Results 26,761-26,780 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies Data (17 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: There are no State bodies or boards that fall under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is determined, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to do everything in our power to ensure that all of its institutions are operating effectively, including the devolved Assembly and power-sharing Executive in Northern Ireland and the North-South Ministerial Council. I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Revenue Commissioners Reports (17 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. I understand that this was a draft internal working paper and preliminary analysis carried out by the Revenue Commissioners, which dates from September 2016. Therefore, as it was an internal report, I would not have expected to receive it. I understand that a redacted version of this document has since been published on the website of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Repatriation Costs (17 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Foreign Affairs responds to around 3,000 consular emergency cases each year, and the highest priority is always given to those involving the deaths of Irish citizens overseas. In 2016 my Department assisted in 250 such cases. Sadly, this number looks likely to increase in 2017 and could be around 300. My Department and its staff are well trained and experienced in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (17 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 to 209, inclusive, together. The opening of three new embassies in Santiago, Chile, Bogotá, Colombia and Amman, Jordan and two new consulates general in Vancouver, Canada and Mumbai, India between 2018 and 2019 is an important first step in doubling Ireland’s global footprint by 2025 and building our capacity to respond to the complexity of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (17 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am acutely aware of the very understandable concerns which exist among members of the Irish community in the U.S. in light of recent developments in the area of immigration under the new U.S. Administration. The changed political landscape in the US has resulted in a renewed focus on the plight of the many millions of undocumented people living in the US, including thousands of Irish...

Questions on Promised Legislation (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government view on this is that the way in which issues in respect of Catalonia are being dealt with by the Spanish Government must happen within the law, within Spanish law. While there is significant tension in respect of these issues, we have repeatedly said that we want to encourage sides towards dialogue to reduce tension. That is where the focus should be. This is primarily an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the worrying situation with regard to LGBTI people in Egypt, to which the Deputy refers. The promotion and protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals globally is a priority for Ireland in our international human rights advocacy, including our engagement at the UN Human Rights Council, at EU meetings and through our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Libya is very unstable, and the violence in Sabratha and the humanitarian consequences for civilians, are a cause for serious concern. As I have stated before in this House, the ongoing fighting in Libya exacerbates the situation for migrants. The government has only partial control of the territory, which limits the capacity of the international community to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is determined, as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to do everything in our power to ensure all of its institutions are operating effectively, and that outstanding commitments from previous Agreements are fully implemented. The Government is continuing to work with the British Government and the parties to support the urgent resumption of the devolved institutions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of media reports that the J1 programmes are being reviewed by the US administration, in the context of President Trump's "Hire American" Executive Order. Any cuts to the J1 trainee programme or any significant increase in the level of rejections would be of serious concern to the Government. My officials in Washington and Dublin have made clear to the US Administration the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (18 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK are proceeding on the basis of the phased approach set out in the European Council Guidelines of 29 April 2017. Ireland fully supports this approach, which foresees that discussions on the future EU-UK relationship, including trade, will get underway as soon as sufficient progress has been made on the EU’s key priorities under the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (19 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: There has been no reduction in my Department’s Emigrant Support Programme or the programme to promote reconciliation. Programme A, Our People, has increased current expenditure by €2.2m, from €69.6m in 2017 to €71.8m in 2018. It has reduced capital expenditure by €3.9m as the specific capital requirements will reduce in 2018. Capital is allocated on a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (19 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: At present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 61 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative office. The scale and presence of the network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to adjust the State’s external representation, including the opening of missions, will have regard to national priorities and...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government takes this issue very seriously. I am glad to understand that the two largest parties in this House have agreed upon a motion for tomorrow night. There is a very clear message coming from the Oireachtas in respect of how unacceptable the behaviour of banks has been in the context of the tracker mortgage scandal, which we are trying to bring to a conclusion. We had a...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: It is the role of the Central Bank, not the Government, to regulate the banking system. Should another a scandal occur, the type of which we are talking about today, the Government, if it needs to, will act. On the levy issue, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, has made it clear that he has not been prescriptive in terms of what the Government will do until such time as he gets...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am not suggesting that it did. What I am saying is that I do not believe any consumer protection regulator would have the power the Central Bank has. That function needs to remain with the Central Bank. We will have a comprehensive statement from the Government tomorrow. We expect a comprehensive statement from the banks also. If we do not get that, the Government will look at the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: I also welcome the return of Ibrahim Halawa to Dublin this morning. I thank all Members, including the Ceann Comhairle, who helped make that happen, along with the many others who made Mr. Halawa feel very welcome on his return. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has spent more time on this case than any other in consular history. Many Members have been involved in a campaign to...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: That is not what I am suggesting.

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2017)

Simon Coveney: Neither the Taoiseach nor anyone else in Government has been pitting one against the other, and the Deputy should not present the matter in those terms because it is simply not true. The Government's commitment in respect of domestic and sexual violence is clear. We have the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, and more than €22 million in funding for the purpose of tackling...