Results 27,141-27,160 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Court of Human Rights Judgments (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: On 2 December 2014, the Government announced its decision to request the European Court of Human Rights to revise its 1978 judgment in the case taken by Ireland against the UK. The request was filed with the court on 4 December 2014. On the basis of new material uncovered, the Government contended the ill treatment suffered by the victims should be recognised as torture. The...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Court of Human Rights Judgments (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: It is important that I do not anticipate what the court will do with timelines. The Deputy will appreciate that. The Irish Government will ensure that any additional information we need to provide or requests that come of it will be treated with an absolute priority. I do control when I can make myself available to meet the individuals concerned. I am happy to do that early in the new...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: European Court of Human Rights Judgments (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: We will try to facilitate that meeting as early as we can. I will be in the Middle East in the second week in January. The meeting will probably be after that in the second half of January.
- Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: Deputy Wallace is an able substitute.
- Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: The Deputy has raised this issue with me already and I know his concerns are genuine. There was quite a long debate on Syria in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting this week. On 9 May 2011, the EU agreed to impose restrictive measures, or sanctions, on members of the Syrian regime to put pressure on them to end the violent repression of the civilian population in Syria. Targeted EU...
- Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: The EU keeps the impact of sanctions under constant review and will consider options to mitigate any unintended consequences which can be documented relating directly to the measures themselves as distinct from more general economic disruption caused by the conflict. For example, in 2016, the EU amended the Syrian sanctions regime to make it easier for NGOs operating in Syria to buy fuel....
- Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: Lessons have been learned from the sanctions regime in Iraq. I do not disagree with the Deputy on that. The sanctions against Syria are much more targeted than that but I reiterate the idea that we would send a signal by removing sanctions now, effectively saying that we accept that the Assad regime should not be targeted in any way politically, would give the wrong signal in the context of...
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: I have no problem with it being grouped.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: It is not my call, Deputy.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: All the issues relate to Jerusalem. Deputy Crowe's question has an added dimension, the recognition of the state of Palestine, which is presumably why it was not grouped, but I am happy to take them together.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: There is no Question No. 50 included.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: I do not think Question No. 50 was in the group.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: I do not think Question No. 50 is in the grouping. It is not in my brief.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 32 and 36 together. On the US announcement, and the Government's position, I refer Deputies to my reply a few minutes ago to Priority Question No. 28, as well as to the statement which I issued on behalf of the Government on 6 December. I will not repeat my earlier reply but will add the following. The decision by the United States and its...
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: That may be the view of the Deputy and others but the international consensus on this issue is clear that the most viable way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side is in the context of a two-state solution. The Government supports that, the EU supports it and it has been the subject of many debates, conclusions and resolutions in the UN. It is what we would like to see. The...
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: I do not believe that such language is helpful to what we are trying to do. Israel is a state that has a right to exist. It has a right to defend itself and look after legitimate security concerns in a part of the world that is very unstable.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: In my view, Palestinians also have a right to a state. Much of their land is occupied at the moment.
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: We need to try to move forward a process that treats both sides with equal respect, one that allows for a situation whereby the legitimate concerns of Palestinian people are addressed. We need to see addressed the misery that many Palestinians live in today, especially the humanitarian challenges they face in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. That is why the international community,...
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: I do not accept that the two-state solution is now dead. That would be an extraordinarily negative message to send to Palestinians and Israelis for that matter, many of whom I have spoken to. Many Israelis want a lasting peaceful solution and are committed to a two-state solution. The actions of the Israeli Government, especially in the context of settlements, the expansion of...
- Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (13 Dec 2017)
Simon Coveney: I believe in trying to get a political result that works for everyone rather than grandstanding.