Results 12,801-12,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together. The first round of presidential elections are due to take place in Colombia on 27 May 2018, following national legislative elections which took place on 11 March 2018, the first since the country’s historic peace accord was approved in November 2016. I am aware of the reports of violence in Colombia in the electoral season...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Co-operation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). The Department seeks to minimize expenditure on consultants and commissions external expertise only in areas where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, where independent evaluation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 191 together. The consultative relationship between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) is governed by ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, which outlines the eligibility requirements for consultative status; rights and obligations of NGOs in consultative status; procedures for withdrawal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Law Reform Commission (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: No legislation originating from work carried out by the Law Reform Commission has been enacted by my Department in any of the past ten years.

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

Simon Coveney: The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul. A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Government is conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178, 181 and 184 together. The 132 members of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were elected in 2006 for a four year mandate. The PLC has not held a regular session since 2007 and its mandate has since expired. I regret that it has not been possible to hold long overdue elections. I note that there are currently twelve members of the PLC currently...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 182, 183, 185, 190, 193 and 194 together. I have been greatly concerned by the events in Gaza over recent weeks, and especially by the appalling number of serious injuries and deaths to people engaged in demonstrations. Every country is entitled to defend its border, but the use of force, and particularly deadly force, must only be used as a last...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: A State Visit is the highest level of official visit from one country to another. It is undertaken by a Head of State and takes place at the invitation of one State to another. State Visits to Ireland include an official welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, a State Dinner hosted by the President and calls on the Taoiseach...

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

Simon Coveney: The quickest and easiest way for an adult to renew a passport is to apply online. These passports are being turned around in 10 working days or less, plus postage time. This service is currently only available for adults renewing their passport but it is planned to extend this service to other renewal categories by the end of this year.Renewals applications, through Passport Express, are now...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland, along with our EU partners, supports the achievement of a two state solution to the Middle East conflict. This support includes political efforts to encourage a resumption of direct negotiations, which are ultimately the only way to achieve peace. It also includes action on the ground on human rights and justice issues affecting Palestinians under occupation, including settlement...

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

Simon Coveney: Following on from extensive briefings by the United Kingdom at senior official level and to EU Foreign Ministers, Prime Minister Theresa May addressed the European Council on 22 March. She made a compelling case in support of her government’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation was responsible for the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with...

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

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Passport Service that the correspondence to which the Deputy refers concerns a passport renewal application that was processed in March of this year. I am advised, that this correspondence was answered by my Department on 5thApril 2018. I understand that the essence of this correspondence concerned a data breach that was promptly brought to the Passport Service’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has been in direct contact with the family of the individual involved and has advised that he should make direct contact with the US authorities and with the airline in order to ascertain the reasons he was prevented from travelling. I note from correspondence received by my office that the Deputy has also raised the matter directly with the US authorities. I will be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Officials of my Department have viewed an excerpt from the video interrogation record, and read a transcript. It is disturbing to see that a 16 year old child was aggressively interrogated at close quarters for a long period, especially when it is not clear that any family or legal representative was present. I was particularly shocked that threats to detain other family members were made...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: Each year my Department recruits Temporary Clerical Officers for the Passport Service to meet the seasonal demand in passport applications. We have seen a marked increase in demand for passports and citizenship via foreign birth registration from applicants since the Brexit vote. Therefore, Temporary Clerical Officers have also been recruited to assist with this extra demand in both the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Data (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: My colleague the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon T.D., last month published a new Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants. That Report’s analysis of census data shows that, in 2016, 26,428 Irish emigrants returned home and that in the previous year the United States was the usual residence for 2,566 of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Data (17 Apr 2018)

Simon Coveney: In 2008 Ireland and the US signed a memorandum of understanding on a 12 month Intern Work and Travel Pilot Programme (a.k.a. the Working Holiday Agreement) that enables Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's country for up to 12 months. The agreement reflects not only the close historical and cultural links between Ireland and the United States of America, but also the...

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

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens at home and abroad. For citizens resident in the state, applications can be submitted through the Passport Express postal service, through the award-winning online passport application service or, in certain circumstances, in person through the counter service in Dublin and...

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

Simon Coveney: The cost of the standard ten year adult Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.70 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €8.90 per year for renewal of an American passport and €17.70 per...

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

Simon Coveney: The length of time it takes to process an adult renewal passport application will depend on the channel through which the application is made. The award winning online passport application service is currently processing applications in 10 working days, plus postage time. It is the fastest and most convenient way for an adult to renew a passport. An adult renewal application submitted...