Results 13,621-13,640 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As we enter a new year, the situation in Syria continues to be one of utmost concern. The conflict, which is now almost eight years old, has cost an estimated half a million 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 5.5 million have fled to neighboring countries and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas development cooperation programme and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy for International Development, “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), as economic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Projects (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I have responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, I am working closely with colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies. Work at Cabinet level is being prepared...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Data (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s diplomatic network of missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals. These include to ensure the efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, support to emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence. Our Embassies and Consulates are contributing directly to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The budget for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2018 is €11.595 million and is unchanged in recent years. An increase of 5% on the 2018 budget would cost €579,750 An increase of 10% on the 2018 budget would cost€1,159,500 An increase of 15% on the 2018 budget would cost€1,739,250 An increase of 20% on the 2018 budget would cost€2,319,000

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Data (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The work of our embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic development and the enhancement of our international reputation. Our network promotes Ireland’s political, economic and cultural interests and values, provide services to our citizens, develop strategic stakeholder relationships and represent Ireland in international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff permanently employed by my Department and currently assigned to the Passport Service is 322. In addition, the Passport Service has received sanction for 210 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) this year to respond the seasonal demand for passports, which is normally between February and September annually. All sections in the Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. Over €48 million has been allocated to over 2,000 projects during this time. As part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The additional Guidelines on the Article 50 negotiations adopted by the European Council on 15 December 2017 represented a very significant step in the Brexit negotiations. These Guidelines welcomed the joint progress report agreed between the European Commission Taskforce and the UK. On this basis, it was agreed that sufficient progress has been made in phase 1 of the negotiations and that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Reviews (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not undertaken any projects to consolidate or amalgamate existing legislation in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. The Government does not support a policy of “Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions”, or BDS, in relation to Israel. I firmly believe that such an approach is counter-productive, and that it will not help to increase ordinary Israelis' understanding of the sound basis for international concern about the impact of occupation. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my condolences are with the family of the victim. Such violence is entirely unacceptable, and I urge the Government of Peru to fully investigate the case and bring the perpetrators of this violence to justice.Ireland is committed to supporting the advancement of human rights in Peru. Most recently, Ireland used the occasion of the 28th...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of recent developments in Peru regarding the pardoning of former President Alberto Fujimori, and I note the statement on the matter which was made by a group of United Nations human rights experts on 28 December. While Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Lima, officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are following the situation in Peru closely, in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Election Monitoring (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The developments in Honduras following elections which took place there on 26 November are being closely monitored by officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.I condemn unreservedly, as I have previously done, the loss of human life in violent circumstances in the aftermath of the elections and I convey my sincere condolences to the families of the victims. It is imperative...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Investigations (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy, and I am concerned by the allegations of torture made in relation to Mr Jagtar Singh Johal. The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland works closely with Human Rights Defenders to protect the work they do and to promote the value of civil society space. Article 19 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: I have the opportunity at the monthly Foreign Affairs Council meetings to meet with my fellow foreign ministers, including my German colleague. Germany is of course a very important partner for Ireland and our bilateral relationship is excellent. To ensure that we are doing all we can to maximize the potential of the relationship I recently announced a Comprehensive Review of our relations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: As of 31 December 2016, 3.64% of staff in the Department of Foreign Affairs & 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not use anti profanity software on its email systems and online contact forms.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Government Information Service (16 Jan 2018)

Simon Coveney: My Department engages in advertising of Government information which it is considered necessary to bring to the attention of citizens. Online adult passport renewals are a key part of the Passport Reform Programme and my Department advertised during 2017 in order to ensure a good uptake by citizens of this innovative service. The advertising in question took the form of a multi-format...

Estimates for Public Services 2018: Referral to Select Committee (14 Dec 2017)

Simon Coveney: I move:That, notwithstanding Standing Order 182 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business, Revised Estimates for the Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2018, be presented to the Dáil and circulated to members and be referred to Select Committees, as appropriate, pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(c) and 182(3).”