Results 13,881-13,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I hope it will take place next week but that is a matter for party Whips and the Business Committee.

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to answer that question. The Deputy will understand this only too well as a former Minister in the Department. We get weekly working briefings from our diplomatic missions across the European Union giving us feedback on the issues of the week and the day. Obviously, there is a lot of feedback on Brexit at present. In this case that weekly briefing documentation, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Staff (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Managing our response to Brexit has impacted on the work of many staff at Headquarters and a significant number of those overseas. It is important to emphasise that our approach has not been merely to recruit or assign additional staff, but rather also to prioritise Brexit in the work of our entire Department. Additional staff have been assigned to the key Divisions with responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the matter to which the Deputy refers. A core part of the work of our Embassies in the EU is to report on views on Brexit in other Member States. A weekly summary of such reports is prepared. These summaries, like the reports on which they are based, are internal and confidential and not intended for the public domain. In the light of this regrettable event, arrangements for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have been advised by officials from the Embassy of Ireland in Ankara that it is not possible to provide a timeframe for an appeals process in the Turkish courts to be completed, as this timeframe can vary from case to case. An appeal process is a judicial process and the Irish Government has no role in a matter such as this which is before the courts of another jurisdiction. Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is determined to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts is fully protected and respected in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, including all elements relating to human rights. Human rights protections form a vital part of the institutional underpinning for the peace settlement founded on the Good Friday Agreement and serve to build and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The budget for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2017 was €11.595 million, this in line with budget levels in recent years and also stands as the budget for 2018. An increase of 5% on the 2017 budget would cost €579,750. An increase of 10% on the 2017 budget would cost €1,159,500. An increase of 15% on the 2017 budget would cost €1,739,250. An increase of 20%...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). Thee work of our embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our network promotes Ireland’s political, economic and cultural interests...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Brexit is undoubtedly one of the most significant challenges the country will face in the coming years in terms of the peace process and relationships within and between these islands. Protecting our economic interests in terms of trade and investment with the UK is a key priority for my Department, as well as the need to drive further diversification of our trade and investment flows...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (29 Nov 2017)

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. As part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is determined to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts is fully protected and respected in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, including all elements relating to human rights. Human rights protections form a vital part of the institutional underpinning for the peace settlement founded on the Good Friday Agreement and serve to build and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: North South cooperation brings very tangible benefits to the daily lives of people and, in particular, to those living in the border regions where it contributes to improving economic opportunity and development. It is also a very practical outworking of the peace process which allows for the normalisation of relationships between people across the island, to our mutual benefit. North South...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards Data (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 225 together. There are no State Boards under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The attack on a convoy of busses transporting evacuees from the besieged towns of Foua and Kefraya in North West Syria last April, which left over 100 people dead, many of them children, was utterly abhorrent and I, once again, condemn it unreservedly. Attacks on civilians in Syria, such as the bombing of this convoy of evacuees, further underline the need for full accountability for these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Banking Authority (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The decision on the relocation of the European Banking Authority was made at the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday 20 November. Ireland, along with 7 other Member States presented bids to host the EBA on its relocation from the UK, in the context of Brexit. After three rounds round of voting, Dublin and Paris were tied with 13 votes each. The selection of Paris was made...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 238 together. I welcomed UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson last week for his first visit to Ireland since being appointed to the position in July 2016. I also routinely meet the Foreign Secretary at meetings of Foreign Ministers in an EU context and internationally. Although the Foreign Secretary does not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Communications (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department’s ICT Unit provides a secure Departmental email service. I also use a private email account. In the past, for operational reasons, that private account has also been used for communication on certain matters, such as diary issues, speeches and information updates. However, for some time now the policy has been that I use my Departmental secure account only for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that I have on many occasions expressed my grave concern at the large-scale arrests of public servants and academics, as well as many others, in the aftermath of the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016. I am aware of the specific case to which Deputy Crowe refers, and our Embassy in Ankara has been keeping us informed of developments in the case, which is also being...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies Data (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are no bodies under the aegis of my Department so the questions raised by the Deputy do not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Staff (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are currently two Special Advisers employed by my Department; the Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Caitríona Fitzpatrick, and the Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Paul Fox. The Special Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is on the Principal Officer salary scale. The Special Adviser to the...