Results 14,321-14,340 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I lead on co-ordinating the whole-of-Government approach to the EU-UK negotiations and to our preparations for Brexit, with a view to mitigating the impacts to the maximum extent possible and securing the best possible outcome for Ireland. In this role, I intend to build further on the excellent work carried...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Export Trade Council (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Export Trade Council was last convened on 7 February by my predecessor Minister Charles Flanagan TD. On that occasion the agenda featured discussions on Brexit related developments, the new Trade, Investment and Tourism Strategy, Ireland Connected,and a review of Local Market Team plans submitted by Local Market Teams in priority markets. I had hoped to chair a further meeting of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The second round of EU-UK negotiations, which took place last week, allowed for the first substantial discussions to take place on the issues that are being addressed in this first phase of the negotiations, including citizens’ rights, the financial settlement, ‘separation’ issues, and of course Irish issues. While some good progress was made last week, including...

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

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the referendum on independence announced last month by the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Ireland continues to support the territorial integrity of Iraq and does not propose to intervene in internal constitutional matters of Iraq, which are for decision by the Iraqi people and their democratically elected leaders.

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

Simon Coveney: I have not been contacted by anyone connected with this case and I have no information on it other than open media reports. In view of this, I do not, at this point, have any plans to raise the case with the government of Iran.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Budgets (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: On an overall basis to end June 2017 my Department is showing a relatively small behind profile spend of €6 million (2%) on gross expenditure compared to profiled gross expenditure of €349 million. This is due to timing differenced in expected expenditure. The Department expects that the voted gross expenditure budget allocation for 2017 will be fully spent at year end.

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

Simon Coveney: My Department has been closely following this person’s case, and an Irish diplomatic representative was present at his most recent hearing on 9 July, along with other international representatives. The Irish representative Office in Ramallah has also been in close contact with him. I agree with the view that these charges seem to be part of an increasing pattern of using the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I confirm that there is one such case in my Department. It would not be appropriate for my Department to provide additional details as so doing could potentially identify the individual in question. My Department applies the provisions of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars in relation to disciplinary and underperformance matters including that all civil servants must be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Budgets (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: On an overall basis to end June 2017 my Department is showing a relatively small behind profile spend of €6 million (just under 2%) on gross expenditure compared to profiled gross expenditure of €349 million. This is due to timing differenced in expected expenditure. The Department expects that the voted gross expenditure budget allocation will be fully spent in 2017 and a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Protected Disclosures Data (26 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: My department has not received any protected disclosures from staff in 2016 and to date in 2017.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The UK government assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle has never been accepted by Ireland and this position remains unchanged.Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to resolve jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department expects a full spend of the 2017 voted budget allocation and a surplus/unallocated amount at the year end is not anticipated. The 2017 budget programme expenditure is as follows: 2017 Programme Expenditure €000 To serve our people at home and abroad and to promote reconciliation and co-operation, (Our People). 79,044 Protect and advance our values and interests in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Services for People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is improving services and increasing supports for persons with disabilities.During 2017 a project to modify and upgrade a Departmental building to better meet the access and internal mobility requirements of all staff and visitors with a disability was initiated. The Department continues to work to improve conditions for staff with disabilities...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not made any investments since March 2016 in County Louth and parts of east County Meath.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 380 together. I am currently visiting Israel and Palestine, meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, UN bodies including OCHA, and others, in order to discuss these and other issues. I will report fully on my visit later. However, it is important to address one point that has been raised in the Israeli and Irish media in the context of my visit....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European External Action Service (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: The EU Ombudsman report on unpaid internships in the European External Action Service is an own initiative report that has not been the subject of formal discussion among EU foreign ministers. I note that High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Mogherini has responded to the EU Ombudsman on the report outlining how the EEAS...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together. Significant progress has been made in the talks, although a number of key issues remain to be resolved. Notwithstanding the challenge of the remaining issues to be resolved, I believe than an agreement can be reached – an agreement that would allow a power-sharing Executive to be formed on a sustainable basis. All parties are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and on behalf of the Government as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, I will maintain regular engagement with a broad range of civic society organisations, groups, and representatives, across all communities and parts of Northern Ireland. I look forward to deepening this engagement in the weeks and months ahead. My focus will be to hear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin Monaghan bombings. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Remuneration (13 Jul 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have asked Payroll Shared Services Centre to run the necessary report to estimate the cost to the Department of introducing a minimum wage of €15 an hour for all employees under the aegis of the Department. The estimated cost is approximately €1.48 million per annum. This figure does not include the cost of temporary staff that may be employed by this Department from time to time.