Results 14,181-14,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I hear I was well represented. I do not intend on making a habit of being absent for my questions in the future, but it was unavoidable last week. I thank the House for its accommodation in that regard.

UK Withdrawal from the EU: Statements (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: Great. She is more than capable. I hope we will be able to do this at different stages as the Brexit negotiations proceed. It is good to keep the House, the various other forums and the public informed of our position because the enormity of these issues for Ireland in the future is such that this is required. We will have an all-island forum on Brexit on Thursday and I presume some of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government closely follows developments in relation to the treatment of members of the LGBTI community in Russia and, in particular, the widespread reports of the persecution of gay men in Chechnya. On 5 May, senior officials of my Department met the Russian Ambassador to convey the grave concerns of the Government, and of the Irish public, at these reports. During the meeting, my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: A passport is an internationally recognised travel document which attests to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Passport Service does not have any plans to expand the purpose of a passport to indicate a parental relationship between a child and his/her parent(s). Parents are encouraged to complete the emergency contact details page at the back of their child’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, One World, One Futurecommits to supporting efforts, consistent with the Cairo Programme of Action, to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and promote universal access to reproductive healthcare, including antenatal care and family planning services. In this context, Irish Aid supports a range of programmes related to sexual and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of Amnesty International’s report “ We Need Support, Not Pity” which gives a very disturbing account of the legacy of wartime violence, and in particular the horrific crimes of sexual violence which were perpetrated against the women and girls of Bosnia during the Balkan Wars. I support all efforts to ensure that those affected are afforded access to adequate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Missing Persons (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is aware that International Commissions that assist victims and their families and take a strong role in capacity building are important to efforts to contribute to international peace and security. In this respect funding totaling €300,000 was provided to the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) in 2005 and 2006 by Irish Aid, for their work in the Western...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together. I am aware of the deportation of these four persons. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was notified immediately by one of the persons, and we have since received letters from each of them about this incident. The leader of the group has led study groups to the West Bank for over ten years, a total of 17 tour groups...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigration Data (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The regulations governing immigration into the United States are a matter solely for the U.S. authorities and immigration from Ireland to the U.S. is not and has not been the subject of bilateral agreements, formal or informal. Until 1965, immigration into the United States was based on a system of national quotas, with the quota per country set at two per cent of the foreign-born population...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (26 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The United States has provided immensely valuable support to the Peace Process over the last three decades and, as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government wishes to see this continue to the fullest extent. At numerous critical moments, the friendship, encouragement and support of the United States Administration, Congress and people, has proved essential in providing...

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

Simon Coveney: Protecting the existing family reunification rights under EU law of EU citizens residing in the UK at the date of entry into force of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement is one of the key issues that has been identified by the EU within the context of its wider objective of safeguarding the rights and entitlements of EU citizens resident in the UK. Irish citizens resident in the UK –...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: 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 makes specific reference to the Government’s commitment to the establishment of the legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement, with the needs of victims and survivors at the core...

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

Simon Coveney: I strongly condemn all human rights violations and abuses against refugees and migrants, both in Libya and along the Central Mediterranean Route. I am aware of reports of appalling conditions currently faced by migrants and refugees in Libya. The security situation in Libya is fragile, which exacerbates the situation for migrants on the ground. The government has only partial control of the...

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

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Minister Coveney is involved in coordinating the whole-of-Government response to the significant challenges that arise for Ireland within the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, including for many of our economic sectors and regions. In this capacity, he is working closely with his...

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

Simon Coveney: I have been monitoring the situation Yemen with great concern, in particular in recent months as the humanitarian situation has reached crisis point. The war has entered into its third year, efforts to broker peace have not made any significant progress and fighting continues with increasingly devastating consequences for the civilian population. In addition, the country is on the brink of...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 38, 40 and 44 together. Since taking up office, engagement on Brexit with EU partners has been a central element of my work. This approach has yielded clear results in ensuring that Ireland’s unique issues and concerns have been fully understood by our EU27 partners and have been reflected in the EU’s negotiating position. As the...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 46 together. The Good Friday Agreement is the overarching framework for deepening peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland and has also contributed to increased economic prosperity on the island as a whole. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined to ensure that all aspects of the Agreement are fully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Controls (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: At the outset, it is important on behalf of the Government to absolutely condemn anyone, including those who may be travelling from this country, engaging in so-called sex tourism involving minors. We are committed to combatting child sex abuse in every way possible. In terms of passports, all applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the Act”), which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government follows closely developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and is aware of the recent decision to disqualify four elected representatives from the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. Officials from my Department recently discussed this issue with the Hong Kong authorities in a meeting on Friday 8 September. Ireland, together with our EU partners, remains...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Treaties (21 Sep 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have no proposals for Treaty change and neither have I had any formal discussions on Treaty change. As the Deputy is aware, a wide debate on the Future of Europe was launched in Bratislava in September 2016 and the European Commission has published a White Paper on the Future of Europe, as well as a series of reflection papers. Together with my colleague the Minister for European Affairs,...