Results 1,961-1,980 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: While not intended as formal visa waiver schemes, I take it the Deputy is referring to the UK’s proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) being developed for use in the Schengen Area. The UK’s plans to establish an ETA scheme that would apply to non-Irish residents of Ireland and tourists who wish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348, 350 and 351 together. I recently received correspondence related to this case, as have a number of officials in my Department. I am aware that several members of the Oireachtas have also received details of this case and are concerned by the issues raised. As you know, the protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: 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 peaceful protestors in Iran has been extremely concerning. I...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I wish to advise the Deputy that the number of persons working in the Department of Defence Press Office, Communications Team and Social Media Team is as follows. Grade of staff members. Numbers of Communications/Press/Social Media PO 0.5 AP 1 HEO 3 Total (equivalent whole-time...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces building stock covers a range of building types from residential buildings to ammunition depots and given their military nature it is not the policy to value same. I assume the material sought by the Deputy relates to buildings of a residential nature which would attract a LPT liability. My officials are now collating, with the Defence Forces, this material and I will...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by my Department, that it leases a small number of properties for the purposes of RDF training and I am further advised that none of these properties are vacant.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ukraine War (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Following receipt of an invitation to join the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Ireland has been represented at three in-person meetings of the group. Two of those meetings took place in Brussels, Belgium and the other in Ramstein, Germany.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Investment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various Subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment etc. I am informed by the Defence Forces that the amount spent on purchasing military equipment from companies based in the UK in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Investment in new equipment for the Defence Forces is provided for under various Subheads of the Defence Vote relating to defensive equipment, mechanical transport, aircraft, ships and naval stores, engineering, communications and information technology equipment etc. I am advised by the Defence Forces that the amount spent on purchasing military equipment from companies based in the USA in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Covid-19 Pandemic (25 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: In supporting the national effort in countering COVID-19, the Defence Forces provided a range of non clinical and administrative supports in a number of residential care home facilities at the request of the HSE. All requests for assistance from the HSE were managed centrally by HSE Head Office who liaised directly with the Defence Forces Joint Task Force established to coordinate the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (20 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Representatives of the Polisario Front visited Ireland from 12th to 14th October 2022. On 13th October, the delegation met with officials from the Middle East and North Africa Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Officials welcomed the opportunity to hear perspectives on the current situation in Western Sahara and the upcoming renewal of the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Electricity Supply Board (20 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility with regard to the importation of coal comes under the remit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and my Department does not hold information around the quantity of coal that has been purchased by the ESB. However, I am aware of the human rights concerns that have been raised by some civil society organisations around the operation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (20 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Birth Certificates (20 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (20 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Tigray and in other parts of northern Ethiopia remains of grave concern. The conflict in Ethiopia has had a devastating impact on civilians, with many killed or injured, and widespread human rights violations. The report published last month by the UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia presents further alarming details of the human rights and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and I, as Minister for Defence, welcomed the publication of the report of the Commission on 9th February last.  The Commission undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference.  It recommended significant changes for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (19 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: With regard to the Foreign Birth Registration application about which the Deputy has enquired, the requested document has been returned by post to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Pension Provisions (19 Oct 2022)

Simon Coveney: The payment of pensions, including the application of general round increases for the staff of my Department, is a matter for the pensions pay team within the National Shared Service Office (NSSO). Any enquiries received by my Department relating to such matters are forwarded to the NSSO for consideration. The case in question remains open with the NSSO and is awaiting further information...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Birth Certificates (19 Oct 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...