Results 14,021-14,040 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

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

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. Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental coordination structures. These...

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

Simon Coveney: The Passport Card was launched in October 2015 and since then over 73,000 cards have been issued to Irish citizens across the world. An application for the card can be made online via my Department’s website www.dfa.ie. The Passport Card can be used by Irish citizens for travel to 31 countries in total including the EU/EEA and Switzerland. It offers the same protections and...

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

Simon Coveney: The EU continues to have positive relations with Ukraine and Georgia. Both countries are active participants in the EU’s Eastern Partnership Initiative which provides a framework for cooperation with the six countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region. Both Georgia and Ukraine worked with the EU to develop concrete proposals for the period up to 2020, captured in the document...

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

Simon Coveney: The European Union continues to have positive relations with Armenia. Armenia participates in the EU’s Eastern Partnership initiative which provides a framework for co-operation with the six countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region. Armenia has worked with the EU and the other Eastern Partners to develop concrete proposals for the period up to 2020, captured in the...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Order for Report Stage (15 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade (15 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: At the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 13 November 2017, I joined with my EU foreign minister counterparts to adopt Council Conclusions on Venezuela and to agree by unanimity targeted restrictive measures, including an arms embargo and a legal framework for an asset freeze and travel ban against persons involved in the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (15 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I remain deeply concerned about the violence which has taken place in Rakhine State, Myanmar since 25 August, which has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis both within Rakhine State and across the border in Bangladesh. Ireland is committed to contributing to international efforts to alleviate the immediate needs of the refugees that have entered Bangladesh, which now number over...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Colombian Peace Process (15 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the incidences of violence and intimidation perpetrated against social leaders in Colombia as well as of the worrying level of assassinations to which the Deputy refers. I wish, first of all, to extend to all of those affected by recent acts of violence in Colombia my sincere sympathies and condolences. Violence and intimidation against local communities in marginalised rural...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together. The Government position remains that we do not support any parliamentary delegation visiting North Korea at this time, given the sensitivities involved. Ireland fully supports the EU policy on the DPRK and the international sanctions regime against North Korea as outlined in multiple UN Security Council Resolutions. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: White Paper on the Future of Europe (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Following the UK vote to leave the EU a debate on the Future of Europe was launched by EU Heads of State and Government in Bratislava in September 2016. The European Commission subsequently 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. The main thrust of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Human Rights Judgments (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: On 2 December 2014, the Government announced its decision to request the European Court of Human Rights to revise its 1978 judgment in the case taken by Ireland against the UK. The request was filed with the Court on 4 December 2014. On the basis of new material uncovered, the Government has contended that the ill-treatment suffered by the victims should be recognised as torture. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Severe Weather Events Response (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The offices of my Department in Ireland, including Passport Offices, remained closed on 16 October and staff were advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary. My Department provided a consular and passport duty officer service to the public for matters requiring urgent attention on that day. Staff and members of the public were informed via social media channels and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Libya remains very worrying, with instability and ongoing conflict making life extremely difficult for ordinary Libyans as well as for migrants. I am aware of credible reports on the terrible conditions faced by many migrants and refugees in Libya, including those set out by the organisation referenced by the Deputy. I strongly condemn all human rights violations and abuses....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are a matter of deep concern, especially given the potential for this to impact more broadly on the region. I call on all concerned to work to de-escalate tensions, and to resolve disagreements peacefully. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are significant players in the Middle East region, a region where leadership in promoting peace is very much needed....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (14 Nov 2017)

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: Brexit Issues (14 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The European Council Guidelines of 29 April 2017 foresee that parallel discussions on the framework for a future EU-UK relationship, including possible transitional arrangements, will get under way as soon as sufficient progress has been made on the EU’s key priorities in the withdrawal process – notably citizens’ rights, the UK’s financial settlement and the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (14 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: Cross-Border Co-operation (8 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government, through the Department of Education and Science, provides core funding to the Centre for Cross Border Studies (CCBS), amounting to €180,000 in 2016. Applications from the CCBS to my Department’s Reconciliation Fund in 2015 led to the awarding of grants amounting to €60,000. CCBS next applied for funding to the Reconciliation Fund in the first funding...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: On 30 June last, the Taoiseach appointed Deputy John Deasy as the Government’s envoy to the US Congress to work on the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States.# Deputy Deasy undertakes his work as envoy under my overall direction, along with Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Deputy Ciarán Cannon. I have discussed with Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (7 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together. In his speech at the Sorbonne University in September President Macron of France set out his vision for the Future of Europe. Among his proposals was one in relation to the holding of democratic conventions across the EU. Specifically, he proposed that for six months in 2018, debates would be organised in all EU Member States that...