Results 14,001-14,020 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Irish Government’s objectives regarding undocumented Irish citizens in the United States remain constant, namely, to achieve relief for the undocumented and to facilitate greater pathways for legal migration to the United States. With this in mind, Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the U.S. are continuing to systematically avail of all opportunities to raise the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the Deputy’s ongoing concerns about conditions in Maghaberry Prison. The management of the prison is a matter for the Northern Ireland Prison Service, an agency of the Department of Justice at Stormont. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s day to day role is limited to adjudicating on prisoners' access to the separated regime which separates...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 30 together. In March the European Commission published a White Paper on the Future of Europe, and followed up with a series of reflection papers covering a number of key issues including European Defence, EMU and Globalisation. We welcomed the White Paper and the Reflection Papers as important contributions to the evolving debate on the Future of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The situation on the Korean Peninsula is a matter of grave concern to the government. The latest actions taken by North Korea, particularly the nuclear test on 3 September, are a major challenge to international efforts to advance global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. This has been a longstanding goal of Ireland’s foreign policy. Our leadership on this critical global...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The formation of the current Government of Lebanon in December 2016 was a very positive development after a considerable period of political stalemate, and marked an opportunity for a new beginning in addressing the challenges facing that country. Not least of these is the fact that Lebanon is host to well over a million Syrian refugees, a huge number for a small country with a population...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I acknowledge at the outset those across the House who work on a cross-party basis with the Government on this issue and the tireless efforts of Justice for the Forgotten. Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Documents (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: This Government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar, in particular the treatment of the Rohingya people. Developments in Myanmar, and the related humanitarian crisis in neighbouring Bangladesh, are being monitored carefully by my officials. Ireland is pressing for an end to the violence, for restoration of humanitarian aid and media access to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK are proceeding on the basis of the phased approach set out in the European Council Guidelines of 29 April 2017. Phase 1 is focusing on the exit issues of citizen’s rights, the financial settlement and the Irish specific issues. Once the European Council has agreed that sufficient progress has been made on these issues, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Reports indicate that a clearly excessive response by the Myanmar security forces to the attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on 25 August have had a devastating impact in Northern Rakhine State. Over 600,000 people, mostly members of the Rohingya community, have now fled from Myanmar and are facing extremely challenging circumstances in Bangladesh. This Government has consistently...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government’s priority of protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process, including avoiding a hard border on this Island, is clear. This priority is fully reflected in the European Commission Task Force’s Guiding Principles paper on Ireland/Northern Ireland of 7 September. It makes clear that it is the UK’s responsibility to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: At its meeting on 20 October, the European Council welcomed the progress made in the EU-UK negotiations to date but agreed that further work is needed before it can agree that sufficient progress has be made on all of the exit issues - citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement and the issues unique to Ireland – to enable discussions on the framework for a future...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 103 and 110 together. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort in supporting and facilitating talks on formation of a new Executive, over many months. However, devolved power-sharing government can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Gender Balance (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are no State bodies or boards that fall under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Yemen is deeply concerning. The conflict has entered its third year, the political process has stalled and the fighting is having devastating consequences for civilians. This conflict has been characterised by allegations of violations of human rights, massive starvation and disease, and infringements of international humanitarian law. Seven million Yemenis are on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is regarded as a fundamental and universal right for every human being, provided for under Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. Freedom of religion and belief is one of the priorities of Ireland’s international engagement on human rights....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Libya is very unstable and is of grave concern. The government has only partial control of the Libyan territory, and, in the vacuum of state authority, armed groups have been responsible for systematic human rights violations. Ultimately, bringing real improvements to the lives of Libyans will require restoration of political stability and an end to lawlessness, through the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through the Irish Embassy in Ankara and our Honorary Consulate in Antalya has been providing extensive consular assistance to this Irish citizen since his detention in July of this year. While a sentence of 6 years and 3 months has been handed down, I understand that an appeal is now underway in this case. The conduct of an appeal is a matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides consular assistance to any Irish citizen imprisoned overseas who requests such assistance. My Department provides direct assistance in many cases, through consular visits and practical advice and assistance to individual detainees, and also works indirectly to support Irish prisoners through our partnership with the Irish Council for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government has been consistent and clear in its priorities for the Brexit negotiations. These are: protecting the peace process, no hard border, maintaining the Common Travel Area, securing an effective transitional arrangement leading to the closest possible trading relationship with the UK, and working for the future of the European Union itself. The border is a complex issue, and...