Results 26,881-26,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I hope that is Deputy Cullinane's position now too. If it is, his position has changed somewhat into a more realistic position. The Government's position is that we would like to see Britain as a whole not only stay in the customs union but to stay as an extended part of the Single Market. That would solve many problems for many people and livelihoods. This is a negotiation, however, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I do not want Britain to leave the European Union. I want the island of Ireland to remain in the European Union but we are in a negotiation following Britain deciding through a referendum to leave. We need to ensure that we protect Ireland's vulnerabilities, both North and South, in that context. We are negotiating through a European task force led by Michel Barnier, who understands the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Taoiseach said he was more optimistic that we could move on to phase 2 in December than he was before the October meeting, when, clearly, there was no chance of that happening. Since the Taoiseach's statements, the leaked paper from the task force points to a number of things that Britain does not seem to be accommodating, so we have a problem. The Taoiseach recognises this also and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I agree that we need consistency because businesses cannot plan on the basis of weeks or months; they need to plan years ahead. This is why we need a long transition period, in my view. We have been giving very clear messages for the last week, through our party conference and since then. I gave very consistent messages to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and to the Secretary of State for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: It is important to quote the Secretary of State, Mr. Brokenshire, fully. While he did say what the Deputy has outlined, he also said " ... we have made equally clear we are determined to find bespoke solutions to Northern Ireland's unique circumstances, not least as the only part of the UK to share a land border with an EU member state." There is a recognition from James Brokenshire that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I am working closely with colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This co-operation also involves the relevant State agencies. Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-departmental co-ordination structures. All relevant Departments are providing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: While David Davis said that, he also published a paper during the summer which explored the concept of a customs union partnership to allow Britain, Ireland and the rest of the European Union to remain within the one customs union. While he is saying, consistent with the British Government position, that they are leaving the customs union, the Single Market and the European Union, it does...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: On the general issue of a breakdown, there will come points in any negotiation cycle with which very significant stakes are associated where things are really difficult. This is a really difficult negotiation and we are coming to one of those points in December. Britain wants desperately to move on to phase two, as do many other countries, including Ireland, and as do businesses. We have...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The European Commission task force paper on guiding principles for the dialogue on Irish issues reflects our priorities, including the complex issue of the Border. The paper makes it clear that it is the UK's responsibility to propose workable solutions and to take the policy decisions needed to deliver on the shared objective of avoiding a hard border. It is welcome, therefore, that the UK...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy would expect, we are looking at our own ideas, as well as asking the British to come forward with theirs. The onus is on the UK as it decided to leave, which has caused all these issues. Whether we like it or not, however, we are all in this together and we need to contribute to finding solutions, which we will do. It is also important that we are clear on the parameters...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Within the parameters of no regulatory divergence, we will have an open mind in respect of solutions.

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: This is a time-limited negotiation and, at the end of March 2019, Britain leaves so we need to move on to phase 2. Even if we move onto phase 2 in December and start serious negotiations in January, we still only have about nine months to put a new template or framework agreement in place, which is a very short space of time in the context of a negotiation as complex as this one. We have no...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Undocumented Irish in the USA (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I know there are many people from the Deputy's county who are in a very vulnerable position as a result of this, as there are in mine. The Government remains committed to achieving relief for the undocumented and to facilitating greater pathways for legal migration to the United States. Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the US are availing of all opportunities to raise the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Undocumented Irish in the USA (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: We got a very warm reception on Capitol Hill on this issue. We met Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi, a series of Congressmen and a number of Senators who have been great friends of Ireland for many years. We have been working with Senator Billy Lawless, who is deeply involved in this issue. We are all looking to try to find ways in which we can progress this issue given the political landscape that...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Undocumented Irish in the USA (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: We are probably all on the same page. There are Irish people living in the US who are literally living in the shadows. They are much more concerned and feel a lot more vulnerable and exposed than they have in the past. This is a big issue. We are trying to think imaginatively as to how we can progress it with the current Administration but that is not straightforward. We would not have...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: We have skipped a few questions. Is this because the Members are not here?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: That is a shame, particularly the question on Yemen.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I will work with the House. I apologise to Deputy Crowe and I will answer his question now. The Government has consistently emphasised the urgent need to move ahead with the establishment of the legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement. Victims and survivors of the Troubles continue to wait for delivery of this, having had to wait for far too long already for a...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have discussed legacy issues at length with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire. I believe the British Government is deeply committed to moving ahead with the legacy framework that was outlined in the Stormont House Agreement. Both Governments will take a unified approach to try to ensure that framework works. I hope the consultation process that must take...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: One thing we can do as a Government to assist in legacy inquests is to allow for evidence that is relevant to inquests in Northern Ireland to be heard in Dublin. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, understands these issues really well, having previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is committed to the introduction of the legislation in question,...