Results 1,901-1,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I recently received correspondence related to this case, as have officials in my Department. Ireland is committed to protecting and promoting human rights, including a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders. This specific case has been raised with the UN Human Rights Committee, the body that monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 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 largely...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs raised the presence of a 'Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station' with the Embassy of China in Ireland in recent weeks. My officials have also consulted with other relevant stakeholders in Government. Neither the Chinese authorities nor Fuzhou/Fujian Province made a request in advance to the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish the office referred...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am unable to comment on reports of overflights received by the Deputy’s office in the absence of more specific information on the flights concerned. Nevertheless, I would note that Ireland requires diplomatic clearance to be sought in advance for overflight of Irish sovereign airspace by foreign state and military aircraft. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) was established under Strand 3 of the Good Friday Agreement. It brings both Governments together to promote bilateral cooperation on matters of mutual interest within their competence. Within the Good Friday Agreement, there is provision for the Conference to meet at a Summit Level (Prime Minister and Taoiseach), otherwise Governments...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland supported a special session of the Human Rights Council in May 2021 on the escalation of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. At this session, the Council voted to establish a Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland continues to support the work of the Commission of Inquiry, in keeping with our principled position on such Commissions....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I value the role played by the Special Rapporteur and note the publication of the detailed and comprehensive report issued on 21 September. I have been consistently forthright in expressing concern regarding the unequal treatment of Palestinians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland will continue to raise our concerns regarding discriminatory practices towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Up to date statistics on Ukrainian refugees and persons seeking international protection are a matter for individual EU Member States. Statistics in relation to the numbers of Ukrainian refugees and numbers of persons seeking international protection that each European Union Member State has received to date in 2022 and the numbers per capita are tracked by the European Union Agency for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The question of Business and Human rights is an important area of focus for the Government and my Department. Ireland was among the first countries in the world to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and we are also a strong supporter of the EU’s Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020 – 2024 which contains many relevant commitments in this field....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s long-standing close relationship with Lithuania is highly valued. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielus Landsbergis and I meet in our official capacities regularly at European Foreign Affairs Councils (FAC), the latest of which was held on the 17thof October. Prior to this there was an informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers (Gymnich) held on the 31stof August...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s Consulate General in San Francisco works closely with the Irish diaspora in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, including in fulfilment of Ireland's Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025. This includes providing support to Irish communities and organisations through the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme, delivering consular assistance to Irish citizens in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: There is no record of any officials in the Department having undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the past ten years.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. In 2015,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: Maintaining and building on the strong ties between Ireland and the United States is a priority for this Government, as set out in our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025). Ireland continually develops and maintains its close relations with the US, through the work of our Embassy in Washington D.C., and our other diplomatic missions across the US. High-level visits are a crucial...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy may be aware, in January this year, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise the unique role played by them during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The Government announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 and 484 to 486, inclusive, together. To compensate for the fact that members of the Defence Force are required to retire at an age which is considerably lower than in other employments, there are arrangements in place for accelerated pension provisions, where pension and gratuity may be payable on retirement at age 50. As current pension...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the military authorities that offences relating to misconduct of a sexual nature are categorised as 'non-scheduled' in accordance with Part V of the Defence Act 1954 and are tried by Court Martial. During the period 2000 to 2021 and to date in 2022, Court Martials found charges proven in six (6) instances. As the Deputy will be aware, I am fully committed to ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that my Department earlier this year made a submission, as requested, to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Planning on suitable buildings and lands for accommodation purposes for those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Force's building stock covers a diverse range of building types, which are managed by military authorities and as such this information is not readily available centrally within my Department. My officials, with the Defence Forces, will compile the information requested and I will arrange to have same forwarded to you as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Nov 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am assuming that the Deputy's question relates to major capital building investment at the DFTC, Curragh Camp for the past three years, 2019-2021 inclusive. The table below sets out the information sought. 2019 2020 2021 Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett Refurbishment of Block 7 Plunkett ...