Results 26,901-26,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen, particularly as the humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate. The war has entered into its third year, the political process has stalled and the fighting is having devastating consequences for civilians. Yemen is also facing the world's fastest-growing cholera epidemic. EU Foreign Ministers last discussed the situation in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I hope I am not someone who is prone to exaggeration but Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis right now. It is a catastrophic situation in terms of the inability of essential humanitarian aid supplies to reach people who desperately need them. I have seen the images coming out of Yemen and believe me, I suspect we are not seeing the half of it. We have a political responsibility...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: First, the EU is vocal on this issue. It has also rules around the arms trade in terms of what those arms are used for. It is important to say that this is effectively a civil war and no one country is responsible for the misery there. There are two sides to this conflict and depending on who one talks to, blame can be attributed to a number of parties so this will not be solved simply by...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 41 together. We are doing a lot on the Israeli-Palestinian question but simplistic approaches do not necessarily work. Ireland and our EU partners have consistently condemned the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory, which is unjust and provocative and undermines the credibility of Israel's commitment to a peaceful...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: That is a fair question. The Government has consistently and repeatedly conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities and highlighted them in our interventions at EU, UN and international level. In addition, I have raised these concerns directly with Israeli leaders during my visit to Israel and Palestine in July. Ireland supports efforts to reach a comprehensive peace agreement to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I do not disagree with any of what the Deputy has said. I hope we are talking about how to change it and the approach that will achieve that. My view is that there is a hope and expectation at present. I have met senior Palestinian leaders in Ramallah on this issue, as well as many Israeli politicians. I have met the Israeli ambassador on multiple occasions to discuss this issue. There...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: We have been very consistent on the issue of settlements. They make a lasting peace agreement more and more difficult to achieve. The geography and politics of Jerusalem are incredibly complicated. It takes a lot to get one's head around the issue but it is helpful when one is there and sees the places that the politics and divisions are centred around. The continuing expansion of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): United Nations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The UN provides the foundation for an orderly, rules-based international system. Such a system is important for a small and globally-trading country such as Ireland. Small states depend on this system, which helps to regulate interactions between nations. In an increasingly interconnected world, it is in our national interest to support the UN and to strengthen its role. Ireland is,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): United Nations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: It can try. The one thing we should not be doing is giving up on it because it is the only show in town when it comes to international intervention in serious conflict situations. Ireland will continue to advocate for UN reform and Security Council reform. We believe the use of the veto is abused. We also believe the make-up of the Security Council is not reflective of the world today....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): United Nations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: If one is trying to influence the debate that is going on inside the tent, deliberately deciding to stay outside it does not allow one to progress the agenda. We want to be inside the tent persuading and arguing with people and getting the Irish perspective across. We have done that very successfully in the past. In the aftermath of 11 September 2001, for example, and the subsequent...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 31, 38 and 40 together. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort over many months in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of a new Executive. However, a devolved power-sharing Executive can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two...

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

Simon Coveney: This essentially boils down to a question of respect for diversity in Northern Ireland, and both the Irish language and Ulster Scots are part of that. Both parties are trying to find accommodation for the other on this matter. It is a sensitive political issue, the history of which Deputy Ó Cuív does not need me to relate. Much of the effort in the past ten weeks has been about,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I met with the EU’s Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, in Luxembourg in advance of the meeting of the General Affairs Council on 17 October. This was our third meeting since my appointment. It was a constructive meeting at which we discussed the progress of negotiations to date. I welcomed the progress that has been made in the areas of citizens’ rights and the Irish-specific...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I visited Ethiopia and Kenya from the 6th to the 8th of November. In Ethiopia, I met with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu and discussed the current political and humanitarian situation in the country and the wider region, reaffirmed Ireland’s continued partnership with Ethiopia, and explored opportunities for trade and investment. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: On 18 January 2012, the Council adopted a package of measures aimed at addressing the continued brutal repression and violation of human rights by the Government of Syria. The measures currently in place against Syria include an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments, a freeze of the assets of the Syrian central bank within the EU and export restrictions on equipment and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is concerned at the possible adverse impact on jobs at Bombardier Belfast and on the wider economy in Northern Ireland of the ongoing US Administration anti-dumping and anti-subsidies investigation regarding the development of Bombardier’s C-Series aircraft. I have raised the Government’s concerns directly with the US Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Catalan Referendum (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 20 together. We are all concerned about the crisis in Catalonia. Ireland respects the constitutional and territorial integrity of Spain and we do not accept or recognise the Catalan Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Any decision on a question as important as independence requires legitimacy both in the broadest possible political terms and in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 22 and 33 together. I remain deeply concerned by the situation in Yemen, the suffering of civilians there, and the humanitarian crisis which the war has triggered. EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Yemen last April, and called on the parties to start negotiating a peace agreement. Ireland will continue to support the efforts of UN...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Planning is underway in my Department to mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, on 10 April next year. A number of key events, at home and abroad, are being developed as part of a programme to highlight this important anniversary and to celebrate the achievement of the Agreement, which continues to be the cornerstone of our commitment to peace and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Maintaining the Common Travel Area is a Government priority in the Brexit negotiations. The Common Travel Area is an important feature of the close relationship Ireland enjoys with the UK, with long-established bilateral benefits which enable activity between Ireland and in the UK in many areas including, for example, in trade and tourism. It means that Irish and British citizens can live,...