Results 12,241-12,260 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by my Department. Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome, bringing together the detailed work being undertaken by individual Ministers and their Departments on issues within their policy remit, is now well advanced. Its focus is on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I was appalled by the images which recently emerged of immigrant children being separated from their parents at the southern US border and held in detention by the US authorities. I made my, and the Government’s, view of this policy very clear when I spoke on June 20 last week in the course of the Dáil debate on this issue. I stated in the course of that debate that the policy of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. We are one of three candidates for the two available seats in the Western Europe and Others Group regional group. The other two candidates are Canada and Norway which, like Ireland, have strong records of engagement at the UN. In order to be elected to the Security Council,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I look forward to welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Ireland on 10th and 11th July this year, for what will be their first official trip overseas. Although the finer details of the trip remain to be finalised, the Royal couple’s programme will encompass visits to Croke Park, Trinity College, DogPatch Labs, the Famine Memorial, and EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum, all of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The EU’s objective remains that the full legal text of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, as well as a detailed political declaration on the framework for the future relationship, be agreed by the October meeting of the European Council. With a view to achieving this goal, negotiations have been continuing between the EU and the UK to close the remaining gaps on the draft Withdrawal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi is accredited on a non-residential basis to Kuwait. Ireland has a strong and positive relationship with Kuwait. The Ambassador of Ireland in Abu Dhabi travels regularly to Kuwait in support of our broad policy objectives, including the development of political relations, trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses operating or hoping to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The bilateral relationship between Ireland and Cuba has been a historically warm one and the hugely successful visit of President Higgins to Cuba in February 2017 marked a new high point in the relationship. A Memorandum of Cooperation between Ireland and Cuba was signed in the sidelines of that visit and it provides a solid foundation upon which to expand our relations with Cuba. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Death Penalty (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The EU opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and considers that the death penalty constitutes a serious violation of human rights and human dignity. Abolition of the death penalty is a prerequisite to membership of the EU which has long committed to campaign against its use worldwide with a view to its universal abolition, as reaffirmed in the EU Human Rights and Democracy Action...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Spain is a hugely popular destination for Irish holiday-makers and it is a priority focus in terms of the consular work of my Department. In addition to the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid, and operating under the supervision of the Ambassador there, we currently have a network of ten Honorary Consulates across Spain providing services and support to Irish citizens. These are located in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: First of all, I have to say that I am not aware of any particular incidences of Irish citizens being exploited due to their undocumented status but I would ask the Deputy to furnish me with the details of any such incidences for follow-up.As regards the broader question of relief for the undocumented Irish living in the US, the Government has consistently pursued two key objectives with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of passports issued per month for the period requested are as follows: 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Jan 32652 Jan 32,083 Jan 33,275 Jan 34,931 Jan 51172 Feb 47754 Feb 55,904 Feb 62,884 Feb 67,724 Feb 59235 Mar 59956 Mar 71,402 Mar 64,015 Mar 84,589 Mar 79248 Apr 69357 Apr 72,130 Apr 79,991 Apr 87,447 Apr 88261 May 82802 May 78,303 May 91,767 May 103,410 May 98841 Jun...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Trafficking (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Human trafficking is abhorrent abuse of people, particularly those most vulnerable, and I condemn it in its entirety. The Government of Ireland recognises that trafficking in human beings undermines the fundamental principles of human rights law and that it can only be tackled through global cooperation, partnership and a victim centered approach. At EU level, human trafficking is prohibited...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 103 together. 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. The structures operational in the context of the Middle East Peace Process are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The EU remains dedicated to supporting the European future of the Western Balkans region. In the Council Conclusions on Enlargement which were agreed on Tuesday 26thJune, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to enlargement and stated that it continues to represent a strategic investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability in Europe. The Conclusions also stated that the EU is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Eastern Partnership Initiative provides a framework for cooperation between the EU and six countries in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood, including Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia. The aims of the Eastern Partnership are to promote peace and stability in the region and to enhance economic and political integration between the participating countries and the EU. The model of cooperation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. The Government regards the question of possible disruptions to international trading relationships as a matter of concern and is working with its EU partners to promote Ireland’s interests. The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation has lead responsibility for international trade negotiations.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Electric Vehicles (27 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: E-Car charging points are not provided at my Department’s buildings in Dublin or in other locations.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (26 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement. We believe it is a transformative driver for stability and peace, and that it will enhance stability and economic growth in the Western Balkans while also shoring up security on the borders of Europe. It is our strong view that providing the countries of the Western Balkans with a credible membership perspective is essential. Both the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (26 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports act, 2008 (“the Act”). This act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this legal requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship in his/her application. Entitlement to Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Jun 2018)

Simon Coveney: The appointment of US Ambassadors to particular countries is a matter solely for the U.S. authorities and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the appointment of a US ambassador to Ireland. I do understand, however, that the appointment of a new ambassador has been under consideration within the US system for some time now and I look forward to welcoming a new US Ambassador...