Results 12,601-12,620 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the case referred to, I am aware there was considerable pressure from within the Israeli political system against this soldier being tried at all, so it was significant that he was tried, convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. The apparent disparity between the sentence passed, and the sentences regularly imposed on Palestinians for much less serious actions, has been widely...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process is at the forefront of the Government’s approach to the Brexit negotiations. This includes the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all of its parts and the gains of the peace process, maintaining EU support for the Peace Process, supporting continued North South cooperation and ensuring there is no border infrastructure of any kind...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Staff (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: As Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I have responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government approach to the EU-UK negotiations and to preparations for Brexit, with a view to securing the best possible outcome for Ireland. I work closely with the Taoiseach, who as a member of the European Council, provides strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: An Teanga Gaeilge (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Is nithe tábhachta de Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta iad éagsúlacht teangeolaíoch agus an Ghaeilge. Tá roinnt eilimintí de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm go hiomlán go fóill, iad siúd a bhaineann le hAcht Gaeilge ina measc. Is é seasamh daingean an Rialtais...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Since 29 March 2016, the Passport Service has required all first time passport applicants, aged 18 and above, who are resident in Ireland to hold a valid Public Services card. This requirement also applies to the small number of adult passport applicants, whose passport was issued before 1 January 2005 and has been reported as lost, stolen or damaged and those whose passport expired more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Registration of Births (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade us responsible for processing applications for Irish citizenship via descent and determining entitlement for eligible applicants to be entered on the Foreign Birth register under the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts. This is a very important and onerous matter, and my Department takes very seriously its responsibilities in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department spent €375 in 2016 and €338.46 in 2017 with HP Ireland for printer services. The Department does not have a contract with any firm named DXC Technology, HP or a variation of these names.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Between Jan 1 and April 30 this year, the Passport Service received 358,572 passport applications. This represents a 9% increase on the same period last year. The increase in demand is driven by a number of factors including a general increase in the number of Irish residents travelling abroad, a growing population, as well as a significant rise in passport applications from Irish citizens...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: As Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I have responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government approach to the EU-UK negotiations and to preparations for Brexit, with a view to securing the best possible outcome for Ireland. I work closely with the Taoiseach, who as a member of the European Council, provides strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: Working closely with a range of EU partners has always been important for Ireland. However, taking a strategic approach to these relationships has assumed renewed importance in the context of Brexit and requires a multifaceted engagement. In many key EU economic and institutional policy areas – on the Single Market, areas of EU trade, EMU reform and the digital single market - we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Documents (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the December Joint Report of EU and UK negotiators, the UK committed to ensuring there would be no border infrastructure of any kind or associated checks and controls on the island of Ireland. The report stated the UK’s intention to achieve this through the wider EU-UK future relationship agreement or through specific solutions. Should this not be possible, the UK committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 108 together. The Syria conflict, which is now in its eighth year, has cost up to 500,000 lives. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria. This is a tragedy which has caused untold misery for millions of ordinary Syrians, and which has had a serious impact on neighbouring countries. The long-running conflict in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008. 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 passport application by providing acceptable documentary evidence of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have made clear both in the Dáil and in public statements my serious concerns about the use of live fire by Israeli forces against demonstrators in Gaza in recent weeks, including yesterday, and the large number of casualties which have resulted. The use of force, and particularly deadly force, must only be used as a last resort and should be proportionate to a real and immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service provides a range of application channels to Irish citizens wishing to apply for a passport. These include a postal application system, an online passport application service and the network of Irish Missions worldwide. In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: The engagement by my Department on North South issues involves officials from across the Divisions of the Department. This engagement is led by the Department's Ireland, UK and Americas Division and particularly by a current team of four Dublin-based officials working within the Brexit and North South Coordination Unit who deal primarily with matters, including Brexit, relating to North...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the week of the 44th anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings, which saw the biggest loss of life in a single day during the Troubles, I think it is important to acknowledge those across the House who work on a cross-party basis with the Government on this issue, and the tireless efforts of Justice for the Forgotten. The Government will be represented at the wreath-laying ceremony on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together. I issued the following public statement on 8 May in response to the decision of the United States Government: “I am greatly disappointed by the US announcement that it is withdrawing from the nuclear agreement with Iran (the JCPOA). Ireland and our EU partners, and a very broad spectrum of international opinion have made clear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 117 and 121 together. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a high priority both for the European Union and for me personally. It has been discussed at many recent meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, and EU Ministers discussed the issue with Prime Minister Netanyahu in the margins of the December 2017 Foreign Affairs Council, and with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 May 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 120, 127 and 128 together. Issues relating to prisoners, both the judicial system and conditions of detention, feature in many discussions about the Middle East Peace Process, and I have addressed them frequently in the Dáil. My Department and I have also worked to highlight these issues internationally. For example, as part of the UN Human...