Results 12,901-12,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 26 February. The Council discussed developments in Moldova, the situation in Venezuela and the Middle East Peace Process. EU Foreign Ministers had a comprehensive discussion on Moldova and adopted Council Conclusions taking stock of the reform process and setting out expectations for the period ahead. Ministers also discussed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council Membership (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland is seeking election to a UN Security Council non-permanent seat in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term We are one of three candidates for the two seats available to members of the Western European and Others regional group at the UN. Canada and Norway are the other two candidates. Like Ireland, both countries have strong records of engagement at the UN and we co-operate closely with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 77 together. From the start of the EU-UK negotiations Ireland has been to fore in arguing for a transitional arrangement that ensures an orderly UK withdrawal from the Union, minimises disruption for citizens and businesses and leads to an ambitious and comprehensive future relationship agreement. Through the General Affairs Council (Art. 50) and its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: On foot of the work last year by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which is chaired by the Minister of State for the Diaspora, my colleague Ciaran Cannon TD, my Department commissioned an independent economic report on difficulties experienced by Irish people returning home. This report has now been completed and considered by Government, and has been published on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question no 50 today on this topic, which was as follows: The treatment of Palestinian minors under the Israeli occupation and military justice system has long been an issue of serious concern, which we have discussed here and which the Government has raised with the Israeli authorities and at EU and international level, including statements by Ireland at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The decision to open an Irish embassy in Colombia, which was announced last October, is an important next step in expanding Ireland’s footprint in Latin America. It represents a very positive development in Ireland-Colombia relations. While the embassy will seek to develop all aspects of the bilateral relationship, Ireland has made a particular commitment to supporting the peace...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Successive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the peace process over the last three decades. This support continues to be provided by the current US Administration, as well as by our many friends in Congress. The Government strongly appreciates the sustained engagement by the current US Administration, including by the US State Department, in relation to Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I share the Deputy’s concern about this recent legislation. Israel has already used other measures in certain cases to revoke residency rights of East Jerusalem Palestinians, quite clearly in order to alter the demographic balance of the occupied area. This is explicitly prohibited in international law, and Israel has no right to do it. The European Union issued a very clear statement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Catalan Referendum (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am concerned about the situation in Catalonia and the civic unrest and violence that we saw this weekend and I would join with those calling for calm at this time. I am aware that judicial proceedings are under way and that nine Catalans have been remanded in custody pending trial, and the former President has been detained in Germany on foot of a European arrest warrant. As these are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Over the course of many months, the Irish and British Governments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form an Executive. The devolved, power-sharing institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are the best means for achieving accountable, representative decision-making for all the people of Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is currently processing over 70,000 passport applications. These applications are going through the normal checking, processing and security stages. The target turnaround time for applications made via the online passport application service is 10 working days plus postage. The majority of online applications are currently being processed within 5 working days, well ahead...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am keenly aware of the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain, which I have spoken on in this House several times of late. Despite repeatedly stating its commitment to improving its human rights record, the Bahraini Government appears to be targeting those who express disagreement with or criticism of the Government. A number of worrying developments suggest an increasingly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: In the context of the Article 50 negotiations, progress has been made between the EU and UK negotiating teams on parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, including on the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. The UK has agreed that a legally operative version of the ‘backstop’ for the border will be included in the Withdrawal Agreement, in line with paragraph 49 of the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 105 together. I visited China from 12-17 March 2018, where I engaged in a wide-ranging St Patrick’s Day programme which incorporated meetings and events with a range of political, business, cultural and Irish community interlocutors. St. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to showcase Ireland in China. The main objectives...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland fully supports the UN Special Representative, Ghassan Salamé’s, Action Plan for Libya, including efforts to form a functioning government under the framework of the Libyan Political Agreement. Holding elections is a key element of the Action Plan, and must be a priority for resolving Libya’s political fragmentation. There have been some positive signs on voter...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Human Rights Council Resolution 31/36, adopted in March 2016, called upon the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to produce a database of all business enterprises involved in activities relating to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian Territory. The EU and its member States, including Ireland, had concerns about this resolution, both because of the burden it would place...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: There was never any real doubt that the 2007 airstrike on a target in Syria was carried out by Israel, and the recent declassification in Israel of information relating to it has only confirmed what was already known. My concerns about Syria are focused on the consequences of the appalling violence into which the country has descended in recent years. Any use of military force is something...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: A programme of events is underway, at home and abroad, to highlight this important anniversary and to mark the achievement of the Agreement, which continues to be the cornerstone of our commitment to peace and reconciliation. My Department continues to engage with other Government Departments and, both here on the island of Ireland and through our overseas Embassy network, with a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen, which is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The war is now ongoing for more than three years, and has had devastating consequences for civilians, with allegations of violations of human rights, international humanitarian law, and significant loss of life. Ireland has provided over €11 million in humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I refer the Deputy to my reply earlier today to Question No 50 in relation to this case, to which I would add the following: This case and its recent conclusion have not been specifically discussed at Ministerial level meetings in the EU. However, EU Missions in Palestine, including Ireland’s, have cooperated closely in following and reporting on the progress of the case. Irish or...