Results 41-60 of 40,856 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: I will give the Deputy the same answer I gave Deputy Naughten earlier. I am aware the scheme is due to end at the end of the month. It is a matter for the consideration of the Department of Health and the Minister. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly. We have not had any recommendation to Government in relation to this issue, at least not yet.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: There is very real concern on this issue. I want to say to people listening to vote at the end of this week. Changing a country's constitution is a big deal. No one should allow other people to make decisions for them. I encourage everybody to vote. This is an opportunity to modernise and improve our Constitution in relation to both questions. I hope people take the opportunity to do...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: I am familiar with this project. It has taken a long time to get to this stage with regard to site selection. This is an elective-only hospital, which is relatively new in Ireland in terms of structure. We are pushing as hard as we can to get it built as soon as we can. In the meantime, it is important to say that there are multiple projects at big hospital campuses like CUH, for example,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: On the issue of President von der Leyen, I think the Taoiseach has outlined a very different perspective from Ireland than, perhaps, the perspective that she has outlined at different times. However, I think President von der Leyen has done an extraordinary job if you look at the role she has played in the round over the last number of years. She has, I think, given extraordinary leadership...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: Ireland continues to be the most vocal country in the European Union regarding the humanitarian disaster that has unfolded in Gaza, and we will continue to be that vocal voice. Calling for a ceasefire, as we have done for months, is now the mainstream position, and we are calling for the release of hostages and a massive humanitarian aid effort to be facilitated into Gaza as soon as possible.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: I am sorry, I could not hear the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: This is a matter for the Minister for housing. I think he acknowledged in a debate in the last number of weeks that he needs to review this number to make sure there is an appropriate disincentive for bulk purchasing of homes. It is important to say that, I think, the figure is about 2% of homes that are being purchased by large investment funds as bulk purchases. It is important that we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: The issue the Deputy raised is a very valid one. That is why we set up a Garda vetting review group to focus on how we can make changes and introduce more efficiencies into this system, avoiding duplication and unnecessary effort. Those issues are still being considered by that group. I am told it is due to report relatively soon but I will get the Minister to come back to the Deputy with...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: The temporary scheme of paid leave was developed by the Department of Health for certain public health sector employees who were unfit for work after a Covid-19 infection. That scheme is due to end on 31 March, which is the end of this month, but I will raise the issue with the Minister and ask him come back to the Deputy directly rather than giving him a stale answer here. I understand...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: There is a lot in the Deputy's question. I will try to answer the various elements of it. First, I am glad the Deputy is noticing progress in Cork. That is always important in terms of the scale of development there.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: The mid-west has had a great year too. If we look at the performance of Limerick and the mid-west more generally, three of the biggest IDA Ireland announcements in the country this year happened just outside Limerick, involving Analog Devices, Eli Lilly and Verizon. Thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of euro of investment will be coming to the mid-west over the next few years. We...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: I hear the Deputy's frustration. I assure him there is no lack of ambition in this regard in my Department or that of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The Minister has done an extraordinary piece of work over the last number of years to make this prospect a reality. We have had our first round of auctions and 3 GW of draft supply contracts are in place. One of those projects is off the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: I accept what the Deputy is saying in raising issues to which the Government needs to respond. What I do not accept is the characterisation that the Government's response is that there is nothing to see here. There is a lot to see here. We see it and we are trying to respond to it. That is why staffing numbers in the HSE have grown by 22% in the past four years. That is why we are...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: Deputy Sherlock knows that when a health system-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: -----is escalated into pressurised management situations, you need to prioritise the patients who need beds most.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: That is what is happening in Limerick today. Is that welcome? It certainly is not.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: We have surge capacity using other beds in the region as best we can. This is a temporary arrangement-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: -----that we will move beyond as quickly as we can.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. To be fair, he has been really consistent in raising it for many months now and in keeping the Government focused and under pressure in respect of an adequate response. The European Commission has made a non-binding recommendation on the recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational disease. It did not make a recommendation, however, regarding long...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (6 Mar 2024)

Simon Coveney: -----quickly the regional long Covid clinics which have been promised.