Results 12,941-12,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

Simon Coveney: 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 has criticised their failure to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mr. Magnitsky’s death. A number of countries, including some EU Member States, have put in place...

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

Simon Coveney: I was sorry to learn of the difficulties which this person has experienced in endeavoring to travel to the United States. As the House will appreciate, US immigration procedures are a matter for the US authorities. As visa applications are subject to the relevant data protection legislation, it is the US Embassy’s policy not to discuss individual cases with a third party. As such, I...

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

Simon Coveney: With the busy St. Patrick’s Day just over, a full breakdown of the figures requested is not yet available. I undertake to provide the Deputy with the full breakdown as soon as the figures do become available. I can assure the Deputy that the reinforcement of our close historical and personal ties with the United States through the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: As of 31 December 2016, 3.64% of staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had a declared disability in accordance with the definition in the Disability Act 2005. The 2016 figure is the most recently available and was submitted to the National Disability Authority (NDA) for inclusion in their Annual Report 2017. Figures for 2017 are expected to be available in the second quarter...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland appreciates the magnitude of the challenges facing Egypt and we are committed to supporting Egypt in dealing with these. This weekend’s bomb attack in Alexandria highlights in particular the security challenges, and I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the victims. However, a strong and stable democracy cannot flourish without full respect for...

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: EU Agreements (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. In an address I gave earlier this year on the future of Europe I spoke about the many changes taking place in Europe. But the Deputy will be pleased to know that I was clear that there was one thing we did not wish to see changing in Europe and that is the European Union’s commitment to its values. I am pleased to reiterate that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (28 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: It is a requirement of all grant agreements that partners in receipt of Irish Aid funding provide annual audited accounts. With regard to International Organisations such as UN bodies, audit requirements are laid down in international agreements. The Department usually receives audited financial statements from these bodies. In addition, with regard to the UN bodies, the Department...

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

Simon Coveney: The European Commission presented its Strategy for the Western Balkan Countries in February 2018 and is scheduled to publish country reports in April. The Strategy confirmed the European perspective of the region, while emphasising that accession for all countries was strictly contingent on their meeting the relevant accession criteria. In particular, the Strategy stressed that the rule of...

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

Simon Coveney: The situation in Syria continues to be one of utmost concern. The conflict, which is now in its eighth year, has cost over 400,000 lives. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including close to 3 million people trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Over 6 million people are displaced internally, and a further 5.5 million have fled to...

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

Simon Coveney: At last week’s European Council meeting, EU leaders unanimously agreed with the UK government’s assessment that the Russian Federation is highly likely to have been responsible for the attack in Salisbury on 4 March 2018, and that there is no plausible alternative explanation. They condemned the attack in the strongest possible manner and affirmed their unqualified solidarity...

Government Response to Salisbury Attack: Statements (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I want to begin by expressing my shock and sadness at Sunday’s devastating fire in a shopping centre in the Russian city of Kemerovo, which claimed so many lives. The fact that a number of children were among the victims is particularly tragic and upsetting. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their loved ones and the Russian community here in Ireland at this very...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 151 together. Maintaining frequent contact with EU partners, including the EU Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, has been a priority for Ireland throughout the Article 50 negotiations process. I have met with Mr Barnier on a number of occasions since taking office, most recently in Brussels on 19 March. Mr Barnier updated me on the progress made with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (27 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: Ministerial Travel (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Saint Patrick’s Day presents a unique platform for promoting Ireland’s political and economic interests around the world. Recommendations for Ministerial travel over the Saint Patrick’s Day period are based on input from our Team Ireland network of diplomatic missions and state agency offices overseas and wide consultation and advice from across Departments and Agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Administration (27 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 168 together. The situation in Syria remains of utmost concern. The conflict, which is now in its eighth year, has cost over 400,000 lives. Over 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, including close to 3 million people trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Over 6 million people are displaced internally,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: The conflict in Syria, and the destabilising impact it has had on the wider region, remain a source of deep concern. Clearly, a comprehensive, inclusive political solution to the conflict is urgently needed, both to end the suffering of the Syrian people and to prevent any further turmoil in the Middle East. Ireland fully supports the UN-led political negotiations to end the conflict...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Controls (27 Mar 2018)

Simon Coveney: Passports are internationally recognised travel documents which attest to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport. For example in a type 3 document (a standard passport book) the machine-readable zone must span two lines, and each line must be 44...