Results 13,941-13,960 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The doubling of Ireland's global footprint by 2025 commenced with the recent Government decisions to open new Embassies in Santiago, Chile; Bogotá, Colombia; Amman, Jordan; and Wellington, New Zealand; and new Consulates General in Vancouver, western Canada and Mumbai, India, on a phased basis from 2018. This will expand Ireland’s diplomatic network to 65 Embassies, 7...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are provisions in the Passports Act 2008 (“the Act”) which provide a legal basis for the Minister to refuse to issue a passport or to cancel a passport and require its surrender. As set out in more detail in the reply recently provided by my Department to PQ 39822/17, one of the grounds in the Act for refusal of a passport is where the Minister is notified by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 237, 239 and 241 together. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, 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 through cross-Departmental...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (21 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 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 appalling...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Training (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department supports the continuous development of its officers through the implementation of a broad range of professional programmes, focusing on leadership, management, compliance and evaluation with a view to strengthening the management and diplomatic capabilities of its staff. In addition to intensive language training, my Department provides its officers with a comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates more than 80 websites in total, comprising those that relate to our activities here in Ireland as well as those of Ireland’s diplomatic missions abroad. From January 2017 to date, these websites have together received in excess of 37 million page views. Users include Irish citizens seeking to access services such as Passport Tracking, Travel Advice and Online...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Services Card (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Since 29 March 2016, my Department has required all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland to hold a valid Public Services Card (PSC). This requirement also applies to the small number of adult passport applicants whose last passport was issued before 1 January 2005 and has since been reported as lost, stolen or damaged. The Government decided...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Parliamentary Questions Costs (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Parliamentary Questions, priority, oral and written, are dealt with by the staff of the Divisions within my Department with responsibility for the issues raised in individual Questions as part of their typical day to day work. The number and level of staff, and the time allocated to preparing individual replies depends on the complexity and urgency of the issues raised, the ease of access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government's clear position is that we need to avoid any risks presented by regulatory divergence so as to ensure that North South cooperation, which is facilitated and supported by a shared EU regulatory framework on this island, can continue unimpeded after the UK leaves the EU. Therefore, the Government will continue to advocate that the best solution for Northern Ireland is for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am not going to comment on the detail of internal EU working documents tabled in Brussels. However, both the EU and Ireland have been clear about the current state of play on negotiations on the priority exit issues, including the Irish issues. There is nothing new emerging about EU positions on Ireland and Northern Ireland; the principles set out in the EU Guidelines for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen, in particular as the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate. The war has entered into its third year, the political process has stalled, and the fighting is having devastating consequences for civilians, with credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian law. Yemen is also facing the world's...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I continue to have deep concerns about the violence in Rakhine State and I have condemned the excessive actions of the Myanmar security forces on numerous occasions since 25 August. A devastating humanitarian crisis has developed as a result of these actions, and over 600,000 people, most of whom are members of the Rohingya community, have fled to Bangladesh where they are facing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is continuing to do everything it can to support and assist this citizen. However, the Irish Government is limited in what it can do in the case of an Irish citizen who is involved in a criminal case overseas. The Irish Government cannot intervene in a matter that is before the courts in another jurisdiction, just as no foreign Government can...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): United Nations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: If one is trying to influence the debate that is going on inside the tent, deliberately deciding to stay outside it does not allow one to progress the agenda. We want to be inside the tent persuading and arguing with people and getting the Irish perspective across. We have done that very successfully in the past. In the aftermath of 11 September 2001, for example, and the subsequent...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 31, 38 and 40 together. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort over many months in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of a new Executive. However, a devolved power-sharing Executive can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: This essentially boils down to a question of respect for diversity in Northern Ireland, and both the Irish language and Ulster Scots are part of that. Both parties are trying to find accommodation for the other on this matter. It is a sensitive political issue, the history of which Deputy Ó Cuív does not need me to relate. Much of the effort in the past ten weeks has been about,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I do not disagree with any of what the Deputy has said. I hope we are talking about how to change it and the approach that will achieve that. My view is that there is a hope and expectation at present. I have met senior Palestinian leaders in Ramallah on this issue, as well as many Israeli politicians. I have met the Israeli ambassador on multiple occasions to discuss this issue. There...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: We have been very consistent on the issue of settlements. They make a lasting peace agreement more and more difficult to achieve. The geography and politics of Jerusalem are incredibly complicated. It takes a lot to get one's head around the issue but it is helpful when one is there and sees the places that the politics and divisions are centred around. The continuing expansion of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): United Nations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The UN provides the foundation for an orderly, rules-based international system. Such a system is important for a small and globally-trading country such as Ireland. Small states depend on this system, which helps to regulate interactions between nations. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is in our national interest to support the UN and to strengthen its role. Ireland is,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): United Nations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: It can try. The one thing we should not be doing is giving up on it because it is the only show in town when it comes to international intervention in serious conflict situations. Ireland will continue to advocate for UN reform and Security Council reform. We believe the use of the veto is abused. We also believe the make-up of the Security Council is not reflective of the world today....