my Department is monitoring developments closely. I unreservedly condemn the violence being perpetrated against these groups, and would like to extend my sympathies to all those affected. The rights of freedom of expression and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not operate lo-call numbers.

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

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case raised by the Deputy. I am concerned by reports that the death penalty is being considered by the prosecutor in this case, as well as the reports of the conduct of the pretrial proceedings. Ireland is unequivocal in its stance on the death penalty and we oppose its use in all circumstances. The abolition of the death penalty is one of Ireland’s international...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 63 together. I am aware of the case referred to by Deputy Collins, and of the reports that the individual in question has been denied adequate healthcare in prison. Ireland attaches great importance to safeguarding the human rights of all prisoners with due regard for the international standards enshrined in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I visited Germany on 28 August at the invitation of the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas, who invited me to speak at the “Economic Day” at Germany’s annual Ambassadors’ conference. The event was attended by over 200 German Heads of Mission and some 700 German business people from all sectors of the economy. Later, I had a constructive bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 83 together. We are in a critical phase of the Article 50 negotiations, which resumed on 16 August and have been continuous since then. Both sets of negotiators have committed to bringing new energy to the talks, including on the Irish specific issues, and I welcome these commitments. It is important to recall that there are in effect two...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: An online platform for the renewal of adult passports was launched in March 2017 and, to date, over 250,000 applications have been received. The online service has demonstrated efficiencies for both the citizen and the Passport Service with an average processing time of less than 10 working days. Work is ongoing to significantly expand this service to children renewing their Passport as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: From January 1stto August 31stthis year the Passport Service issued just under 620,000 passports.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Remit (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department is not in a position to provide financial assistance for Irish citizens involved in legal proceedings overseas and has no budget provision for assistance in this area. My Department provides consular assistance to the families of victims in such cases. It cannot provide legal advice or become a party to legal processes in another jurisdiction. Were the Department to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: I deeply regret the US decision to cease funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and I made my views clear in my public statement on 1 September. I believe that this move is dangerous and will only have a negative effect on the Middle East region, and I have explicitly expressed my concern in contacts with the US administration....

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 81 together. The sentencing this week of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, two Reuters journalists working in Myanmar, to seven years in prison under the Official Secrets Act, is a cause of significant concern. That they were arrested for covering allegations of grave human rights violations by the Myanmar Military against the Rohingya community in Rakhine...

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

Simon Coveney: Venezuela is currently experiencing the worst political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis in its history. I am deeply concerned about the serious, volatile, and rapidly deteriorating situation which is increasingly affecting neighbouring countries, and countries in the region. I continue to urge the Government of Venezuela to engage in dialogue with the opposition, to respect the...

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

Simon Coveney: I am deeply troubled by the persistent human rights abuses that have been perpetrated against migrants in Libyan detention centres, as reported by the UN Human Rights Office and others. I have raised these concerns at the Foreign Affairs Council, as did the Taoiseach at the European Council in October 2017. I have repeatedly condemned these abuses, and will continue to raise my concerns at...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 82 together. The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable framework for providing stable, inclusive, power-sharing government for all the people of Northern Ireland and for sustaining our interlocking relationships – within Northern Ireland, on the island of Ireland, and between the UK and Ireland. The devolved, power-sharing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s contingency planning for Brexit was initiated well in advance of the UK referendum in June 2016 and since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in May 2017 I have overseen a sustained intensification of these efforts. To this end, co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Supports (7 Sep 2018)

Simon Coveney: There is already a very strong awareness and understanding at EU level of the potentially significant and unique economic impacts of Brexit on Ireland and an openness to exploring ways in which the EU can play a helpful and supportive role. This was a particular focus of my meeting with EU Budget Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, during his visit to Dublin in March, and in subsequent...

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

Simon Coveney: Advancing Ireland’s trade, tourism, education and investment objectives through economic diplomacy and related activities is at the forefront of Ireland’s foreign policy and is reflected in our approach to engaging with global challenges as set out in The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World. The Embassy network currently comprises 82 Embassies,...

Northern Ireland and Brexit: Statements (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: At the outset I wish to clarify something. The Fianna Fáil leader said that he did not specifically ask for statements on Northern Ireland and Brexit at the same time; the debate was to be split. There was a misunderstanding on that, but I do not want to cast aspersions on anybody. I will respond on Northern Ireland first. I repeat what has been said by many. All political leaders...

Northern Ireland and Brexit: Statements (12 Jul 2018)

Simon Coveney: May I just finally speak about Brexit? Every time we have a debate on Brexit in this House, the latest development in Brexit is being judged as if it is the final outcome. Of course, there are problems with it, just as there are inconsistencies and concerns that the EU and Ireland would have about the White Paper published today. This is a negotiation. I have said this and people have...