Results 14,401-14,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Bullying in the Workplace (29 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Dignity at Work Policy – an Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Civil Service - was launched in 2015 for all Civil Servants. It replaced Circular 23/2005 “A Positive Working Environment”. The Dignity at Work policy forms an integral part of all induction and management training in the Department. The policy is publicised for the attention...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Passport Service is working very hard to manage the high volume of applications being received in recent months to meet the target delivery dates. There are 61,000 applications currently being processed. The target turnaround time for Passport Express renewal applications is 15 working days and this is being met, as it has over the past six weeks. The target turnaround time for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies Data (28 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department so the issue raised by the Deputy does not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (28 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department is continuing to provide ongoing assistance to the individual at the centre of this long-running and difficult consular case. Because the matter relates to a process that is ongoing before the judiciary in another country, there are limits to what the Irish Government can do. However, our interests in and concerns about this case have been raised with the Philippines...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: In all cases, whether it is an applicant’s first passport or renewal, the Passport Service issues a passport with the country of birth as recorded on the naturalisation certificate. Any amendment required to the naturalisation certificate is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to recognising the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict. Ireland has long looked forward to being able to recognize a sovereign Palestinian state existing in fact and not just in theory. In the light of the motions passed by the Dáil and Seanad in 2014, I am also considering whether early recognition by Ireland of a state of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (28 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: I attended the General Affairs Council (Art. 50) on Tuesday 20 June. At this meeting, Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator, informed Ministers of the outcome of the first round of the negotiations with the UK on its withdrawal from the EU. I also met with Mr Barnier for a bilateral exchange on Brexit and on the EU’s position on the issues specific Ireland as set out in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: In the occupied Syrian Golan, as in the West Bank, the introduction and settlement of communities of the occupying power, to alter the demography of the area, is clearly illegal under international law. It also inherently involves violations of the rights of the occupied population, in terms of seizure of land, discriminatory treatment and other restrictions. The same wide range of tactics...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: There were 1,483 full time equivalent staff employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the end of 2016. 836 full time equivalents were based in Ireland, 314 were assigned to one of Ireland’s missions overseas and the remainder, 333, were recruited locally to staff missions overseas.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have had the opportunity to discuss Brexit and to discuss resourcing with my officials. I have indicated my desire to maintain an intensive programme of engagement with EU partners. As you know additional capabilities and resources have been assigned across the Department to address issues arising from the complex process of the UK exit from the EU. Our approach has not been merely to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The content of the confidence and supply agreement between the Conservative Party and the DUP is primarily a matter for those two parties. I note that the agreement provides for DUP support for British government legislation on Brexit. An enhanced voice articulating an agreed position on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive could see more effective and inclusive representation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: My Department did not make any announcement of capital projects in March, April, May and to date in June 2017.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The number of Clerical Officers in full time employment in my Department as of 31 May 2017 is 436.1. The breakdown per county is as follows; the balance are currently posted abroad. Dublin Cork Limerick 322.8 61.5 16.8

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Full time Clerical Officers in my Department that have retired, resigned or been promoted between 01 January 2015 and 31 May 2017 are detailed by county in the following table. 01 January 2015 – 31 May 2017 Cork Dublin Limerick Retired 1 20.5 0.6 Resigned 6 1 Promoted 4 19 3

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The number of full time Clerical Officers appointed to my Department since 01 January 2015 to 31 May 2017 are detailed by county in the following table. Year Cork Dublin Limerick 2015 7 24 1 2016 7 53 0 01 Jan to 31 May 2017 0 33 1

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The number of Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) appointed to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade over the period from 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2017 by county is provided in the following table. Year Cork Dublin Total 2015 36 147 183 2016 45 192 237 to end May 2017 52 204 256 Total 133 543 676

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Funding (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Funding for the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) is allocated by the European Union from its overall budget to which each Member State contributes according to Gross National Income. Ireland’s contribution to IPA therefore comes from our overall contribution to the EU, rather than a specific monetary allocation. The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (27 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: Between 1 January and 23 June the Passport Service received over 499,000 passport applications, which represents a 12% increase over the same period last year. The Passport Service is working very hard, and largely successfully, to manage the high volume of applications being received in recent months to meet the target delivery dates and avoid backlogs. There are currently 61,000...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (22 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the need to ensure that humanitarian assistance and support is provided as quickly as possible to the many thousands of people suffering as a result of the damage caused by severe flooding and landslides in Sri Lanka. Ireland has not directly provided any emergency funding to Sri Lanka at this time. However, 228,000 Swiss francs ( €210,000 approx) was allocated from the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (22 Jun 2017)

Simon Coveney: The checking and adjudication of applications for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration is a complex process, and it is important that the Department and our Embassies take all due care in relation to the verification of identity, eligibility and supporting documentation in each and every case. Consequently, we advise applicants that the process is likely to take around 20 weeks. ...