Results 1,761-1,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The uncertainties and challenges posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlight the clear need for continuing strong engagement by the EU in the Western Balkans and support to our partners in the region. The Western Balkans was on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 November which I attended and where discussion primarily focussed on increased tensions in Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Since taking up our seat on the UN Security Council in January 2021, we have been actively engaged right across the Council’s wide agenda. We have brought our principled and independent perspective to a range of key issues, in line with the core principles of Building Peace, Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Ensuring Accountability. We will continue to be active and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I welcomed the adoption by the UN Fourth Committee of the Resolution on “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem”. This Resolution addresses a number of key concerns that are consistent with Ireland’s longstanding position, including calling for urgent measures to ensure the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have engaged with the British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly, MP, on several occasions since he took up his role in September. On 15 September I had a first phone call with FS Cleverly, during which we discussed our respective positions on the Protocol, EU-UK relations and our foreign policy goals. I welcomed his expressed wish to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 129, 134 and 138 together. The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in Iran on 16 September, was a tragedy. The fact that she was arrested simply due to the way she was dressed understandably provoked a strong response from the Iranian people and the international community. The subsequent response by the Iranian authorities to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Priorities (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is engaged on a number of foreign policy and diplomatic objectives. This includes a broad array of engagements held at political and official level, both in Ireland and abroad. This is accompanied by the work of our Embassy network, who are involved daily in the business of maintaining Ireland’s bilateral relationships, promoting and protecting our values and interests...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland has been providing support to Ukraine both bilaterally and through the EU budget. Commitments to date by the Department of Foreign Affairs on funding for Ukraine include: - €20 million in humanitarian support; - €1.98 million disbursed in relation to European Peace Facility (EPF) Assistance Measures to Ukraine (part of an overall commitment by Ireland of €66...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government extends our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those who lost their lives in Przewodów, and express full solidarity with our friends in Poland.  The Polish authorities have stated that the evidence at this stage points to this being a tragic accident rather than a deliberate attack. However, this incident would not have occurred were it not for Russia’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 (VCDR) identifies three categories of Mission staff as follows: - Diplomatic staff - Administrative and Technical staff, and - Service staff Pursuant to Article 10, VCDR, the Department of Foreign Affairs shall be notified of the appointment of members of the mission, their arrival and their final departure...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have strongly condemned the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh and have repeatedly called for a thorough independent investigation. I am aware of the recent decision taken by the United States authorities and the reaction to this by the Israeli Government. I also note the statements which have been made by the Palestinian Authority and by Ms Abu Akleh’s family welcoming this decision. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Government has consistently raised the issues in the All Party Motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombing, calling on the British government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the bombings, with the British government including at the recent British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 7 October in London. We have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: It is welcome that, for the first time in six months, the UK has re-engaged in talks with the EU on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. I am encouraged that the British side has indicated that it wishes to reach a negotiated outcome and it is vital that their officials are now given a clear mandate to make substantive progress. I have had sustained and constructive engagement with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, attended the General Affairs Council on Friday 18 November where Ministers had a first exchange of views on the annotated draft agenda of theEuropean Council on 15-16 December 2022. The agenda will include discussion on Ukraine/Russia, Energy and Economy, Southern Neighbourhood, and External Relations, where a discussion on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The prevention and eradication of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment has been a cornerstone of Ireland’s approach to human rights for decades.  We strongly believe that the absolute prohibition of torture is one of the cornerstones of the international human rights framework. When Ireland sought a seat at the UN Security Council, we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I remain concerned by increasing violence in the occupied Palestinian territory. The impact on children is particularly disturbing. Ireland has engaged actively on this issue, including in the context of our tenure on the UN Security Council. At the most recent Security Council meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 28 October, Ireland expressed serious concern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have not met the Russian Ambassador to Ireland in person since Russia’s unjustified and illegal further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Officials in my Department have met with the Ambassador to discuss a range of operational issues, in line with our obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR). This is the international agreement on arrangements...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: My colleague, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, represented Ireland at the meeting of the UN Security Council on Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2 November 2022. At the meeting, the 15 members of UN Security Council voted unanimously to reauthorise EUFOR Althea, the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for an additional 12 months. The successful renewal of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The deteriorating situation in Myanmar is of grave concern.  The increased level of violence across all regions since the military coup in February 2021 and its impact on the Myanmar people are deeply alarming. I am deeply saddened at reports that over 2,500 people have been killed and almost 13,000 continue to be arbitrarily detained.  As I have stated previously, Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I have met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland on several occasions since Russia’s unjustified and illegal further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The first such instance was in the days following the invasion, to convey Ireland’s solidarity and strong support for the Government and people of Ukraine. I also met with the Ambassador during my visit to Kyiv in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, attended the General Affairs Council meeting on 18 October 2022 in Luxembourg. At this meeting Ministers exchanged views on the topics to be discussed at the 20-21 October European Council meeting, including Ukraine/Russia, Food Security, Critical Infrastructure, Energy, Economic Issues and External Relations. Discussion mostly focused on...