Results 27,001-27,020 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The European Union is a community of shared values, committed to defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The current situation in Hungary was extensively debated in the European Parliament on 26 April last, at which time the First Vice-President of the European Commission Timmermans and Prime Minister Orbán made extensive contributions to the debate. Fundamental values...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The general elections which took place in Chile on 19 November consisted of both Presidential and congressional elections. In the Presidential ballot, the candidate of the ‘Chile Vamos’ coalition, former President Sebastian Piñera, won 36.6% of the vote, with the candidate of the Nueva Mayoría coalition, Alejandro Guillier, in second position with 22.7%. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The situation in Venezuela continues to be a matter of serious concern to the Government. Gubernatorial elections took place on 15 October amidst numerous reported incidences of irregularity and the results were not recognised by a large part of the opposition. This has accentuated the political polarisation in the country. The EU has called for full transparency on the results of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Ireland and our EU partners have consistently condemned the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory, which is unjust, provocative, and undermines the credibility of Israel’s commitment to a peaceful solution to the conflict. The introduction and settlement of communities of the occupying power, to alter the demography of the area, is unambiguously illegal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government, working with the British Government, has spared no effort in supporting and facilitating talks on the formation of a new Executive, over many months. However, devolved power-sharing government can only operate on the basis of an agreement reached between the two largest parties. The other parties represented in the Assembly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation and audit of programmes and projects is required. Professional services provided by external...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foireann Roinne (28 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. . Tá Oifigeach Gaeilge ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála, mar atá leagtha amach i Scéim Teanga na Roinne. Tá Gaeilge líofa ag an té atá sa phost seo. Rinne mo Roinn ceapacháin anuraidh de bheirt dátheangach feidhmiúil eile dár seirbhísí...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am happy to answer that question. The Deputy will understand this only too well as a former Minister in the Department. We get weekly working briefings from our diplomatic missions across the European Union giving us feedback on the issues of the week and the day. Obviously, there is a lot of feedback on Brexit at present. In this case that weekly briefing documentation, which is...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: This issue came to the Government last week and we agreed to bring it before the House. There will be a full debate on it before a decision is made by this House. The proposal for more structured co-operation on defence and security issues across the European Union has been in development for a number of years. It does not, however, oblige Ireland to do anything. The structure has,...

Questions on Promised Legislation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I hope it will take place next week but that is a matter for party Whips and the Business Committee.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Staff (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Managing our response to Brexit has impacted on the work of many staff at Headquarters and a significant number of those overseas. It is important to emphasise that our approach has not been merely to recruit or assign additional staff, but rather also to prioritise Brexit in the work of our entire Department. Additional staff have been assigned to the key Divisions with responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the matter to which the Deputy refers. A core part of the work of our Embassies in the EU is to report on views on Brexit in other Member States. A weekly summary of such reports is prepared. These summaries, like the reports on which they are based, are internal and confidential and not intended for the public domain. In the light of this regrettable event, arrangements for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: I have been advised by officials from the Embassy of Ireland in Ankara that it is not possible to provide a timeframe for an appeals process in the Turkish courts to be completed, as this timeframe can vary from case to case. An appeal process is a judicial process and the Irish Government has no role in a matter such as this which is before the courts of another jurisdiction. Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Negotiations (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Government is determined to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts is fully protected and respected in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, including all elements relating to human rights. Human rights protections form a vital part of the institutional underpinning for the peace settlement founded on the Good Friday Agreement and serve to build and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The budget for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2017 was €11.595 million, this in line with budget levels in recent years and also stands as the budget for 2018. An increase of 5% on the 2017 budget would cost €579,750. An increase of 10% on the 2017 budget would cost €1,159,500. An increase of 15% on the 2017 budget would cost €1,739,250. An increase of 20%...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). Thee work of our embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our network promotes Ireland’s political, economic and cultural interests...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: Brexit is undoubtedly one of the most significant challenges the country will face in the coming years in terms of the peace process and relationships within and between these islands. Protecting our economic interests in terms of trade and investment with the UK is a key priority for my Department, as well as the need to drive further diversification of our trade and investment flows...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (29 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. Over €48 million has been allocated to over 2,000 projects. As part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: It is good to have an opportunity once again to talk about agriculture. In regard to the future of CAP, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan, has managed this issue in a way that is politically intelligent. He has already launched a document on the future of CAP, which will allow us to have that discussion early in the context of the negotiation that will...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2017)

Simon Coveney: The straight answer to that question is "Yes". We will ensure farmers are not shortchanged and that all the available funding under the rural development plan is fully drawn down for a whole series of schemes, including GLAS, the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, the sheep welfare scheme, the beef genomics and data programme, the organic farming scheme, the knowledge transfer...