Results 12,781-12,800 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My record is pretty strong in relation to disagreeing with the United States on certain issues in the United Nations. We voted for a motion that was very critical of the United States on the Jerusalem issue, despite being asked not to. My record is pretty clear in that regard. I do not think some of the comparisons are relevant. As far as I am concerned, it is a warped idea that one...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: What I have said-----

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: What I have said is that I condemn any chemical attack on any population, military or civilian. We are trying to put chemical weapons out of use permanently. The reason behind the motivation for targeted strikes was to act as a very clear deterrent to make sure that we do not see repeated use of chemical weapons on civilian populations and targets in Syria, which is a country that has...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The EU is doing exactly that: it is advocating for an end to all military activity in Syria because no lasting solution in Syria will be delivered through military means alone. The apparent chemical attack in the city of Douma in Syria on 7 April was horrifying, even by the standards of the Syrian conflict to date. It was distressing to see images of children choking to death, their lives...

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Do I not have more time, given that four Members posed questions on the matter?

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I had four minutes to reply but those raising the Topical Issue had four minutes each.

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I do not want to break the rules.

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Time could, perhaps, be taken from my next contribution. I ask to be allowed to finish my contribution and put several things on the record of the House.

Topical Issue Debate: Syrian Conflict (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is strongly supportive of efforts to strengthen prohibitions on the use of chemical weapons and supports a range of initiatives to increase accountability for their use, as well as supporting an end to all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. It supports the international, impartial and independent mechanism established by the UN General Assembly, the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: That is not exactly a balanced view on Irish-British relations coming from Sinn Féin, and not for the first time. With regard to the issue of substance the Senator has raised, I made two statements on behalf of the Government, on 31 March and on 9 April, on the recent violence on the Israel-Gaza border. I called on all parties to show restraint, in particular on the use of force by...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Senator does not have a clue what I am doing. The only time he ever talks to me about this issue is when motions like this are tabled. Unlike many others who have a deep interest-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: With respect, that is what is coming towards me from Senator Gavan. He said that I am doing nothing but he has no idea what I am doing.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am responding to the Senator's suggestion that we advance Israeli-Palestinian relations and the pathway towards a negotiated solution by expelling the Israeli ambassador from Dublin. I think that would be counterproductive. In fact, I know it would be. That does not mean that we should not speak up and be critical of Israel's actions. I do that all the time. I speak directly to Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Registration of Births (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department takes very seriously its responsibilities in relation to determining entitlement to Irish citizenship. State-issued photographic identification forms an essential part of the documentary requirements for all applications for Foreign Birth Registration, and this is clearly stated on my Department’s website and on the application form for citizenship through Foreign Birth...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 136, reference No. 14154-18, of 28 March 2018. Since then, on 2 April 2018, the Russian Ambassador contacted the Secretary General of my Department to advise him of Russia’s decision to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (17 Apr 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Location of Victims' Remains (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I recently met with the family in the case referred to by the Deputy. I subsequently tasked officials in my Department with engaging with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the issue. My Department will keep the family informed as to the progress of these efforts. As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a private and most difficult matter for the family and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department was made aware of this case in March 2018 and officials have been providing all appropriate assistance to the individual and his family since then. Consular Assistance officials in Dublin and in the Consulate General of Ireland in Boston continue to be in regular contact with the individual, his family, the correctional centre, and the Irish Pastoral Centre. As the Deputy knows,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The passport application form is distributed with accompanying notes which provide an overview for the main categories of passport application, a section by section guide on how to complete the application form and contact details for the Passport Service. The Passport Service processes passport applications from many different categories of applicant, through a range of different...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions Application (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together. The circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Sergei Magnitsky in 2009 remain deeply disturbing. From the outset, the EU called on the Russian authorities to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation, and criticised their failure to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mr. Magnitsky’s death. A...